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.
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.