Horst in Translation ([email protected]) "Twice Two" is an American 20-minute live action short film from 1933, so this one has its 85th anniversary this year and to show you how old it is let me say that even a decade after this one was released, World War II was still going on in full force. So it is a black-and-white movie of course and you should not be fooled by the color versions out there. It is already a sound film though, so not from the very early days of comedy duo Laurel & Hardy. The director is James Parrott, who worked with these two on many occasions. The main reason to see this one is that Laurel and Hardy also play their own sisters in drag in this one, who are at the same time each other's wives. The voice acting comes from female actors though. I personally would say that Hardy mastered the silent drag part better, but Laurel is fine too. This felt really strange watching them like that, especially in the second half where they are together having dinner and it results in pretty tumultous events, not only involving a huge cake. I guess you know what happens with this one. Overall, I must say though that I wasn't too entertained seeing this one here. It was more the bizarre elements that kept me watching rather than the story or characters, even if the "bizarre" obviously refers to the latter. All in all, nowhere near my fav Stan and Ollie works. Extraordinary yes. Good not so much, even if the 2 (4?) elevate the material here too. The story may be the problem. This one here gets a thumbs-down from me. Not recommended.

dentrex Something here that you cannot miss, in fact in all the "talkie" L&H Hal Roach Shorts, is how these two men made the transition from silent film. Much of the exaggerated pantomime, side-splitting reaction shots and priceless facial expressions are left over from the silents and Stan and Ollie took that and ran it to the goal post.I had the privilege of acquiring some hard to find video stuff and came across this one. Oh my god, no one else could make this work as well with the female counterparts played by themselves. That whole business with the telephones in the beginning had me laughing out loud in front of the screen. What fun! But the most golden moment for me was towards the end when "Mrs. Stan" (ie, Hardy) looks up, making Laurel look up, and just cracks him under his jaw with a dinner plate. Folks, I almost wet myself. No one could pull that sight gag off as well as these two huge talents. It's so funny that it's almost not a spoiler, you just have to see it for yourself.Awesome. In that era, even a 20 minute short was to be perfection, especially at Hal Roach's shop!!!!

Jackson Booth-Millard Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are the most famous comedy duo in history, and deservedly so, so I am happy to see any of their films. Ollie (brain specialist) and Stan (associate adviser) have married each other's twin sisters (played by themselves), and it has been one year since, so they need to head home for an anniversary meal, and there is apparently a surprise for Ollie, that Stan wasn't meant to tell him about. It should be said that the twin sisters are just as clumsy and argumentative as their brothers. Stan is sent out to buy some strawberry ice cream, but he manages to go into the wrong place (it was next door) and spend the 15 cents on the three phone calls to home. There is the final squabble with all arguing about family differences, and it ends with Stan's sister "giving" a new anniversary cake to Ollie's sister. Also starring Charlie Hall as Delivery boy. Filled with good slapstick and all classic comedy you want from a black and white film, at just over an hour, it is an enjoyable film. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were number 7 on The Comedians' Comedian. Worth watching!

Shaolin_Apu There are certain clichés that almost every comedian has done some time. One of them is dressing as the opposite sex and in this film you get to see how well Laurel & Hardy manage to entertain as ladies. The best individual concept in this bit is the fact that the pair has married each others sisters, who both "unfortunately" look like their brothers. Mr Hardy is very "Ollie" when he even states about his wedding day "It was the happiest day of my life." The best in this film are the insults that the two "ladies" present to each other. Some people might not necessarily find the insults enjoyable, but they are definitely something you never hear in other Laurel & Hardy films. Not their best film, but despite the possible not-very-good-taste element, among the funniest "men as women" flicks ever.