45 Minutes from Hollywood *** (1926, Glenn Tryon, Theda Bara, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy) Classic Movie Review 10,051

Director Fred Guiol’s 1926 two-reel silent film 45 Minutes from Hollywood stars Glenn Tryon as Orville but it is remembered as the second time Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy appear in the same film – sadly they share no scenes – half a decade after their first chance billing in The Lucky Dog (1921).

Stan Laurel’s name does not appear in the credits and he appears in bed in his only scene with a night cap, nightgown and a large fake comedy moustache such as James Finlayson wears in later Laurel and Hardy films. Oliver Hardy plays the Hotel Detective and his name does appear in the credits and he also features a big moustache.

45 Minutes from Hollywood is written by Hal Roach, Walter Lantz (gag writer) and H M Walker (titles). It is produced by Hal Roach, made by Hal Roach Studios and released by Pathé Exchange and runs 21 minutes.

It uses footage from the Theda Bara star vehicle Madame Mystery, so it is her last screen appearance.

In the story, a California family get a letter saying they must go to Hollywood to pay a fee or they will be evicted. Grandpa (Jack Rube Clifford) decides to go and take his Hollywood-mad grandson Orville (Glenn Tryon) and granddaughter (Sally O’Neil) too. Orville sees a bank robbery in progress, thinks it is a movie scene and rushes into the action.

The cast are Glenn Tryon, Jack Rube Clifford, Sally O’Neil, Charlotte Mineau, Molly O’Day, Theda Bara, Mickey Daniels, Scooter Lowry, Allen ‘Farina’ Hoskins, Jackie Condon, Jay R. Smith, Johnny Downs, Joe Cobb, Oliver Hardy, Edna Murphy, Jerry Mandy, Ham Kinsey, Ed Brandenberg, Jack Hill, Stan Laurel, Al Hallett, Tiny Sandford, Monte Collins, The Hal Roach Bathing Beauties and Janet Gaynor as Hotel Guest.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,051

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