classicsoncall Whoever typed up the job recommendation for Laurel and Hardy (see above) probably didn't know them very well. The Boys rewrite the rule book on the doorman position of an upscale hotel, throwing the entire assemblage of guests and staff into an uproar. Recurring bits involve a visiting Prussian dignitary (Hans Joby) falling down an elevator shaft, and a frustrated cab driver (Charlie Hall) rounding the block every time Ollie inadvertently 'blews' his whistle. The treat for this viewer was catching Harlean Carpenter in a quick appearance, in a rather daring scene exposing her bare back when the gown she's wearing gets caught in a taxi door. In the credits she's listed as the 'swanky blonde', and that she is once you realize she's Jean Harlow. Among the myriad of eye pokes, foot stomps and requisite pratfalls, Laurel and Hardy once again wreak havoc where more refined hotel guests would fear to tread.

Ben Parker Apparently Jean Harlow is in this, but she didn't' stand out to me. After reading about it, I watched the potion back and yes a small piece of her dress appears to come off as part of a gag, but her legs are entirely covered by stockings and without a 4K resolution remaster, there's nothing about her that looks remotely disrobed. Anyone who thinks this is raunchy for 1929 is just plain wrong. There's actual nudity in silent movies. Anything prior to 1934 has a huge chance of being absolutely filthy, the Hays Code put a stop to that from 34-54. My favourite is probably in Buster Keaton's One Week, where the girl is having a bath and you see the line of the top of her breast, but she drops something, and has to reach it outside the bath, so a hand comes over the camera while she does and she smiles this amazing smile that acknowledges the audience. Great stuff.Back to this though. What did stand out was an Erich von Stroheim pastiche. The Prince is absolutely a Stroheim reference. He's got the monocle, the hair, the outfit from say Foolish Wives. Sadly I didn't find any of Double Whoopee particularly funny or fun compared to the other shorts I've seen, or say Buster Keaton. So my review is "meh," and a meh comedy is not worth your time.

John T. Ryan The Sound Era was fast, crashing down on the movie industry in when DOUBLE WHOOPEE (Hal Roach/MGM, 1929) was released on May 18th of that year. The Laurel & Hardy show had just about hit its pinnacle; following years of trial and error after their accidental pairing in 1926. The two distinguished members of the Hal Roach All-Stars, Stan & "Babe", had truly found their destinies for immortality together.Stan's penchant for slowly and meticulously working out gags, slowing down the pacing in order to milk all of the situations of their maximum laugh potential. Working closely with the Boss Man, Hal Roach and Writer/Director and later Supervising Director, Leo McCarey and his principle of "Reciprocal Destruction", the Laurel & Hardy style was established and known. Now, polished both on the surface and on the inside, the Team was ready to conquer other worlds. But first, they had to complete the last of their Silent Shorts.OUR STORY………..DOUBLE WHOOPEE begins with a double case of mistaken identity. With the Hotel's receiving word of the anticipated arrival of the 'Prince' and his Prime Minister, Stan & Ollie are falsely believed to be them. Every courtesy is extended to them; up to the point of being overly obsequious.The Hotel Manager (William Gillespie) was right on hand to supervise the Front Desk Clerk (Rolf Sedan) in his registering the visiting "Royalty." The first extended gag of the picture occurs here as Ollie insists on the proper etiquette of having his hat removed while signing the register. The team s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-s out the whole bit with Hardy's unsuccessful attempts to get Laurel to do the same.Eventually the Royal Party does arrive, with the Prince (Hans Joby), an Eric Von Stroheim look-alike and Prime Minister (Charley Rogers). At that time the boys present a letter from their employment agency concerning the pair's limited abilities and competence as the Hotel's new Doorman (Babe) and Coachman (Stan).The bulk of the film was occupied with the boys having troubles with the Prince and the Elevator, their interplay with a couple of Cabbies (Charlie Hall, Ham Kinsey) and their confrontation with the Cop pounding' the Beat (Stanley J. 'Tiny' Sandford). As Doorman, Ollie has a brief encounter with a lovely Blonde Bombshell (Jean Harlowe). Arriving by way of another Taxicab, the lovely Miss Harlowe (Woo, woo, woo, woo!) is greeted by 'Babe'with the line: "Might I presume that you would condescend to accept my escortage?" Then, offering his arm to her, he walks her to the revolving door, while catching the train of her dress in the Cab's door! DOUBLE WHOOPEE was one film that was even a little slower than most other L&H's, but by the same token, it was an excellent example of the Roach/McCarey/Laurel brand of slow moving, carefully designed and meticulously fashioned laugh schtick! And it appears to have been filmed at nighttime, after dark in and about areal, fancy old Hotel.Along with BIG BUSINESS (Hal Roach/MGM, also 1929) gave the Laurel & Hardy silents a great send-off, with top notch, out door and beautiful looking shorts. They had successfully developed their style, routines and could practically "hear" the characters. Now that sound had arrived and other actors struggled with their real vocal gyrations; the danger being that the voice wasn't fit for the sound screen. Of course that was no problem for "the Boys" as their voices fit their screen persona perfectly.After a few slow starts in sound, Stanley & Oliver regained their stride and never looked back. They would shortly conquer the new medium. They were then and now tops in the field! POODLE SCHNITZ!!

sweetnlowdown2 When I first saw this short to be truthful I didn't like. It's not that I don't like Laurel & Hardy's comedy style, I think they are the greatest comedy team in history, but, something about the material didn't seem correct to me. It didn't play off as well as other Laurel & Hardy shorts. Right now I'm thinking of "The Music Box", "Brats", "Going Bye-Bye!" & "County Hospital". I also felt that the timing was missing. Well, I watched it one more time. I now feel I made a misjudgment. I can see now that there does seem to be some chemistry. The next short after this one would be "Berth Marks". I felt that "Marks" was sort of the one that "seal the deal". When the team became the two guys we expect them to be. "Double Whoopee" has "the boys" working in a hotel as a doorman and a footman. It just so happens that a prince is coming to the hotel that same day. A lot of mishaps happen. And the piece does have some laughs. I do not feel this is their best effort. But, is nice to add to one's collection of Laurel & Hardy movies. I would mostly recommend this to people who are already fans. "Double Whoopee" is noted for having a young Jean Harlow in it. And even she gets the Laurel & Hardy treatment. I managed to see this on the dvd "The Lost Films Of Laurel & Hardy Vol. 7" the version shown on there is not silent. It has been dubbed. Laurel & Hardy's voices ARE NOT heard on it. Many may find this to be annoying. But, if you can endure it I think you'll be pleased with it. Also of note is the fact that this was the last obscure Laurel & Hardy piece. After this one everything the team made is one all of their fans have seen. *** out of ****