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| Written and filmed April, 1927. Released by
Pathe, September,
1927. Produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Hal Roach and Hal Yates. Story
by Hal Roach. Two reels.
Cast: Stan Laurel, Anita Garvin, Harry Earles, Oliver Hardy, Frank Brownlee, Lupe Velez. |
STORY: Stan is an honest cab driver, unaware that his current fares are a couple of slick con artists: Anita Garvin and her midget husband who dresses as a baby. When they leave the cab with their fare unpaid and the meter running, Stan follows them aboard a ship, where he successfully exposes them for what they are. |
Many cite this film as being the one that
opened
many eyes to the potential Laurel and Hardy had as a team. While they
share
but a few moments together, it is those moments that are charged with a
bit of extra comic electricity. Hardy cited this film as being the one
in which he developed his famous "camera looks." While he may have been
a bit off technically (the camera looks had been part of his repertoire
for years), it is true that he uses the device in this film as never
before.
When he winds up soaked with water during a swimming-pool scene, it
seems
as if they just let him have a few moments to himself to do whatever
came
naturally to that magnificent face of his. |
| JL: A funny, well-constructed
little film.
Dressed in nightgown and bonnet, midget Harry Earles makes for such a
convincing-looking
toddler that his cigar-smoking and sly winks are humorously
disconcerting,
to say the least. He shares a memorable crap-shooting scene with Stan.
While Stan is the nominal star of the film, it is again Hardy who
steals
the show, making the most of his brief moments as the ship's purser and
resident ladies' man.
JB: Am I dreaming or does the "baby" really say "Screw youse!" after Stan throws him down the stairs? |
Copyright © John Larrabee, John V. Brennan 2002. All Rights Reserved.
