Two Tars
Encyclopedia
Two Tars, directed by James Parrott
and released in 1928
, is recognized as one of Laurel and Hardy
's greatest films. A silent film
, it largely consists of a 'reciprocal destruction' involving motorists in a traffic jam, which has much inventive mayhem with the destruction of various automobiles.
The four drive to the harbor, but are stopped in traffic; seeing nothing is wrong, they carry on driving, until they find out that builders are building on the other road. This causes an argument with other drivers, who yell at them to move on; so they damage each other's cars, until a policeman rides along in a motorcycle. Stan and Ollie's new "girlfriends" escape in a nearby car while the crowd blames the boys for wrecking their cars. The officer lets the majority pass, while he explains to them what he'll do with them (arrest them, then throw them in jail), but they escape towards a train track, trying to escape the crowd following them. Going through the tunnel, they realize and reverse as the train comes through, and turn back; but Laurel and Hardy drive out, with a car with a flat side.
, the international Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society, all take their names from L&H films. There are four Two Tars Tents in Solingen, Germany; Guernsey, England; North Illinois/Wisconsin Border; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A fifth Two Tars Tent was established in Reidsville, North Carolina, but is no longer active.
James Parrott
James Parrott , was an American actor and film director; and the younger brother of film comedian Charley Chase.-Early years:...
and released in 1928
1928 in film
-Events:Although some movies released in 1928 had sound, most were still silent.* July 28 - Lights of New York is released by Warner Brothers. It is the first "100% Talkie" feature film, in that dialog is spoken throughout the film...
, is recognized as one of Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy were one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedy double acts of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema...
's greatest films. A silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
, it largely consists of a 'reciprocal destruction' involving motorists in a traffic jam, which has much inventive mayhem with the destruction of various automobiles.
Plot
Stan and Ollie are without their familiar bowler hats in this one, playing US Navy sailors are driving, until they crash into a lamppost. The pair then notice two women, who are having trouble with a sweet machine, and both decide to help. Ollie shakes it, breaks it, and is told by the women, who have fled with Stan to the car, to pick up and hide all the sweets in his suit, before the owner finds out. The very angry owner finds him scrambling around with sweets everywhere, and they start to fight, with Stan also (who was ordered to by the women, but then take over and attack the owner).The four drive to the harbor, but are stopped in traffic; seeing nothing is wrong, they carry on driving, until they find out that builders are building on the other road. This causes an argument with other drivers, who yell at them to move on; so they damage each other's cars, until a policeman rides along in a motorcycle. Stan and Ollie's new "girlfriends" escape in a nearby car while the crowd blames the boys for wrecking their cars. The officer lets the majority pass, while he explains to them what he'll do with them (arrest them, then throw them in jail), but they escape towards a train track, trying to escape the crowd following them. Going through the tunnel, they realize and reverse as the train comes through, and turn back; but Laurel and Hardy drive out, with a car with a flat side.
Cast
- Edgar KennedyEdgar KennedyEdgar Livingston Kennedy was an American comedic film actor, known as "the king of the slow burn". A slow burn is an exasperated facial expression, performed very deliberately; Kennedy embellished this by rubbing his hand over his bald head and across his face, in an attempt to hold his temper...
- Thelma HillThelma HillThelma Hill was an American silent screen comedian.Born Thelma Floy Hillerman in Emporia, Kansas, she was one of the few Sennett Bathing Beauties to make it into featured roles...
- Ruby Blaine
- Harry BernardHarry BernardHarry Bernard was a movie comedian who worked for Mack Sennett and with Laurel & Hardy, usually typecast as a policeman.Bernard was born in San Francisco, California, and died in Hollywood.-Selected filmography:...
- Chet BrandenburgChet BrandenburgChet Brandenburg , was an American actor. He appeared in 33 films between 1924 and 1957.He was born in Kentucky and died in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles.-Selected filmography:* The Pinch Singer...
- Baldwin CookeBaldwin CookeBaldwin Cooke, also known as Baldy Cooke , was a comedic American actor. Born in New York, Cooke and his wife, Alice, toured in vaudeville with Stan Laurel, remaining close friends over the years. He appeared in some thirty Laurel and Hardy comedies...
- Edgar DearingEdgar DearingEdgar Dearing was an American actor who became heavily type cast as a motorcycle cop in Hollywood films. He started in silent comedy shorts for Hal Roach, including several with Laurel and Hardy, notably in their classic Two Tars, probably his best ever screen role...
- Frank EllisFrank Ellis (actor)Frank Ellis was an American film actor. He appeared in over 480 films between 1917 and 1954. He was born in Oklahoma and died in Los Angeles, California.-Selected filmography:* Elmo the Fearless...
- Helen GilmoreHelen GilmoreHelen Gilmore was an American actress of the stage and silent motion pictures from Chicago, Illinois. She left acting to become a magazine editor.-Stock company player:...
- Clara Guiol
- Charlie Hall
- Jack HillJack Hill (actor)Jack Hill was an American actor, who appeared in scores of Laurel & Hardy comedies.-Filmography:* A Quiet Street * Stage Fright * Dogs of War * Back Stage...
- Fred Holmes
- Ham KinseyHam KinseyHam Kinsey , was an American actor. He appeared in 39 films between 1926 and 1936 mostly at the Hal Roach Studios where he supported Our Gang and Laurel and Hardy.He died in Los Angeles, California, USA....
- Sam LufkinSam LufkinSamuel "Sam" William Lufkin was an American actor who usually appeared in small or bit roles in short comedy films.-Career:Born in Utah, Lufkin spent most of his career at the Hal Roach Studios where he made over 60 films...
- Charles McMurphy
- Retta Palmer
- Lon Poff
- Thomas Benton Roberts
- Charley RogersCharley RogersCharley Rogers was an English film actor, director and screenwriter, best known for his association with Laurel and Hardy. He appeared in 37 films between 1912 and 1954...
- George Rowe
- Lyle TayoLyle TayoLyle Tayo was an American film actress who appeared in 59 films between 1921 and 1948. Tayo was born in Elmdale, Kansas and died in Hollywood, California. She is buried in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery....
- Ollie Young
The Sons of the Desert
Chapters — called Tents — of The Sons of the DesertThe Sons of the Desert
The Sons of the Desert is an international fraternal organization devoted to lives and films of comedians Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. The group takes its name from a lodge that Laurel and Hardy belonged to in the 1933 movie Sons of the Desert....
, the international Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society, all take their names from L&H films. There are four Two Tars Tents in Solingen, Germany; Guernsey, England; North Illinois/Wisconsin Border; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A fifth Two Tars Tent was established in Reidsville, North Carolina, but is no longer active.