In the Film "Sons of the Desert," Laurel and Hardy Star Shine Brightly, Pays Homage to Timeless Comedy
In the annals of comedy, Sons of the Desert, starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, remains their most celebrated work, debuting in cinemas on this very day in 1933. The central plot: Stan and Ollie aspire to attend a fraternal gathering in Chicago, yet their ladies, Lottie (portrayed by Mae Busch) and Betty (Dorothy Christie), harbor contrasting plans. How might Stan and Ollie navigate this conundrum? By fabricating, obviously, with Ollie pretending to be unwell and securing a doctor's (who doubles as a veterinarian) prescription for a long voyage by sea to Hawaii, accompanied by Stan.
The deception seems a success, at least temporarily, until intel arrives that their supposed "vessel" was involved in an accident on the very day that Stan and Ollie return from the "Sons of the Desert" gathering. Distraught, their spouses endeavor to pass the time by frequenting the movies, only to chance upon a newsreel depicting their husbands draped in leis and strumming ukuleles at the convention. The common refrain: "Oh no!"
The outcome: Ollie endeavors to extricate himself from this predicament, but Stan succumbs to tears and confesses all. Lottie, appreciative of Stan's honesty, lavishes him with royal treatment, while Ollie's enraged spouse unleashes her entire stock of crockery (among other kitchen items) on Ollie's unsuspecting head!
Initially pairing up in the realm of silent films, Laurel and Hardy embarked on their journey to "talkies" in the late 1920s, enduring until the mid-1950s. Their trademark humor revolved around slapstick and was primarily visual. Hal Roach, the mastermind behind their production company (which also served as a home to the Our Gang, Charlie Chase, and Thelma Todd/ZaSu Pitts/Patsy Kelly film shorts), is credited as the primary architect of their film careers.
Fast-forward to present day, and Laurel and Hardy have been hailed as the undisputed kings of cinema humor (though often underrated by film critics during their heyday). Sons of the Desert represents the pinnacle of their success.
Produced in a mere 21 days at an estimated cost of $165,000, Sons of the Desert ranked among the top 10 films of the year, amassing over $1 million worldwide upon its initial release. Moreover, it was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2012, joining their acclaimed shorts Big Business from 1929 and The Music Box from 1932, which clinched an Academy Award.
Today, the international Laurel and Hardy fan club, dubbed "The Sons of the Desert," derives its name from this very picture. Each local subgroup within the society is named after a Laurel and Hardy film, and every tent follows suit. Chapters in certain "tents" based in the United States and the United Kingdom continue to convene regularly to relish Laurel and Hardy flicks. So, here we salute Sons of the Desert.
ninety-one years after its premiere, we remember Sons of the Desert as the duo's magnum opus and, historically, one of the funniest offerings in cinema annals.
"And here's another fine mess you've landed me in!"
- Thelma Todd and ZaSu Pitts also had notable roles in Hal Roach's production company during this time, appearing in various short films alongside Charlie Chase and Patsy Kelly.
- Fans of Laurel and Hardy often reminisce about their memorable scenes in 'Sons of the Desert', such as when they attend a meeting dressed as Sheiks and participate in a keelboat race.
- In a testament to the enduring popularity of Laurel and Hardy, a 1940s film titled 'They Got Me Covered' featured Oliver Hardy impersonating Stan Laurel, while Bobby Watson took on the role of Oliver Hardy.
- The Sons of the Desert fan club has expanded globally, with local chapters in different cities organizing annual events like the Stan and Ollie Marathon, where fans gather to watch their favorite Laurel and Hardy films.
