The Hoose-Gow (1929)

Director:

James Parrott

Writers:

Nat Hoffberg (title editor)
Leo McCarey (story)

Release Date:

16 November 1929 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Short

Tagline:

Neither Mr. Laurel nor Mr. Hardy had any thoughts of doing wrong. As a matter of fact, they had no thoughts of any kind.

Plot:

Stanley and Oliver protest that they were only bystanders to the raid, but are hauled off to a prison labor camp anyway...

Plot Keywords:

Radiator | Rice | Prison | Governor | Apple

Cast

Stan Laurel	...	Stan
Oliver Hardy	...	Ollie
Tiny Sandford	...	Warden
James Finlayson	...	Governor
Charlie Hall	...	Treetop Lookout
Ham Kinsey	...	Prisoner
Baldwin Cooke	...	Prisoner
Charles Dorety	...	Prisoner
Leo Willis	...	Leo
Chet Brandenburg	...	Prisoner
Ellinor Vanderveer	...	Party guest (as Ellinor Van der Veer)
Eddie Dunn	...	Prisoner
Blackie Whiteford	...	Prisoner
Dick Sutherland	...	Cook
Tiny Ward	...	Prisoner (as Jack 'Tiny' Ward)

Runtime:

18 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G | UK:U

Filming Locations:

Arnaz Ranch - Robertson Blvd between Beverlywood St. & David Avenue, Rincon de Los Bueyes, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Hal Roach Studios

Trivia:

Oliver Hardy was injured during the filming of the scene in which Stan keeps nicking him with the pickaxe. A rubber pickaxe was originally to have been used for the scene, but it was decided that it looked too fake, in action, so a real one was substituted. Babe moved a little too close to Stan during the latter's backswing, and received a very real scar from the pickaxe on his rear.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Crazy World of Laurel and Hardy (1967)

They were only watching the raid.

An early Laurel & Hardy talkie, `The Hoose-Gow' is strongest in its first half…the pathetic attempts at escape, the sheer terror on Stan's face as he tries to dislodge the apple from his mouth, the absolute fear and despondency of two child-souls set down amongst a hardened prison population. Also priceless: Ollie's guileless explanation to guard Tiny Sanford: "Honest, officer, we were only watching the raid." Somehow, coming from Stan and Ollie, the statement rings of truth. In the work camp, things settle into the traditional Stan and Ollie mealtime gags. When they chop down the lookout's post it's another of those gags of anticipation which was such an integral part of their humor. And it's to their credit that most of the film is shot on location, something uncommonly problematic for the early sound technology of the late 20s. There is also something wistfully nostalgic about those Arcadian, windswept eucalyptus-lined locations of southern California, so unpopulated in 1929. Once they get involved in the creamed rice fight at the end, it descends into rather standard fare.