Cheap Laurel & Hardy:Berth Marks (Video) Price

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Customer Reviews of Laurel & Hardy:Berth Marks

The two are part of a vaudeville act and are getting on a train to go to Pottsville, brining along with them their fiddle. They come into a number of problems while on this train, such as trying to fit into a bed that is way too small for the two of them. They finally manage to get in it, and then decide to change clothes in the extremely cramped space. When they are just going to to sleep the train makes it to their destination where they get off. Once off the train, Stan realizes he has left the fiddle on the train, and Ollie obviously takes out his anger.

There are a few amusing parts in this short. Particularly a scene where the passengers on the train find themselves tearing each others jackets, etc, apart, due to a little thing that Stan kind of started near the beginning of the train trip. There are also parts though, that drag on a bit. The ending is quite funny. So while far, far from one of their best, it is worthwile seeing.

I cannot comment on this edition to video, since I do not own, and have therefore not viewed it either. I do however feel that this is a colourized version. If thats your thing, fine. I personally hate colourizations of black and white filmed movies. This short can be found on a number of DVD editions. Inparticularly, a Region 2 release of a huge Laurel and Hardy set (which is near enough complete) which has been released in the UK.

Yes, it's different.
Yes, the earliness of 'Berth Marks' is its salient trait. But what could be funnier than the line delivered by the train conductor, when told the boys are a 'big-time vaudeville act' going to Pottsville: "Well, I'll bet yer GOOD," as they look uncomprehending. Granted the assorted contortions in the upper berth go on too long. But in the final scene, when Ollie lobs a stone at the fleeing Stan (for having left their fiddle behind on the now-departed train) and clunks him, and Stan picks up a stone to lob back then thinks better of it, we have vintage L&H. It's a personal favorite of mine, not least for the bouncy musical score...but it IS different, because it is EARLY!

Awkward early-talkie experiment, but the added color helps
"Berth Marks" is one of Laurel & Hardy's earliest sound films. The cast and crew had not yet perfected the talkie format, so the pacing is awkward and the ad-libbed dialogue is repetitive. The first few minutes are amusing, with Stan and Ollie hurriedly trying to board a train, but the rest of the film is slow and tentative, as the boys try to get settled in their berth. (The feature "The Big Noise" uses the same routine to better effect.) Below average for the team, but the colorization is excellent and adds some novelty value for L & H completists. Casual fans should try another L & H comedy first.