Hal Roach Starting with “B”

Babes in the Goods (1934) — Thelma Todd & Patsy Kelly

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Series: Thelma Todd & Patsy Kelly comedy cycle
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Gus Meins
  • Release Date: February 10, 1934
  • Genre: Department store farce, slapstick comedy

Cast

  • Thelma Todd as Thelma — the glamorous but practical half of the duo
  • Patsy Kelly as Patsy — the wisecracking, accident-prone counterpart
  • Jack Barty as Store Manager
  • Arthur Housman as Drunk Customer — classic Roach-style cameo
  • Billy Bletcher, Harry Bowen, and Charlie Hall in supporting roles

Plot Summary

Thelma and Patsy are hired to demonstrate washing machines in a department store window. On their first day, they accidentally get locked inside the store overnight. Chaos ensues as they try to sleep among mannequins, fend off a drunken intruder, and survive a series of mechanical mishaps. Patsy ends up trapped in a washing machine, and Thelma tries to rescue her while avoiding the store manager’s wrath. The short blends slapstick with pre-Code innuendo and showcases the duo’s chemistry.

Style & Legacy

  • Features Roach’s signature blend of physical comedy and verbal wit
  • Includes Arthur Housman’s classic “drunk” routine, reprised from Laurel & Hardy shorts
  • Noted for its department store setting, which became a recurring Roach motif
  • One of the more popular entries in the Todd/Kelly series for its pacing and ensemble gags

Streaming Availability

You can watch Babes in the Goods (1934) in full on these platforms:

It is not currently available on subscription platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video.

Backs to Nature (1933) — Thelma Todd & Patsy Kelly

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Series: Thelma Todd & Patsy Kelly comedy cycle
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Gus Meins
  • Release Date: November 14, 1933
  • Genre: Camping farce, buddy comedy

Cast

  • Thelma Todd as Thelma — the elegant, reluctant camper
  • Patsy Kelly as Patsy — the enthusiastic outdoorswoman
  • Don Barclay as Forest Ranger (uncredited)
  • Charlie Hall, Baldwin Cooke, Alice Belcher, and Roger Moore in supporting roles

Plot Summary

After a stressful stint working the luggage counter in Manhattan, Thelma wants a relaxing hotel getaway. Patsy, however, insists on a back-to-nature camping trip. Thelma reluctantly agrees, and the duo heads into the woods — where everything goes hilariously wrong. From pitching tents to cooking bacon and dodging bears, the girls endure a series of slapstick misadventures. A forest ranger warns them to hide their food, but Patsy’s carefree attitude leads to a nighttime panic when she thinks a bear is outside the tent.

Style & Legacy

  • Classic Roach-style female buddy comedy, blending verbal wit and physical gags
  • Features camping satire, wildlife panic, and tent slapstick
  • One of the earliest Todd/Kelly shorts, following the success of the Todd/Pitts series
  • Noted for its Depression-era escapism, with relatable working-class humor

Streaming Availability

You can watch Backs to Nature (1933) in full on the Internet Archive:

Watch Backs to Nature (1933) on Internet Archive – Entertaining episode

It may also appear in Hal Roach collector sets or YouTube uploads under public domain compilations.

The Ballad of Paducah Jail (1934) — Irwin S. Cobb

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~19 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Nick Grinde
  • Writer: Irvin S. Cobb (story and lead performance)
  • Release Date: October 20, 1934
  • Genre: Rural farce, law-and-order satire

Cast

  • Irvin S. Cobb as Himself — Kentucky humorist and narrator
  • Paul Hurst as Escaped Felon — the slippery outlaw
  • Carl Stockdale as Sheriff — slow to catch on
  • Benny Baker as Reporter — outside the jail
  • Harry Bernard as Jailer (uncredited)
  • Robert McKenzie as Deputy (uncredited)

Plot Summary

Irvin S. Cobb, playing a fictionalized version of himself, sets out to help local law enforcement track down an escaped criminal in Paducah, Kentucky. But the tables turn when Cobb is captured by the very felon he’s hunting. The short unfolds as a comic reversal of authority, with Cobb’s Southern charm clashing against small-town incompetence. The story is told with a mix of narration, slapstick, and Roach-style ensemble pacing.

Style & Legacy

  • A showcase for Irvin S. Cobb’s storytelling, blending humor and regional satire
  • Features early Roach ensemble players in supporting roles
  • Noted for its rural Americana tone, contrasting with urban Roach comedies
  • Rare entry in Roach’s short film catalog featuring a real-life humorist as lead

Streaming Availability As of now, The Ballad of Paducah Jail (1934) is not available on YouTube, Internet Archive, or major streaming platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, or Hulu

Bargain Day (1931) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~19 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (106th entry overall, 18th talkie)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Robert F. McGowan
  • Writer: H.M. Walker
  • Release Date: May 2, 1931
  • Genre: Department store farce, childhood mischief

Cast

  • Matthew “Stymie” Beard as Stymie
  • Bobby “Wheezer” Hutchins as Wheezer
  • Shirley Jean Rickert as Shirley
  • Norman “Chubby” Chaney as Chubby
  • Allen “Farina” Hoskins as Farina
  • Jackie Cooper as Jackie
  • Mary Ann Jackson as Mary Ann
  • Dorothy DeBorba as Dorothy
  • Jackie Williams as Bologna
  • Donald Haines as Speck
  • Pete the Pup as Himself

Plot Summary

The gang’s baseball equipment goes missing, and Jackie discovers that Wheezer and Stymie have been selling their belongings door-to-door to raise money. Their sales pitch leads them to the home of a wealthy girl named Shirley, where Stymie gets distracted by a pet monkey and a toy lion, accidentally triggering a burglar alarm. Meanwhile, the rest of the gang arrives, and Chubby gets trapped in a steam cabinet. The police show up to investigate the commotion, leading to a chaotic but harmless resolution.

Style & Legacy

  • Features classic ensemble mischief and department store slapstick
  • Includes the “Watt Street” routine, a precursor to Abbott & Costello’s “Who’s on First?”
  • Marks the final Our Gang appearance of Jackie Cooper, who left to star in Skippy and later signed with MGM for feature films
  • Scenes involving Stymie were edited out in 1971 TV prints due to racial sensitivity concerns, but restored in AMC airings from 2001–2003

Streaming Availability

You can watch Bargain Day (1931) in full on YouTube:

Internet Archive #21 on the List

The Bargain of the Century (1933) — Thelma Todd & ZaSu Pitts

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~19 minutes)
  • Series: Thelma Todd & ZaSu Pitts comedy cycle
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Charley Chase
  • Release Date: October 20, 1933
  • Genre: Domestic farce, department store slapstick

Cast

  • ZaSu Pitts as ZaSu — the nervous, well-meaning roommate
  • Thelma Todd as Thelma — the confident schemer
  • Billy Gilbert as Captain Schmaltz — the blustery police captain
  • James P. Burtis as Officer Butterworth — the cop who gets fired
  • Harry Bernard, Frank Alexander, Fay Holderness, and May Wallace in supporting roles

Plot Summary

Thelma and ZaSu lie to a friendly policeman to get help securing a deal on bargain bedsheets at a department store. Their fib leads to the officer’s dismissal, and he moves in with them as an unwanted roommate. To fix the mess, the girls invite his superior, Captain Schmaltz, to dinner in hopes of getting the cop reinstated. But the evening spirals into chaos — including a gag involving a watch frozen in ice cream and a booby-trapped apartment filled with anti-theft contraptions. The short ends with a classic Roach-style reversal and a final punchline that lands with precision.

Style & Legacy

  • Directed by Charley Chase, whose timing elevates the material
  • Features Billy Gilbert’s signature sneezing and vocal gags
  • One of the most tightly paced entries in the Todd–Pitts series
  • Noted for its pre-Code boldness, ensemble chemistry, and domestic slapstick
  • A standout example of Roach’s experimentation with female-led comedy duos

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Bargain of the Century (1933) in full on YouTube:

Be Big! (1931) — Laurel & Hardy

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: James W. Horne
  • Writers: H.M. Walker, Leo McCarey (story)
  • Release Date: February 7, 1931
  • Genre: Domestic deception, slapstick farce

Cast

  • Stan Laurel as Stan — the reluctant schemer
  • Oliver Hardy as Ollie — the overconfident planner
  • Isabelle Keith as Mrs. Hardy
  • Anita Garvin as Mrs. Laurel

Plot Summary

Stan and Ollie are preparing to leave with their wives for a vacation in Atlantic City. But Ollie secretly wants to attend a wild lodge party instead. He convinces Stan to fake an illness so the wives will leave without them. Once alone, the boys try to dress for the party — but everything goes wrong. Ollie struggles to put on tight riding boots, Stan misreads instructions, and the duo ends up wrecking their apartment in the process. The wives return unexpectedly, catching them in the act.

Style & Legacy

  • Features classic Laurel and Hardy domestic deception, with escalating physical comedy
  • The riding boot gag is one of their most famous extended routines
  • Noted for its tight pacing, minimal cast, and dialogue-driven humor
  • A Spanish-language version titled Los Calaveras was filmed simultaneously with the same cast
  • Often cited as a prime example of their transition from silent to sound comedy

Streaming Availability

You can watch Be Big! (1931) in full on the Internet Archive

Watch Be Big! (1931) on YouTube It frequently appears in Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection and other curated DVD sets.

Bear Facts (1938) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: One-reel comedy short (~11 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (163rd overall entry, 76th talking episode)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Gordon Douglas
  • Writer: Jack Jevne
  • Release Date: March 5, 1938
  • Genre: Childhood mischief, circus-themed farce

Cast

  • Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer as Alfalfa
  • Darla Hood as Darla King
  • George “Spanky” McFarland as Spanky
  • Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas as Buckwheat
  • Eugene “Porky” Lee as Porky
  • Jack Pepper as Mr. King (Darla’s father, circus owner)
  • George the Monkey as Elmer
  • Jack Baxley, Ed Brandenburg, Wilbur Pike, Cooper Smith as bear performers

Plot Summary

To impress Darla, Alfalfa brags that he’s a famous bear trainer. Unfortunately, Darla’s father owns a circus — and a bear costume. Mr. King decides to teach Alfalfa a lesson by dressing up and pretending to be a real bear. The gang, believing the bear is real, panics and tries to protect Alfalfa, leading to a series of slapstick misadventures. The short ends with Alfalfa’s pride deflated and the gang learning the “bear facts” the hard way.

Style & Legacy

  • A classic “tall tale gone wrong” setup, typical of Alfalfa’s character arc
  • Features costume gags, animal antics, and circus-themed humor
  • Includes George the Monkey, a recurring animal sidekick in late Roach-era shorts
  • Noted for its tight pacing, ensemble chemistry, and moral lesson delivery
  • Part of the transitional phase before MGM took full control of the Our Gang series

Streaming Availability

You can watch Bear Facts (1938) in full on Internet Archive #77 on the List:

Watch Bear Facts (1938) on YouTube It may also appear in Little Rascals collector sets or Hal Roach compilations on the Internet Archive.

Bear Shooters (1930) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (98th overall entry, 10th sound episode)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Robert F. McGowan
  • Release Date: May 17, 1930
  • Genre: Camping farce, bootlegger spoof

Cast

  • Bobby “Wheezer” Hutchins as Wheezer
  • Allen “Farina” Hoskins as Farina
  • Jackie Cooper as Jackie
  • Mary Ann Jackson as Mary Ann
  • Norman “Chubby” Chaney as Chubby
  • Leon Janney as Spud
  • Pete the Pup as Himself
  • Dinah the Mule as Herself
  • Charlie Hall, Bob Kortman, and Charles Gemora as bootleggers and gorilla-suited prankster

Plot Summary

Spud wants to go camping with the gang to hunt bears, but his mother insists he stay home to care for his sick little brother Wheezer. Spud decides to bring Wheezer and Mary Ann along anyway. The gang sets off in a rickety wagon pulled by Dinah the Mule, armed with sandwiches and toy rifles. Unbeknownst to them, they’ve camped near a bootleggers’ hideout. To scare the kids off, one bootlegger dons a gorilla suit — but the gang fights back, trapping the “bear” in a net. Ironically, it’s a skunk that ultimately drives everyone out of the woods.

Style & Legacy

  • A remake of the 1924 silent short It’s a Bear, also starring Allen Hoskins
  • Features classic Roach ensemble slapstick, animal gags, and childlike logic
  • One of four Our Gang sound shorts that fell into the public domain, making it widely available
  • Noted for its early sound-era pacing, outdoor cinematography, and bootlegger satire

Streaming Availability

You can watch Bear Shooters (1930) in full on these platforms:

Beau Hunks (1931) — Laurel & Hardy

Overview

  • Type: Four-reel comedy short (~37 minutes) — unusually long for a short
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: James W. Horne
  • Writers: H.M. Walker, Leo McCarey (story)
  • Release Date: December 12, 1931
  • Genre: Foreign Legion farce, heartbreak comedy

Cast

  • Stan Laurel as Stan
  • Oliver Hardy as Ollie
  • James W. Horne as Chief of the Riff Raff (credited as Abdul Kasim K’Horne)
  • Charles Middleton as Commandant
  • Broderick O’Farrell as Fort Arid Commander
  • Harry Schultz as Captain Schultz
  • Jean Harlow as Jeanie-Weenie (seen only in photo)
  • Billy Bletcher, Charlie Hall, Sam Lufkin, and Tiny Sandford in supporting roles

Plot Summary

Heartbroken after being dumped by his sweetheart Jeanie-Weenie, Ollie joins the French Foreign Legion to forget her — dragging Stan along for emotional support. Once at the desert outpost, they discover that nearly every soldier has also been jilted by Jeanie-Weenie. Their attempt to resign is denied, and they’re sent on a grueling march to reinforce Fort Arid. After getting lost in a sandstorm, Stan and Ollie arrive ahead of the troops and accidentally repel a Riffian attack using barrels of nails. In a final twist, even the enemy commander turns out to be another of Jeanie-Weenie’s victims.

Style & Legacy

  • Widely considered one of Laurel and Hardy’s most ambitious shorts, nearly feature-length
  • Parodies the Beau Geste trilogy and Foreign Legion tropes
  • Features extended desert slapstick, military satire, and romantic absurdity
  • The premise was later reused in their 1939 feature The Flying Deuces
  • Noted for its ensemble cast, visual gags, and emotional range

Streaming Availability

You can watch Beau Hunks (1931) in full on these platforms:

It may also appear in Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection or other Hal Roach DVD sets.

Beauty and the Bus (1933) — Thelma Todd & Patsy Kelly

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~18 minutes)
  • Series: Thelma Todd & Patsy Kelly comedy cycle
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Gus Meins
  • Release Date: 1933
  • Genre: Prize-winning farce, slapstick road comedy

Cast

  • Thelma Todd as Thelma — the poised, practical half of the duo
  • Patsy Kelly as Patsy — the impulsive, loud-mouthed counterpart
  • Don Barclay as Motorist — caught in the crossfire
  • Eddie Baker as Motorcycle Cop
  • Tiny Sandford as Irate Truck Driver
  • Tommy Bond, Dorothy DeBorba, and Charlie Hall in uncredited roles

Plot Summary

Thelma and Patsy attend a theater raffle where a brand-new car is the grand prize. After a ticket mix-up and a slapstick scuffle onstage, they win the car — only to immediately cause chaos trying to drive it home. Patsy’s reckless enthusiasm leads to traffic violations, a run-in with a cop, and a fender-bender with Don Barclay. When Tiny Sandford gets involved, the situation escalates into a full-blown street brawl involving household items, smashed headlights, and a car that ultimately ends up in a lake. Thelma drives off in Barclay’s car, leaving Patsy behind in soggy defeat.

Style & Legacy

  • First entry in the Todd–Kelly series after ZaSu Pitts’s departure
  • Features classic Roach slapstick, verbal sparring, and public mayhem
  • Includes Patsy Kelly’s breakout performance, showcasing her physical comedy chops
  • Noted for its pre-Code boldness, ensemble timing, and escalating chaos
  • A fan favorite for its raffle-to-wreckage arc and ensemble gags

Streaming Availability

You can watch Beauty and the Bus (1933) in full on YouTube:

Watch Beauty and the Bus (1933) on YouTube – Entertaining but not that funny It may also appear in Hal Roach collector sets or vintage comedy compilations on the Internet Archive.

Bedtime Worries (1933) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: One-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (124th overall entry, 36th talking episode)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Robert F. McGowan
  • Release Date: September 9, 1933
  • Genre: Childhood anxiety, domestic farce

Cast

  • George “Spanky” McFarland as Spanky
  • Matthew “Stymie” Beard as Stymie
  • Jerry Tucker as Jerry
  • Tommy Bond as Tommy
  • Georgie Billings as Georgie
  • Pete the Pup as Himself
  • Emerson Treacy as Spanky’s father
  • Gay Seabrook as Spanky’s mother
  • Harry Bernard as Burglar
  • Billy Bletcher and Frank Terry as radio voices

Plot Summary

Spanky’s father gets promoted to “head clerk” (or “head cluck,” as Spanky mishears), and decides it’s time Spanky sleeps in his own room. That night, Spanky is plagued by imaginary fears — bats, boogeymen, and shadows — and keeps calling out to his parents. Meanwhile, a real burglar climbs in through the window and begins looting the house. Spanky mistakes him for Santa Claus and alerts the gang, who arrive and help subdue the thief. The parents finally believe Spanky — just in time for the police to haul the crook away.

Style & Legacy

  • A showcase for Spanky’s comic timing and facial reactions
  • Blends childhood fears with real danger, a recurring Roach theme
  • Noted for its minimal music score, relying heavily on dialogue and atmosphere
  • Marks a transitional moment in the series, with several original cast members having departed
  • Features early nighttime cinematography and a strong ensemble finale

Streaming Availability

You can watch Bedtime Worries (1933) in full on Internet Archive #39 on the List:

Watch Bedtime Worries (1933) on YouTube It may also appear in Little Rascals collector sets or Hal Roach compilations on the Internet Archive.

Beginner’s Luck (1935) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: One-reel comedy short (~18 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (135th overall entry)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Gus Meins
  • Writers: Frank Butler, Gordon Douglas
  • Release Date: February 23, 1935
  • Genre: Talent show farce, childhood rebellion

Cast

  • George “Spanky” McFarland as Spanky
  • Matthew “Stymie” Beard as Stymie
  • Scotty Beckett as Scotty
  • Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas as Buckwheat
  • Alvin Buckelew as Alvin
  • Jerry Tucker as Jerry
  • Marianne Edwards as Daisy Dimple
  • Carl and Harold Switzer (Alfalfa’s debut) as musical act
  • Kitty Kelly as Spanky’s mother
  • Tom Herbert as Master of Ceremonies
  • May Wallace as Spanky’s grandmother
  • Charlie Hall, Bess Flowers, and Pete the Pup in supporting roles

Plot Summary

Spanky’s overbearing stage mother forces him to perform Shakespeare in a local amateur show. Spanky, desperate to avoid future performances, enlists the gang to sabotage his act with noisemakers and peashooters. But after befriending Daisy Dimple, a shy girl who flops onstage and needs the prize money for a new dress, Spanky has a change of heart. He asks his mother to let him perform sincerely — but she unknowingly encourages the gang to heckle him harder. Spanky’s stoic endurance and comic timing turn the act into a hit, much to his mother’s horror. The short ends with her accidentally electrocuting herself while trying to yank him offstage with a pole.

Style & Legacy

  • Marks the first appearance of Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer, who would become a series icon
  • Blends childhood rebellion, stage fright, and parental satire
  • Features classic Roach ensemble chaos, with a standout Shakespeare parody
  • Noted for its emotional arc, turning sabotage into triumph
  • A fan favorite for its meta-theatrical humor and early sound-era pacing

Streaming Availability

You can watch Beginner’s Luck (1935) in full on Internet Archive #50 on the List:

Watch Beginner’s Luck (1935) on YouTube

It may also appear in Little Rascals collector sets or Hal Roach compilations on the Internet Archive.

Below Zero (1930) — Laurel & Hardy

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: James Parrott
  • Writers: H.M. Walker (dialogue), Leo McCarey (story), Nat Hoffberg (titles)
  • Release Date: April 26, 1930
  • Genre: Slapstick, street comedy, mistaken identity

Cast

  • Stan Laurel as Stan
  • Oliver Hardy as Ollie
  • Bobby Burns, Charlie Hall, Blanche Payson, Tiny Sandford, and Frank Holliday in uncredited roles
  • Jean Harlow does not appear, despite common confusion with other Roach shorts

Plot Summary

On a bitterly cold winter day, Stan and Ollie try to earn money as street musicians, performing “In the Good Old Summertime” — ironically, in front of an institute for the deaf. Their luck turns when Stan finds a wallet full of cash, and they treat themselves to a lavish meal. But the wallet belongs to a police officer who had just helped them, and when he realizes the mistake, he throws them out. The short ends with a surreal gag: Stan falls into a barrel of water and emerges with a comically swollen belly, having swallowed the entire contents.

Style & Legacy

  • A prime example of early sound-era Laurel & Hardy, blending silent-style slapstick with minimal dialogue
  • Noted for its visual gags, seasonal irony, and social satire
  • The “wallet mix-up” and “barrel belly” sequences are often cited in retrospectives of their best short-form work
  • A Spanish-language version titled Tiembla y Titubea was filmed simultaneously

Streaming Availability

You can watch Below Zero (1930) in full on these platforms:

It may also appear in Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection or Hal Roach DVD sets.

Berth Marks (1929) — Laurel & Hardy

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~19 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Lewis R. Foster
  • Writers: H.M. Walker (titles), Leo McCarey (story)
  • Release Date: June 1, 1929
  • Genre: Travel farce, slapstick

Cast

  • Stan Laurel as Stan
  • Oliver Hardy as Ollie
  • Harry Bernard, Baldwin Cooke, and Charlie Hall in supporting roles

Plot Summary

Stan and Ollie are traveling musicians who board a crowded overnight train en route to a gig. After a chaotic boarding sequence, they struggle to navigate the narrow corridors, climb into their upper berth, and undress in the cramped space. Their attempts to change clothes without falling or disturbing other passengers lead to a series of escalating slapstick disasters. The short ends with both men tangled in their pajamas and bedding, having turned a simple train ride into a full-blown fiasco.

Style & Legacy

  • One of Laurel and Hardy’s earliest sound shorts, blending silent-style physical comedy with minimal dialogue
  • Famous for its “upper berth” routine, a masterclass in confined-space slapstick
  • Noted for its claustrophobic setting, which heightens the comedy
  • A Spanish-language version titled Los Dormilones was filmed simultaneously
  • Often cited as a precursor to later travel-themed Laurel & Hardy features like The Big Noise and Way Out West

Streaming Availability

You can watch Berth Marks (1929) in full on these platforms:

It’s also included in Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection and other Hal Roach DVD sets.

Big Ears (1931) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (108th overall entry, 20th talking episode)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Robert F. McGowan
  • Writer: H.M. Walker
  • Release Date: August 29, 1931
  • Genre: Domestic misunderstanding, childhood anxiety

Cast

  • Bobby “Wheezer” Hutchins as Wheezer
  • Matthew “Stymie” Beard as Stymie
  • Dorothy DeBorba as Dorothy
  • Donald Haines as Donald
  • Sherwood Bailey as Spud (his first appearance in the series)
  • Johnnie Mae Beard as Stymie’s mother
  • Ann Christy as Wheezer’s mother
  • Creighton Hale as Wheezer’s father
  • Wilfred Lucas as Doctor
  • Pete the Pup as Himself

Plot Summary

Wheezer overhears his parents arguing and misinterprets his father’s comment about getting a divorce. Confused and frightened, he asks his friends what divorce means. Donald paints a grim picture: Wheezer might be sent to an orphanage or get a cruel stepfather. Panicked, Wheezer decides to make himself sick so his parents will reconcile out of concern. With help from the gang, he swallows everything in the medicine cabinet — including lard. The plan works: his parents rush to his side, make up, and promise never to fight again.

Style & Legacy

  • Tackles serious themes like divorce and childhood fear with Roach-style humor
  • Features dark undertones, making it one of the more emotionally charged entries
  • Marked the departure of several silent-era cast members, including Allen Hoskins and Mary Ann Jackson
  • Introduced Sherwood Bailey, who would become a regular in later episodes
  • Removed from TV syndication in 1971 due to its depiction of children misusing medicine

Streaming Availability

You can watch Big Ears (1931) on YouTube:

Watch Big Ears (1931) on YouTube – Internet Archive #23 on the List

The Big Kick (1930) — Harry Langdon

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Warren Doane
  • Writer: H.M. Walker
  • Release Date: March 29, 1930
  • Genre: Bootlegger farce, surreal slapstick

Cast

  • Harry Langdon as Harry — a slow-witted gas station attendant
  • Edgar Kennedy as Detective — one of the T-men chasing bootleggers
  • Nancy Dover (credited as Judith Barrett) as Harry’s girlfriend
  • Baldwin Cooke, Jack Hill, Bob Kortman, Sam Lufkin, and Nelson McDowell in uncredited roles

Plot Summary

Federal agents are chasing a gang of bootleggers who stop at a gas station run by Harry Langdon. Harry, oblivious to the danger, gets caught up in the chaos. His girlfriend tries to help the agents, while Harry engages in a series of bizarre routines — including inflating a balloon with a sinister face and dismantling a jalopy mid-repair. As the bootleggers return, Harry disguises himself with a fake beard and accidentally triggers more slapstick mayhem. The film culminates in a shootout and a surreal sequence involving exploding car parts and confused identities.

Style & Legacy

  • A showcase for Langdon’s slow-burn physical comedy, though critics note its pacing issues
  • Features Edgar Kennedy’s classic “slow boil” reactions
  • Noted for its surreal gags, including balloon inflation and air hose slapstick
  • Part of Langdon’s brief stint with Hal Roach Studios, often seen as a transitional phase
  • The film’s tone blends bootlegger satire with mechanical absurdity

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Big Kick (1930) in full on YouTube:

Watch The Big Kick (1930) on YouTube – Typical Langdon weirdness It may also appear in Hal Roach comedy compilations or rare DVD sets featuring Harry Langdon’s short films.

The Big Squawk (1929) — Charley Chase

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Warren Doane
  • Story: Leo McCarey
  • Release Date: May 25, 1929
  • Genre: Romantic farce, cabin confusion

Cast

  • Charley Chase as Charley — a jealous musician
  • Nena Quartero as Mary — Charley’s flirtatious girlfriend
  • Gale Henry as Cabin guest — one of the stranded women
  • Jay Eaton as Joe — Charley’s scheming friend
  • Edgar Kennedy as Orchestra Leader (uncredited)
  • Gus Arnheim and His Orchestra as Musicians (uncredited)
  • Dolores Brinkman, Eleanor Fredericks, Iris Nicholson as stranded women (uncredited)

Plot Summary

Charley Chase plays a saxophonist at a country club, distracted by his girlfriend Mary dancing with other men to make him jealous. His friend Joe suggests a scheme: Charley should retreat to Joe’s lakeside cabin and pretend to be with another woman, prompting Mary to chase after him. But a group of stranded women, including Gale Henry, take shelter in the cabin first. Charley arrives soaked from the rain, unaware of the guests, and begins staging a fake romantic conversation for Mary’s benefit — only to be overheard by Gale, who clobbers him with a bottle. The farce escalates as misunderstandings pile up, culminating in a chaotic confrontation.

Style & Legacy

  • One of Charley Chase’s early sound shorts, blending silent-style slapstick with synchronized music and effects
  • Features Roach ensemble timing, romantic misdirection, and cabin-set chaos
  • Noted for its rainstorm gags, saxophone mishaps, and wet necktie routine
  • A transitional piece between Chase’s silent persona and his later sound-era sophistication
  • Gale Henry’s performance adds a layer of physical comedy and surprise

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Big Squawk (1929) in full on YouTube:

Watch The Big Squawk (1929) on YouTube – Pretty good It may also appear in Charley Chase DVD collections or Hal Roach retrospectives.

The Big Squirt (1937) — Charley Chase – Columbia Pictures

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~18 minutes)
  • Studio: Columbia Pictures
  • Director: Del Lord
  • Writers: Elwood Ullman, Al Giebler
  • Release Date: September 17, 1937
  • Genre: Detective spoof, soda fountain slapstick

Cast

  • Charley Chase as Charley — a soda jerk with detective delusions
  • Lucille Lund as Mrs. Chase
  • Eddie Fetherston as Lucky LaPidus — the real crook
  • Bud Jamison as Policeman Murphy
  • Leora Thatcher as Charley’s mother-in-law
  • Georgie Billings, Beatrice Blinn, John Ince, and Sidney Kibrick in supporting roles

Plot Summary

Charley Chase plays a soda jerk obsessed with mystery novels. Convinced he’s a master sleuth, he mistakes the Police Commissioner for a notorious criminal named Lucky LaPidus — while the real crook stands nearby. Charley’s antics lead to the Commissioner’s arrest, a series of slapstick chases, and a botched sting operation. He later disguises himself as a blind man to infiltrate the criminal’s hideout, triggering more chaos. The short blends mistaken identity, soda fountain gags, and Charley’s trademark physical comedy.

Style & Legacy

  • Fifth of Charley Chase’s 20 shorts for Columbia Pictures
  • Directed by Del Lord, known for his work with The Three Stooges
  • Features classic Chase timing, verbal misfires, and fountain slapstick
  • A transitional piece between Roach-style ensemble comedy and Columbia’s faster-paced slapstick
  • Noted for its nostalgic soda shop setting and detective parody tone

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Big Squirt (1937) in full on the Internet Archive:

Watch The Big Squirt (1937) on Internet Archive – Has a few good moments

It may also appear in Columbia comedy compilations or Charley Chase retrospectives on DVD.

Bigger and Better (1930) — The Boy Friends

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~19 minutes)
  • Series: The Boy Friends (early entries)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Edgar Kennedy
  • Writer: H.M. Walker
  • Release Date: 1930
  • Genre: Department store farce, summer job comedy

Cast

  • Mickey Daniels as Mickey
  • Grady Sutton as Grady “Alabam” Sutton
  • David Sharpe as Dave
  • Mary Kornman as Mary
  • Dorothy Granger as Dorothy
  • Gertrude Messinger as Gertie
  • Edgar Kennedy as Uncle Ed Sutton (uncredited)
  • Baldwin Cooke, Betty Mae Crane, Jack Hill, Isabelle Keith, and Dell Henderson in supporting/uncredited roles

Plot Summary

During summer vacation, Mickey, Grady, and Dave take jobs at a department store run by Grady’s Uncle Ed. Their real motive? To stay close to Mary, Dorothy, and Gertie — who are also working there. Mickey, ever the schemer, angles for the easiest job and ends up as a bumbling store detective. His antics include misidentifying customers, triggering chaos in the lingerie department, and accidentally tackling innocent shoppers. Meanwhile, Dave shows off his acrobatics, and Grady tries to keep the peace. The short ends with a full-blown storewide disaster and Uncle Ed vowing never to hire family again.

Style & Legacy

  • Part of Hal Roach’s Boy Friends series, a transitional follow-up to Our Gang
  • Features early sound-era pacing, ensemble chemistry, and retail slapstick
  • Noted for its department store setting, which allowed for varied physical gags
  • Showcases David Sharpe’s athleticism and Mickey Daniels’ trademark laugh
  • A nostalgic piece for fans of Roach’s youth ensemble comedies

Streaming Availability

You can watch Bigger and Better (1930) on Internet Archive:

It may also appear in Hal Roach collector sets or vintage comedy compilations on the Internet Archive.

Birthday Blues (1932) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: One-reel comedy short (~19 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (118th overall entry, 31st talking episode)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Robert F. McGowan
  • Release Date: November 12, 1932
  • Genre: Domestic farce, childhood generosity

Cast

  • Dickie Moore as Dickie
  • George “Spanky” McFarland as Spanky
  • Matthew “Stymie” Beard as Stymie
  • Bobbie “Cotton” Beard as Cotton
  • Jacquie Lyn as Jacquie
  • Dorothy DeBorba as Dorothy
  • Kendall McComas as Breezy Brisbane
  • Pete the Pup as Himself
  • Hooper Atchley as Dickie’s father
  • Lillian Rich as Dickie’s mother
  • Harry Bernard, Gordon Douglas, and Carlena Beard in supporting roles

Plot Summary

Dickie and Spanky want to buy a birthday present for their mother, but their stingy father refuses to spend money. Inspired by Stymie, the boys bake a cake filled with “surprise” prizes and auction off slices to raise funds. The party devolves into chaos: guests find fake snakes, powder, and mousetraps in their cake. When the father returns, he angrily spanks Dickie — until he learns the money was for a gift. Touched, he relents, but criticizes the dress as too fancy. In the end, Mom proudly wears it to church, delighting the gang and embarrassing Dad.

Style & Legacy

  • A blend of childhood innocence, parental satire, and slapstick chaos
  • Noted for its cake auction gag, with surprise-filled slices
  • Features early ensemble chemistry between Spanky, Stymie, and Dickie
  • Removed from syndication in 1971 due to racial sensitivity concerns, later reinstated in full on AMC (2001–2003)
  • Filmed partly at St. Brendan Catholic Church in Los Angeles, also used in Pups Is Pups (1930)

Streaming Availability

You can watch Birthday Blues (1932) in full on YouTube:

Watch Birthday Blues (1932) on Internet Archive #33 on the List

It may also appear in restored Little Rascals collections or Hal Roach DVD sets.

Blood and Thunder (1931) — The Boy Friends

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Series: The Boy Friends (4th entry)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: George Stevens
  • Writer: H.M. Walker (dialogue)
  • Release Date: January 17, 1931
  • Genre: Misunderstood melodrama, domestic farce

Cast

  • Mickey Daniels as Mickey
  • Grady Sutton as Grady “Alabam”
  • Mary Kornman as Mary
  • David Sharpe as Dave
  • Gertrude Messinger as Gertie Daniels (Mickey’s sister)
  • Spec O’Donnell as Rudy
  • Dorothy Granger, Jay R. Smith, Bobby Mallon, and Oscar Rudolph in supporting roles

Plot Summary

Mickey’s sister Gertie and her friends rehearse a dramatic play in the attic involving a baby and a scandalous backstory. Mickey, eavesdropping, believes the melodrama is real — that his sister has an illegitimate child and is being blackmailed. In a panic, he steals the baby (borrowed from a babysitter for the play) and places it in a delivery truck to “protect” her reputation. The gang scrambles to recover the baby, leading to a series of slapstick misunderstandings and a chaotic resolution.

Style & Legacy

  • A classic “play mistaken for reality” setup, common in Roach comedies
  • Features pre-Code themes like illegitimacy and melodrama parody
  • Noted for its ensemble timing, attic staging, and baby-in-a-truck gag
  • Directed by George Stevens, who later became a major Hollywood filmmaker
  • Part of the transitional Boy Friends series, bridging Our Gang with teen ensemble comedy

Streaming Availability

You can watch Blood and Thunder (1931) in full on Internet Archive:

Watch Blood and Thunder (1931) on Internet Archive

It may also appear in Hal Roach retrospectives or Boy Friends compilations on the Internet Archive.

Blotto (1930) — Laurel & Hardy

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~26 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: James Parrott
  • Writers: Leo McCarey, H.M. Walker
  • Release Date: February 8, 1930
  • Genre: Prohibition farce, nightclub slapstick

Cast

  • Stan Laurel as Stan
  • Oliver Hardy as Ollie
  • Anita Garvin as Mrs. Laurel
  • Baldwin Cooke, Charlie Hall, Dick Gilbert, and Tiny Sandford in uncredited roles
  • Frank Holliday as Rainbow Club singer

Plot Summary

During Prohibition, Stan wants to sneak out for a night of fun with Ollie at the Rainbow Club. To escape his domineering wife (Anita Garvin), he fakes a telegram about a business meeting. Ollie brings a bottle of liquor, but Mrs. Laurel overhears their plan and secretly replaces the booze with a mix of cold tea, Tabasco, and other spicy ingredients. At the club, Stan and Ollie act increasingly “drunk” from the placebo, leading to a tearful reaction to a melancholy ballad and slapstick chaos. When Mrs. Laurel arrives with a shotgun, the duo flees — only to have their taxi blown apart in the final gag.

Style & Legacy

  • One of Laurel and Hardy’s earliest sound shorts, blending silent-style slapstick with synchronized music and dialogue
  • The term “blotto” means extremely drunk — fitting the film’s central gag
  • The original 1930 version is lost; only the 1937 reissue survives, with censored content and added music
  • Features Anita Garvin’s iconic slow-burn performance and Stan’s crying fit during “The Curse of an Aching Heart”
  • A fan favorite for its Prohibition satire, nightclub setting, and fake intoxication routine

Streaming Availability

You can watch Blotto (1930) in full on Internet Archive #11 on the List

Watch Blotto (1930) on YouTube

It may also appear in Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection or Hal Roach DVD sets.

Bored of Education (1936) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: One-reel comedy short (~10 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (146th overall entry)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Gordon Douglas
  • Release Date: August 20, 1936
  • Genre: School farce, childhood scheming
  • Awards: Winner of the 1937 Academy Award for Best Short Subject (One-Reel)

Cast

  • Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer as Alfalfa
  • George “Spanky” McFarland as Spanky
  • Darla Hood as Darla
  • Eugene “Porky” Lee as Porky
  • Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas as Buckwheat
  • Rosina Lawrence as Miss Lawrence (the new teacher)
  • Pete the Pup as Himself
  • Supporting students include Sidney Kibrick, John Collum, and Patricia Barry

Plot Summary

It’s the first day of school, and Spanky and Alfalfa are determined to skip class. Alfalfa fakes a toothache using a balloon stuffed in his cheek, and Spanky volunteers to take him home. But their new teacher, Miss Lawrence, overhears the scheme and plays along — even ordering ice cream for the class as a surprise. When the boys see the ice cream truck arrive, they scramble to get back into school. Miss Lawrence agrees, but only if Alfalfa sings for the class. Unfortunately, he’s swallowed the balloon stopper, and his rendition of “Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms” is hilariously wheezy. The boys finally get their ice cream — melted — but Miss Lawrence kindly gives them fresh bars.

Style & Legacy

  • A remake of the 1930 short Teacher’s Pet
  • First Our Gang short in the new one-reel format, replacing the longer two-reel structure
  • Marked Gordon Douglas’s directorial debut for the series
  • Celebrated for its tight pacing, clever writing, and Alfalfa’s iconic singing gag
  • The only Our Gang short to win an Academy Award, making it a standout in the series

Streaming Availability

You can watch Bored of Education (1936) in full on YouTube:

Watch Bored of Education (1936) – Internet Archive #61 on the List

It may also appear in restored Little Rascals collections or Hal Roach DVD sets.

Bouncing Babies (1929) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel silent-to-sound transitional comedy (~20 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (92nd overall entry)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Robert F. McGowan
  • Release Date: October 12, 1929
  • Genre: Domestic farce, sibling jealousy

Cast

  • Bobby “Wheezer” Hutchins as Wheezer
  • Norman “Chubby” Chaney as Chubby
  • Jean Darling as Jean
  • Allen “Farina” Hoskins as Farina
  • Mary Ann Jackson as Mary Ann
  • Harry Spear, Jackie Cooper, Pete the Pup, and Bobby Mallon in supporting roles
  • Dora Dean, Eddie Dunn, and Lyle Tayo as Wheezer’s parents and nurse

Plot Summary

Wheezer feels neglected after the arrival of his baby brother, who receives all the attention while Wheezer is expected to act like a “big boy.” After a failed attempt to make his own breakfast and getting scolded, he decides to run away with Pete the Pup. Farina tells him a tall tale about trading unwanted siblings for goats, inspiring Wheezer to try the same. He pushes a baby carriage to the hospital — unaware it contains Mary Ann’s doll instead of the real baby. A nurse plays along but alerts his mother. She and Mary Ann pretend to be distraught, prompting Wheezer to pray for the baby’s return. In a final gag, the baby emerges from hiding and bonks Wheezer on the head.

Style & Legacy

  • A transitional short blending silent-era slapstick with early synchronized sound
  • Tackles childhood jealousy, family dynamics, and Halloween pranks
  • Noted for its emotional arc, Pete the Pup’s loyalty, and Farina’s storytelling
  • Marks the final appearance of Jean Darling and Harry Spear in the series
  • Filmed at Media Park and Motor Avenue/Tabor Street in Los Angeles

Streaming Availability

You can watch Bouncing Babies (1929) in full on these platforms:

YouTube – Full Episode

Internet Archive – Our Gang Collection (Episode #4 in the playlist)

Boxing Gloves (1929) — Our Gang / Little Rascals

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~17 minutes)
  • Series: Our Gang (90th overall entry, 3rd sound episode)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Anthony Mack (Robert A. McGowan)
  • Release Date: September 9, 1929
  • Genre: Sports farce, romantic rivalry

Cast

  • Joe Cobb as Joe
  • Norman “Chubby” Chaney as Chubby
  • Allen “Farina” Hoskins as Farina
  • Mary Ann Jackson as Mary Ann
  • Bobby “Wheezer” Hutchins as Wheezer
  • Harry Spear as Harry
  • Jean Darling as Jean
  • Jackie Cooper (film debut) as spectator/reporter
  • Pete the Pup as Himself
  • Bobby Mallon, Charlie Hall, and Andy Shuford in supporting roles

Plot Summary

Joe and Chubby’s friendship is tested when both fall for Jean Darling. Their rivalry catches the attention of Farina and Harry, who are trying to launch a boxing promotion. They convince the boys to fight in a “heavywate” bout, each thinking the other will take a dive in round two. Meanwhile, Mary Ann is barred from attending because “ladies faint at the sight of blood,” so she disguises herself as a boy to sneak in. The fight begins with both boys hesitant to throw punches — until Chubby musses Joe’s hair, triggering a wild brawl. Farina, acting as referee, gets knocked out too. The short ends with both boys unconscious and Farina announcing the result, only to be hit with a tomato by an angry spectator.

Style & Legacy

  • A loose remake of the 1923 silent short The Champeen, later reworked again as Glove Taps (1937)
  • Features Jackie Cooper’s debut, who would become a major star in the series
  • Combines romantic rivalry, entrepreneurial scheming, and boxing slapstick
  • Noted for its early sound integration, with much of the film still relying on silent-style gags
  • Marks the final appearance of Joe Cobb, one of the original gang members

Streaming Availability

You can watch Boxing Gloves (1929) in full on these platforms:

It’s also included in The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection and Hal Roach DVD sets.

Brats (1930) — Laurel & Hardy

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~21 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: James Parrott
  • Writers: Leo McCarey, H.M. Walker
  • Release Date: March 22, 1930
  • Genre: Domestic slapstick, dual-role farce

Cast

  • Stan Laurel as Stan and Stanley Jr.
  • Oliver Hardy as Ollie and Oliver Jr.

This short is unique in that Stan and Ollie play both themselves and their mischievous sons, using oversized sets and clever camera tricks to create the illusion of child-sized versions of the duo.

Plot Summary

Stan and Ollie are trying to enjoy a quiet evening at home playing checkers, but their sons — Stanley Jr. and Oliver Jr. — keep interrupting with noisy antics. The boys smash a vase, flood the bathroom, and cause chaos throughout the house. The fathers attempt to discipline them, but the kids outwit them at every turn. The short ends with a spectacular gag: the bathroom floods, and a torrent of water bursts out, sweeping the adults off their feet.

Style & Legacy

  • One of the few Laurel and Hardy shorts where they play dual roles
  • Notable for its oversized furniture and sets, used to simulate child-sized versions of Stan and Ollie
  • A fan favorite for its visual creativity, tight pacing, and domestic chaos
  • Reissued in 1937 with added music by Leroy Shield and minor edits
  • One of only two shorts featuring only Stan and Ollie in the cast (the other being Early to Bed from 1928)

Streaming Availability

You can watch Brats (1930) in full on Internet Archive #12 on the List

Watch Brats (1930) – Youtube Full Short

Film It may also appear in Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection or Hal Roach DVD sets.

Bring ’Em Back a Wife (1933) — Taxi Boys

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Series: Taxi Boys (5th entry in the series)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Del Lord
  • Release Date: January 13, 1933
  • Genre: Workplace farce, cross-dressing comedy

Cast

  • Ben Blue as Ben
  • Billy Gilbert as Billy
  • James C. Morton as Archie, Taxi Cab Superintendent
  • Geneva Mitchell as Daisy Orchid
  • Supporting cast includes:
    • Eddie Baker, Harry Bernard, Lorena Carr, Dick Granger, Charlie Hall, and Tiny Ward as various taxi drivers and staff (uncredited)

Plot Summary

In this entry from the Taxi Boys series, Billy Gilbert faces termination from his job unless he can prove he’s married — part of a new company policy meant to curb flirtations with female passengers. Desperate to keep his position, Billy convinces his eccentric friend Ben Blue to dress in drag and pose as his wife. Their ruse leads to a series of slapstick misunderstandings, especially when the boss insists on meeting the “wife.” The short builds to a chaotic finale involving mistaken identities, romantic confusion, and a garage full of baby taxis.

Style & Legacy

  • A classic example of Hal Roach’s ensemble farce, with pre-Code humor and gender disguise gags
  • Directed by Del Lord, known for his work with The Three Stooges
  • Part of the short-lived Taxi Boys series, which ran from 1932 to 1933
  • Noted for its visual slapstick, garage setting, and Ben Blue’s surreal physical comedy
  • Often viewed as a premise that might have suited Laurel & Hardy, handed instead to a more eccentric duo

Streaming Availability

You can watch Bring ’Em Back a Wife (1933) in full on the Internet Archive:

Bum Voyage (1934) — Patsy Kelly & Thelma Todd

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Series: Todd–Kelly Comedies
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Nick Grinde
  • Release Date: January 13, 1934
  • Genre: Travel farce, slapstick horror

Cast

  • Thelma Todd as Thelma
  • Patsy Kelly as Patsy
  • Adrian Rosley as Ship’s Captain
  • Charles Gemora as The Gorilla (uncredited)
  • Supporting cast includes Gertrude Astor, Noah Young, Marie Wilson, and others in party and crew roles

Plot Summary

Thelma and Patsy stumble upon a pair of steamship tickets and decide to take a luxurious cruise. Unbeknownst to them, the cabin assigned to those tickets is already occupied — by a gorilla. What follows is a series of escalating gags involving mistaken identity, jungle antics, and a parody of shipboard elegance. Patsy ends up face-to-face with the gorilla in a “mirror routine” reminiscent of Duck Soup (1933), while Thelma tries to maintain composure amid the chaos. The short ends with the girls fleeing the cabin in terror, having learned that free tickets often come with strings attached.

Style & Legacy

  • A standout entry in the Todd–Kelly series, known for pairing Thelma Todd’s elegance with Patsy Kelly’s brash energy
  • Features a vaudeville-style mirror gag, performed between Patsy and the gorilla — a nod to the Marx Brothers
  • Directed by Nick Grinde, who specialized in short comedies and genre hybrids
  • Noted for its pre-Code absurdity, blending travel comedy with slapstick horror
  • Part of Hal Roach’s effort to build female-led comedy duos after the success of Laurel & Hardy

Streaming Availability

You can watch Bum Voyage (1934) in full on YouTube:

It may also appear in Hal Roach retrospectives or Todd–Kelly DVD collections.

Busy Bodies (1933) — Laurel & Hardy

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~19 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Lloyd French
  • Writers: Stan Laurel (story), H.M. Walker (titles)
  • Release Date: October 7, 1933
  • Genre: Workplace slapstick, mechanical mayhem

Cast

  • Stan Laurel as Stan
  • Oliver Hardy as Ollie
  • Charlie Hall as Shop Worker
  • Tiny Sandford as Shop Foreman
  • Dick Gilbert, Jack Hill, and Charley Young as additional workers

Plot Summary

Stan and Ollie arrive at their new jobs in a lumberyard, driving a Ford Model T rigged with a wind-up phonograph under the hood. Their day quickly devolves into chaos: Stan traps Ollie’s hands in a window frame, they trick a coworker into smoking despite posted rules, and a series of escalating mishaps involving paint, planks, and machinery ensue. In one of the film’s most memorable gags, Ollie is launched through a ventilator duct, prompting Stan to attempt a rescue — only to dislodge a barrel of shellac and send them both crashing down. The finale features their car being sawed in half by a band saw, with Stan salvaging the phonograph and trying to enjoy music amid the wreckage.

Style & Legacy

  • A quintessential Laurel and Hardy workplace comedy, filled with mechanical slapstick and escalating destruction
  • Noted for its tight pacing, visual gags, and minimal dialogue, making it a favorite among silent-era fans
  • Frequently cited as one of their best short films, showcasing their chemistry and timing
  • Included in numerous retrospectives and “best of” compilations for its iconic lumberyard setting and gag structure

Streaming Availability

You can watch Busy Bodies (1933) in full on YouTube:

Watch Busy Bodies (1933) – Full Short Film – Internet Archive #13 on the List

It may also appear in Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection or Hal Roach DVD sets.