Do Detectives Think?
- 1927
- 19m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
An escaped convict is out to kill the judge who sentenced him. Two inept detectives are hired to guard the judge.An escaped convict is out to kill the judge who sentenced him. Two inept detectives are hired to guard the judge.An escaped convict is out to kill the judge who sentenced him. Two inept detectives are hired to guard the judge.
Chester A. Bachman
- Officer
- (uncredited)
Wilson Benge
- Butler attacked by Slasher
- (uncredited)
Ed Brandenburg
- Courtroom spectator
- (uncredited)
Frank Brownlee
- Detective agency boss
- (uncredited)
James Finlayson
- Judge Foozle
- (uncredited)
Viola Richard
- Mrs. Foozle
- (uncredited)
Will Stanton
- Killer's pal
- (uncredited)
Charley Young
- Juror
- (uncredited)
Noah Young
- The Tipton Slasher
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis was the first film in which Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy wore what were to become their trademark derbies and customary suits.
- GoofsWhen Ollie loses his hat in the cemetery, there are two hats lying on the ground before Stan loses his.
- Quotes
Title Card: Judge Foozle had charged the jury - - He always charged everything -...
- Alternate versionsThere is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA srl, "STANLIO E OLLIO - COMICHE INDIMENTICABILI: The Second 100 Years + Call of the Cuckoo + Sugar Daddies + Do Detectives Think? (1927)" (4 Films on a single DVD), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Further Perils of Laurel and Hardy (1967)
Featured review
Not the funniest Laurel and Hardy, but hilarious James Finlayson
To paraphrase the fellow, "even not very good Laurel and Hardy is still better than almost everything else". This early L&H silent is one of the first to show the boys as a team, that is, as pals in the same general situation, on the same side, rather than working against each other. Their personalities can be seen developing nicely: Ollie the bully, Stan in his shadow, with his instant crying; however, here Stan still maintains a bit more independence and aggressiveness and willingness to defy or even abandon Ollie than we will be used to seeing later on. The gags are too simplistic and predictable, so the film is not going to be a memorable one; however, it is always a joy to see the boys on the screen, no matter what they are doing.
To be honest, the funniest moments are enjoyed by James Finlayson; I laughed loudest when, in a sudden cut, Finlayson is seen sitting in his bathtub, his body and entire head completely covered with soap bubbles, with only his face showing through. And the water he is bathing in is, in certain shots, completely filthy and black. Very bizarre!
A quick note about Hardy's character's name, Sherlock Pinkham; while "Sherlock" is obvious, the name "Pinkham" seems more obscure. I assume this is meant to spoof the famous "Pinkerton" detectives of Civil War and post-Civil War fame.
Let us recognize this is L&H at the beginning of a process, one that would lead to a partnership that they themselves could never have imagined would captivate the world. Then we can enjoy this film for what it is, without being disappointed.
To be honest, the funniest moments are enjoyed by James Finlayson; I laughed loudest when, in a sudden cut, Finlayson is seen sitting in his bathtub, his body and entire head completely covered with soap bubbles, with only his face showing through. And the water he is bathing in is, in certain shots, completely filthy and black. Very bizarre!
A quick note about Hardy's character's name, Sherlock Pinkham; while "Sherlock" is obvious, the name "Pinkham" seems more obscure. I assume this is meant to spoof the famous "Pinkerton" detectives of Civil War and post-Civil War fame.
Let us recognize this is L&H at the beginning of a process, one that would lead to a partnership that they themselves could never have imagined would captivate the world. Then we can enjoy this film for what it is, without being disappointed.
helpful•30
- audiemurph
- Nov 8, 2011
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Dick und Doof: Das Fleischermesser an der Gurgel
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime19 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.33 : 1
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