Sons of the Desert (1933)

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Director:

William A. Seiter

Writers:

Frank Craven (story)
Byron Morgan (continuity)

Release Date:

29 December 1933 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

When Stan and Ollie trick their wives into thinking that they are taking a medicinal cruise while they're actually going to a convention, the wives find out the truth the hard way.

Plot Keywords:

Convention | Newsreel | Chicago | Veterinarian | Black Eye

Cast

Stan Laurel	...	Stan
Oliver Hardy	...	Ollie
Charley Chase	...	Charley Chase
Mae Busch	...	Mrs. Lottie Hardy
Dorothy Christy	...	Mrs. Betty Laurel
Lucien Littlefield	...	Dr. Horace Meddick

Also Known As:

Fraternally Yours (UK)

Runtime:

68 min | 65 min (TCM print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

West Germany:6 (nf) | Finland:S (1947)

Filming Locations:

Hal Roach Studios - 8822 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Hal Roach Studios

Trivia:

The movie's line "Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into." was voted as the #60 movie quote by the American Film Institute (out of 100).

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Lottie runs into the house to answer the phone, the camera tilts up just a bit too high, revealing the beams, wires, and mechanics of the studio ceiling at the top of the frame for a brief second.

Quotes:

Oliver: What did Betty say?
Stan: Betty said that honesty was the best politics.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Zomergasten: (#4.2)" (1991)

Soundtrack:

Honolulu Baby

The most pleasant comedy

It's really the only good full-length Laurel & Hardy movie that isn't distracted by a sub-plot, therefore an interesting story develops, and we get to see more of Laurel & Hardy. This movie more than any other just lets us laugh at the two characters we love best: Stan and Ollie. We see them as kids, sneaking around to a juvenile convention to escape the clutches of their motherly, domineering wives. There are some great sequences, and some truly hilarious moments. Stan is especially at his best, and the sequence where Ollie is sick is classic. "Why did you get a veterinarian?" "I didn't think his religion would make any difference."

A must for any Laurel & Hardy fan, and indeed a must for everyone who enjoys an utterly pleasant experience and a truly divine comedy.