That’s My Wife **** (1929, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Jimmy Aubrey) – Classic Movie Review 8572

‘There has been a serious misunderstanding in the Hardy family.’

Stan Laurel masquerades as Mrs Hardy to please Oliver Hardy’s rich uncle (William Courtwright) in director Lloyd French’s very inventive and funny 1929 two reeler silent short film That’s My Wife, with Stan’s clever drag turn as the highlight. The jury is out on this one, but Stan really does look surprisingly fetching as a woman! And it is arguably the best of his several drag turns.

Vivien Oakland plays the real Mrs Hardy, who is, naturally, unamused. At the end, Ollie says: ‘I’ve lost my wife an’ my fortune – what next?’ and a drunk (Jimmy Aubrey) promptly pours soup over his head.

Also in the cast are Charlie Hall, Sam Lufkin and Harry Bernard, all as waiters (uncredited).

The writers of this fine cross dressing slapstick comedy are Leo McCarey (story) and H M Walker (titles), though there are supposedly links to the 1926 Hal Roach short Along Came Auntie, with Oliver Hardy, co-written by Stan Laurel.

That’s My Wife is directed by Lloyd French, runs 20 minutes, is made by Hal Roach Studios, is released by MGM, is written by Leo McCarey and H M Walker, is shot in black and white by George Stevens, is produced by Hal Roach and edited by Richard C Currier.

It was shot in December 1928 and released by MGM on 23 March 1929 with a synchronised music and sound effects track in cinemas equipped for sound.

The opening title is: ‘Mr Hardy’s house had become less and less of a home since Mr Laurel joined the family.’

Wrong Again had just wrapped on 1 December 1928, and the unit would wrap its landmark Big Business just after Christmas, a time of great activity for Stan and Ollie as the Hal Roach Studio was to close at the end of December for the installation of the new sound equipment.

The ‘action script’ for That’s My Wife reveals several differences between the original concept and the finished film, particularly the ending, which originally has Ollie victorious with his fortune and his wife, but losing Stan’s friendship. As filmed, he loses everything but Stan’s friendship.

It is partly edited into The Further Perils of Laurel and Hardy (1967).

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 8572

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