Early to Bed (1928)
Directed by Emmett J. Flynn

Film Review

Early to Bed is one of Laurel and Hardy's weaker silent shorts and arguably their least memorable film from this era.  The jokes consist mainly of Stan and Ollie running around like schoolboys, kicking one another and smashing household objects - not exactly sophisticated slapstick.  The only gag that gets a laugh is the one in which Ollie pretends to be part of a garden fountain, although even this falls short of perfection by being too drawn out.  At the time, the film may have served to build the rapport between the two comics and help develop their familiar screen personas.  Unlike in virtually all of their subsequent films, Stan gets to play the dominant role here, and shows an uncharacteristic delight in physically abusing Ollie.  Early to Bed is significant in that it is only one of two films in which Laurel and Hardy appeared without any supporting artistes, the other being Brats (1930).

Film Synopsis

Ollie and Stan are once again on their uppers.  Homeless, jobless and penniless, Ollie is at his lowest ebb when he has a stroke of good fortune - his rich uncle has just died and left him his entire fortune.  In his state of euphoria, Ollie does not forget his friend Stan and, with his customary tact and magnanimity, he offers him the position of butler in his sumptuous mansion.  It is like a dream come true!  One evening, Ollie returns home from a party, clearly having imbibed more of the fizzy stuff than is good for him.  At this late hour Stan is in no mood for horseplay and, distinctly lacking in the milk of human kindess, sends his master to bed.  The light-headed Ollie insists that they play around before bedtime.  This puts Stan into a foul temper and he immediately hands in his notice.  When Ollie refuses to let him go, Stan sets about smashing everything in the house, before finally turning on his old buddy...