Laurel And Hardy: The Definitive Restorations Volume 2 Blu-ray Review
Another fine set.
It’s been 5 years, but at long last the Laurel And Hardy: The Definitive Restorations Volume 2 Blu-ray has been released. This 2-disc Blu-ray features the 8 comedy short films “Men O’War,” “Perfect Day,” “Blotto,” “Another Fine Mess,” “Dirty Work,” “Going Bye-Bye!,” “Them Thar Hills” and “Tit For Tat.” Plot descriptions below:
“Men O’War”- 2 Navy seamen on shore leave try to have sodas with two ladies.
“Perfect Day”- A planned picnic goes awry.
“Another Fine Mess”- 2 vagrants stow away in a house that’s about to be rented leaving them to have to pretend to be other people.
“Dirty Work”- 2 chimney sweepers who are very bad at their job discover a Mad Doctor’s rejuvenating potion.
“Blotto”- Stan and Ollie head to the club for some drinks.
“Going Bye-Bye!”- The duo go up against a criminal that they testified in court against.
“Them Thar Hills”- Stan and Ollie embark on a mountain trip and come across some unexpected “water.”
“Tit For Tat”- Two electrical store owners battle against a grouchy grocery shop owner next door.
Although they made some memorable feature films such as “Sons Of The Desert,” the legendary comedic duo Laurel and Hardy were at their best with comedy shorts (sound versions to be exact). Not only were they the masters of the short film art form, but they created so many timeless and hilarious shorts that still resonate to this date. Each of these 8 shorts is filled with laughs, shenanigans, outbursts, camera mugging, head nods, tie wagging, physical comedy, disastrous situations, and Laurel’s seemingly endless array of expressions. My 2 personal favorites have to be “Dirty Work” and “Tit For Tat.” “Dirty Work” perfectly captures the duo’s comedic timing and interactions while “Tit For Tat” is a great short in which the situation keeps escalating.
Video/Audio:
Presentation: 1.33:1 1080p. How does it look? The shorts have been remastered in 4K from the original 35mm nitrate. The picture quality is truly impressive. Yes, there are some imperfections as is to be expected considering the age of the shorts, but the picture clarity is the equivalent of watching them anew.
Audio Track: LPCM 2.0 Mono. How does it sound? There’s a bit of a snowy sound, but the effects and music are particularly crisp here.
Extras:
* Silent versions of “Brats” and “Blotto” with scores by Andrew Earle Simpson.
* Alternate versions of “Blotto” and “Another Fine Mess” with voice and effects tracks only.
* 1937 reissue version of “Perfect Day.”
* A 1960s interview with Hal Roach in the studio backlot.
* “Galaxy Of Stars” MGM promo film.
* A booklet with contents, restoration info, production notes, credits and a behind the scenes at Hal Roach Studios written piece.
* Commentary by Richard W. Bann on “Men O’War,” “Blotto” and “Another Fine Mess” and commentary by Randy Skretvedt on “Perfect Day,” “Dirty Work,””Going Bye-Bye!,” “Them Thar Hills” and “Tit For Tat.”
* Photo gallery slideshows for “Men O’War,” “Perfect Day,” “Blotto” (the French Version), “Brats,” “Another Fine Mess,” “Dirty Work,” “Going Bye-Bye!,” “Them Thar Hills,” and “Tit For Tat.”
* Trailers for the German version of “Pardon Us,” the British version of “Fra Diavolo,” “Bohemian Girl,” “Our Relations,” and “Swiss Miss.”
* “There Goes My Heart” trailer with silent trailer outtakes.
* “Ship’s Reporter”- An interview with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy by Jack Mangan on the Queen Mary in 1952.
* “This Is Your Life: Laurel And Hardy”- An episode of the TV series.
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