Early to Bed *** (1928, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy) – Classic Movie Review 9438

‘9:00 am to 10:00 am. That important hour when financial kings of American affairs open their mail.’

Director Emmett J Flynn’s 1928 two-reeler black and white silent comedy short Early to Bed is the first of only two films to feature only Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, followed by Brats (1930).

When hard-up homeless vagrant Ollie inherits a fortune from his uncle, he takes on his old buddy Stan as a butler at his new sumptuous mansion. However, Ollie returns home tipsy to enjoy a series of cruel practical jokes on Stan. Laurel rebels and goes on the rampage after a bullying Hardy treats him badly, but they end up as friends again.

Early to Bed is middle-range Laurel and Hardy, with funny gags and the stars on form, responding gleefully to the different take play on their usual relationship.

With just the two of them throughout, this is funny, quite inventive slapstick stuff of carnage and rampage, with an interesting darker tone.

Early to Bed is directed by Emmett J Flynn, runs 20 minutes, is made by Hal Roach Studios, is released by MGM, is written by H M Walker (titles), is shot in black and white by George Stevens and is produced by Hal Roach. It was released by MGM on 6 October 1928.

The prop painting of The Blue Boy hanging in Hardy’s mansion figures prominently in Laurel and Hardy’s 1929 comedy Wrong Again.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9438

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