Customer Reviews

Hollywood Classics Collectors Edition - Utopia [VHS]

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It is well-known that following their departure with Hal Roach in 1940, Laurel and Hardy made a stream of sub par movies which rarely showcased their unique abilities - "The Big Noise" (1944), had a few things going for it, including a revived "upper berth" scene which strongly resembled a later Honeymooners' bit; "Nothing But Trouble" which managed to hang together; and finally "The Bullfighters" which was a marginal success, reportedly due to the behind-the-scenes intervention of Mr. Stan Laurel. This 1950 European production, considered by many critics to be a a total waste of time, succeeds for fans through the courage and dedication of the two stars, both over sixty and not in their best health, and through their return to their trademarked characterizations: when they are in the frame we get 100% Stan and Ollie (especially in the early sequences aboard their..."yacht"). When the supporting players drive the action, the flick is a curiosity. Fans should concentrate on the many fun sequences and be reminded that Stan did recover from his illness during filming; although Babe's health went slowly into decline following the film's release, possibly as a result of the tropical heat on location and his worry over his pal. As such, it remains a touching memento for fans. (They did, however, complete triumphant tours of the British Isles soon after filming). This overlong, mixed up movie stands as a testimonial to two true Troupers!

Some of the forties 'big studio' Laurel and Hardy films were pretty thin on humour, so it's nice to be able to say that their final film is a good one.

Stan inherits an island in the south seas, but things don't go according to plan and before long he and Ollie end up on an atoll.

Though this film may take some getting used to - Laurel and Hardy themselves look ready for retirement - it is nonetheless a wealth of both visual and verbal gags and is one you ought not to be put off seeing.

Originally released as "Atoll K" in 1951, "Utopia" is superior to Laurel and Hardy's post-Hal Roach efforts of the 1940s. Despite their ill health, Stan and Ollie remain seasoned comedy pros in this admirably offbeat French-Italian production. The team's cinematic swansong includes some memorable sight gags and a surprising amount of political satire. Though flawed, it's a better film than some critics would have you believe.

This French-Italian production has Stan and Ollie inheriting a South Seas island and discovering uranium. The bad news is that Laurel & Hardy were seriously ill during production (in some scenes Stan looks awful), and everyone except Laurel & Hardy is badly dubbed in English. On the bright side, there is some good visual humor; Laurel & Hardy do an excellent job considering the language barrier and production problems. Interesting as a curio and historically significant as the team's last film, but not a prime example of Laurel & Hardy comedy. This title is available on a number of video labels; the Madacy Video version suffers from the extended-play recording.

L & H was the BEST comedy team ever...but Utopia, their last movie, was a sorry example of their once-amazing, laugh-producing abilities. I was sorry to see the older L & H team attempting to mimic their very funny style they had when younger. Stan actually looked as though he was in pain during the entire move and Hardy, looking not much better, acted is if he was sorry for accepting the role in te first place. Even the foreign story line with dubbed in English was poorly written and directed.