Le mariage de Laurel

This is the movie that got Stan Laurel out from behind the camera permanently at Roach. He was supposed to direct this movie and Oliver Hardy was supposed to play the role of the butler, but fell ill -- and so Laurel took the role himself.

This was one of the 'All Star' pictures that Roach was making at this time, taking a slightly out-of-luck movie star and surrounding him or her with several of Roach's comics. Theda Bara starred in a couple, Lionel Barrymore did at least one and this time the marquee value is provided by Harry Myers, who had starred in a popular version of A CONNECTICUTT YANKEE IN KING ARTHUR'S COURT a couple of years earlier, but is now best remembered for playing the millionaire in Chaplin's CITY LIGHTS.

Stan steals the show, although his technique is still a little crude here, taking some nice falls and doing an interesting drag bit. Worth the time of any L&H fan.

This was one of two films, the other being Raggedy Rose, Oliver Hardy had to drop out of because of an arm injury caused by hot cooking grease falling on it. Stan Laurel, who originally was going to direct this, was persuaded to take his place even though his previous contract with Joe Rock forbade him from making any onscreen appearances at a rival studio, in this case, Hal Roach's. Roach managed to convince Laurel to change his mind to the tune of a $100 raise per week. So here Stan plays a butler who's forced to don drag to "marry" his employer so he can inherit a million dollars. Quite funny though I can't see Oliver Hardy doing the same role so it's just as well Laurel took the part. I also liked Max Davidson's part in this. So from here on out, I'll review in chronological order, subsequent L & H films I didn't get to review under my previous username tavm starting with Duck Soup...