Sons of the Desert Meeting – Ellenville, NY
Today at our Sons of the Desert meeting in Ellenville, New York, we enjoyed a program of five classic comedies and cartoons. Here are a few of my thoughts on each:
That’s My Wife (1929) – An enjoyable Laurel and Hardy silent short, though not one of their very best. The film has its ups and downs, and while there are funny moments, it doesn’t feel consistent throughout.
Falling Hare (1943) – This Bugs Bunny cartoon is a childhood favorite of mine. I must have seen it so many times growing up that I knew exactly what was going to happen, even after many years away from it. Watching it again, I was struck by how much the animation style reminded me of Tex Avery’s work.
One Good Turn (1931) – Another Laurel and Hardy entry, this one from their early sound period. I don’t think it’s one of their strongest shorts, but even their “weaker” efforts are still enjoyable. The real highlight here is the appearance of their frequent foil Jimmy Finlayson, whose timing and expressions always add an extra spark.
Behind the Screen (1916) – Chaplin is, of course, a genius, and many of his films are absolutely wonderful. But this particular short struck me as more of a “let’s throw gags at the wall and see what sticks” effort—lots of running around, repetitive bits, and a pie fight straight out of the Mack Sennett playbook. Not one of my favorites, and I’ll admit, I even dozed off for a few minutes.
Their First Mistake (1932) – Easily the strongest film of the day. Oliver Hardy’s looks directly into the camera are sheer perfection at this stage in his career, and the dialogue sparkles. My favorite moment comes after they adopt a baby—Stan wants to leave, and Ollie turns to the audience with exasperation: “How can you leave me? You were the one who asked me to get a baby!” Absolutely hysterical.
It was a wonderful afternoon revisiting these classics, made even better by sharing them with fellow Laurel and Hardy fans who appreciate every expression, every gag, and every look at the camera. To top things off, I had the pleasure of gifting everyone in the club a special 3D-printed keychain featuring Laurel and Hardy and the name of our Ellenville tent—a little project I developed with the help of ChatGPT. Everyone was very appreciative, which made the day even more memorable.
