The Midnight Patrol Written and filmed June-July, 1933. Released by MGM, August, 1933. Produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Lloyd French. Two reels.

Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Frank Terry, Frank Brownlee, Eddie Dunn.   

STORY: Patrol officers Laurel and Hardy are better at scolding criminals than arresting them. They investigate a report of a home intruder and make a shambles of the house before discovering that it is the home of their police chief, who had merely locked himself out.

Commentary

JB:  A lowburning, simmering little gem.  Never builds to huge laughs, but is consistently amusing. At one point, I think when Stan says "I thought he said Car one-three", Ollie unleashes a "shut up" that sounds like he's just about had it with this friendship.  It only lasts a moment (like any of Ollie's outbursts) but it is kills me every time.  

And when Ollie is underwater, buried by the bench, and Stan keeps making those little "come on" gestures... just stick a fork in me, 'cause I'm done.

JL: One of the consequences of its under-ratedness is that that scene tends to be overlooked. A shame, as it's one of their funniest two minutes ever. The line "Do something to help me!" is twice as funny when delivered underwater. 

Copyright © 2012 John Larrabee, John V. Brennan

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