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Flying Elephants is a two-reel silent film from 1928 directed by Frank Butler and co-written and produced by Hal Roach. It stars Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy as a pair of battling cavemen.
| Flying Elephants | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Frank Butler |
| Written by | Hal Roach H.M. Walker (titles) |
| Produced by | Hal Roach |
| Starring | Stan Laurel Oliver Hardy Jimmy Finlayson Edna Marion Dorothy Coburn Viola Richard Fay Lanphier Budd Fine Tiny Sandford Leo Willis |
| Distributed by | Pathé Exchange |
Release date |
|
Running time | 17 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Languages | Silent film English (Original intertitles) |
Plot
editThe narrative unfolds within a Stone Age setting, where the ruler of the cave-dwelling populace mandates that all males aged 13 to 99 must secure a female partner or risk exile. Hardy embarks on a quest to find a spouse, enduring repeated blows from irate "husbands" in his pursuit. Eventually, he encounters a potential mate but remains unaware that Laurel, his companion, also seeks her hand in marriage.
As Laurel and Hardy vie for the same woman, their rivalry escalates, leading to a series of competitions to win her favor. In a pivotal scene, Laurel attempts to eliminate his competitor by luring him to a precarious cliff edge. However, his scheme is thwarted when a hostile goat intervenes, causing Hardy to plummet from the precipice. Seizing the opportunity, Laurel claims victory and the affections of the coveted bride-to-be.[1]
Cast
edit- Stan Laurel - Little Twinkle Star
- Oliver Hardy - Mighty Giant
- James Finlayson - Saxophonus
- Edna Marion - Cavewoman
- Dorothy Coburn - Gorgeous Wrestler
- Viola Richard - Blushing Rose
- Fay Lanphier - Blonde Cavewoman
- Budd Fine - Hulking Caveman
- Tiny Sandford - Hulking Caveman
- Leo Willis - Fisherman
Production and distribution
editAlthough released in February 1928, Flying Elephants was actually filmed in May 1927, before the duo were established as a comedy team. As a result, the film lacks the Laurel and Hardy trademarks and consists mostly of solo performances by the two comedians.[2]
Taking place entirely outdoors, the rocky desert locations were photographed in Moapa, Nevada. Some locations would later be used in 1940 for Hal Roach's prehistoric drama One Million B.C..[1][3]
The title Flying Elephants refers to a scene where Hardy's character points out three animated pachyderms flying up above in the sky.[4]
References
edit- ^ a b Everson, William K. (2000). The Complete Films of Laurel and Hardy. Citadel. p. 47. ISBN 978-0806501468.
- ^ Potts, Mark & Sheppard, Dave (2001). What was the Film When? The Movies of Laurel & Hardy . Quayside Creative Ltd. ISBN 978-0-9555318-3-5, pp 41-42.
- ^ Okuda, Ted and James L. Neibaur (2012). Stan Without Ollie: The Stan Laurel Solo Films, 1917-1927. McFarland. p. 206. ISBN 978-0786447817.
- ^ Mitchell-Waite, Antony and Joanne Mitchell-Waite (2013). Laurel & Hardy's Animated Antics A-Z 3rd Edition. lulu.com. p. 107. ISBN 978-1291619256.
External links
edit- Flying Elephants at IMDb
- Flying Elephants is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive
- Flying Elephants at AllMovie
- Flying Elephants at Rotten Tomatoes