Sons of the Desert

William A Seiter, USA, 1933, 68 minutes

Made in 1933, Sons of the Desert is arguably one of Laurel and Hardy's finest feature length films. The Thirties was Laurel and Hardy's decade - they were at the height of their creative powers, and this film is a fine example of their comic inventiveness. Stan Laurel's genius - he was behind most of the gags - shines through from the first scene to the last, although Oliver Hardy must not, of course, be forgotten. It was as a team that the boys excelled and it is as a team that they should be remembered.

The plot is a typical Laurel and Hardy "escape from wives but don't quite succeed in fooling them" plot which sees the boys trying to persuade their wives that they are going on a sea voyage for Hardy's health whilst they actually intend to go to the annual meeting of their fraternal lodge, "The Sons of the Desert" in Chicago. It is not until they return, however, and learn that the ship they were supposed to be on (from Honolulu) is sinking that their troubles begin.

The film is, quite simpy, a delight to watch; there are some wonderfully funny scenes and the whole picture is very well paced. The acting is great - by 1933 Laurel and Hardy had developed their on-screen personas to near perfection - and it is the simple, endearing child-like innocence of the pair which is the real quality which emenates from the film. It is this quality which ensured that their success and popularity would long outlive their actual working careers. If you're already a fan, oome and see the film again; if you're not, come and be converted.

Review by Malcolm Maclaren
Taken from EUFS Programme 1992-93