DISCOVER--the best of Laurel and Hardy
by jonabbott56 | created - 24 Dec 2012 | updated - 28 Jan 2016 | PublicFilmed comedy pretty much began with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, and this is a list of their very best work in chronological order, which appeared from the very beginning of sound to the beginning of the war years. It is not a complete list of their entire inventory, but is intended as an introduction or guide to their classic material. They were not infallible, and not all their stuff worked, but this was due not to ineptitude or lack of ability but rather Stan's constant need to experiment, develop, and rework their material. He was not afraid to repeat something that did work, or rework something that almost worked, and so their output literally develops experimentally in front of the audience. Film was a new medium, and Laurel was thrilled by it... and in Oliver Hardy he had the perfect foil with whom to explore and exploit its potential. We have seen others stealing from them... shall we say inspired by them... ever since. Please discover and enjoy their wonderful, extraordinary achievements.
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1. Unaccustomed As We Are (1929)
Passed | 21 min | Comedy, Short
When Mrs. Hardy refuses to cook supper, Mr. Hardy decides to cook it for himself and Mr. Laurel, but things go wrong during a jealous mix-up with the next-door married couple.
Directors: Lewis R. Foster, Hal Roach | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Edgar Kennedy, Mae Busch
Votes: 1,353
Recent addition: Can't believe I left this one out! Stan and Ollie's first talkie, and Stan shows an immediate understanding of the possibilities. Many reviewers don't seem to realise what a big deal this was in 1929. First there's a lengthy verbal routine based around Ollie introducing Stan to Mrs. Kennedy, then a routine in which Ollie puts on a record while his wife is nagging him, and she starts to bitch to the music (watch Ollie's fingers dancing around on his arm), then three explosions in the kitchen, followed by a routine involving whistling, and finally a superb closing gag with Stan smugly departing but then tumbling (unseen, sound only) down several flights of stairs. It's also the film that first employs Ollie's plaintive "Why don't you do something to *help* me!!?". Amazing.
2. Men O'War (1929)
Passed | 20 min | Short, Comedy, Family
On shore leave from the Navy, seamen Stanley and Oliver want to treat two attractive single girls to a glass of soda in the park but only have enough change for three sodas.
Director: Lewis R. Foster | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, James Finlayson, Anne Cornwall
Votes: 1,378
Highlights include a wonderful routine involving some stray underwear from a wash basket and the final chaos in the lake.
3. Perfect Day (1929)
Passed | 19 min | Short, Comedy
The boys and their wives are preparing for a drive to a Sunday picnic but infighting is ruining their plans and a sudden feud with a next-door neighbor completes the disaster.
Director: James Parrott | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Edgar Kennedy, Kay Deslys
Votes: 1,737
The family are going out for the day, but only Laurel and Hardy could spend fifteen minutes trying to pull away from the kerbside ("goodbye!!"). And look at that amazing plate of sandwiches...
4. The Hoose-Gow (1929)
Passed | 21 min | Comedy, Short
Swept up in a police raid, Stan and Ollie are sentenced to jail and land in a jail labor camp. The governor visits, accompanied by two flappers, where the duo accidentally create rice pudding for a food fight.
Director: James Parrott | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Phil Bloom, Robert Bolder
Votes: 1,326
There's something very magical about tree-chopping jokes. Lots of carnage and slapstick in this one.
5. Night Owls (1930)
Passed | 21 min | Short, Comedy
After far too many break-ins on his watch, an ineffective policeman approaches the unsuspecting vagabonds, Laurel and Hardy, with a preposterous proposition; one that would get him off the hook. But, are the boys up to the task?
Director: James Parrott | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Edgar Kennedy, James Finlayson
Votes: 1,778
"...and if you must make a noise, make it quietly!!"
6. Blotto (1930)
Approved | 26 min | Short, Comedy
Stan fakes receiving a telegram so he can go to a club with Ollie and a bottle of his unsuspecting wife's liquor, but she overhears his plans.
Director: James Parrott | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Anita Garvin, Baldwin Cooke
Votes: 1,809
One of the very many "getting one over on the wives" story lines. The idea of getting drunk on non-alcoholic drinks simply because you don't know remains one of the most frequently ripped-off Laurel and Hardy routines.
7. Be Big! (1931)
Passed | 28 min | Short, Comedy, Family
In order to secretly attend a stag party in their honor, the boys urge their wives to travel ahead alone on a jointly-planned Atlantic City vacation by invoking Oliver's fake migraine as an excuse to remain behind.
Directors: James W. Horne, James Parrott | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Spencer Bell, Chet Brandenburg
Votes: 1,521
Another 'who wears the trousers' routine.
8. Brats (1930)
Passed | 21 min | Comedy, Short, Family
Laurel and Hardy's bid for a quiet evening of checkers and pool is constantly interrupted by their squabbling brats, little Ollie and little Stanley.
Director: James Parrott | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy
Votes: 2,270
Laurel and Hardy play their own infant children alongside their adult selves with the aid of oversized props in this one (Laurel acquired much of his material from observing the mannerisms of children--see Towed in the Hole and Beau Chumps for two prime examples). Best gag has Ollie getting the glass of water--"I'll get it--you might spill it". Cue torrent of water from overflowing bathtub that washes them both downstairs...
9. Below Zero (1930)
Approved | 20 min | Short, Comedy, Family
In winter-time, the boys fail to earn any money by playing their musical instruments in a bad neighborhood but their luck seems to improve when they find a wallet full of money on the street.
Director: James Parrott | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Bobby Burns, Baldwin Cooke
Votes: 1,891
Best not to play "in the good old summertime" in the middle of a major freeze...
10. Hog Wild (1930)
Passed | 19 min | Short, Comedy, Family
Ollie can't find his hat, much to the amusement of his wife and maid. Then Ollie and Stan attempt to install a rooftop radio antenna.
Director: James Parrott | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Russell Custer, Betty Danko
Votes: 2,219
Ollie puts up a radio aerial on the roof... or would if he could stay up there longer than five seconds...
11. Another Fine Mess (1930)
Not Rated | 29 min | Short, Comedy, Family
Two homeless vagabonds hide out in a vacant mansion and pose as the residents when prospective lessees arrive and try to rent it.
Director: James Parrott | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Harry Bernard, Bobby Burns
Votes: 2,614
This one features the guys in their hobo personas.
12. Chickens Come Home (1931)
Passed | 30 min | Short, Comedy, Family
Mr. Hardy is running for mayor but an old flame of ill repute shows up to blackmail him with an old naughty photograph.
Director: James W. Horne | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Mae Busch, Baldwin Cooke
Votes: 1,681
Classic example of Ollie's pomposity routine in this one.
13. Laughing Gravy (1930)
Approved | 21 min | Short, Comedy, Family
Stan and Ollie try to hide their pet dog Laughing Gravy from their exasperated, mean tempered landlord, who has a "No Pets" policy.
Director: James W. Horne | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Harry Bernard, Charles Dorety
Votes: 1,868
The most successful of the duo's hidden pet from the landlord routines, also done on other occasions with a goat and a chimp. Here it's a dog.
14. Our Wife (1931)
Passed | 21 min | Short, Comedy, Family
Oliver's plans to marry his hefty sweetheart go awry when the girl's father gets a load of her intended groom. They then elope in a tiny car much too small for their combined dimensions, ... See full summary »
Director: James W. Horne | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, James Finlayson, Eleanor Fredericks
Votes: 1,519
15. Come Clean (1931)
Passed | 18 min | Short, Comedy
Mrs. Hardy and Mrs. Laurel send their husbands to the store to buy ice-cream but on the way back home the boys rescue from drowning a suicidal woman who's wanted by the police.
Director: James W. Horne | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Mae Busch, Gertrude Astor
Votes: 1,373
16. One Good Turn (1931)
Passed | 20 min | Short, Comedy
A kindly old widow serves a free meal to the penniless boys but her greedy landlord wants to evict her for non payment of her mortgage, prompting the boys to come to her rescue.
Director: James W. Horne | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Mary Carr, James Finlayson
Votes: 1,682
A wonderful 'the worm turns' scene in this one when Stanley finally tires of Ollie constantly intimidating him...
17. Beau Hunks (1931)
Passed | 37 min | Short, Comedy, Family
Jilted by his girlfriend, "Jeanie-Weenie," Oliver joins the Foreign Legion to forget, bringing Stanley along with him. They wilt under the scorching desert sun and under the harsh ... See full summary »
Director: James W. Horne | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, James W. Horne, Charles Middleton
Votes: 1,950
"Loved by everybody" acquires a delicious double meaning in this one, all the funnier for being uttered in innocence by Stan. Loved by me is the exquisite scene where the boys stride into the glowering commandant's office and announce they've changed their minds and would like to go home now please. After they've had the prime concept of the Foreign Legion explained to them in no uncertain terms (bleached-white bones come into it somewhere), it takes them an eye-watering eternity to simply leave his room, Charles Middleton (Ming the merciless himself) silently simmering and slow-burning all the while. Marvellous.
18. Helpmates (1932)
Approved | 21 min | Short, Comedy
After a messy house party while his wife is away, Oliver asks Stanley to help him clean up the place, but free help isn't always a bargain.
Director: James Parrott | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Bobby Burns, Bob Callahan
Votes: 2,575
Slapstick heaven, perfection from start to finish. If you've never seen a Laurel and Hardy, start here.
19. Any Old Port! (1932)
Not Rated | 20 min | Short, Comedy
In need of funds, Hardy happens to meet an old friend, now a boxing promoter, and volunteers "Battling Laurel" as the team's prizefighter, only to discover their opponent in the ring is a fearsome old nemesis.
Director: James W. Horne | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Walter Long, Julie Bishop
Votes: 1,382
20. The Music Box (1932)
Approved | 29 min | Short, Comedy, Family
Like the legendary Sisyphus, deliverymen Laurel and Hardy struggle to push a large crated piano up a seemingly insurmountable flight of stairs.
Director: James Parrott | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Dinah, Billy Gilbert
Votes: 8,024
Love the impromptu dance routine when the music is suddenly activated.
21. The Chimp (1932)
Passed | 25 min | Short, Comedy
Two bumbling circus performers inadvertently help drive the circus into ruin and then end up in possession of a flea circus and an oversized chimp.
Director: James Parrott | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Bobby Burns, Baldwin Cooke
Votes: 1,502
22. County Hospital (1932)
Approved | 19 min | Short, Comedy
In the hospital with a broken leg Ollie is visited by Stan, who brings him hard-boiled eggs, nuts, and total mayhem.
Director: James Parrott | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Billy Gilbert, May Wallace
Votes: 2,446
Couldn't have put it better myself. "Hard boiled eggs and nuts!!".
23. Scram! (1932)
Passed | 20 min | Comedy, Short
Commanded to "scram" out of town by a cantankerous judge, poor vagabonds, Stan and Ollie, slip into something more comfortable to spend the night at a sympathetic inebriate's home; however, is this the right house?
Directors: Ray McCarey, Lloyd French, Jack Lloyd | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Richard Cramer, Arthur Housman
Votes: 1,517
24. Their First Mistake (1932)
Passed | 21 min | Short, Comedy, Family
Stan convinces Oliver to adopt a baby to placate his wife, but upon returning home with the infant, they find a process server with a divorce summons, leaving the two buffoons to care for the squealing baby.
Director: George Marshall | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Mae Busch, Billy Gilbert
Votes: 1,608
The famous baby routine, ripped off by everybody... Despite both being male, they find themselves parroting the eternal dilemma of the expectant couple dating back to the dawn of time--what next?
25. Towed in a Hole (1932)
Approved | 21 min | Short, Comedy, Family
Although they are successful fishmongers, Stan convinces Ollie that they should become fishermen too, but making a boat seaworthy is not an easy task.
Director: George Marshall | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Billy Gilbert
Votes: 2,470
One of the classics, with the boys doing up a boat--"Tell me that again!". Superb physical comedy, including a great tit for tat routine and a wonderful sequence with Stan locked up below.
26. Twice Two (1933)
Passed | 20 min | Comedy, Short
Stan and Ollie are married to each other's sisters, and plan a dinner party to celebrate their mutual anniversaries.
Director: James Parrott | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Baldwin Cooke, Charlie Hall
Votes: 1,494
This is the one where Laurel and Hardy play dual roles as each others' wives.
27. Me and My Pal (1933)
Passed | 20 min | Short, Comedy, Family
On his wedding day, Oliver and his best man Stanley become absorbed in a jigsaw puzzle. Eventually the taxi driver, the butler, a policeman and a messenger boy all get involved with the puzzle, making them late for the wedding.
Directors: Charley Rogers, Lloyd French | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, James Finlayson, Marion Bardell
Votes: 1,534
28. The Midnight Patrol (1933)
Passed | 20 min | Short, Comedy
Novice policemen Stanley and Oliver, eating lunch in their patrol car, nearly have their spare tire stolen by a thief and his sassy partner. They then miss the broadcast address of a ... See full summary »
Director: Lloyd French | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Harry Bernard, Billy Bletcher
Votes: 1,441
29. Busy Bodies (1933)
Approved | 19 min | Short, Comedy, Family
Stan and Ollie do battle with inanimate objects, their co-workers, and the laws of physics during a routine work day at the sawmill.
Director: Lloyd French | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Dick Gilbert, Charlie Hall
Votes: 2,988
30. Dirty Work (1933)
Passed | 19 min | Short, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Hired to sweep the chimney at Professor Noodle's house, the boys wreck the living-room and end-up in the mad scientist's laboratory where they interact with a rejuvenation potion.
Director: Lloyd French | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Samuel Adams, Jiggs
Votes: 2,009
31. Sons of the Desert (1933)
Passed | 68 min | Comedy, Family
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.
Director: William A. Seiter | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Charley Chase, Mae Busch
Votes: 9,587
Priceless. Watch for the scene with the guys carelessly capering about on the incriminating newsreel, and the classic 'trying to sit down without disturbing those already seated' routine that has since become a comedy staple used by all. Since Sons of the Desert, no-one has been able to sit down in an auditorium without causing a commotion...
32. Going Bye-Bye! (1934)
Passed | 21 min | Short, Comedy
After testifying in court against a dangerous criminal, the boys plan to skip town, but the criminal escapes prison and comes after them.
Director: Charley Rogers | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Mae Busch, Walter Long
Votes: 1,526
"Aren'tcha gonna hang 'im??"
33. Them Thar Hills (1934)
Approved | 20 min | Comedy, Short
Stan and Ollie take a trip into the mountains ('the high multitude') so Ollie can recover from gout. Bootleggers have dumped their moonshine in the well from which the boys sample their '... See full summary »
Director: Charley Rogers | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Mae Busch, Charlie Hall
Votes: 2,334
Pom pa Pom Pom pa-Pom pompom Pom Pom...
34. Tit for Tat (1935)
Approved | 19 min | Comedy, Short, Family
After the events in Them Thar Hills (1934), Stan and Ollie encounter their old nemesis, whose grocery shop is next to their home-appliances store. Nobody can let bygones be bygones, and a war breaks out. Will those tit-for-tat battles ever end?
Director: Charley Rogers | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Mae Busch, Charlie Hall
Votes: 2,478
Although a separate scenario, this is a direct follow-on from the previous film as the boys run into the hideous Halls again. A rare risqué joke has Hardy coming downstairs with Hall's wife after being rescued from the ledge through the bedroom window and announcing "I've never been in a position like that before!" as Charlie Hall silently trembles with rage. Magnificent.
35. The Fixer Uppers (1935)
Passed | 21 min | Short, Comedy
A serious case of emotional neglect brings door-to-door Christmas cards salesmen, Stan and Ollie, at the house of an inconsolable wife who is convinced that her artist husband doesn't love her anymore.
Director: Charley Rogers | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Mae Busch, Arthur Housman
Votes: 1,354
36. Thicker Than Water (1935)
Passed | 21 min | Comedy, Short
After an endless cycle of dish washing, Ollie makes a withdrawal, ending up in the hospital after buying a grandfather clock. Only a generous blood transfusion can help him bounce back; however, is modern medicine prepared for the outcome?
Director: James W. Horne | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Daphne Pollard, James Finlayson
Votes: 1,580
The final two-reeler ends with a blood transfusion that goes haywire and transforms each into the other's persona. As it would, of course.
37. Way Out West (1937)
Passed | 66 min | Comedy, Family, Western
Stanley and Ollie are enlisted to deliver the deed to a goldmine in a small village, only for it to be stolen.
Director: James W. Horne | Stars: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Sharon Lynn, James Finlayson
Votes: 8,986
Although they continued to make films up until 1945, with the horrendous one-off Atoll K in 1952, Thicker Than Water was their last two-reeler (20 minute film, their perfect format), and Way Out West their last quality piece of work. Fortunately, it was a delightful way to go out, and includes their famous dance routine and Trail of the Lonesome Pine performance. Sadly, the rubbish they made after this (not entirely their fault, as they lost much of their creative freedom to studio suits who thought they knew better) is often much more prominent than their good stuff, as it is often in the public domain (i.e. can be released by anyone and everyone for a quick buck), which is the value of this list. Still, what a legacy they left us.
Jon is not on Facebook, but can reply to comments here, at the base of this list.
Obsessed with the popular culture of the 1960s and surrounding decades, Jon Abbott has been writing about film and TV for over thirty years in around two dozen different publications, trade, populist, and specialist. He is the author of several books, including
Irwin Allen Television Productions 1964-1970,
Stephen J. Cannell Television Productions: A History of All Series and Pilots,
The Elvis Films,
Cool TV of the 1960s: Three Shows That Changed the World,
and Strange New World: Sex Films of the 1970s.
See his Amazon author's page, and his other lists on the IMDB, all under the pre-fix DISCOVER.
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