The Flying Deuces (1939) (4k) Laurel & Hardy

The Flying Deuces (1939):

General Information
Title: The Flying Deuces
Release Year: 1939
Director: A. Edward Sutherland
Producer: Boris Morros
Starring: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Jean Parker, Reginald Gardiner, Charles Middleton, James Finlayson
Studio: Boris Morros Productions
Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures
Runtime: Approximately 69 minutes
Country: United States
Genre: Comedy

Plot Summary

The Flying Deuces is one of the best-known Laurel and Hardy feature films. It follows the antics of Stan and Ollie when they decide to join the French Foreign Legion.

Setup: While vacationing in Paris, Ollie falls in love with a woman named Georgette (Jean Parker). When he discovers she is already married, he becomes heartbroken and even contemplates suicide. Stan, loyal as always, volunteers to “go together.”

Twist: A Foreign Legion officer (Reginald Gardiner), who happens to be Georgette’s husband, convinces them to join the Legion instead of ending it all.

Comedy Ensues: Life in the Legion proves unbearable, leading to a series of classic slapstick misadventures.

Climax: After deserting and being sentenced to execution, Stan and Ollie attempt to escape. The film ends with a surreal gag involving reincarnation that is pure Laurel & Hardy.

Notable Aspects

Classic Duo in Colorful Situations: Though not their first feature, The Flying Deuces is among their most enduring full-length films, featuring many of their trademark routines.

Production Background: It was produced independently by Boris Morros and distributed by RKO, which gave it wider circulation than some of their other features.

Music: Includes musical numbers, most famously Ollie’s heartfelt rendition of “Shine On, Harvest Moon”, performed in duet with Stan dancing in drag.

Cinematography: The film was shot in black-and-white and showcases France as a backdrop, though filmed in California.

Public Domain: Like many Laurel and Hardy films, The Flying Deuces fell into the public domain due to non-renewal of copyright, making it widely available on home video, television, and streaming services.

Legacy

Considered a fan favorite and often recommended as an introduction to Laurel and Hardy’s comedy.

Its lighthearted portrayal of the Foreign Legion influenced other Legion-based comedies in Hollywood.

The film’s closing reincarnation gag is one of the most memorable endings in their career, showing the timeless absurdity of their humor.

Because it is in the public domain, it has been released in countless budget editions, though some companies.

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