Life without Laurel and Hardy would be like attempting to live on the sun; painful, and you'd be dead. Stan was the uncredited writer, director and editor of all their films at Hal Roach Studios, and it was only when they left Roach in 1940, that he lost his creative control.
The amount of hilarious films they made in that 13 year period at the 'Lot of Fun' was nothing short of phenomenal. They always produced quality as well as quantity. There isn't one bad film among them. However there are a few that aren't quite up to their usual standard. They are still brilliant films, but they do have their faults. For me, "Laughing Gravy" is the worst film they made for the Roach Studios.
The overall film just feels like a poor re-make of their earlier silent short "Angora Love". I don't usually mind when they re-make films, or re-use ideas. Whenever they did, they usually made it better. Their silent film "Love 'Em And Weep" eventually became their talkie: "Chickens Come Home", and it worked better as a sound film.
In the case of "Angora Love" and "Laughing Gravy", it is the silent film that works best. Their attempts at trying to hide a goat (rather than a dog) in the hotel is more absurd and therefore more funny!
Plus there is a long period in "Laughing Gravy" where Stan is trying to pull Ollie safely across the roof. The concept is great, but there are no gags. With the exception of Stan slipping underneath Ollie and nearly falling off the roof, there are no other ideas to support the length of this sequence. And therefore, it just looks like five minutes of shuffling about on a roof. There's nothing funny in it.
There are two different versions of "Laughing Gravy". There is the two-reel version, where the landlord, Charlie Hall, shoots himself because he doesn't want to have to spend any more time with Laurel and Hardy. This is quite funny, but also quite morbid. There is also the three-reel version. In this one, Stan receives a letter telling him about an inheritance he will get if he "severs all ties with Oliver Hardy." This is another scene which drags out longer than it should, and isn't particularly funny. I think it's their only attempt at pathos, but it doesn't really suit Laurel and Hardy.
It is perhaps controversial of me to have such a low opinion of the film, especially when it is a favourite for many other fans. It is certainly a favourite amongst dog-lovers and for them it has the cuteness appeal. I still recommend this film to anyone. It is absolutely brilliant, and hilarious almost all the way through. Even if it isn't quite up to their usual standard, it is still better than most other films. I'd rather watch Laurel and Hardy than anything else!
Review by Mad MattyBlockedParent2018-05-24T20:00:00Z
Life without Laurel and Hardy would be like attempting to live on the sun; painful, and you'd be dead. Stan was the uncredited writer, director and editor of all their films at Hal Roach Studios, and it was only when they left Roach in 1940, that he lost his creative control.
The amount of hilarious films they made in that 13 year period at the 'Lot of Fun' was nothing short of phenomenal. They always produced quality as well as quantity. There isn't one bad film among them. However there are a few that aren't quite up to their usual standard. They are still brilliant films, but they do have their faults. For me, "Laughing Gravy" is the worst film they made for the Roach Studios.
The overall film just feels like a poor re-make of their earlier silent short "Angora Love". I don't usually mind when they re-make films, or re-use ideas. Whenever they did, they usually made it better. Their silent film "Love 'Em And Weep" eventually became their talkie: "Chickens Come Home", and it worked better as a sound film.
In the case of "Angora Love" and "Laughing Gravy", it is the silent film that works best. Their attempts at trying to hide a goat (rather than a dog) in the hotel is more absurd and therefore more funny!
Plus there is a long period in "Laughing Gravy" where Stan is trying to pull Ollie safely across the roof. The concept is great, but there are no gags. With the exception of Stan slipping underneath Ollie and nearly falling off the roof, there are no other ideas to support the length of this sequence. And therefore, it just looks like five minutes of shuffling about on a roof. There's nothing funny in it.
There are two different versions of "Laughing Gravy". There is the two-reel version, where the landlord, Charlie Hall, shoots himself because he doesn't want to have to spend any more time with Laurel and Hardy. This is quite funny, but also quite morbid.
There is also the three-reel version. In this one, Stan receives a letter telling him about an inheritance he will get if he "severs all ties with Oliver Hardy." This is another scene which drags out longer than it should, and isn't particularly funny. I think it's their only attempt at pathos, but it doesn't really suit Laurel and Hardy.
It is perhaps controversial of me to have such a low opinion of the film, especially when it is a favourite for many other fans. It is certainly a favourite amongst dog-lovers and for them it has the cuteness appeal. I still recommend this film to anyone. It is absolutely brilliant, and hilarious almost all the way through. Even if it isn't quite up to their usual standard, it is still better than most other films. I'd rather watch Laurel and Hardy than anything else!