On shore leave from the Navy, seamen Stanley and Oliver want to treat two attractive single girls to a glass of soda in the park but only have enough change for three sodas.On shore leave from the Navy, seamen Stanley and Oliver want to treat two attractive single girls to a glass of soda in the park but only have enough change for three sodas.On shore leave from the Navy, seamen Stanley and Oliver want to treat two attractive single girls to a glass of soda in the park but only have enough change for three sodas.
- Policeman
- (uncredited)
- Boater
- (uncredited)
- Boater
- (uncredited)
- Bicyclist
- (uncredited)
- Blonde
- (uncredited)
- Woman outside soda shop
- (uncredited)
- Boater
- (uncredited)
- Boater
- (uncredited)
- Man
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- H.M. Walker
- Oliver Hardy(uncredited)
- Stan Laurel(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaLaurel and Hardy had quite a bit of trouble filming this, their third sound short. Crowds of on lookers would gather in Hollenbeck Park and laugh repeatedly at the scenes, spoiling the sound. It got so bad they had to close down and return another day. Even then some off-screen laughter can still be heard.
- GoofsOllie links arms with a girl, but in close up he's twiddling his fingers.
- Quotes
Ollie: Can't you GRASP the situation? You must refuse!
Stan: But you keep asking me.
Ollie: I'm only putting it on for the goils.
Stan: OH!
Ollie: [stretching the words] And we've only got FIF-TEEN CENTS.
[Stan nods in acknowledgement, finally getting it]
Ollie: That's right, now come on. Now, let's see...
[points to each girl]
Ollie: Soda, soda,
[points to self]
Ollie: Soda, and my dear Stan, what will you have?
Stan: I don't want any.
Girl: Oh, General, don't be a piker.
Stan: Okay, I'll have a banana split.
- Crazy creditsSome prints have the title "Man O' War."
- Alternate versionsThere is also a colorized version.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Abbott & Costello: The Art of Chemistry (2021)
I have tried to really get into Laurel and Hardy shorts and have started watching them whenever I may get the chance. Of the ones I have seen so far this has been one of my favourites. The reason for that is I always enjoy when they are given the opportunity to be more than physical clowns and are given witty dialogue driven scenes. Here the majority of the film (the lost gloves and the soda shop) are all driven by the dialogue and the good `to-camera' work the pair do. The climax on the river boat is not as good as their better physical work but I didn't care as the majority was sublime.
Laurel and Hardy excel in the film, especially in the first three quarters. The chemistry and timing between them always shines through in the verbal more than the slapstick. Their delivery is perfect while Hardy was calmly pleading with Laurel in the soda shop `why did you do that, just tell me why' I was in stitches! The support cast is pretty good although the ladies are a little dull. This short is also the best example of James Finlayson at his best and a good chance for all Simpsons fans to catch the origin of the Homer Simpson `d'oh'.
Overall I was always going to love this film simply because it revolves more around the dialogue than the slapstick. The climax on the boating lake is funny but this should be watched as proof that Laurel and Hardy were more than successful fall guys they were simply comedy genius's who were all round vaudeville entertainers.
- bob the moo
- Jul 5, 2003
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Man O'War
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime20 minutes
- Color