Laurel and Hardy The Flying Deuces

Laurel and Hardy The Flying Deuces, released in 1939, is a classic American comedy film that features the iconic comic duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. This timeless laugh riot directed by A. Edward Sutherland showcases some of the best comedic sketches of the pair.

As the film commences, we find Ollie (Oliver Hardy) heartbroken, having utterly fallen in love while vacationing in Paris. He opens his heart to a beautiful Frenchwoman named Georgette (Jean Parker) to only experience a fateful rejection. Distraught, Ollie declares that he wants to end it all, plunging both him and his companion Stan (Stan Laurel) into a streak of misadventures. The situation turns even more absurd when, based on advice from a stranger, they decide to join the French Foreign Legion to forget about love troubles. Intriguingly, the French Foreign Legion is presented as a place for men to forget about their past and, presumably, their broken hearts.

Once enlisted, Hardy and Laurel provide viewers with a series of hilarious takes on military life. From conducting the legionnaire's band to flying an airplane, the events unfold in a series of comedic antics and slapstick moments, precisely what the dynamic duo of Laurel and Hardy are known for. They miraculously manage to create chaos and confusion at every turn, with their characteristic incompetence, and of course, deliver laughs aplenty.

At the heart of The Flying Deuces is the unique chemistry between the burly, pompous Oliver Hardy and the thin, dimwitted Stan Laurel. Their comedic timing, combined with their distinctive characterizations, anchor the film. Their superb performances are complemented by that of Jean Parker as Georgette and Reginald Gardiner as Francois, a moustached French officer.

There's a sense of childlike innocence to Laurel and Hardy's humor that adds a charm of its own to the movie. The pair is continuously baffled by the world around them, and their interactions with it invariably lead to absurd and hilarious situations. A key highlight of the film is the plane sequence, which showcases the duo's high-strung physical comedy to brilliant effect. The slapstick comic routines, the innocent blunders, the seamless comedic timing, and the stumbling, bumbling Laurel, and Hardy antics are sure to leave the audience with ringing laughter.

However, beneath the heaps of humor, The Flying Deuces carries a subtle commentary on war and heroism. It paints a picture of two underdogs who stumble their way into heroism, maybe even without intending to. The film poses an interesting question - what makes a hero? A series of fortunate accidents or genuine bravery?

The Flying Deuces employs a steady stream of visual gags and physical comedy techniques to convey a largely light-hearted and eccentric narrative. The cinematography and production design subtly transport viewers to the Parisian setting and the French Foreign Legion of old, made all the more appealing by its vintage black-and-white visuals. The film's sound design, which alternates between silence, speeches, and noises, perfectly accentuates the comedic appeal, particularly in Laurel and Hardy's signature slapstick scenes.

On the surface, The Flying Deuces may seem like a simple comedy from the past, but it remains a timeless masterpiece and a testament to Laurel and Hardy's unrivaled genius. With its engaging storyline, hilarious situations, and enduring performances, it offers a perfect glimpse of the pair's legacy. For fans of the comedy genre or those seeking some classic Hollywood entertainment, The Flying Deuces offers a high-spirited, fun-filled romp that is sure to evoke laughter and amusement.