Sons of the Desert (1933)

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.

Director:

William A. Seiter

Writer:

Frank Craven (story)

Stars:

Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Charley Chase

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Stan Laurel	...	Stan Laurel
Oliver Hardy	...	Oliver Hardy
Charley Chase	...	Charley
Mae Busch	...	Mrs. Lottie Hardy
Dorothy Christy	...	Mrs. Betty Laurel
Lucien Littlefield	...	Dr. Horace Meddick

Storyline

So that he and Stan can sneak away to Chicago and attend the annual "Sons of the Desert" lodge convention, Ollie pretends to be sick, and gets a doctor (who turns out to be a veterinarian) to prescribe a long ocean voyage to Hawaii. Decked out in leis and strumming ukuleles, they return home only to learn that the ship supposedly carrying them has sunk. Their hastily-contrived tale of "ship-hiking" their way back cuts no ice with their wives, who've been at the movies watching a newsreel of the lodge's convention parade, starring - guess who?

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Plot Keywords:

convention | lodge | veterinarian | newsreel | ice pack | 

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Taglines:

LONGER and LOUDER LAUGHS AS THESE HEN-PECKED HUSBANDS STEP OUT! (Print Ad- Advance-News, ((Ogdensburg NY)) 21 January 1934)

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

The "Sons of the Desert" theme song is a pastiche of several popular tunes, including "Give My Regards to Broadway."

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Goofs

When the wives are in the cinema watching a newsreel of a car race, the cars are going left to right but the audience's heads are turning right to left. In actual fact there should be no need for the audience to turn their heads. Additionally, while Betty's head turns, her eyes remain focus on a single point before her.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Sons of the Desert chorus: [the members sing "Auld Lang Syne"] And here's a hand, my trusty friend, and gie's a hand o' thine, / We'll take a cup of kindness now, for Auld Lang Syne.
Exalted Exhausted Ruler: [the song concludes, and the Exalted Ruler calls the meeting to order as he hits the podium with a gavel] Brothers, Sons of the Desert, we are all familiar with the business of this special meeting. This Oasis must meet the situation with determination.

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Alternate Versions

The opening MGM lion has been removed from all available prints.

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Connections

Remake of We Faw Down (1928)

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Soundtracks

We Are the Sons of the Desert
(uncredited)
Written by Marvin Hatley
Sung a cappella by The Sons of the Desert

User Reviews

One of the greatest pictures L&H ever made

SONS OF THE DESERT

Aspect ratio: 1.37:1

Sound format: Mono

(Black and white)

Stan 'n' Ollie attend a convention in Chicago against the wishes of their domineering wives (Mae Busch and Dorothy Christy). Unfortunately, truth will out...

William Seiter's magnificent film ranks alongside WAY OUT WEST (1937) as the finest example of L&H's craft, a glorious concoction in which every scene, every bit of business, glows with joyous absurdity. Basically an expanded remake of the short film WE FAW DOWN (1928), "Sons..." is a riot of comic invention, from L&H's mirthful entrance, to their encounter with obnoxious colleague Charley Chase at the 'Sons of the Desert' convention, to a climactic sequence in which The Boys are forced to justify themselves to their outraged wives (including Busch, never better as Ollie's bad-tempered spouse!). A genuine comedy masterpiece. Originally released in the UK as FRATERNALLY YOURS.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 December 1933 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fraternally Yours

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Roach Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

68 min 65 min (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1