Sons of the Desert (1933)

Director:

William A. Seiter

Writers:

Frank Craven (story)
Byron Morgan (continuity)

Release Date:

29 December 1933 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

When Stan and Ollie trick their wives into thinking that they are taking a medicinal cruise while they're actually going to a convention, the wives find out the truth the hard way.

Plot Keywords:

Convention | Lodge | Veterinarian | Newsreel | Ice Pack

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)

Stan Laurel	...	Stan
Oliver Hardy	...	Ollie
Charley Chase	...	Charley Chase
Mae Busch	...	Mrs. Lottie Hardy
Dorothy Christy	...	Mrs. Betty Laurel
Lucien Littlefield	...	Dr. Horace Meddick

Also Known As:

Fraternally Yours (UK)

Runtime:

68 min | 65 min (TCM print)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

West Germany:6 (nf) | Finland:S (1947)

Filming Locations:

Hal Roach Studios - 8822 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Hal Roach Studios

Trivia:

The "Sons of the Desert" theme song is a pastiche of several popular tunes, including "Give My Regards to Broadway."

Goofs:

Boom mic visible: When Laurel and Hardy are returned to their wives by the police officer, as they are led inside the house, the camera tilts back slightly and the boom mic is visible at the top of the frame as they walk toward the couch.

Quotes:

Oliver: Do you have to ask your wife everything?
Stan: If I didn't ask her, I wouldn't know what she wanted me to do.

Movie Connections:

Featured in AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs: America's Funniest Movies (2000) (TV)

Soundtrack:

We Are the Sons of the Desert

A Good Start To Check Out The Boys

There are a lot of funny scenes squeezed into one of the thinest "plots" you'll ever see in a story. Our heroes - Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy - simply want to go to the annual convention of their group - "The Sons Of The Desert" and want their wives' approval to make the trip. As it turns out, they go anyway and, well, it's one wild scene after another.

Along the way, we see all the trademarks of these two famous comedians: Laurel scratching his head, crying when in trouble, having the better heart of the two and providing some clever slapstick and dialog. Hardy does his normal routine, too, with the dirty looks, the scheming and the pratfalls.

The women are the bosses and Hardy's wife is the toughest of the two, throwing plates at Olllie's head! These are tough old bags.

Oddly enough, on the second viewing of this film I found a bit slow going, which I didn't find the first time. Charley Chase, a famous silent comedian, is also in the film as are a few things you wouldn't associate with Laurel & Hardy: some sexual stuff! Really! There is a dance number in the middle of the film where I swear I saw a see-through blouse on the main dancer. Also, there was a play- on-words here about some woman "who likes to pump the organ." Well, this film was made a year or so before the Hays' Code went into effect.

At any rate, if you have never seen the famous duo, this is a good place to start.