Popular reviews

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  Review by Richard Chandler ★★★ 13

  Greetings from New York City, where cuckoo and I were lucky enough to catch this endearing Laurel & Hardy short in which the renowned comic duo try to watch over a pair of rambunctious tykes played by themselves. I’m using my vacation rights to omit a full review—just wanted my dear readers to know we’re still alive.

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  Review by Benjamin Green ★★★★★

  You can lead a horse to water but a pencil must be led.

  First time watch: September 2021
  Source: Talking Pictures

  Brats is the 1930 comedy short directed by James Parrott. Starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in dual roles the story sees the friends left in charge of their boys whilst the wives are out.

  An early contender for my favourite Laurel and Hardy short, you can't go wrong with them playing the role of children. Amongst their childish disastrous and destructive behaviour you get the added bonus of the incredibale oversized set designs which brings an additional level of fun. Between the cartoon mouse, large furniture and boxing bouts there are continuous moments of comedy that I loved from start to finish.

  Five Star Films List
  Laurel and Hardy Short Films List

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  Review by Wilson ★★★★ 4

  The Brats of the title are Laurel and Hardy's kids, played by Laurel and Hardy themselves, stood next to some giant props to give a wonderful illusion of small, child-like stature. Mini-Hardy, sans moustache, is a comic highpoint of this 20 minute short film. I loved the use of the oversized set, the increasingly violent silliness, Oliver Hardy's yodeling and economy of the runtime.

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  Review by Calvin Dyson ★★★★½

  We were robbed of the Avengers: Endgame of the Laurel and Hardy universe by not having Stan and Ollie team up with their sons, wives and twin siblings to save the world from James Finlayson in a dedicated film.

  The sets in this are so impressive, I kept trying to look for the seams between the physical sets and what I assume would be matte paintings or some such but so much of it looks to be physical which was very cool.

  The guys have so much fun in this, even if it’s lighter on the gag ratio than some of their funnier shorts, I just always find this to be such a delight.

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  Review by loureviews ★★★★★

  The 'Brats' of the title are mini-Laurel and mini-Hardy, working with over-sized props to give the impression of kids into everything from a bathtub to a wooden chest of drawers.

  We find their dads playing a game of draughts (with suitable cheating) while the sons cause havoc and noise. After they are banished upstairs, the kids manage to half-wreck the place and set up a predictable, but still funny, pay-off.

  For the facial reactions, the clever set-ups, and Mr Hardy's singing (trying in vain to get the tots to sleep), 'Brats' scores high on the comedy list. There's genuinely good stuff in this short.

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  Review by nora ★★ 1

  i have yet to laugh at a laurel and hardy film BUT i did enjoy their performance here as a beleaguered gay couple terrorized by their unhinged children who like to shoot and punch each other

  (7/10 from 1930, trying to actually finish this list, we are so close)

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  Review by •°☽Ash☾°• ★★★★

  do you think they still want a glass of water?

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  Review by AuteurTheory ★★★★★

  Laurel and Hardy play their own sons, and it’s amazing.

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  Review by Robert Hayes ★★★★

  Après Hardy, le Deluge...

  It started off a bit weak, but really took off once the brats went upstairs and L&H began playing pool. Really weird concept that had some incredible props and set design. With this and Twice Two, they've played their sister-wives and children. Too bad they never combined the two and called it, I don't know, Thrice Three.

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  Review by trolleyfreak ★★★ 2

  ‘You can lead a horse to water but a pencil must be lead..’ (Stan Laurel)
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  The dreaded pandemic virus has struck me down for the second time so I needed something short and sweet to cheer me up tonight.  As usual, these wonderful boys provided the chucklesome entertainment I required..
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  Online Access: ok.ru/video/2339998599920

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  Review by Pate Duncan ★★★½

  Research.

  Stellar stuff. Great use of an oversized set and the inherent appeal of Oliver Hardy as an oversized toddler.

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  Review by Jay D 's Watching ★★½

  I bet this is where David Lynch got the idea for that one terrifying scene in MULHOLLAND DRIVE (yes, THAT one)