Patrulla de medianoche

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?

When I first started watching this short, I kept asking myself what type of police force is THAT stupid or short-sighted to give Laurel and Hardy jobs as cops?! Having the boys play policemen is a nice departure from the norm and it seems ironic that they played jailbirds in many more films! Regardless, the team behave much as you'd expect in this new role--they completely miss obvious crimes right in front of their faces but manage to apprehend the one person they meet who is actually minding his own business! Along the way, Stan and Ollie bumble and break stuff and act pretty much their usual selves. In a way, it's a real shame that aside from them being cops, this film is so very conventional and doesn't offer that many new ideas or gags. This isn't to say this is a bad film--just not anything extraordinarily different from the norm.

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.

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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