Twice Two

Last updated
Twice Two
Twicetwotitlecard.jpg
Directed by James Parrott
Produced by Hal Roach
Starring Stan Laurel
Oliver Hardy
Charlie Hall
Cinematography Art Lloyd
Edited byBert Jordan
Production
company
Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date
  • February 25, 1933 (1933-02-25)
Running time
20:27
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Twice Two is a 1933 American pre-Code Laurel and Hardy short film.

Contents

Plot

A dual wedding ceremony occurs wherein Stan marries Oliver's sister Fanny while Oliver weds Stan's sister Sandy. This matrimonial arrangement leads to the cohabitation of the two couples under one roof, with Stan and Oliver both working in the same office.

Amidst the domestic setting, the narrative unfolds with a series of incidents, including telephone gags and preparations for a surprise anniversary party organized by the wives to celebrate their first year of marriage. However, the celebratory mood takes a comical turn when a cake mishap results in Mrs. Laurel bearing an inadvertent resemblance to Queen Elizabeth I, depicted in a portrait on the dining room wall.

As Stan and Oliver arrive at the party, tensions and squabbles ensue between the two couples, punctuating the atmosphere of the celebration. The climax of the film occurs with the arrival of a delivery boy bearing yet another cake. This moment culminates in a chaotic scene where Mrs. Laurel is doused with the cake by a disgruntled Mrs. Hardy.

Cast

Credited:

Uncredited:

Production notes

Laurel and Hardy portray dual roles in Twice Two , a theme echoed in two other films: Brats and Our Relations . The voices of Mrs. Hardy and Mrs. Laurel are dubbed by Carol Tevis and May Wallace.

Twice Two is the second occasion where Stan Laurel adopts drag to portray Oliver Hardy's spouse, a role he had previously undertaken in That's My Wife . Stan's adeptness in such roles is evidenced by his portrayals in Another Fine Mess , A Chump at Oxford , and Jitterbugs .

The production is the last Laurel & Hardy film directed by James Parrott.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oliver Hardy</span> American actor (1892–1957)

Oliver Norvell Hardy was an American comic actor and one half of Laurel and Hardy, the double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted from 1926 to 1957. He appeared with his comedy partner Stan Laurel in 107 short films, feature films, and cameo roles. He was credited with his first film, Outwitting Dad, in 1914. In most of his silent films before joining producer Hal Roach, he was billed on screen as Babe Hardy.

<i>Love em and Weep</i> 1927 film

Love 'em and Weep is a 1927 American silent comedy short film starring Mae Busch, Stan Laurel and James Finlayson, with Oliver Hardy featured in a small role. This is Mae Busch first of fifteen appearance with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

<i>Brats</i> (1930 film) 1930 short film by James Parrott

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.

<i>Zenobia</i> (film) 1939 film by Gordon Douglas

Zenobia is a 1939 comedy film directed by Gordon Douglas and starring Oliver Hardy, Harry Langdon, Billie Burke, Alice Brady, James Ellison, Jean Parker, June Lang, Stepin Fetchit and Hattie McDaniel. The source of the film was the 1891 short story "Zenobia's Infidelity" by H.C. Bunner, which was originally purchased by producer Hal Roach as a vehicle for Roland Young.

<i>Unaccustomed As We Are</i> 1929 short film by Lewis R. Foster

Unaccustomed As We Are is the first sound film comedy starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, released on May 4, 1929.

<i>Chickens Come Home</i> 1931 film

Chickens Come Home is a 1931 American pre-Code short film starring Laurel and Hardy, directed by James W. Horne and produced by Hal Roach. It was shot in January 1931 and released on February 21, 1931. It is a remake of the 1927 silent film Love 'em and Weep in which James Finlayson plays Hardy's role and Hardy plays a party guest.

<i>Block-Heads</i> 1938 film by John G. Blystone

Block-Heads is a 1938 American comedy film directed by John G. Blystone and starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. It was produced by Hal Roach Studios for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film, a reworking of elements from the Laurel and Hardy shorts We Faw Down (1928) and Unaccustomed As We Are (1929), was Roach's final film for MGM.

<i>Our Relations</i> 1936 film by Harry Lachman

Our Relations is a 1936 American comedy film directed by Harry Lachman starring Laurel and Hardy, produced by Stan Laurel for Hal Roach Studios.

<i>From Soup to Nuts</i> 1928 film

From Soup to Nuts is a silent short subject directed by E. Livingston Kennedy starring comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. It was released on March 24, 1928, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

<i>Nothing but Trouble</i> (1944 film) 1944 American film by Sam Taylor

Nothing But Trouble is a 1944 Laurel and Hardy feature film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and directed by Sam Taylor.

<i>The Bohemian Girl</i> (1936 film) 1936 film

The Bohemian Girl is a 1936 comedic feature film version of the opera The Bohemian Girl by Michael William Balfe. Directed by James W. Horne and Charles Rogers, and it was produced at the Hal Roach Studios, and stars Laurel and Hardy, and Thelma Todd in her final film role. Mae Busch and Oliver Hardy appeared 13 times, this was their last picture together. This was also the only appearance of Darla Hood in a full-length feature produced by Hal Roach.

<i>Tit for Tat</i> (1935 film) 1935 American short film by Charley Rogers

Tit for Tat is a 1935 short comedy film starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. It is the only direct sequel they made, following the story of Them Thar Hills, which was released the previous year and includes the same two supporting characters, Mr. and Mrs. Hall, portrayed by Charlie Hall and Mae Busch. This "two-reeler" is notable too for being nominated for an Academy Award as Best Live Action Short Film (Comedy) of 1935, although it did not win. It also has a central theme similar to the comedy duo's 1929 silent short Big Business. In the opening scene of Tit for Tat, Oliver places a sign in the front window of his and Stan's electrical store. It reads "Open for Big Business", an allusion to the escalating revenge and "reciprocal destruction" common to both films.

<i>The Midnight Patrol</i> 1933 film by Lloyd French

The Midnight Patrol is a short American pre-Code comedy film starring Laurel and Hardy released August 3, 1933.

<i>Be Big!</i> 1931 film

Be Big! is a Hal Roach three-reel comedy starring Laurel and Hardy. It was shot in November and December 1930, and released on February 7, 1931.

<i>Laughing Gravy</i> 1931 film

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.

<i>Come Clean</i> (1931 film) 1931 film

Come Clean is a 1931 American pre-Code short film starring Laurel and Hardy, directed by James W. Horne and produced by Hal Roach.

<i>Pick a Star</i> 1937 film by Edward Sedgwick

Pick a Star is a 1937 American musical comedy film starring Rosina Lawrence, Jack Haley, Patsy Kelly and Mischa Auer, directed by Edward Sedgwick, produced by Hal Roach and released through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and filmed by Norbert Brodine. A reworking of Buster Keaton's first talkie, Free and Easy, the film is mostly remembered today for two short scenes featuring Laurel and Hardy.

<i>County Hospital</i> (film) 1932 film

County Hospital is a Laurel and Hardy short film made in 1932. It was directed by James Parrott, produced by Hal Roach and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Ollie is in hospital with a broken leg, Stan comes to visit and ends up getting Ollie kicked out; on the way home Stan crashes the car.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorothy Christy</span> American actress (1906–1977)

Dorothy Christy was an American actress. She was sometimes billed as Dorothy Christie.

<i>Stan & Ollie</i> 2018 film by Jon S. Baird

Stan & Ollie is a 2018 biographical comedy-drama film directed by Jon S. Baird. The script, written by Jeff Pope, was inspired by Laurel and Hardy: The British Tours by A.J. Marriot which chronicled the later years of the comedy double act Laurel and Hardy; the film stars Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly as Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. The film focuses on details of the comedy duo's personal relationship while relating how they embarked on a gruelling music hall tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland during 1953 and struggled to get another film made.

References