Rapto à Meia Noite

I am reviewing my L&H knowledge in anticipation of showing these films to others. Just saw this gem tonite.

The year is 1931 and the boys have hit their stride in the sound era. I am surprised at how well the gags are paced and executed. There is one prolonged sequence that could have been timed better, but it is punctuated adequately with a couple of sight gags and we are soon back on track.

I am wondering now whether this film would work with any other comedians at the helm. Ollie's childish gestures of sentiment towards his beloved fiancé are utterly precious. Stan is the perfect dope, ruining everything in his path as they gear up for the wedding.

Silent era film-goers were probably pleased to see Ben Turpin make an appearance near the end. Before I show this film to others, I may have to explain Turpin's role in that era.

Highly recommended. Allow no interruptions.

Our Wife (1931)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Hardy and his fiancé have to run off to get married so they get Laurel for help, which of course leads to disaster. There are plenty of wonderful jokes and gags here including the small limousine and the best one when Hardy falls into a cake and brings a lot more with him.

Helpmates (1932)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

Mrs. Hardy is out of town so Hardy throws a big party. When the wife plans on returning home early Hardy must get Laurel to help him clean the house. Another wonderful short has non-stop laughs from start to finish. There really isn't one skit that sticks out but instead the laughs just build up.

Me and My Pal (1933)

*** (out of 4)

Hardy is about to be married but Laurel gives him a jigsaw puzzle for a wedding gift. The two start working on it and forget all about the wedding. This is more amusing than funny, although the final riot does get plenty of laughs.

Released in 1931, "Our Wife" is about Ollie planning to marry his sweetheart and with Stan as his best man. Naturally, things don't go according to plan! First, the future father-in- law James Finlayson objects to the marriage. Second, the bride to-be is of a considerable shape. The latter problem features much more later on in the film! Ollie decides to elope with his girl but this also presents a few challenges... The first half of "Our Wife" works very well but somehow, the final 10 minutes isn't quite so great. It is still a good Laurel and Hardy short but not quite vintage. I laughed at Stan trying to help Ollie prepare for the big day because you just know it won't work the way they wish!

A LAUREL & HARDY Comedy Short

When the ferocious father of Ollie's intended forbids a marriage, Hardy decides to elope. But with Stan helping out, can chaos be far behind?

A very funny little film, with lots of slapstick. Once again, marvel at the physical grace of Oliver Hardy. Highlight: the tiny getaway car. That's Babe London as Ollie's dimpled darling; James Finlayson as her fierce father; and silent film comic Ben Turpin as the cross-eyed justice of the peace.

This is one of my favorites. It has lots of fun moments and a great comical premise that features some of the most fun characters ever appeared in a Laurel & Hardy movie.

The movie really has a great comical story. Oliver is planning to get married and starts making arrangement at home, which of course he, with the help of his good pal Stanley totally messes things up. However when the father of the bride (James Finlayson) she's a picture of the man his daughter is getting married to, he forbids the wedding (who can blame him). For Oliver there is only one solution, elope with his bride so they can get secretly married, with the help from Stanley. But of course nothing is as easy as it seems especially not with Stan helping out.

The story provides the movie with multiple great and hilarious comical sequence and moments. There are really moments in the movie that made me laugh out loud. The movie is also made fun thanks to its fine comedy characters. Of course James 'D'oh' Finlayson is great and his comical timing is excellent. Fun was Babe London as the bride-to-be, who looks disturbingly a lot like Oliver Hardy. At the end of the movie Ben Turpin also shows up as the cross-eyed Justice of the Peace, who provides the movie with even more and harder laughs and a wonderful fun finale.

The movie provides some great non-stop laughs, as the movie is fast paced and features lots of quick slapstick moments from the comedy duo and the other characters (Finlayson mostly, who also gets to lots of comedy work in this one.). The movie is set at quite many different locations for Laurel & Hardy standards but it works out for this movie, since the story and slapstick of the movie are so well constructed. They're of course wonderfully timed and executed by the boys and the rest of the supporting cast- and directed by Laurel & Hardy specialist James W. Horne.

A great fun comedy short that provides some real solid guaranteed laughs!

9/10

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