Two Tars

Two Tars
Two Tars
Directed by	James Parrott
Written by	Leo McCarey (story); H.M. Walker (titles)
Produced by	Hal Roach
Starring	Stan Laurel; Oliver Hardy; Charlie Hall; Edgar Kennedy; Thelma Hill; Ruby Blaine; Harry Bernard; Chet Brandenburg; Baldwin Cooke; Edgar Dearing; Frank Ellis; Helen Gilmore; Clara Guiol; Jack Hill;
Cinematography	George Stevens
Edited by	Richard C. Currier
Distributed by	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Release date	November 3, 1928;
Running time	21 minutes
Country	United States
Languages	Silent film; English (Original intertitles)

Two Tars is a silent short subject directed by James Parrott starring comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. It was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on November 3, 1928.

Plot

During a shore leave, two sailors opt to rent an automobile, with Laurel assuming the role of driver. However, his lack of proficiency behind the wheel leads to a near collision with a pedestrian at a street corner. Subsequently, Hardy takes over driving duties but promptly crashes the vehicle into a lamppost, prompting him to retreat in embarrassment. Their misadventures continue as they encounter two young women struggling with a malfunctioning vending machine. Hardy's attempt to resolve the situation results in the machine's destruction, exacerbating the situation.

Their actions draw the ire of the store proprietor, leading to a chaotic encounter where Laurel and Hardy find themselves entangled in the escalating conflict. Despite their efforts to flee, they inadvertently become embroiled in a larger-scale altercation involving numerous motorists. This conflict quickly escalates into a chaotic exchange of vehicular damage and improvised weaponry.

The arrival of law enforcement is met with further chaos, as a steamroller inadvertently incapacitates the officer's motorcycle. Seizing the opportunity, Laurel and Hardy escape into a nearby railway tunnel, leaving behind a trail of vehicular wreckage.

Cast

Stan Laurel - Stan
Oliver Hardy - Ollie
Edgar Kennedy - Motorist
Thelma Hill - Brunette girl
Ruby Blaine - Blonde girl
Harry Bernard - Truck driver
Chet Brandenburg - Motorist
Baldwin Cooke - Motorist
Edgar Dearing - Motorcycle policeman
Frank Ellis - Motorist
Helen Gilmore - Motorist
Clara Guiol - Motorist
Charlie Hall -Shopkeeper
Jack Hill - Motorist with mattress
Fred Holmes - Motorist
Ham Kinsey
Sam Lufkin
Charles McMurphy
Retta Palmer
Lon Poff
Thomas Benton Roberts
Charley Rogers
George Rowe
Lyle Tayo

Production

One of the most elaborate silent comedy shorts, Two Tars was filmed as a three reel (30-minute) comedy originally called Two Tough Tars and edited down to 20 minutes. The opening scenes were shot on Main Street in Culver City, and the car battle scenes were filmed in Santa Monica along what is now Centinela Avenue.

Sons of the Desert

Chapters — called Tents — of The Sons of the Desert, the international Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society, all take their names from L&H films. There are four Two Tars Tents in Solingen, Germany; Guernsey, Channel Islands; North Illinois/Wisconsin Border; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A fifth Two Tars Tent was established in Reidsville, North Carolina, but is no longer active.

References

External links

Two Tars at IMDb
Two Tars is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive
Two Tars at the TCM Movie Database (archived)
Two Tars at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
Two Tars at Rotten Tomatoes