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IMDbPro

Habeas Corpus

  • 19281928
  • PassedPassed
  • 20m
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
821
YOUR RATING
Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel in Habeas Corpus (1928)
  • Short
  • Comedy
Loony scientist (Carle) hires Laurel and Hardy to raid the cemetery to keep him supplied with dead bodies for his experiments.Loony scientist (Carle) hires Laurel and Hardy to raid the cemetery to keep him supplied with dead bodies for his experiments.Loony scientist (Carle) hires Laurel and Hardy to raid the cemetery to keep him supplied with dead bodies for his experiments.
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
821
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • James Parrott
    • Leo McCarey(supervising director)
  • Writers
    • Leo McCarey
    • H.M. Walker(titles)
  • Stars
    • Stan Laurel
    • Oliver Hardy
    • Richard Carle
Top credits
  • Directors
    • James Parrott
    • Leo McCarey(supervising director)
  • Writers
    • Leo McCarey
    • H.M. Walker(titles)
  • Stars
    • Stan Laurel
    • Oliver Hardy
    • Richard Carle
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 23User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos44

    Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel in Habeas Corpus (1928)
    Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel in Habeas Corpus (1928)
    Habeas Corpus (1928)
    Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel in Habeas Corpus (1928)
    Stan Laurel in Habeas Corpus (1928)
    Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel in Habeas Corpus (1928)
    Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel in Habeas Corpus (1928)
    Stan Laurel in Habeas Corpus (1928)
    Stan Laurel in Habeas Corpus (1928)
    Oliver Hardy in Habeas Corpus (1928)
    Stan Laurel in Habeas Corpus (1928)
    Oliver Hardy in Habeas Corpus (1928)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Stan Laurel
    Stan Laurel
    • Stanas Stan
    Oliver Hardy
    Oliver Hardy
    • Ollieas Ollie
    Richard Carle
    Richard Carle
    • Professor Padillaas Professor Padilla
    Charley Rogers
    Charley Rogers
    • Ledoux - the Butleras Ledoux - the Butler
    • (as Charlie Rogers)
    Chester A. Bachman
    Chester A. Bachman
    • 2nd Policemanas 2nd Policeman
    • (uncredited)
    Leo Sulky
    Leo Sulky
    • Detective On Telephoneas Detective On Telephone
    • (uncredited)
    • Directors
      • James Parrott
      • Leo McCarey(supervising director)
    • Writers
      • Leo McCarey
      • H.M. Walker(titles)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Vitaphone soundtrack with the original music and sound effects are no longer lost. Interestingly, one of the music pieces used is what we all know as the "Alfred Hitchcock theme"!
    • Goofs
      When the Professor drops his cigarette butt in his pocket he is suddenly wearing glasses for the first time in the film. When he pours water into his pocket a moment later the glasses are gone and never seen again.
    • Quotes

      Stan: Don't you think the Professor is a trifle cuckoo?

      Ollie: He is as sound mentally as you or I.

    • Alternate versions
      8mm cut down version under the name "High Spirits". Released by Fletcher Films (LH 12)
    • Connections
      Edited into Laurel and Hardy's Laughing 20's (1965)

    User reviews23

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Turtles in the Dark; aka Habeas Corpus
    Tonight, it was proved – comedy never dies. Nearly 81 years ago a comedy duo by the name of Laurel and Hardy broke through the sound barrier (quite literally) to bring humor, a dazzling array of both slapstick and intelligent, to the masses. Could today's audiences still laugh at what simple jokes these two men brought to the screen? With a group of friends we put that theory to the ground, and surprisingly our level of entertainment combined with humor was not disappointed. After aging gracefully over eight decades, Laurel and Hardy continue to combine random, interesting scenarios with engaging, well-planned humor. Add to this the fact that "Habeas Corpus" was their first sound film; i.e. sound effects not speaking – yet continued to make our audience laugh hysterically. Their ability to take small gestures, and expand them into laugh-out-loud situations, using merely their facial expressions and their body language would put some modern comedians to shame. Yet, their style didn't seem dated. In one scene in "Habeas Corpus", our duo watches as a man puts his ashes from his cigarette into his pocket. Each time he does this, the camera pans to Laurel and Hardy, as they make these exclusive expressions of confusion. Through just their eyes, they are able to convey this level of humor which had our virgin Laurel and Hardy group in stitches.

    For 20 minutes, this short film kept us entertained. The level of the humor, the fact that what they were doing seemed original for the time made us question what modern comedians are doing today. Laurel and Hardy are still present in today's group of comedians. See John Candy or Chris Farley within Hardy, or even Rowan Atkinson's work influenced from Laurel. These guys were at the top of their game in the late 20s and beyond, and what makes this impressive is that they have not fallen from their trade. "Habeas Corpus" is a prime example of this. Their first sound film, it pits the two as guys who need to dig up a body for a scientist for money. As they attempt to get the body, everything imaginable occurs. The body is second nature to actually getting to the grave site. Everything they do, from jumping up poles, to continually trying to get over a troublesome wall, to fighting Laurel's fears of turtles. Everything will make you laugh out loud, like it was 1928.

    Overall, I loved this short. This reviewer could have watched another hour and half of Laurel and Hardy's shenanigans with this mad scientist, but twenty minutes was perfect. It left you wanting more and a strong desire to have multiple repeat viewings. It ended on such a high note that the laughter filled the room with a group of friends. This was a delight – a pure joy to experience. A modern day "Tom and Jerry" for a more intelligent and mature audience.

    Grade: ***** out of *****
    helpful•4
    0
    • film-critic
    • Nov 18, 2009

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 1, 1928 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Хабеас Корпус, или Доставка тела
    • Filming locations
      • Culver City, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Hal Roach Studios
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      20 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Silent

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