Do Detectives Think?

Judge Jimmy Finlayson sentences maniacal slasher Noah Young to be hanged by the neck until dead, "And I hope you choke!" This so enrages Young that he escapes to kill Finn. The police assign two detectives to guard him: Laurel and Hardy.

It's astonishing how fast these two old hands came together as a team. Here's where they picked up their derbies. Of course! it was the featured headwear for metropolitan plain clothes men in the era. They do their wrong hat gag for a minute or two.

I've seen this one a dozen times or more over the years and laugh like a maniac every time.

Perhaps Laurel and Hardy's most visual experimental work. I know, the story is uninteresting, the gags are basic, the mood is dated, and the duo's personalities are far from fully development. Still "Do Detectives Think?" is worth remembering for its nocturnal, expressionistic scenes around the graveyard, where a goat's shadow suggest a scary demon; also for its moving camera, a rare James Finnlayson's close-up underwater, a keyhole's point of view, mirror reflections and some other few technical devices not very frequent at the time that provides this little film an unusual freshness and a sense of unlimited creative freedom.

To paraphrase the fellow, "even not very good Laurel and Hardy is still better than almost everything else". This early L&H silent is one of the first to show the boys as a team, that is, as pals in the same general situation, on the same side, rather than working against each other. Their personalities can be seen developing nicely: Ollie the bully, Stan in his shadow, with his instant crying; however, here Stan still maintains a bit more independence and aggressiveness and willingness to defy or even abandon Ollie than we will be used to seeing later on. The gags are too simplistic and predictable, so the film is not going to be a memorable one; however, it is always a joy to see the boys on the screen, no matter what they are doing.

To be honest, the funniest moments are enjoyed by James Finlayson; I laughed loudest when, in a sudden cut, Finlayson is seen sitting in his bathtub, his body and entire head completely covered with soap bubbles, with only his face showing through. And the water he is bathing in is, in certain shots, completely filthy and black. Very bizarre!

A quick note about Hardy's character's name, Sherlock Pinkham; while "Sherlock" is obvious, the name "Pinkham" seems more obscure. I assume this is meant to spoof the famous "Pinkerton" detectives of Civil War and post-Civil War fame.

Let us recognize this is L&H at the beginning of a process, one that would lead to a partnership that they themselves could never have imagined would captivate the world. Then we can enjoy this film for what it is, without being disappointed.

When Laurel and Hardy are on the case, you don't expect Sherlock Holmes-quality deductions, but you know there will be some laughs. This comedy is a bit uneven, but pretty good overall. Stanley and Oliver are detectives who are hired to protect a judge whose life has been threatened, and they get some reasonable mileage out of this simple situation. They are helped out by frequent supporting player James Finlayson as the judge, and by Noah Young, who is suitably menacing as an escaped convict. It's not among their best comedies, but it has some good moments, and is certainly worth watching for any fan of Laurel and Hardy.

Although not the first "Official" L & H film,this was the first time the boys wore their celebrated bowler hats,an essential part of detectives' garb at the time.A bit frantic in places,DO DETECTIVES THINK? nevertheless presents us with the embryos that were to develop into the greatest comedy team in cinema history.Often mechanical,the film has lively supporting performances from James Finlayson and Noah Young,and still has very funny scenes,especially when Ollie(playing a character named Sherlock Pinkham!)is given two black eyes.Stan has the equally absurd character name of Ferdinand Finkleberry! Not their best short by a long short,but historically interesting.6 out of 10.