Oliver the Eighth ** (1934, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Mae Busch, Jack Barty) – Classic Movie Review 8186

Director Lloyd French’s 1934 comedy short Oliver the Eighth is, naturally enough, about Oliver, Oliver Hardy, that is, who answers a personal column ad to marry a wealthy widow called Mrs Fox (Mae Busch), who turns out to be a throat-slitting serial murderess on the trail of men called Oliver. Mrs Fox has already seen off seven Olivers, and Oliver Hardy would be Oliver the Eighth.

Stan and Ollie’s last three-reeler starts with a most promising idea, but in development it is a rather feeble effort with too few really good jokes, a slightly plodding pace and a lamely weak finish, as it all turns out to be a dream by Ollie who had fallen asleep while being shaved in barbershop owner Stan’s barber’s chair (‘I just had a terrible dream’).

However, there is good stuff here. The funny comedy scenes with the mad butler Jitters (Jack Barty) serving an imaginary meal at Busch’s house and Stan and Jitters playing with invisible cards are the best of it, the film’s funniest scenes. Barty and Busch are great, and it is the four main performances plus the film’s infectiously cheery tone that save it. ‘Did you ever have your throat cut?’ the butler asks Hardy. ‘No.’ ‘Well you’re going to.’

The British title The Private Life of Oliver the Eighth is an irrelevant effort to satirise 1933’s The Private Life of Henry the Eighth.

Oliver the Eighth [The Private Life of Oliver the Eighth] is directed by Lloyd French, runs 27 minutes, is made by Hal Roach Studios, is released by MGM, is shot in black and white by Art Lloyd, is produced by Hal Roach, is scored by Marvin Hatley composer: theme music (uncredited), Leroy Shield composer: stock music (uncredited) and Ray Henderson composer: stock music (uncredited).

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8186

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