Saps at Sea

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Saps at Sea
Saps-at-sea.jpg
Theatrical poster
Directed by Gordon Douglas
Written by Felix Adler
Harry Langdon
Gil Pratt
Charles Rogers
Produced by Hal Roach
Starring Stan Laurel
Oliver Hardy
Richard Cramer
Cinematography Art Lloyd
Edited by William Ziegler
Music by Marvin Hatley
Leroy Shield
Distributed by United Artists
Release date
  • May 3, 1940 (1940-05-03)
Running time
55:52
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$225,139 [1]

Saps at Sea is a 1940 American comedy film directed by Gordon Douglas, distributed by United Artists. It was Laurel and Hardy's last film produced by the Hal Roach Studios, as well as the last film to feature Ben Turpin and Harry Bernard.

Contents

Plot

Stan and Ollie work in a horn factory, where the constant noise exacerbates Hardy's stress levels. Their predicament is underscored by the frequent mental breakdowns of their colleagues, a situation highlighted by a recent incident resulting in a worker's descent into madness. Ollie, succumbing to "hornophobia," is sent home from work due to his heightened aversion to horn sounds. Concerned about Ollie's condition, Stan proposes a therapeutic boat trip to alleviate his friend's anxiety. However, their plans for a docked boat excursion are disrupted by a series of comedic mishaps, including a gas explosion in their kitchen caused by a cross-eyed janitor.

As they embark on their boat trip aboard the ill-fated vessel "Prickly Heat," unforeseen events ensue, including the unwelcome presence of an escaped convict named Nick Grainger. With the goat they brought along inadvertently setting the boat adrift and Nick taking control of the situation, Stan and Ollie find themselves at the mercy of the criminal's whims. In a turn of events, Stan's trombone playing inadvertently triggers Ollie's uncontrollable rage, leading to a confrontation with Nick. Ultimately, Stan's musical intervention aids in subduing the criminal, albeit with unforeseen consequences as the police arrive.

Despite Stan's attempts to demonstrate the trombone's role in calming Ollie, their efforts backfire spectacularly, resulting in their arrest and incarceration alongside Nick.

Cast

Production notes

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References

  1. ↑ Ward, Richard Lewis (2005). A history of the Hal Roach Studios. Southern Illinois University Press. p. 213. - figures are producer's share from US/Canada
  2. ↑ H.V. Morton; Atlantic Meeting; Methuen: 1943, p. 125
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