Starring Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Dennis King, and Thelma Todd
Directed by Hal Roach and Charley Rodgers
Music by Daniel Auber; Lyrics by Eugene Scribe
Laurel and Hardy first appeared in an operetta in 1930's The Rogue Song, which was also the debut of opera star Laurence Tibett. Alas, nothing is left of that Technicolor extravaganza today but a few fragments of gags and dance routines. We go straight into their second operetta, featuring another legendary stage idol, Dennis King. How does this saucy pre-code tale of bandits and petticoats look today? Let's begin at a bandit camp, the home of the infamous Fra Diavlo (King) himself, and find out...
The Story: In early 18th century Italy, Fra Diavlo poses as the Marquis San de Marco to woo the Lady Pamela (Todd), hoping to find the location of her jewels and her husband Lord Rocburg's (James Finlayson) fortune. His men ride to their castle, and while they do get the jewels, they can't find His Lordship's money. Meanwhile, Stanlio (Laurel) and Ollio (Hardy) have also been attacked by bandits. They become bandits themselves in order to earn money, but first try to rob a poor woodsman who gives them a sob story, then run afoul of Fra Diavlo.
Diavlo not only spares their lives, he takes them as his servants. They arrive at an inn, where Lady Pamela and Lord Rocberg are staying. Also at the inn is the innkeeper's daughter Zerlina (Lucile Browne). She loves a soldier named Lorenzo (Arthur Pierson), but Diavlo plants the jewels on him. While Lorenzo tries to prove he's innocent, Ollio and Stanlio attempt to capture Diavlo for the reward money.
The Song and Dance: Laurel and Hardy have a great deal of fun with their gags here, especially their attempt to rob that unfortunate woodsman and later, when Stanlio's showing off his dexterity with the knees-hands bit and Ollie just can't imitate him. Todd's also having a marvelous time (and shows off an attractive singing voice) as the flirtatious noblewoman who finds the handsome Marquis far more to her liking than her stuffy husband; Finlayson more than matches her as the suspicious lord. King is a surprisingly dark villain for Laurel & Hardy. There's a layer of menace under his veneer of charm and sophistication that makes you understand why the locals fear him.
Favorite Number: Diavolo's theme song, which he performs throughout the film, becomes a major part of the plot when he hears Stanlio singing it on the road and confronts them. There's a couple of nice chorus numbers, especially towards the end when the town is preparing for Zerlina's wedding at the Inn.
What I Don't Like: First of all, neither this nor The Bohemian Girl are for people who don't like operettas or comic opera, or are expecting something closer to Laurel and Hardy's shorts that focus wholly on them. Zerlina and Lorenzo are barely in the film and really don't add much to it, other than Lorenzo's being set up by Diavolo. The second half that puts the focus on the lovers and the stolen jewels and off the boys does tend to drag a little as well.
The Big Finale: Along with March of the Toy Soldiers, this is my favorite of the Laurel and Hardy operettas. Highly recommended for fans of comic opera or "the boys."
Home Media: Can be found on streaming and on two Laurel & Hardy sets, the newer from the Warner Archives. I have The Laurel & Hardy Collection, which features a second disc of rare material (including the surviving bits of The Rogue Song).
DVD - The Devil's Brother/Bonnie Scotland (Warner Archives)
No comments:
Post a Comment