Thicker Than Water **** (1935, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Daphne Pollard, James Finlayson, Harry Bowen) – Classic Movie Review 11,436

Ollie tells Stan: ‘Here is another nice kettle of fish you’ve pickled me in.’

Director James W Horne’s 1935 comedy Thicker Than Water is Laurel and Hardy’s final short film in which Stan persuades Ollie to withdraw all his life savings to show his independence.

Then they blow the entire money accidentally on an auction-house antique clock, auctioned at owner James Finlayson’s store by auctioneer Harry Bowen, which is then crushed to smithereens by a lorry. In the ensuing fight with tiny but tough Mrs Daphne Hardy (Daphne Pollard), Ollie is wounded and taken to hospital where the boys change characteristics in a careless blood transfusion.

Though the comedy is only mild, it is nevertheless charming, amusing and delightful, with the Boys on excellent form, and this last idea is an inspired farewell to shorts for the twosome. Ollie tells Stan: ‘Here is another nice kettle of fish you’ve pickled me in.’

The cast are Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Daphne Pollard, James Finlayson, Harry Bowen, Ed Brandenburg, Allan Cavan, Baldwin Cooke, Lester Dorr, Gladys Gale, Charlie Hall, Grace Goodall, and Bess Flowers.

Thicker Than Water is directed by James W Horne, runs 20 minutes, is made by Hal Roach Studios, released by MGM, is written by Stan Laurel and Frank Tashlin (uncredited), is shot in black and white by Art Lloyd, is produced by Hal Roach, and is scored by LeRoy Shield and Marvin Hatley.

It was Laurel and Hardy’s last two-reel comedy because producer Hal Roach had decided to move them to make feature films.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,436

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