Pardon Us (1931)

Director:

James Parrott

Writer:

H.M. Walker (dialogue)

Release Date:

15 August 1931 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Drama | Musical

Tagline:

The world has been waiting for THEIR FIRST FULL LENGTH TALKING PICTURE

Plot:

It's Prohibition, and the boys wind up behind bars after Stan sells some of their home-brew beer to a policeman...

Plot Keywords:

Blackface | Machine Gun | Prison | Tommy Gun | Automobile

Cast

Stan Laurel	...	Stanley
Oliver Hardy	...	Oliver
June Marlowe	...	Warden's Daughter
Wilfred Lucas	...	Warden
James Finlayson	...	Schoolteacher
Walter Long	...	The Tiger
Tiny Sandford	...	Prison Guard (as Stanley J. Sanford)

Also Known As:

Gaol Birds
Jailbirds
The Rap (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

56 min | USA:65 min (extended version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:G | Finland:S | Spain:T | UK:U

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Hal Roach Studios Inc.

Trivia:

Cameo: [Hal Roach] [Marching in front of Oliver Hardy after his recapture.]

Goofs:

Continuity: Right after Stan and Ollie escape prison, they are still visible in the prison court yard.

Quotes:

Insurgent Convict: Hey! Hey! Hey! What are you doing there? Keep off of my head!
Oliver: Pardon me, I'm a stranger here.

Movie Connections:

References Our Gang (1922)

Soundtrack:

Lazy Moon

Their first full-length feature is one to remember!

This was the first full-length movie from Laurel & Hardy, that last over 1 hour long. Their first effort is definitely one of their better ones.

Difference with most other Laurel & Hardy movies is that this one actually has a story and continuity in it. It's more than just one slapstick and comical moment after another and it's obvious that they definitely put lots of effort in the story. The movie is constantly funny although the movie could had done without those musical numbers in my opinion. It's extremely old fashioned and takes the pace right out of the movie.

Besides the two boys the movie also has some other memorable characters in it such as Wilfred Lucas as the jail warden, James Finlayson as the jail schoolteacher and Walter Long as fellow prisoner The Tiger. Especially Walter Long stands out in his role and he plays an extremely fun character who of course gives the two an hard time.

The movie is very fine constructed and build up to the memorable ending in which one big jail break is attempted. It's pretty violent stuff for Laurel & Hardy standards and I had never thought that I would ever see the two of them holding a gun. The ending is almost action movie like but it of course is also extremely hilarious at the same time.

There are quite some returning running gags in the movie that all help to make this movie a very memorable one. Also enough slapstick humor is present so fans of that will also be delighted with this movie.

9/10