Utopia

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Denny S After wrapping up their 20th Century Fox commitment in 1945 -- where the studio mishandled the duo with poor scripts -- they embarked on a European tour, where they were warmly received. One thing led to another, and a European film offer came through. The boys took it, but there was already a complication It was an Italian-French production and there had to be Italian and French performers in the film. Since these individuals did not speak English, they recited their dialogue in Italian and French, with Stan and Ollie responding in English and then the non-English lines were dubbed into the final film. Imagine making a film that way. On top of that Stan got very ill during the shoot and not only dropped considerable weight, but looks ragged and sickly. Hardy went the other way...balooning to his heaviest yet. Shot in 1950, released in 1951, it is a sad farewell. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 07/02/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a sad film, not only because Stan was so ill during most of the shooting, but because there was so much potential in this being a respectable film for Laurel and Hardy after a string of junk made at Fox and MGM after their brilliant years with Hal Roach. The premise of inheriting an island has potential, but the film was financed by and Italian and French co-operative who each insisted on French and Italian actors being in the cast. OK, fine, but during filming, the French actors spoke French and the Italian actors spoke Italian and Stan and Ollie answered in English! They later dubbed the foreign actors in English in post production, but how Laurel and Hardy did scenes this way is astonishing. The film has its moments, but a sad swan song to the greatest comedy duo in the history of film. Rated 1.5/5 Stars •  Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member Woeful stuff. Anyone who rates this is clearly no Laurel and Hardy fan. What was charming and effortless about their early masterpieces has become tired and boring, not helped by inept direction and the obvious evidence that they were both unwell during filming. Stan Laurel in particular looks terrible, with the effect that you spend the time worrying about the cost these physical gags must be having on him. Filming took twelve months, and it feels like it. A sad finale for these great comedians. Rated 1.5/5 Stars •  Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review martin a As far as the duo's films go, this is less slapstick and more of a serious film with a great story, and enjoyable dialogue. It did not deserve the negative reviews at the time, the actual filming was plagued with problems, but I found it better than the usual stuff Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member It's also known as Utopia, but for Laurel & Hardy, this film was pure Hell. Laurel became ill and shows, it, and Hardy wasn't feeling so good himself. Still there are the occasional moments when they remind you they're still Laurel & Hardy. One moment got me; L&H and their friends are sitting down to breakfast when they hear bad news and begin crying. Hardy and the others are too upset to eat, but Laurel, through wailing louder than the rest of them put together, never stops serving himself for an instant. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review andy f Lambasted by supposed critics, Laurel and Hardy's last movie is a charmer. The duo never lost their comic touch and though the funny moments are too thin, this is a much underrated film. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Utopia

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