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I have heard this picture is derivative of an earlier Laurel and Hardy short film. That notwithstanding, on its own terms, this is a splendid way to spend an hour or so. This is, in Laurel and Hardy terms, a late Hal Roach film, an era in which originality was fading a little, but they were still very much themselves and always enjoyable, unlike in their years at Fox, where they were shoe-horned into demeaning films and their characters were messed around with. 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 obviously by the unbelievable in the coincidence that Reg Gardiner turns up at the scene of the riverside. It plays well as Laurel and Hardy's naivety is revealed and the subject of wry understated comedy; 'how long will it take 'till I have forgotten?' etc. in terms of Hardy's infatuation with Georgette. The opening part is really the zenith in many ways with Laurel and Hardy on enterprising, archetypal form. The attempted drowning part is really quite touching at times. There's a good, simple plot, and the thing may have worked very nicely as a short. But then we'd have lost the sublime sequences of the second part. It may be a rehash, but on its own terms it's all pretty good. The aeroplane foolery and the ending are rather well done and amusing... but it is the lovely "Shine on Harvest Moon" song sequence, sung majestically by Hardy and soft-shoed winningly by Laurel, and then Hardy at the end, that is the most memorable part. How heartrendingly joyous is this thing? Just 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 strange dignity. The pair's pausing by the band and then the way they slip into this interlude, is charming, as is the way there is a fond farewell by the band and onlookers as they quickly leave to continue their escape. It's very poignant, thinking how close they were to the end of their film success. Also magical is Laurel's sequence on the harp; surely a tribute to Harpo Marx, and actually displaying a far greater brevity and and a less forced charm with the instrument than Harpo mostly did. 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. One can as ever see the influence Peter Sellers took for "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. Great, subtle moments... and the song is actually tender and melodic as well. Great stuff. Support includes Reginald Gardiner, fairly competent as the 'French' military cad, the 'dame', as Stan refers to her; Georgette, as played by Jean Parker - a very adequate stooge, ever brushing her tresses. And we have James Finlayson; ah, the loveable 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 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 things to have ever been in the moviesRead full review
I really enjoy Laurel and Hardy since I was a youngster. They along with the 3 Stooges have always been my favorite comedians and my grandchildren now love them.
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