Laurel & Hardy

Rating:
Summary: Great content, so-so DVD
Review: Without a doubt, I enjoyed every minute of the four short subjects and single feature film included here. Laurel and Hardy were at their creative peak in the early 1930s and this DVD captures them at the height of their powers. Buster Keaton can be baroque, Mr. Bean can be devilish, and Jackie Chan can be acrobatic, but absolutely no slapstick comedians could ever duplicate the otherworldly innocence of Laurel and Hardy. They're truly timeless, and all of the material presented here is priceless. It's a treat to see something other than awful public domain footage of them on DVD at last. And, it's a pleasure to see their classic short subject "The Music Box" once again. It's a real treasure.

However . . . despite what the box says about being "digitally remastered" I see no evidence of remastering. The sound clicks and pops just like it did on the old VHS' I remember. The picture quality isn't the sharpest. It isn't a step back, mind you, and it's always good to have films in the relatively permanent DVD format, but this isn't what most people think of when they think of digital remastering. I also had problems with the DVD menuing system used here; compared to what Universal's used for their multi-film packages, this DVD is rather cumbersome. The extras are adequate; nothing to get excited over but nothing awful either.

There are no subtitles. I was very surprised at this. As a rule, DVDs have subtitles for at least one language. Considering Laurel and Hardy's multi-national appeal, the lack of subtitles is a drawback. Also, I'm assuming this is an item that an older crowd would especially enjoy, and older persons who are hard-of-hearing rely on subtitles to fully enjoy their DVDs.

True, the price is definitely right for the collection, unlike the recent Marx Brothers boxed set from Paramount, which features an equally questionable "remastering." Buy this DVD for the exceptional laughs that Laurel and Hardy's hijinks provide, but don't expect this to be a gloriously refurbished product.

Rating:
Summary: The year is 1933 and everyone has hurt their bottom.
Review: I found this DVD to be almost entirely devoid of laughs. There were a few genuinely funny moments - the boys breaking into a dance routine as they clear up a mess, Stan Laurel impersonating a maid, the nanny complaining that she was kicked "right in the middle of my daily duties". But on the whole, I was left wondering why these routines were ever considered entertaining. The jokes are repetitive, milked to death, and often seem to involve little more than Oliver Hardy being in physical pain (ha ha, Ollie sat in boiling water, ha ha, Ollie got crushed under a piano, ha ha, Ollie stepped on a nail). Also, apart from the two leads, almost no-one on this DVD shows signs of being able to act. Yes, I know that these old Hal Roach comedies had to be produced quickly and cheaply, but that doesn't make them any funnier to watch. Frankly, I was bored, and that is the only test that matters.

Just to establish my credentials, this review isn't simply the reaction of a man who doesn't like physical comedy - I'll laugh at Charlie Chaplain, Buster Keaton and Rowan Atkinson's Mr. Bean. Nor is it the reaction of a man who can't laugh at old non-physical comedy - I'll laugh at The Marx Brothers. But I didn't laugh at this. I tried. But I didn't.

If you enjoy the Three Stooges, Abbot and Costello, or fat men hurting their bottoms again and again, you may find this DVD hilarious.

Rating:
Summary: WELL! THAT`S ANOTHER NICE MESS YOU`VE GOTYOURSELF INTO !!
Review: Film content descriptions of Laurel and Hardy`s films are unecessary and have been done many times by many people. As has been said there are several versions of the `boy`s` films available throughout the world. All of the sound films of Hal Roach apart from ` Fra Diavolo` enjoyed extensive restoration in Europe several years ago. All of the silents have received similar treatment in the US under the `Lost Films` series.

The point of this contribution is to remind you that Amazon is an international treasure trove of dvd versions from which you can select the best of the best.

I have utilised Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk for many years selecting the fruits of these films. For example I have collected the wonderfully restored silents from Amazon.com and the collection of 21, yes 21, dvds of superb sound films from Amazon.co.uk.

Therefore use Amazon as the excellent international source it is and ensure you have the best versions of any film virtually anywhere in the world.

One little tip when buying from Amazon UK you will need to have a multiregion DVD player and a TV capable of handling the Pal (UK) system.

Finally, no I do not work for Amazon but I do find they work for me very well indeed.



Rating:
Summary: laurel and hardy are the kings of comedy !!!!!!
Review: Me and my wife cannot get enough from this dvd. We watch it over and over again and we can't stop laughing because it's sooooooooooo funny. I recommend this dvd to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: This is a DVD BARGAIN !!! Picture quality is good
Review: It is so rare to see anything by Laurel and hardy put on DVD in the United States--except for Utopia and Flying Deuces which is out there a billion times over. So I was happy to come across this and own it now. I am happy with the picture and sound. And that classic "Sons of the Desert" all by itself is worth the price. The U.S. does not give Laurel and Hardy the attention they deserve in terms of DVD releases. Why is it that so much more of their work is available overseas then here, when they are American film icons? I dont have the surplus cash to invest in a DVD player to play overseas DVDs, but its not a bad idea.

Rating:
Summary: Another fine mess of a DVD
Review: For those who have never been able to enjoy these films except on LP-mode VHS tapes, this is a treat.

However, for those of us who have seen these films for years on 16mm Blackhawk prints, then VHS, then 3M laserdiscs, this DVD is a serious step backward in the technology's potential. The "TV" print of "Sons Of The Desert" is abysmal, as has been stated many times before, and rather than source out the best materials for a proper presentation, all the shorts are old videotape transfers.

Just because Hallmark owns the rights the the product, don't expect them to throw away money to make this a product heads above the PD material you can buy at any Wal-Mart for $5 bucks. Their purchase of the rights to the prime Laurel & Hardy and Little Rascals materials from Cabin Fever is simply a leverage move. Where are all those pristine Litlle Rascals videos hosted by Leonard Maltin now?

The British DVD's are far better (go to amazon.co.uk and see for yourself). Invest in a multi-region player or region-free software for your computer and watch these (albeit sped-up PAL versions) in all their visual glory. EVERY feature and sound short is available.

I was so disappointed in this DVD that I went to a well-known auction and bought out-of-print 3M laserdiscs of these titles and they look so much better than the Hallmark DVD. Thanks to a digital camcorder with an A/V input and professional video software, I now have DVD's that put the Hallmark disc to shame!