The Devil's Brother (1933)

Two wannabe bandits join the service of a dashing nobleman, who secretly masquerades as Fra Diavolo, a notorious outlaw.

Directors:

Hal Roach, Charley Rogers (co-director) (as Charles Rogers)

Writer:

Jeanie Macpherson (adaptation)

Stars:

Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Dennis King

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Dennis King	...	Fra Diavolo / Marquis de San Marco
Thelma Todd	...	Lady Pamela
James Finlayson	...	Lord Rocburg
Lucile Browne	...	Zerlina
Arthur Pierson	...	Lorenzo
Henry Armetta	...	Matteo
Matt McHugh	...	Francesco
Lane Chandler	...	Lieutenant
Nina Quartero	...	Rita (as Nena Quartaro)
Wilfred Lucas	...	Alessandro
James C. Morton	...	Woodchopper
Stan Laurel	...	Stanlio
Oliver Hardy	...	Ollio

Storyline

At Stanlio's urging, Ollio foists himself off as the dread singing bandit Fra Diavolo and unknowingly attempts to rob the notorious brigand himself. As punishment, Diavolo orders Stanlio to hang Ollio, but gives them a second chance when Stanlio bungles the job. Taking them on as his retainers, Diavolo travels to the Tavern de Cucu in his guise as the foppish Marquis de San Marco to rob the rich, aged Lord Rocburg and woo beauteous Lady Pamela. Stanlio drives Ollio and the innkeeper to distraction by playing "earsie kneesie nosie" and "finger wiggle," and gets drunk helping Ollio fill tankards of wine, sending him into an uncontrollable laughing fit. The boys plot to capture Diavolo but wind up with him in front of a firing squad.

---

Plot Keywords:

bumbling | dual identity | frameup | friend | stolen jewelry | 

---

Taglines:

In the early eighteenth century, Northern Italy was terrorized by bandits. Boldest among the robber-chieftains was Fra Diavolo (The Devil's Brother), who masqueraded as the elegant Marquis de San Marco in order to mingle with the rich. Great lords lost their gold to him-great ladies their hearts.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Musical

---

Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 May 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Virtuous Tramps

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Roach Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the first movies to have exit music.

---

Goofs

Position of the noose during the hanging sequence.

---

Quotes

Lord Rocburg: And my money?
[Lady Pamela lifts her skirt up]
Lord Rocburg: Safe as a bug in a rug! Clever of me to think having it sewed in your petticoat. I wouldn't dare travel in this country with so much money on me!
Lady Pamela: But, perhaps someone may find it on me?
Lord Rocburg: What? What? Who, my dear, besides myself would be likely to see your lingerie? Huh?
Lady Pamela: Oh, no one but you, my lord.

---

Crazy Credits

Ollio is played by Oliver Hardy, but Stanlio is played by X.

---

Alternate Versions

'Cry Babes, "East Comem, Easy Go" and "In Trouuble" were shortened edited versions created specifically for TV.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Big Bang Theory: The Pirate Solution (2009)

---

Soundtracks

Ku-Ku
(1928) (uncredited)
Music by Marvin Hatley
In the score often for Laurel and Hardy's antics

User Reviews

one of The Boys' better efforts

Of the three features L&H made based on operettas - The Devil's Brother (Auber's 'Fra Diavolo'), The Bohemian Girl (ibid, Balfe & Bunn), and Babes In Toyland (ibid, Sigmund Romberg) - I feel that this one shows off The Boys' comic abilities the best. James Finlayson, an L&H regular, is in his usual fine form, and Thelma Todd is marvelously coquettish. James C. Morton, who appeared so often as a policeman in so many of the L&H shorts, does a brilliant turn in the tiny part of the woodchopper. Best moment: Stan, ordered to hang Ollie, tightens the noose around his neck prior to hauling him up. "Stop that! You're choking me!" complains Ollie.