WAY OUT WEST is a nice companion piece in that it also sees the duo getting into hijinks and showing off their talent for physical comedy. SONS OF THE DESERT in particular perhaps has the better reputation, ranking on the American Film Institute’s lists of funniest movies (#95) and best quotes (“Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into!” at #60). SONS OF THE DESERT (1933) and WAY OUT WEST (1937) are both must-see showcases for those curious about what made Laurel & Hardy the legends they were.
Even though the inclusion of SONS OF THE DESERT and WAY OUT WEST is essential (this is also their first appearance on Blu-ray), certainly more feature-length endeavors would have been welcome by their biggest admirers. They are definitely familiar enough to draw in a casual fan who might want to seek out more (but maybe not more features), but not deep in the well enough for die-hards. The positive and negative of that is the same: they are their most well-known films. This new four-disc set from Kit Parker Films only has two Laurel & Hardy features, even though they starred in nearly 30. One can immediately picture the men, and, although their career had its shaky moments (their story is recounted in the 2018 biopic STAN & OLLIE), that picture always has them side by side. On appearance alone, they complement one another perfectly: Brit Stan Laurel was skinny and stood 5’8” American Oliver Hardy was chubby and had about a half-foot on Laurel. Recognizable as likely the most iconic comedy duos of the 1930s and 1940s, the pair joined up in the mid-‘20s when they both signed contracts with Hal Roach studios.
You’re either a Laurel & Hardy fanatic, or you’re under the age of 70.
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