The Flying Deuces (1939) User Reviews (60)

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy vehicle filled with tons of sight gags

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 24 June 2009]

Olli is broken heart when aware which Georgett(Jean Parker), a beautiful girl, is already married to officer Francois(Reginald Gardner). Oliver is depressed and attempts to commit suicide in river Seine, taking Stan Laurel with him. But the newspapers publicize : ¡ famous men-eating shark escapes, ferocious fish battles keeper in Paris Aquarium, believed at large in Seine, boaters, swimmers, Beware! . Later they enlist the French Foreign Legion commanded by a stiff commandant(Charles Middleton). Of course, the comic pair cause wreak havoc wherever they go . Their botchers lead them charges of desertion and condemned to death penalty. They're imprisoned but receive a letter in the jail saying the following : ¨ Lift up floor board and you'll find a tunnel which leads to the outer wall use your own judgement, a pal ¨. Hilarity ensues when they try to escape and avoid a firing squad.

Zany comedy seeing the misfit couple in all kinds of troubles involving French Legion. This entertaining Laurel and Hardy recital provides too much amusement in detailing the duo's exploits in Foreign Legion . Lots of physical comedy and hilarious dialogue including some musical interlude . Furthermore sympathetic introduction of fantastic elements as when Oliver Hardy's reincarnation as a horse . Comical and spectacular final flying is one of the film's highlights. Based on screenplay and sketches written by the comic Harry Langdon, among others. ¨Flying deuces¨ is well directed by Edward Sutherland. He was producer, director , actor and one the original Keystone Kops. He began in films as an actor for Mack Sennett , turning filmmaker and usually worked for W. C. Fields.

Laurel and Hardy in the Foreign Legion

[lugonian · 7/10 · 31 May 2008]

THE FLYING DEUCES (RKO Radio, 1939), directed by A. Edward Sutherland, stars the comedy team of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in their first feature film away from their home lot of the Hal Roach/MGM Studios. It also marked their return to the screen since BLOCKHEADS (1938), during which time Oliver Hardy had teamed up with another comic, Harry Langdon in ZENOBIA (United Artists, 1939). While it's interesting watching Hardy interact with another comedian other than Stanley (who never worked alone after being initially teamed with Hardy in the late 1920s), it clearly shows that Laurel and Hardy are the screen's most perfect pair. With this being their welcoming return, and more feature films ahead into the 1940s, THE FLYING DEUCES has the distinction of being a Hal Roach comedy without being a Hal Roach comedy. It also marked the team's return into the foreign legion, having already done so in their four-reel featurette, BEAU HUNKS (1931), a "Beau Geste" spoof. Aside from their usual antics, there's also James Finlayson, their frequent foil, doing his familiar double-take as a harassed jailer in the latter portion of the story, and Charles Middleton (of BEAU HUNKS) adding some more of his usual no-nonsense flavor as their commanding officer.

This time around, Stan and Ollie (as they are simply billed in the closing credits), are Americans from Iowa vacationing in Paris. On their last days before returning to their jobs at the fish market, it is learned that Oliver has fallen in love with Georgette (Jean Parker), a café hostess whom he hopes to marry. Refusing his proposal, Ollie decides to end it all by attaching himself to a huge rock, throwing himself into the Seine River (unknown to them to be infested by a shark), and taking Stanley with him. After some failed attempts, thanks to Stanley, Francois (Reginald Gardiner), a legionnaire who happens to be passing by, advises Ollie the best way to forget his troubles is to join the foreign legion, which they do. All goes well until Stan and Ollie learn from their stern commandant (Charles Middleton) that they'll be paid "three cents a day" for their chores, and that Georgette, who's seen around the base, happens to be the wife of Francois. Will Oliver try more suicide attempts? Will Stan and Ollie move up to the ranks in the foreign legion? Will they ever return to their old jobs in Iowa? Stick around and find out.

What's does all this have to do with the flying deuces? Although the title promises air travel, it really doesn't take off until much later where Stan and Ollie escape jail and a firing squad, leading to a merry chase around the base before seeking refuge inside an airplane that takes them to the air but not with the greatest of ease.

In true Laurel and Hardy tradition, slapstick and chase scenes are the focal point along with Oliver telling Stanley the familiar phrase, "Well, here's another fine mess you've gotten me into." There's also a nice musical interlude where Oliver displays his fine vocalization to "Shine On, Harvest Moon" (by Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth) at the post courtyard while Stanley does his own style of dancing. There's also another musical moment where Stanley plays a harp on a prison bed spring to "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise" in the best Harpo Marx tradition while waiting to be shot at sunrise with his pal for desertion.

In the wake of home video, movie rentals and cable television in the early 1980s, THE FLYING DEUCES, was easily accessible by numerous distributors. Some VHS copies contained shorter prints with missing bits from airplane climax, others with inferior picture, sound quality, or both, as well as colorized. Beware of similar problems that may be found on DVD. The best quality happened to be one by Hal Roach Home Video with excellent visuals, sound, and the original RKO Radio Pictures studio logo and closing cast credits restored. In recent years, American Movie Classics has presented the complete 68 minute print into its lineup of Laurel and Hardy festivals from 1994 to 1999; followed by Turner Classic Movies where THE FLYING DEUCES premiered January 5, 2006.

While not quite as spectacular or hilarious as some of their comedies for Hal Roach, yet better than the ones Stan and Ollie made during their declining years over at 20th Century-Fox (1941-1945), THE FLYING DEUCES is something to consider whether it be from the wild airplane ride, the cameo appearance by talking horse with a familiar sounding voice, or for the comedy team of Stan and Ollie. (***)

post-Hal Roach feature is sufficiently light and silly

[Alberto-7 · 6/10 · 10 December 2004]

This was Laurel and Hardy's first feature film away from producer extraordinaire Hal Roach. While this is in no way Laurel and Hardy's best work, it still contains enough gags and silliness to entertain fans and the younger set. Stan Laurel is as sharp as always as is Babe Hardy but the story is somewhat lacking and drags in spots. The premise is good though: Trying to forget a woman who turned him down, Ollie wants to drown himself and convinces Stan that he must do the same. The boys meet an officer of the Foreign Legion who convinces them that they should join the Legion to help forget. Of course you know these two misfits are not going to do well in the Legion with its strict military code and constant marching. This leads to many good moments when, for example, the boys are forced to wash and press "a mountain" of laundry(literally). I especially liked the stunt flying and the surprise ending which, for me, wrapped everything up neatly. The part I really didn't like is having Ollie act like a simpering idiot when in love. It is just plain embarrassing. In their older films, they would get into bad situations but were never the objects of ridicule. Thankfully, this sequence passes by quickly enough and we go on to some great gags.

Sadly, the boys would end up making only one good film after this one (Saps at Sea)before moving to MGM and Fox where they were stuck in a bunch of bad or very average films.

The Best of Ollie and Stan

[drednm · 8 April 2005]

My favorite Laurel and Hardy film. Many memorable bits in this charming and funny movie. Perhaps the best comedy duo ever, they breeze thru their routines and yet still have fun. Remarkable. Their stuff never seems old. Here they join the Foreign Legion after a failed suicide attempt over Ollie's broken heart. Fast paced film takes them from Paris to Algeria (I guess) where they get insulted over the pay--3 cents a day. My favorite bit it the incongruous song and dance to "Shine on Harvest Moon." It makes NO sense whatever but it's wonderful---a total surprise. Jean Parker (why did she not become a big star?), Reginald Gardner, James Finlayson, and Charles Middleton co-star. Hilarious sight gags and funny bits. Stan Laurel won a special Oscar in 1960; Oliver Hardy died in 1957 and remains one of the most underrated comics in film history. Also love this team in their talkie debut in Hollywood Revue of 1929.

Acceptable Non-Roach L & H feature

[BJJManchester · 6/10 · 12 November 2006]

An independently-produced effort while contractual disputes with Hal Roach were on-going,THE FLYING DEUCES is possibly the best non-Roach Laurel and Hardy vehicle,because at least Stan Laurel was allowed some say on the plot and script content.The original draft was apparently woefully unsuitable(as were virtually all their wartime Fox and MGM features),and the story itself is pretty thin(an obvious reworking of BEAU HUNKS)and the production rather cheap.What saves the picture from mediocrity are some familiar names in the supporting cast like Charles Middleton and (especially) James Finlayson from the Roach studios,with others like Richard Cramer,Arthur Housman,Eddie Borden and Sam Lufkin in much smaller parts.With such performers in support it does at least give it the feel of a Roach film,with the addition of their favourite cameraman Art Lloyd behind the scenes another plus factor.That said,the comic material itself is not of a particularly high standard,maybe because of the initial weakness of the original story and draft,and the amount of pancake makeup they both wear cannot disguise they were beginning to age somewhat after their Roach studios peak.

Despite funny gags and individual scenes,THE FLYING DEUCES is rather patchy,and one yearns for rather more of Middleton's stentorian tones(their simply isn't enough of him in the film)than Ollie's simpering over Jean Parker.Her on-screen husband Reginald Gardiner starts off in amiable conversation with the boys persuading them to join the Foreign Legion,but he turns decidedly unsympathetic and hostile once they've enlisted,especially when he finds out that Ollie is in love with his wife.Much comic potential is not explored because unlike BEAU HUNKS(which was not perfect but shorter and rather better),there are few jokes about their tribulations in the Legion itself;the best scenes are some charming,if slightly irrelevant, musical interludes,involving Ollie singing 'Shine On Harvest Moon' while Stan performs a nifty soft-shoe shuffle,Stan playing 'The World Is Waiting For Sunrise' on his prison cell bed mattress(Ollie taps his feet amusingly during this number!),and some funny business with their best ever foil James Finlayson.The rest frankly is something of a disappointment,but we can be thankful at least that Laurel and Hardy are still in character here,which was not the case in their films from 1941 onwards,because of big film studio interference and reluctance to give Stan Laurel artistic control.THE FLYING DEUCES is certainly no classic,but is still fairly enjoyable and a decent L & H film thanks to producer Boris Morros' decision to give Stan a degree of creative freedom.Now why didn't the producers at Fox or MGM do that?

Above average movie entry for the terrible twosome

[Leofwine_draca · 7/10 · 29 March 2016]

I think most fans - myself included - of Laurel & Hardy consider their earlier work (at the beginning of the 1930s) to be their best. The films they made later, like this one, suffered from being a bit too long-winded, and were always bogged down with slightly wearisome romantic sub-plots. Nonetheless, THE FLYING DEUCES is one of their most accessible feature-length productions, and a film that it's difficult to dislike.

Much of the comedy here comes naturally and feels unforced. Watching the guys attempting to simply wash themselves in their room is a delight in itself. The plot makes sense, and when the pair are sent off to Africa to enlist with the Foreign Legion, the laughs don't stop coming. There's a fine song and dance routine, a lovely jail cell interlude (featuring James Finlayson, no less) and a classic chase-based climax. Little to dislike, really.

The Flying Deuces (1939) ***

[JoeKarlosi · 7/10 · 23 January 2011]

Funny Laurel and Hardy picture has the boys as two Americans vacationing in France. Ollie develops a boy-like crush on a pretty café waitress and intends to marry her but has his heart broken when she must turn him down, for she is already happily married. Poor Ollie at first decides to end it all and take his good pal Stan with him, until he gets a better suggestion to just join the Foreign Legion to try and forget his troubles. This, or course, leads to even more troubles! A good solid comedy from Laurel and Hardy, nearing the very end of their best period in the Hal Roach movies. This film has long been available as a public domain release on various labels with rather weak quality, but the best print out there as of this date is the DVD from KINO. It really boosts the enjoyment of this one. *** out of ****

"Well that's that, no use crying over split milk."

[classicsoncall · 7/10 · 18 February 2006]

It's been years since I watched a Laurel and Hardy film, but viewing "Flying Deuces" was a great reminder of just how brilliant they were. The nuance of their performances is particularly poignant to an adult viewer, whereas watching them as a kid, they were just funny. On display are Ollie's trademark necktie flutter and Stan's inimitable crying jag, but there's so much more to savor here that transcends their brand of humor.

Of particular note is the soft shoe routine the boys break into as Ollie croons out a very satisfying rendition of "Shine On Harvest Moon. I don't know how often they danced in their films, though I recall a similar routine as a highlight of "Way Out West". Later in the film, Stan plunks the springs of a jail house bunk that evolves into a wonderful harp number, forcing me to check the film sleeve to be sure this wasn't a Marx Brothers show - Harpo would have been proud!

The story is almost secondary, as it is with most Laurel and Hardy movies. Here the boys sign up for the French Foreign Legion when their Paris vacation ends with Ollie's marriage proposal being rejected by the lovely Georgette (Jean Parker). Her husband Francois (Reginald Gardner) unwittingly talks them into joining the military without realizing how that plan will backfire on him personally. The boys create such havoc that six weeks of furlough goes to anyone who captures them.

Fans of Laurel and Hardy will no doubt recognize and enjoy James Finlayson as their put upon jailer. There aren't many actors who can do as good a job of caricaturing themselves; his expressions are priceless.

One has to wait till the film is almost over to understand how the title fits the story. Trying to escape the Legion, the boys take to the skies in a hilarious flight in an old barnstormer. The film's ending made me realize I did see this one once before. Who can forget the mustachioed horse wearing a derby, Oliver Hardy's reincarnation of choice following their crash landing. It had me wondering if here in fact was the inspiration for Mr. Ed.

the only Laurel and Hardy movie I would unequivocally recommend

[Quinoa1984 · 10/10 · 25 August 2007]

That statement right above goes without saying that I haven't seen too many of Laurel and Hardy's films (I've also seen their Christmas nutcracker film, and one about making a movie or other, though the memory is now hazy for the most part on what I did or didn't see as a tot). But this is not just a classic from the duo, but one of the funniest comedies I've ever seen. It's refined slapstick, made up of facial gestures, anger, repetition, big life decisions like falling in love, suicide, joining the French foreign legion, and flying a plane without much control of a wheel. The director, Sutherland, also somehow crafts out the single funniest joke ever crafted around (as silly as it sounds) a mountain of laundry. It's not a very complex storyline, as Hardy falls for a girl, can't get her, feels down about it almost enough to jump into the river, but gets a word of advice right before it happens by a fellow traveler to join the foreign legion to forget about it. But they get in over their heads by joining, and want to quit, and soon become the biggest bumbling boobs to ever join up, leading to many chases, and that death-defying plane ride (or is it?)

It's the kind of film that unless getting head-on into Laurel and Hardy's distinctive and influential comedy timing will only really be of interest if passed on down as a child. It's a great comedy though for all ages- if the term 'family comedy' might be a little too pat a description, but one that does have a central appeal as smart physical comedy- as it doesn't pander to anyone, and even has a sincerity to it. I still remember most fondly the song and dance number Laurel and Hardy do in a moment of a jam (Shine on Harvest Moon, I think it was called), and the supporting character work is also a fine plus. And, quite frankly, one of those quintessential wacky end scenes that keeps me smiling, and laughing depending on who I'm talking with about it, where a certain horse with a mustache and hat appears saying "another fine mess you got me into." A pick-me-up comedy of manners and pratfalls, it'll always have a place in my collection not only for nostalgic reasons (it was one of the first videos I ever owned), but for its stamina so many years later.

Stan and Ollie wreak havoc on the Foreign Legion

[SimonJack · 7/10 · 18 January 2015]

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy wreak havoc on the French Foreign Legion in this film. As in most of their films, they played themselves (in some with very funny derivatives of their first or last names). Stan and Ollie had been a team for a dozen years when they made "Flying Deuces." Their best full length films were those produced in their first 13 years as a team at Hal Roach studios. Most viewers wouldn't consider this among their best films, but it is very good.

What struck me most about this movie though is that the pair are both clueless throughout most of the film. It's a departure from the usual plot in which Ollie knows at least something about whatever they are encountering, and Stan is the dunce. But here we see a naiveté by both men. They've heard of the Foreign Legion but apparently lack even the least bit of sense about what military service is about. It's a wonderful set up for what happens from then on. Lots of fun, for sure. It's safe to say that neither of them were cut out for any type of military.

As I've watched Laurel and Hardy over the years, I've come to appreciate more Oliver Hardy and his role as the straight-man, at least some of the time. This sure turned out to be a winning match that Hal Roach put together in 1927. I was amazed to find how long Hardy had been on the scene and how many productions he had been made. Granted, most were shorts his first 10 years. But, he turned out a phenomenal number. He was in more than 270 shorts and half a dozen films from 1914 until he teamed up with Stan Laurel. He made 145 of those over three years, with 39 in 1914, 47 in 1915 and 59 in 1916. Stand Laurel's career had been much shorter. He started in 1917 and was in 54 shorts before teaming up with Hardy.

The better of their films will make modern audiences laugh just as audiences did back in their day.

Marx Brothers Handbook

[dnalindsay · 4/10 · 12 August 2022]

It looks like L and H were given the Marx Brothers handbook in the making of this movie. The actions were not true to their established character. There is not one scene or sequence that does not seem over rehearsed. It ends up being tedious and predictable.

My favorite Laurel and Hardy feature

[kyle-cruse · 9/10 · 11 August 2008]

I love this Laurel and Hardy film. "The Flying Deuces" proves to be faster paced and less redundant than many of their other films. Not that I don't love Laurel and Hardy, but it's hard for me to find one of their feature films where I am completely entertained the whole way through. In this movie, Stan and Ollie join the foreign legion so Ollie can forget his girlfriend who has rejected him. Along the way, they get in trouble and end up being chased by the entire foreign legion. It's a typical L & H plot, but this one remains entertaining because of great gags such as the shark scene and of course the famous airplane crash at the end. Stan's dialogue is especially great in this film. I like their other features such as "Way Out West" and "Our Relations" but this is and has always been my favorite. Their shorts are better, but this is very enjoyable and worth watching multiple times.

***1/2 out of ****

Ollie Gets His Wish

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 1 September 2007]

I saw Swiss Miss and The Flying Deuces back to back and in doing so spotted what was wrong with Swiss Miss. It didn't need that whole operetta subplot, it just needed Stan and Ollie. Then watching The Flying Deuces I was completely convinced I was right.

What's wrong with The Flying Deuces is that it's made on the cheap as cost conscious Hal Roach always did it. But that's OK in a slapstick comedy, especially one that borders on the surreal.

The boys are on holiday in Paris, but Stan thinks it's about time they return back to their jobs in the fish market in Des Moines. But Ollie thinks he's in love, unfortunately to Jean Parker who is married to Reginald Gardiner.

Ollie is distraught on learning the news and wants to throw himself in the Seine and end his troubles and he wants Stan to share in the suicide as well. This sets up some very funny business and the selfsame Reginald Gardiner who doesn't know Ollie is sweet on Jean persuades them that the Foreign Legion is the place for them.

Of course upon arriving in North Africa, the Legion proves a bit much to their delicate sensibilities. Especially stern commander Charles Middleton who plays it as he would Ming the Merciless.

What's interesting in The Flying Deuces is that in most Laurel and Hardy films, dumb and dumber always flop no matter what they scheme. In this case they're still quite dumb, but the Legion is populated with a gang of 'tards that even they outwit. Especially old nemesis James Finlayson who plays a jailer.

Of course it all does flop in the end for the boys. But Ollie mentions that he does have a wish and in the end he gets his wish. And at the end he and Stan have quite the reunion.

And you'll have to see the very funny The Flying Deuces to know what I'm talking about.

What the deuce ????

[tmpj · 4/10 · 11 May 2010]

Something of a dis-appointment for me...though I have seen this one before in years gone by...it was not one of my favorites, and is probably most memorable for the scene where the guys are going to end it all in Paris under the bridge. At this stage of the game, the novelty of Laurel and Hardy was beginning to wear thin. Newer stars, fresher stories, newer techniques and, obviously, a new mind-set for audiences of that period had begun to make their efforts somewhat passé in the passing parade of comedy in particular, and film in general. Of course, the legendary status of Laurel and Hardy commanded a certain respect from Hollywood and the audiences, but it is clear from this film that their star was beginning to fade. Their real heyday was already behind them, even here in 1939. The RKO effort truly seems to be out of the typical element of L and H as opposed to their Hal Roach efforts...maybe that was intended...but the effect is that of a somewhat watered down effort that does not come up to par with some of the madcap/screwball comedies that had become part of the cinematic diet of the 1930s, and L and H are scrambling to keep from being left in the dust. Ultimately it fails, and though L and H continued to be something of a salable commodity in their 20th Century Fox efforts to come...the magic was fast dis-appearing. This film, "Flying Deuces" and the up-coming "A Chump at Oxford" would be, perhaps, their last hurrah at cornering the creative market for cinema. Afterwards ( pardon the pun) , they would rest and rely on their "Laurels". Incidentally, Stanley was a Rhodes scholar, and was the "brains" of the outfit, despite his impish, submissive character which played second fiddle to the more robust My Hardy. Though this is NOT one of their better efforts, I can recommend it as a nod of respect to a great duo who were probably becoming passé through no real fault of their own...physical comedy and gags of that sort had run their course, and were simply becoming passé as audiences became more sophisticated.

The Mystery of The TWO Stanley's!

[leone-8 · 1 June 2000]

I love this film! This was Laurel and Hardy's best film and the only one in Public Domain! If you can find a complete copy. Take a close look at Stan during his soft shoe number of "Shine On Harvest Moon" As you look at your TV, look over Stan's left shoulder in the close-up. You will notice ANOTHER Stan! Stan Laurel's (Arthur Stanley Jefferson)'s real-life (look-alike) brother who was in California for a final visit with Stan. Travel to and from England was difficult then. Now it's common.

The Flying Deuces shares a director that worked with both Laurel & Hardy and Abbott & Costello

[tavm · 7/10 · 25 September 2009]

This is my second attempt in reviewing a movie that connects two classic movie comedy teams: Laurel & Hardy and Abbott & Costello. In this case, the connection is the director but I'll get to that later. Having just reunited with Oliver Hardy after Hardy briefly went solo in Zenobia due to some contract dispute with Hal Roach, Stan Laurel and Ollie would be loaned to independent producer Boris Morros for The Flying Deuces. It ended up being a remake of their four reeler Beau Hunks with Charles Middleton once again playing a mean commandant. In this one, Ollie is trying to forget a girl who turned him down for marriage so he and Stan join the Foreign Legion. Plenty of funny gags abound during the first 30 minutes while the last 40 is uneven especially toward the end but the boys are charming throughout even during the number "Shine On, Harvest Moon" with Hardy warbling while Laurel dances though I did wonder if Stan really played the harp in a later jail sequence (probably not, judging from Ollie's reactions). Among Roach veterans involved are cameraman Art Lloyd, writer Charles Rogers, and usual L & H supporting regular James Finlayson. Another writer, comic Harry Langdon, also provided the drawing of the boys in the first scene (and perhaps during the opening credits). One more note about the supporting cast: Jean Parker, who plays the girl Ollie's trying to forget, had previously played his daughter in Zenobia. That movie's producer was A. Edward Sutherland who also directed this film. He didn't like the experience as he wasn't accustomed to the star calling some of the shots. In fact, before his death, Sutherland said of Laurel, "I'd rather have worked with a tarantula." He probably had a much better time the following year when he introduced another comedy team on film that had just finished a Broadway run in "Streets of Paris"... P.S. This was where Hardy met his future wife, Virginia Lucille Jones, who was the script clerk here.

Stan and Ollie in The Foreogn Legion?

[bsmith5552 · 7/10 · 27 April 2019]

"Flying Deuces" Was made outside of the Hal roach Studios, however it is one of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy's best feature comedies.

Ollie has fallen in love with the Innkeeper's daughter Georgette (Jean Parker) who gleefully plays him along. Ollie wants to propose to her but unbeknownst to him is the fact that she's already married to Francois (the French Franc) an officer in the French Foreign Legion. (There is a funny sequence in the boys room where Stan keeps bumping into the wall.) Ollie decides to end it all and he and Stan go to the edge of the River Seine to do themselves in. Francois happens by and convinces the boys to join the Foreign Legion...which they do.

When they arrive at camp, they quickly discover that Francois is an officer there. The Commandant (Charles "Ming the Merciless" Middleton) assigns them to laundry duty. The boys are faced with a mountain of laundry which they try to do. But Ollie becomes fed up and he and Stan decide to leave the Legion. As they are leaving they pause to do one of their little song and dance numbers (to "Shine on Harvest Moon").

While fleeing the troops, they happen upon Georgette who has just flown in to meet her husband. Ollie is overjoyed but his joy is short lived when Francois arrives and tells Ollie that Georgette is his wife. The boys are then arrested and thrown into jail under the watchful eye of long time L & H foil Jimmy Finlayson. A court martial sentences the boys to be shot at dawn the next day.

In a tip of the hat to Harpo Marx, Stan plays his bed spring as a harp just before a mysterious note informs the boys of an escape route. We never do find out who threw the note into their cell. Anyway, the boys manage to crawl through a tunnel but come up in the Inn in which Georgette is staying. Needless to say, Ollie is again caught in a compromising situation with Georgette as Francois enters the room.

Escaping from Francois, the boys, still on the run, wind up hiding in an airplane. Well you gotta know that somehow they'll wind up flying the thing. Stan accidently starts up the plane and fly it all over the area just missing buildings and such. How do they get our of this mess? They don't. They crash and.............................................................

Laurel and Hardy were now in their late forties and beginning to show their ages. They would make one more film the following year for Hal Roach and then move on to sub-par films for Fox and MGM culminating in theier denouement in "Utopia" (1950).

Good, Not Great

[skallisjr · 7/10 · 3 May 2005]

This is a truly entertaining film, not without its flaws. Prior to joining the Foreign Legion, the two have some really funny scenes.

The logic of a Laurel and Hardy film is worthy of Lewis Carroll.

Spoilers follow: One really funny scene is when they were in prison, sentenced to be executed at dawn, and Stan uses a set of bedsprings as a kind of harp, to play music to while away the hours. So his selection? "The World is Waiting for the Sunrise." The flying sequences, alas, were lame. I'm a fan of the duo, and the only "flying" sequence less realistic than this was Humphrey Bogart in Chain Lightning.

Classic Laurel and Hardy

[gavin6942 · 6/10 · 29 June 2013]

Oliver is heartbroken when he finds that Georgette, the innkeeper's daughter he has fallen in love with, is already married to dashing Foreign Legion officer Francois. To forget her, he joins the Legion, taking Stanley with him.

Laurel and hardy are a strange sort of comedy. While not as witty as the Marx Brothers, and not as physically active as Buster Keaton or Harold Lloyd, they have the dynamic of the abusive fat man and sensitive thin man that has made them legendary.

Here we have them basically trying to survive in Army and not doing very well, primarily because they are completely unable to work hard. This has some good comedy moments, highlighted by a dancing scene where Oliver is surprisingly light on his feet.

A rather excellent Laurel and Hardy on its own terms.

[HenryHextonEsq · 8/10 · 26 December 2002]

I have heard this picture is derivative of an earlier Laurel and Hardy short film. That notwithstanding, judged purely on its own terms, this is a splendid way to spend an hour or so.

Within the Laurel and Hardy canon, this can be defined as a late Hal Roach film, an era in which originality was fading a little, but they were still entirely in their element and always enjoyable - unlike, perhaps, in their years at Fox. I should say that this film is indeed no masterpiece, and is put together in a slightly slapdash way at times; although the plot does stand up reasonably well - the shift to the Foreign Legion negotiated by a clearly unbelievable coincidence of Reg Gardiner turning up by the riverside. The film plays well as Laurel and Hardy's naivety is revealed and becomes the subject of wry, understated comedy: 'how long will it take 'till I have forgotten?' re. Hardy's infatuation with Georgette.

In many ways, the opening part is the zenith, with Laurel and Hardy on enterprising, archetypal form; the attempted drowning part is really quite touching at times. There's a rippling, simple plot, and this section may have worked very nicely as a short - but then we'd have lost the sublime sequences of the second part. It may be ultimately be something of a rehash, but on its own terms, again, it works well; the aeroplane foolery and the ending are rather well done and amusing... But it is the lovely 'Shine on Harvest Moon' musical sequence, sung majestically by Hardy and soft-shoed winningly by Laurel (to be joined by Hardy at the end), that is the most memorable part. How heartrendingly joyous is this? The narrative pauses. Simply for a verse and chorus of an old song, and a modest dance, but it works astoundingly; Hardy's voice unutterably warm, Laurel a frail, tender clown with a strange dignity. The pair's pausing by the band and then the way they slip into this interlude, is charming, as is the manner of the band and onlookers' fond farewell as they abruptly take leave to resume their escape. All very poignant, thinking how close they were to the end of their film success. Also magical is Laurel's sequence on the harp; a direct tribute to Harpo Marx, and actually displaying a far greater brevity and perhaps a less forced charm with the instrument than Harpo did in certain films. Hardy's reactions are great, and the way Laurel finds and fine-tunes the instrument in the prison cell is neatly achieved. The look on Laurel's face as he plays is sublime; we get to the heart of his singular grace with his almost haunting expressionlessness suggestive almost of Buster Keaton. One can, as ever, see the influence Peter Sellers drew upon for his performance in "Being There", but this sequence stands alone in that it reveals Laurel as a consciously artistic soul, aside from the bounds of his usual comic persona. These are subtle, telling moments, aided by the tender and melodic nature of the song itself. Great stuff, well timed - these reflective moments in many ways make the film, mark it out from slightly more routine L&H features of the time.

Support includes Reginald Gardiner, fairly competent as the 'French' military cad; Georgette (Jean Parker), the 'dame', as Stan refers to her; a very adequate stooge and coquette, ever brushing her tresses. And, to properly round things off, we have James Finlayson: the lovably crotchety Scottish foil for the boys, ever bursting at the seams in his indignation at them.

"The Flying Deuces" is not a great film, but it has many genuinely wonderful moments; well worth a viewing for anyone, whether familiar with this double-act or not; everyone ought to be, as they are one of the most beautiful and abiding attractions ever to have graced the cinema.

When Hardy falls in love

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 27 November 2018]

There is very good reason why Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are widely considered comedy geniuses and one of the most highly regarded comedy duos there is/was. They were often hilarious and their humour was never too juvenile and never fell into distaste. There is also very good reason as to why their partnership is iconic. Most of their efforts, shorts and feature films, ranged from entertaining to classic comedy. Even their lesser efforts were not unwatchable and had their good parts.

While 'The Flying Deuces' is a long way from being one of Laurel and Hardy's all-time best and from being a classic, it is still very enjoyable and one of their better faring later films before their decline period, even with its faults. Would not recommend it as a must watch as far their filmography and comedy goes, but would definitely recommend it as well worth the look.

It is not one of their better-looking films, with some it being particularly crudely edited. Some of it is on the corny side in terms of humour and could have done with a little more wit.

Story-wise, this aspect always was fairly slight or not much of one in their short and feature films. 'The Flying Deuces' is not an exception and there are a few slow stretches. Hardy perhaps is a little too simpering here, it suits the plot but it is somewhat out of character for him.

For all those faults, the duo are on top form. They are immensely charming with impeccable comic timing, with plenty of sly verbal wit and nimble physical comedy. There is even a gentle quality to some of the humour and it does make it quite endearing to watch. They work so well as a partnership too, they gel so well and it is not a case of one being more interesting and better used than the other like a lot of their early efforts pre-'Two Tars' were. James Finlayson and Charles Middleton are the supporting cast standouts and Jean Parker is a charmer as the love interest.

Many funny moments here, with one of the better and funnier opening scenes of their later films and a deliciously wild ending. The jail and harp scenes are also terrific fun and the dance sequence is light and endearing. Although with slow stretches, there is evidence of a lively pace and the story does not overly focus on the romance, which was sweet and didn't bog the film down (this was something that was a problem in 'Swiss Miss', a lesser effort, for instance). The odd surprisingly dark moment as well.

On the whole, well worth watching and enjoyable. The duo though have done better. 7/10 Bethany Cox

A Woefully Unfunny Movie

[evanston_dad · 3/10 · 25 September 2014]

Avid movie goer that I am, I somehow got to the ripe old age of 39 without being exposed to Laurel and Hardy. My wife and I decided to rectify that by getting one of their collections through Netflix, and a disc with this film and the last one the duo did together, "Utopia," was the first to arrive. Expectations were high for "The Flying Deuces" and I was sure I was going to find the two hilarious.....

And then I watched the movie and could barely keep my eyes open. What a woefully unfunny movie "The Flying Deuces" is, and if it's representative of Laurel & Hardy (which I've heard it's not), there's not much chance of me liking their other stuff. I want to see some of their earlier films, especially the silents, as I gather that's where I'll find their strongest collaborations, but even at that I'm not sure I'm ever going to like them as much as I like other comedians from the same era, like Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton. I just don't care for the personas Laurel and Hardy play, or the mean spiritedness that colors all of Hardy's interactions with Laurel. Hardy doesn't make me root for him, which is essential in these slapstick comedians for their schtick to work. And the brand of humor doesn't appeal to me either. A typical joke in "The Flying Deuces" goes something like this: Laurel bumps his head multiple times on the slanted roof of their Parisian boarding room, Hardy says something like "How can you be stupid enough to keep bumping your head like that?" and then a couple of minutes later Hardy...guess what?...bumps his head on the same ceiling. Hardy har har.

I'm willing to give the boys another chance, but my expectations are now set much lower.

Grade: D

One of the Last Good L&H Movies

[arfdawg-1 · 8/10 · 6 June 2014]

Firstly, I'm a HUGE fan of L&H, but there is one review here that says this is the BEST L&H film ever!

No way Jose.

This is one of the team's last outings and while it's good, it's definitely not one of their best.

It's got a good director an the story is fairly typical for L&H.

They still look good too, but this is really very close to the end of their careers. It's a partial remake of Beau Hunks, which is much better.

Unfortunately, one this film fell into public domain, prints of it became atrociously poor.

Turner owns the original negative but isn't releasing it. An uncut nitrate version was founding France and IS available on DVD. It includes the famous shark scene that was cut from nearly all copies.

They made two more good movies after this - one a classic and then their career took a bad spin when they got to 20th.

So savor this movie. It's a very solid L&H film.

The Plot.

Oliver is heartbroken when he finds that Georgette, the innkeeper's daughter he's fallen in love with, is already married to dashing Foreign Legion officer Francois.

To forget her, he joins the Legion, taking Stanley with him.

Their bumbling eventually gets them charged with desertion and sentenced to a firing squad.

They manage to escape in a stolen airplane, but crash after a wild ride.

Gay Paree

[richardchatten · 7/10 · 31 March 2024]

I've headed my review 'Gay Paree' as it spends as much time in the City of Light as 'Bonnie Scotland' did north of the Border.

Laurel & Hardy's final feature to be released during the thirties remains one of their least known, completing an unofficial trio beginning with 'Beau Chumps'. Basically a series of episodes it again begins with Ollie having his heart broken by a girl called 'Jeannie Weeny' - the 'Jeannie' in this particular case being Miss Jean Parker playing a a French popsie called Genette - whereupon he once again demonstrates what a stupid peabrain he is by taking Stan's advice to end it all by jumping in the Seine. Being in the birthplace of existentialism they briefly get all philosophical and engage in a discussion of reincarnation (Hardy offering the extraordinary insight that with him gone "People would stare at you and wonder what you are, and I wouldn't be there to tell them...!"), before changing their minds and joining the foreign legion instead; where they find their old nemesis Charles Middleton as the Commandant who once again reminds them when they change their minds that they're in for keeps.

The humour is markedly less subtle than in their earlier films but it's pleasant enough and provides the opportunity to briefly savour Hardy's rich baritone as the Boys step out to 'Shine On Harvest Moon'.

Flying Too Far

[bakerd1-1 · 5/10 · 23 February 2007]

I don't understand why L&H movie "The Big Noise" is rated so low, and I don't understand why this one is rated so high. It only has three or four funny moments in it and has possibly the dumbest (and worst) endings of any Laurel and Hardy movie. Even Atoll-K has a better ending! The "harp" scene is funny as well as Hardy in the bedroom. The suicide scene and the soft shoe are also amusing, but between those four scenes there's about twenty minutes of material. This would have been better as a twenty five minute shot about them. Of the Hal Roach movies, I would probably rate this one towards the bottom of the list.

5 out of 10