Customer Reviews

Laurel & Hardy: Sons of Desert + Them Hills [VHS]

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is THE ULTIMATE Laurel & Hardy flick -- and it has stood the test of time. Its premise is pure situation comedy (the boys try to trick their wives into thinking they went on a cruise to Honolulu when they actually attend their lodge meeting in Chicago...the cruise ship goes down...the shocked wives then see their husbands in a movie newsreel). Its 1933 setting works to the film's advantage, as does the wonderful nightclub number Honolulu Baby.

There are several other reasons why of ALL the Laurel and Hardy features this is THE ONE to get if you are just discovering this classic comedy team, studying their work, or already know them and want to collect their films (a hard thing to do these days):
1. GREAT COMEDIC BALANCE: There's a perfect balance of laugh-out-loud dialogue, plus fast-paced slapstick...and it's all carefully integrated. It isn't as if there's a slapstick segment, then some dialogue, etc. It all blends together. I like slapstick and if you do you MUST see the attic scene, the pots and pans scene, Hardy's foot in the water tub scene and the sliding down the drain pipe scene. GUARENTEED belly laughs!
2. EARLY USE OF THE 'CALLBACK' COMEDY TECHNIQUE: David Letterman is a master of the "callback," the joke repeated throughout a segment. Here, L&H use a line "two peas in a pod-DAH" as an early example of a callback (they were pioneers in this).
3. A PERFECT SCRIPT: There are NO wasted moments or frames in this picture. Each line, sight gag, and scene leads to the next.
4. THEIR CHEMISTRY: Unmatched by any comedy team (except Jackie Gleason and Art Carney in the Honeymooners tv shows). Every glance and line is perfectly timed for hilarity. These two comedy talents melded into one unmatched theatrical treat.
5. SUPERB SUPPORTING PLAYERS: Dorthy Christine is Stan's vivacious gun-toting wife; Mae Busch (who died very young) gives her best career performace as Hardy's shrewish better half; Charlie Chase is 100 percent energy as the hyper conventioneer and almost steals his scenes (Chase hated this performance but critics loved it).

This and WAY OUT WEST are THE features to show young people who want to learn about "the boys." What a tragedy it is that as of this writing videos of their movies are not being newly produced. If you see a used copy -- GET IT! Remember: generations of comedians have been influenced by Laurel and Hardy, from Gleason to Seinfeld. Hopefully 21st century audiences won't be deprived of their timeless comedy classics, which improve with age.

Laurel & Hardy have to attend the fraternal convention of the Sons of the Desert but need a good excuse for their wives. Hardy pretends to be sick and a doctor proscribes a long ocean voyage, with Laurel along for company. Of course as soon as the convention is over and they arrive home the boys learn the ship they were on was wrecked. But things get even better, because their grief stricken wives (Dorothy Christie and Mae Busch) are at the movies where they see a newsreel of the boys having a good time at their convention. Laurel & Hardy end up hiding in the attic and then the roof to avoid their wives, before they show up at the front door with a fantastic tale of how they escaped being lost at sea. Their wives, however, are not impressed.

"Sons of the Desert" is an atypical Laurel & Hardy film in that the slapstick is toned down a bit while the inherent comedy and charm of the characters is enhanced. A lot of the credit needs to go to director William A. Seiter, who takes a more subtle approach with the comedy in this 1934 film. Why the boys did not make another film with Seiter is beyond me. Laurel & Hardy are two of the most beloved characters in comedy history and the humor in "Sons of the Desert" has to do with them AS characters and not just with impersonal slapstick. This is definitely my favorite Laurel & Hardy film.

"Sons of the Desert" (1933) remains a classic by any standard. Even non-Laurel and Hardy fans have admired this feature-length comedy, with the team's domestic mishaps augmented by hilarious dialogue. Director William A. Seiter proved an ideal match for the unique talents of Stan and Ollie, yet it was their only collaboration. A memorable supporting cast includes the "ever-popular" Mae Busch (as the crockery-throwing Mrs. Hardy) plus a splendid turn by Charley Chase as a relentless practical joker. Highly recommended.

As a Laurel and Hardy fan, I loved "Sons of the Desert". This has to be the quintessential film: Hardy's pompous bullying, Laurel's obtuse whimperings, the domineering wives and the great reaction shot in which Hardy looks directly into the camera.

They are at their best. My favorite scene is when Hardy is soaking his feet to calm his "nervous breakdown." The water is hot and he winds up sticking his head into the bucket. The finale is equally great when Hardy's wife takes out all the pots and pans and begins pelting him with them one-by-one.

If you are a Laurel and Hardy fan, this movie is for you.

This is a review for the Anchor Bay VHS videotape of Laurel and Hardy's feature film, SONS OF THE DESERT (1933).

Yes, this is the one where at different times either Stan or Ollie declare that "no one will be any the wiser," just before the next avalanche of disaster rolls thier way.

Stan and Ollie and thier wives share a stucco townhouse and a very close friendship.
Both belong to the fraternal lodge, The Sons of the Desert and both take a vow to
attend the Chicago convention next week.

But Ollie's wife wants to go to the mountains which Stan believes might be wiser than Mohammad coming to visit her. Eventually the boys sneak to the convention in Chicago and that's when the fun begins.

In my opinion this is the most entertaining Laurel and Hardy feature film, over an hour of the boys doing thier best while doing thier worst. Plus you get to see the conventioning boys enjoying an eye opening nightclub floorshow version of 'Honolulu Baby," and an excellent cameo by Hal Roach comedy great, Charley Chase.

Before the feature film begins, there is a short film of Stan Laurel and his father.
Very touching and not surprising that Mr. Laurel's family was apparently very close.

I have had this particular video tape for well over ten years and it plays beautifully
with no problems whatsoever.

Maybe someday an American manufacterer will wise up and release the Laurel and Hardy catalogue on good quality DVDs in chronological order, something like the Harold Lloyd set. But until that time us Laurel and Hardy fans will just have to make do and this is a good place to start.

Sons Of The Desert is considered to be their best feature film.I can understand why.This is definetly one of their funniest feature films.Laurel & Hardy's feature films often lack the ongoing belly laughs of their short films.Sons Of The Desert,Pack Up Your Troubles,The Devil's Brother,BlockHeads,Saps At Sea and The Big Noise are the exceptions.This movie in particular,is also one of Stan and Ollie's most entertaining films.Actor Ty Parvis's musical number"Honolulu Baby"is an unforgettable classic.Sons Of The Desert is a must see for fans of Stan and Ollie.My collection of L&H movies wouldn't be complete without this one.

"Sons of the Desert" is often reguarded as one of if not the best film made by "the boys". It's thought that even if you've never seen a Laurel & Hardy movie you would still be able to understand the relationship the two characters had. And maybe that's true. Made in 1933, "the boys" had already established their characters. And there was plenty of chemistry.

When first released many critics cited that "Sons of the Desert" was a remake of they're earlier short "We Faw Down", which is available on "The Lost Films Of Laurel & Hardy Vol.3" just incase you're interested to compare the two. The basic idea of the movie is the same. That of the boys lying to their wives saying they will be in one place instead of another only to then find out, the place they were suppose to be at suffered a terrible accident.

"Sons of the Desert" has "the boys" as members of a club called the sons of the desert. There is going to be a convention in Chicago, and NEVER in the history of the club has a single member not attended. But "the boys" have already made plans with their wives to go on a vacation. Now they have to come up with an excuse to not go on the vaction. If you're a true Laurel & Hardy fan you can probably think of another short "the boys" made that sounds familiar; "Be Big!".

There is a lot of fun to be had with this movie. This along with "Way Out West" and "The Devil's Brother" would be my choice for their best films. There are some memorable moments, Oliver faking a sickness. Stanley calling a veterinarian to examen Oliver lol. Claiming he's cheaper. And a few other gags but I don't want to give them away.

If you've never seen a Laurel & Hardy film this wouldn't be a bad place to start. I've already mentioned two other films to watch after this one if you enjoy it, but, I personally think their short subjects show them sometimes in better form. The often considered classic "Music Box" is one to watch. And try to get hold of "Below Zero", "Brats", "Helpmates", "Going Bye-Bye!", "County Hospital" & "The Chimp" those are just a few of my favorites.

Bottom-line: Often considered "the boys" best film it is definitely one of their best. Everything was in place by the time this was made. They understood their characters, the timing was perfect and each played off the other so well. This is truly classic comedy. The way it should be!

One of the absolute funniest videos in history. No one, especially no Laurel and Hardy collector should be without it!!!! I would rate it more stars if I could.

SONS OF THE DESERT is one of Laurel and Hardy's finest films. This gem of a comedy really deserves to be restored, remastered and re-released on video. Like many of the boys' best comedies, the premise is simple: Stan and Ollie try to outsmart their wives so they can attend their lodge convention. Naturally, whenever Stan and Ollie put they're heads together, disaster is never far behind. SONS is full of inventive touches and great dialogue (i.e. Ollie is expecting a doctor; Ollie:"Why did you get a veteranarian?" Stan:"Well, I didn't think is religion would make any difference."). The unjustly neglected comedian Charley Chase is outstanding as a loud-mouthed conventioneer who befriends Stan and Ollie. Mae Busch is in top form as the shrewish Mrs. Hardy. SONS OF THE DESERT is a thorough delight from beginning to end.

I have watched Laurel and Hardy since I can remember. My father was the one who got us into their movies, and I have seen almost every one of their movies and shorts. Sons of the Desert remains at the top of my list as my favorite. The way they can get themselves into trouble in a matter of minutes is hilarious, and the best part is is that Ollie is always the one getting hurt in the end. Stanley is the one who comes out on top even though we are made to think that he doesn't seem to be as smart as Hardy. I highly recomend this movie and their others to anyone who wants a good laugh.