Berth Marks: A Hilarious Ride to Pottsville with Laurel & Hardy

Berth Marks: Chaos in a Tiny Train Car 🚂

Alright, so if you're into classic, no-frills physical comedy, Berth Marks is an absolute treat. This is for the folks who love Laurel and Hardy’s particular brand of escalating absurdity. If you need a deep story or fast-paced modern humor, well, you might want to skip this one.

The premise is as simple as it gets: Stan and Ollie, musicians heading to a show in Pottsville, just need to get comfy in their train’s sleeping car berth. Sounds easy, right? Not when you’re these two. And not when the berth is impossibly, hilariously small.

The whole short is basically a masterclass in how to turn a mundane task into utter pandemonium. Ollie, as usual, tries to maintain some dignity, attempting to navigate the cramped space with a straight face. Stan, bless his heart, is just a walking disaster waiting to happen, perpetually in the way.

You see them wrestle with the bed, try to get undressed without flashing anyone, and generally make more noise than humanly possible. There’s a brilliant moment where Ollie is trying to put on his pajamas, and Stan’s just *there*, a human obstacle, completely oblivious. It’s so real, that frustration.

And then there’s the poor woman in the next berth, trying desperately to get some sleep. The way they keep waking her up, unintentionally, by just existing loudly, is gold. You don't even need to see her face clearly to feel her escalating annoyance. It's all in the subtle shakes of the curtain.

Even the conductor gets in on the act, his face a perfect picture of exasperated resignation. He just *knows* these two. They’re _that_ pair.

The pacing of the gags is spot-on. It starts small, with a foot getting stuck or a head bopped, then just builds and builds. By the end, when everything just falls apart, you can’t help but laugh. It’s not trying to be clever, just pure, unadulterated slapstick fun.

This film really shines in how it takes a tiny, everyday annoyance – like a cramped space – and just blows it up. It’s a snapshot of Laurel and Hardy at their absolute best, showcasing their unique chemistry and timing. A real gem for anyone who appreciates the classics.

Little things I noticed:

• That one shot of Stan trying to peek through the curtains while Ollie's trying to get changed. His curiosity is just too much.
• The way Ollie tries to use his top hat as a pillow. Doesn't last long, does it?
• The sheer number of times the woman in the next berth’s curtain gets yanked open. She must have been fuming!
• The conductor’s subtle head shake when he sees them struggling. Priceless.