Les deux policiers

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were comedic geniuses, individually and together, and their partnership was deservedly iconic and one of the best there was. They left behind a large body of work, a vast majority of it being entertaining to classic comedy, at their best they were hilarious and their best efforts were great examples of how to do comedy without being juvenile or distasteful.

Although a vast majority of Laurel and Hardy's previous efforts ranged from above average to very good ('45 Minutes from Hollywood' being the only misfire and mainly worth seeing as a curiosity piece and for historical interest, and even that wasn't a complete mess), 'Two Tars' for me was their first truly classic one with close to flawless execution. Didn't find 'The Midnight Patrol' quite one of their very best, but it to me still very good.

Admittedly, the story is pretty thin, in fact there's not really much of one, and is pretty standard but the worst asset is the ending, which is both abrupt and mean-spirited in a jarring way.

Despite that, 'The Midnight Patrol' is great fun while also having a definite degree of substance, never less than very amusing and the best moments being classic hilarity. It is never too silly, there is a wackiness that never loses its energy and the sly wit is here, some of the material may not be new but how it's executed actually doesn't feel too familiar and it doesn't get repetitive. It's all simple but it is effective in its simplicity without feeling too thin. Hardy's fishpond scene is a highlight.

Laurel and Hardy are on top form here, both are well used, both have material worthy of them and they're equal rather than one being funnier than the other (before Laurel tended to be funnier and more interesting than Hardy, who tended to be underused). Their chemistry feels like a partnership here too, before 'Two Tars' you were yearning for more scenes with them together but in 'The Midnight Patrol' and on the most part from 'Two Tars' onwards we are far from robbed of that. Their comic timing is impeccable.

'The Midnight Patrol' looks good visually, is full of energy and the direction gets the best out of the stars, is at ease with the material and doesn't let it get too busy or static. The supporting cast support them well.

Concluding, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox

While hardly the best of their films - frequently seeming to have been dashed off in about five minutes - it does however begin with a dramatic title sequence combining windscreen wipers and a police siren and provides the novelty of seeing Laurel & Hardy as members of the establishment - looking very dapper in policemen's uniforms with wing collars - playing a pair of cops so dumb their tyres are stolen while they're parked and are unable to spot misdemeanours being committed right under their noses by a hood in bowler hat and striped jersey; while their attempts to gain entry into a house where a burglary has been reported are more harrowing than funny. And would the Chief of Police really have (SPOILER COMING:) meted out such rough justice at the film's conclusion?

With the 1933 comedy short film "The Midnight Patrol", Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy returns to form. And it was so great to see them return to the formula that worked and that they do so well.

The storyline in "The Midnight Patrol" is pretty straight forward and has some great comedy moments to it. I had some good laughs throughout the 20 minutes that the short film ran for.

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy shows that they do witty banter and physical slapstick comedy so well, and it was a joy to have the duo back on this particular track after a handful of not so funny movies.

"The Midnight Patrol" is a classic, no doubt about it. And if you enjoy comedy, then you should definitely take the time to sit down and watch this 1933 short film, if you haven't already done so.

My rating of "The Midnight Patrol" lands on a seven out of ten stars.

This is most definitely not one of the best or most memorable Laurel & Hardy shorts. It doesn't really have enough slapstick in it and the comical situations, although good, feel far fetched and perhaps a bit awkward, especially toward the ending.

They could have done something more interesting with the concept of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy joining the police force. They get themselves into some comical and dumb situations but it all is perhaps a bit too formulaic. That is the main reason why "Midnight Patrol" is an enjoyable but at the same time very forgettable Laurel & Hardy shorts.

Lloyd French never was the best or most consistent director of Laurel & Hardy movies. His movies are certainly enjoyable but lacking in originality or true creativity at the same time.

I'm beginning to sound negative but of course this movie is not an horrible one to watch. Mainly the Laurel & Hardy fans will still find plenty to enjoy in this movie, although also they have to admit that this is far from the best and/or most memorable Laurel & Hardy shorts.

7/10

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A LAUREL & HARDY Comedy Short.

Novice cops Stan & Ollie are THE MIDNIGHT PATROL, guardians of the night. Their complete incompetence dealing with crime, however, soon leaves a trail of chaos & destruction.

A funny little film, although ending it with two murders is a bit much. Highlight: Ollie in the fishpond. That's Frank Brownlee as the Chief, Walter Plinge as the gentlemanly crook and Charlie Hall as one of the tire thieves.