Sons of the Desert (1933)

Essential Viewing

USA

Short Feature Film

Director: William A. Seiter

Writer: Frank Craven

Cinematographer: Kenneth Peach

Composer: Marvin Hatley

Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Mae Busch, Dorothy Christy, Charley Chase

Laurel & Hardy’s finest feature (in fact, the only one of comparable quality to the best of their short works) – in which Ollie feigns illness in order for him and Stan to attend a convention of the eponymous lodge, in Chicago, whilst their wives think they are on a cruise to Honolulu – is a trouser soilingly funny film from beginning to end, without a single wasted moment, which also boasts perhaps Stan Laurel’s greatest performance (which is no mean feat). Iain.Stott