Brats (1930) - a Laurel and Hardy Review

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 The cartoon research has ended. Now we get back to films. I started with Laurel and Hardy (something I grew up with because my Dad loves this comedy duo). I did a blog on those two actors (click here for that blog) and now I'm reviewing more of their films. This one is called Brats from 1930. 

Fineartamerica.com

This one started slow, but got funnier the longer I watched it. I was also struck by the practical special effects in this short. They would achieve being the size of children by acting a huge set. Not to mention the water effect at the end and the mouse that shows up. You can also spot a stuntman rather easily (falling down stairs). The mouse looked like early CGI. 

I loved the physical comedy, as usual. The joke set-ups were great. For example, the billiards joke with the marshmallow and the chalk, the skate on the stairs, and the running water. I give this 10 stars (rounded up because I'm somewhere in between 9.5 and 10). It started slow, but definitely got better as it continued. I think MGM was messing with some tech because of that mouse's digital look. 

It looked like a lot of practical effects and effort went into that set. You can see they put more money into this. I don't usually see early CGI in these. All those big props and sets took effort, editing, and probably two sets. Water effects also take time to set up. I'm impressed with what they can do with early film techniques - because there was no green screen here. 


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