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The Worst Film Ever

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

"Fra Diavolo" was written by Eugene Scribe (1791-1861) who dominated the French theater for 40 years with his rather ephemeral plays. On this basis, Daniel-Francois Auber wrote a libretto, called (my translation) "Fra Diavolo or the Inn at Terracina" (premiere 1830 in Paris). The roles of Stanlio and Ollio are originally those of the two monks "Giacomo" and "Beppo". In the film version by Hal Roach, Stanlio and Ollio are poor laborers who have now enough money together to enjoy the rest of their lives. Just in the moment when Ollio thinks that the money is not safe enough with Stanlio and asks him to hand it over to him, the two are robbed by bandits. Stanley then comes to the genial idea that, starting again from the bottom, they could start from the top since this is the "logic of conversation". "Fra Diavolo" (1933), which contains practically no stereotypes known from the other movies of "The Boys" and therefore motivates all slap-sticks and comical parts solely by causality, is a true highlight and at least from the standpoint of quality (perhaps a bit less from that of entertainment) most probably the best Laurel and Hardy movie. It was banned in Europe until 1957 - the reasons are unclear to me although I spent quite some time on research. (They are the first European broadcast of "Fra Diavolo", in Germany is interestingly the year in which Mr. Hardy died.) Moreover, different versions of "Fra Diavolo" have been broadcast under different titles - very similar as in "Babes in Toyland" (which movie also shared the same fate as "Fra Diavolo" and is also one of the rare high-quality movies with Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy). As far as I see, there is no DVD version available in the U.S. My own copy - which goes under the strange title "Bandits in Panic" - comes from Holland and is part of a rich collection of Laurel and Hardy movies most of them are even hard to get on VHS in the US. I wonder why nobody seems to be capable of editing classic films as the classic writers'work are edited since centuries: chronologically with commentaries, annotations and bibliographies. Why does Criterion not take over the whole work of Laurel and Hardy and edits it, lets say, in 20-30 discs containing also interviews, radio documentations, old stills, etc. which may give to the present audience an idea about the public appeal of these movie in their times.

With those words to live by, Oliver Hardy convinces Stan Laurel that this might be just the profession for them in 18th century France. Unfortunately the second guy they decide to rob is the famous bandit, Fra Diavolo, the Devil's Brother played by Broadway star Dennis King in his second feature film role. And to top it all off, these two decide to impersonate Fra Diavolo while doing the robbery.King is justifiably angry about this and orders Stan to hang Ollie who he sizes up rather quickly as the brains of the outfit. But when Stan bungles the job in a most amusing manner, King decides these guys are worth having around for laughs.King's on quest, to rob nobleman James Finlayson of a fortune in jewels and then to woo the lovely Thelma Todd. At that point the action of the film and for that matter the operetta it's based on takes place in an inn where all the principals are staying. These also include Arthur Pierson as the earnest, but rather dull young French officer who wants to capture the notorious Fra Diavolo and Lucille Browne, the barmaid who loves the lug.Stan and Ollie give King cause to regret his choice of confederates on this job before the film is over. Let's just say the rotund Mr. Hardy is not built for swashbuckling and my favorite moment is seeing Ollie swinging from the balcony like the man on the flying trapeze. Best moment for Stan is him getting drunk in the wine cellar. There's a whole lot more.The Devil's Brother was their second film where they have supporting roles in a classic operetta. The first was The Rogue Song where they support Lawrence Tibbett which has unfortunately been lost. Dennis King who primarily concentrated on the stage in his career delivers a far better screen performance in this than he did when he repeated his Broadway role of Francois Villon in The Vagabond King. Dennis King had a strong voice, it's a pity he did not do more musical films.In the end their escape has to be seen to be believed. Let's just say that one of Stan's earlier gags came back to haunt the forces of law and order.The Devil's Brother is Stan and Ollie at their finest with Hal Roach, don't miss it if you are fan of their's.

This is an incredibly uninvolving Laurel and Hardy vehicle, as it is so chock full of opera-style singing that the comedy, at best, takes a secondary position. I have never really understood why this funny duo was periodically subjected to musical crap like this as well as THE ROGUE SONG or BABES IN TOYLAND. Think about it...Laurel and Hardy were the funniest and best known comedy team of the era and yet instead of leaving them to what they knew best, they stuck them in movies that alienated most of their fans. Plus, while I hate opera-style movies from the 30s, the fans of the genre must have also felt frustrated in having comedy interjected into it. The closest melding of these styles that actually worked were the cute films starring Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald.This film stars Dennis King as The Devil's Brother--a kissing bandit in 18th century Italy. Throughout most of the film, he croons to ravishing Thelma Todd in order to trick her out of her husband's fortune. There to assist him in his schemes are Stan and Ollie who just seem out of place and tacked on to the film. In addition, Stan and Ollie's routines are among the poorest I've seen. One involved Stan accidentally drinking a sleeping potion and another later involved Stan getting drunk and laughing. Both scenes went on way too long and milked a rather unfunny bit for all it was worth.My advice is only watch this after you've seen the rest of Laurel and Hardy's work. The only exceptions I can think of are their films of the 40s and 50s--these films made at the very end of their careers, if it was possible, are even worse than this musical fiasco.UPDATE: 9/2010--The Wheeler & Woolsey film "Cockeyed Cavaliers" was a costume comedy set during the same time period AND also featuring Thelma Todd. Now you might think I am crazy for saying this (especially since Stan & Ollie were great and Wheeler & Woolsey were usually pretty lame), but the Wheeler & Woolsey film is better, as the singing is not an important part of the film and what singing there is isn't operetta-style. Plus, the emphasis is first and foremost on the comedy team--which, sadly, is not true with "The Devil's Brother".

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy is one of the greatest comedic couple ever.In this movie they get to be the retainers of a singing bandit called Fra Diavolo(Dennis King).Of course, everything goes wrong, when Stanlio and Ollio are trying to do their job.The Devil's Brother is a great musical comedy.The movie contains some very funny moments, that just make you laugh.From the couple Laurel is the more childish one, who cries in these movies many times. Hardy is trying to be more adult, who is barely standing his friend.There isn't one problem, these two fellas can't manage with their own stupidness.