Berth Marks | |
---|---|
Directed by | Lewis R. Foster |
Written by | Leo McCarey H. M. Walker |
Produced by | Hal Roach |
Starring | Stan Laurel Oliver Hardy Pat Harmon S. D. Wilcox Eleanor Fredericks Harry Bernard Baldwin Cooke Paulette Goddard Charlie Hall Sammy Brooks |
Cinematography | Len Powers |
Edited by | Richard C. Currier |
Music by | Marvin Hatley (1936 reissue) [1] |
Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer DIC Entertainment (1990 reissue) |
Release date |
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Running time | 19:34 (English) 49:09 (Spanish) |
Country | United States |
Languages | English French Spanish German Silent film with English intertitles |
Berth Marks is the second sound film starring Laurel and Hardy and was released on June 1, 1929.
Stan and Ollie, two musicians en route to a performance in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, find themselves embarking on a sleeper train. However, their journey is marked by a series of mishaps. Stan inadvertently spills a substantial portion of their musical paraphernalia, much to Ollie's chagrin. Their interactions with fellow passengers further compound their troubles, as they unintentionally disturb a diminutive traveler and startle a woman in the midst of disrobing while mistakenly entering a private compartment.
The resulting fracas escalates when the incensed husband of the startled woman accuses an innocent bystander, sparking a cascade of clothing-ripping reprisals among the passengers. Amidst this chaos, Stan and Ollie endeavor to retire to their cramped upper berth, struggling to change into pajamas. Their efforts are further hampered by the general pandemonium onboard.
As they near their destination, Stan and Ollie finally manage to settle into their sleeping quarters, albeit belatedly. However, in their haste to disembark, they inadvertently leave their musical instrument behind. Ollie, realizing their oversight, gives chase along the tracks as the train recedes into the distance.
Berth Marks was the second sound film released by Laurel and Hardy. A silent version was also made for cinemas that were not yet wired to show talking pictures. Action and dialogue scripts were written mid-April 1929, with filming taking place between April 20–27, 1929. [1]
Several of the train sequences (including some not used in the English release) were utilized for foreign language versions of The Laurel-Hardy Murder Case in 1930. Overall there were three different versions of The Laurel-Hardy Murder Case combined with Berth Marks, released for the foreign language market:-
Berth Marks was reissued in 1936 with a music score added to introductory scenes. [1] This version and was subsequently included on the 10-disc Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection DVD set, as well as the Spanish Noche de duendes. In 2020 both the 1936 soundtrack version and the original 1929 soundtrack version were issued on "Laurel & Hardy - The Definitive Restorations" DVD and Blu-Ray collections.
Brats is a 1930 Laurel and Hardy comedy short. The film was directed by James Parrott. Laurel and Hardy play dual roles as their own children. It also inspired a helper group for the Michigan tent for The Sons of the Desert, which is composed of all the child members of the tent. This is the first of only three films where the boys each play a dual role: the second is Twice Two and the third and last is Our Relations.
Pardon Us is a 1931 American pre-Code Laurel and Hardy film. It was the team's first starring feature-length comedy film, produced by Hal Roach, directed by James Parrott, and originally distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1931.
Atoll K is a 1951 Franco-Italian co-production film—also known as Robinson Crusoeland in the United Kingdom and Utopia in the United States – which stars the comedy team Laurel and Hardy in their final screen appearance. The film co-stars French singer/actress Suzy Delair and was directed by Léo Joannon, with uncredited co-direction by blacklisted U.S. director John Berry.
The Big Noise is a 1944 comedy film starring the comedic duo Laurel and Hardy. It was produced by Sol M. Wurtzel and directed by Mal St.Clair.
The Flying Deuces, also known as Flying Aces, is a 1939 buddy comedy film starring Laurel and Hardy, in which the duo join the French Foreign Legion. It is a partial remake of their short film Beau Hunks (1931).
Helpmates is a Laurel and Hardy Pre-Code short film comedy. It was directed by James Parrott, produced by Hal Roach and released by Metro-Goldwyn Mayer on January 23, 1932.
Unaccustomed As We Are is the first sound film comedy starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, released on May 4, 1929.
Our Relations is a 1936 American comedy film directed by Harry Lachman starring Laurel and Hardy, produced by Stan Laurel for Hal Roach Studios.
Liberty is a synchronized sound short subject film, directed by Leo McCarey starring comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. While the film has no audible dialog, it was released with a synchronized orchestral musical score with sound effects. It was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on January 26, 1929.
Wrong Again is a 1929 synchronized sound short subject film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Laurel and Hardy. While the film has no audible dialog, it was released with a synchronized orchestral musical score with sound effects. It was filmed in October and November 1928, and released February 23, 1929, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Angora Love is a 1929 synchronized sound short subject comedy film starring Laurel and Hardy, released on December 14, 1929. While the film has no audible dialog, it was released with a synchronized organ musical score with sound effects. This would prove to be the last Laurel and Hardy film to be released without any audible dialog.
Perfect Day is a 1929 short comedy film starring Laurel and Hardy.
Scram! is a 1932 pre-Code Laurel and Hardy film produced by Hal Roach, directed by Ray McCarey, and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
The Laurel-Hardy Murder Case is a Laurel and Hardy pre-Code comedy horror film released in 1930. It is one of a handful of three-reel comedies they made, running 28 minutes. It was directed by James Parrott, produced by Hal Roach and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Baldwin Gardiner 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. Cooke also appeared in the Our Gang series, and supported Charley Chase in 1931's La Señorita de Chicago. His grave is located at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery where Laurel's co-star, Oliver Hardy is interred.
Night Owls is a 1930 American Pre-Code Laurel and Hardy short film. It was filmed in October and November 1929, and released January 4, 1930.
Laughing Gravy is a 1931 short film comedy starring Laurel and Hardy. It was directed by James W. Horne, produced by Hal Roach and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Below Zero is a 1930 short film starring Laurel and Hardy, directed by James Parrott and produced by Hal Roach.
Hog Wild is a 1930 American pre-Code Laurel and Hardy film, directed by James Parrott.
Come Clean is a 1931 American pre-Code short film starring Laurel and Hardy, directed by James W. Horne and produced by Hal Roach.