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4.0 out of 5 stars
First 2 discs worth the price., February 9, 2006
This review is from: The Laurel or Hardy Collection (DVD)
The first two discs are worth getting even if they are not restored. The third disc has two titles not currently available elsewhere on DVD. The last two discs are just re-releases of Kino & Hal Roach Studios DVDs.
Don't expect the restoration quality of KINO, HAL ROACH STUDIOS or LOBSTER FILMS. To read about Passport's quality track record see their other Silent LAUREL & HARDY COLLECTION on Amazon.com ASIN: B0007X1NWE. They also like to key their package logo on the bottom right of the picture!
I find the Oliver Hardy - Bobby Ray shorts of interest. Bobby is a long forgotten silent comedian who briefly teamed up with Oliver Hardy. This is the team that could have been, but Stan is the much better comedian and it is fortunate for us that things went the way they did.
Here is what is on this box set, the titles will look familiar.
Disc 1
Oliver Hardy in:
THE HOBO (1917) with Chaplin-imitator Billy West ( VHS quality copies are on Alpha's "Early Silent Years" & Brentwood's L & H collection )
THE ROGUE (1918) with Chaplin-imitator Billy West
HER NEARSIGHTED FATHER with Charley Chase.
Stan Laurel in
MIXED NUTS (1924),
JUST RAMBLING ALONG (1918),
WHITE WINGS (1923) ( a poor copy is on Alpha's "Early Silent Films vol.2" )
FRAUDS AND FRENZIES (1918) with Larry Semon.
Disc 2
Oliver Hardy joins Larry Semon in:
THE BELLBOY ( probably 1921's "The Bellhop" ),
THE SAWMILL (1922) ( the restored version is on Kino's "Oliver Hardy Collection" ),
THE BAKERY (1921),
GOLF (1922),
HER BOYFRIEND (1924),
KID SPEED (1924) ( a fair copy is on Alpha's "Early Silent Films vol.1" ).
Disc 3
Stan Laurel stars in
MUD AND SAND (1922) Stan plays Rhubarb Vasolino in a spoof of Rudolph Valentino's Blood and Sand ( also available on Alpha's Early Silent Films vol.4 & Brentwood's L & H collection ),
SMITHY (1924) a forshadowing of L & H's later film 'The Finishing Touch' ( a decent copy is on Alpha's "Early Silent Films vol.3" ),
THE SOILERS (1923) with Jimmy Finlayson, watch for the gay cowboy trying to steal the scenes ( the restored version is on Kino's "Stan Laurel Collection" and Hal Roach Studio's Lost Films of L & H vol.8" ),
PICK AND SHOVEL (1923),
WEST OF HOT DOG (1924) ( the restored version is on Kino's "Stan Laurel Collection" ),
KILL OR CURE (1923).
Disc 4 ( All of these shorts have been previously released & restored by Kino )
Oliver Hardy Supporting Roles
HOP TO IT BELLHOP ( original title "Hop To It" 1925 ) with Bobby Ray ( the restored version is on Kino's "Oliver Hardy Collection" ),
STICK AROUND ( the COMPLETE original 1925 version of the cut down re-release "Paperhanger's Helper" that appears on other collections! ) with Bobby Ray ( The restored version is on Kino's "Oliver Hardy Collection" ),
SHOULD SAILORS MARRY? (1925) with Clyde Cook (the restored versions on Kino's "Oliver Hardy Collection" and Hal Roache's "Lost Films of L & H vol.4").
ISN'T LIFE TERRIBLE? (1925) starring Charley Chase ( the restored version is on Kino's "Charley Chase Collection vol.2" ).
LONG FLIV THE KING (1926) starring Charley Chase ( the restored version is on Kino's "Charley Chase Collection vol.1" ).
CRAZY LIKE A FOX (1926) starring Charley Chase ( the restored versions are on Kino's "Charley Chase Collection vol.1" and Hal Roach Studio's "Lost Films of L & H vol.6" ).
Disc 5 ( These titles have been previously released, most restored by Kino. )
Oliver Hardy supporting roles:
THUNDERING FLEAS (1926) just a cameo in an Our Gang silent comedy (a horrible copy was released on Alpha's "Early Silent Films vol.2),
CRAZY TO ACT (1927) Ollie has very little to do in this romantic comedy (The restored version is on Kino's "Oliver Hardy Collection"),
WANDERING PAPAS (1925) directed by Stan Laurel ( the restored version is on Hal Roach Studio's "Lost Films of L & H vol.9"),
Stan Laurel in:
THE SLEUTH (1925) ( the restored version is on Kino's "Stan Laurel Collection" ),
DR PYCKLE AND MR. PRIDE (1925) a fun parody with Stan in character as Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde ( the restored version is on Kino's "Stan Laurel Collection" ),
Laurel & Hardy cameo:
FORTY-FIVE MINUTES FROM HOLLYWOOD (1926) ( the restored version is on Hal Roach Studio's "Lost Films of L & H vol.6" )
Stan Laurel directs but does not appear in:
CHASING THE CHASER (1925) starring Jimmy Finlayson ( the restored version is on Kino's "Stan Laurel Collection" ).
Final notes: I hope the quality is better than Alpha & Brentwood so that the first three discs will bring upgrades to those duliplicates. I just wish these were available seperately so that I did not have to buy the last two discs of duplicate titles.
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