Watching Stan & Ollie try to speak French is a weird, delightful fever dream

Is this for you?

If you are a die-hard Laurel and Hardy completionist, you’re going to watch this regardless of what I say. If you just want a normal movie night, stay away. This is for the curious, the confused, and people who like seeing classic stars do things that feel slightly wrong.

Watching Stan and Ollie try to navigate French phonetics is like watching someone try to dance while wearing boots filled with sand. It’s not graceful, but it’s hard to look away. They are trying so hard to get the vowels right, but the classic body language is doing all the heavy lifting anyway.

The plot is basically just an excuse to have them sneak a dog into a building. It’s classic slapstick territory, but it feels like it’s happening in a parallel dimension because of the language barrier. I kept expecting them to break into their usual English rhythm, and when they don't, it’s genuinely disorienting.

The Dog Problem

The dog is the MVP here, really. It has more natural comedic timing than some of the human supporting cast. There’s a moment where they’re trying to hide the poor thing, and the way Ollie looks at the camera—that classic, frustrated, wide-eyed stare—is still perfect, even in French. It’s like, no matter the language, Ollie’s misery is universal. 🐕

The apartment building scenes feel a bit cramped, which I guess is the point. Everything feels a little dusty and staged, like they threw the set together in an afternoon. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing; it’s got that specific, low-budget charm that most of these early shorts have.

Odd Moments

• The French dialogue sounds like they’re reading off cards that were printed in the dark.
• The hallway sequence drags just enough to make you wonder if they’re actually going to get caught.
• Charlie Hall is lurking in the background, looking as perpetually annoyed as ever.

It’s nowhere near as polished or iconic as The Unholy Three or their bigger hits, but it’s a strange footnote in their career. It’s less of a 'film' and more of a weird experiment. Honestly, it feels like something you’d find on a dusty shelf in a basement.

I’m not sure who thought this was a good idea, but I’m glad it exists. Sometimes you don't need a masterpiece. You just need to see two guys from the US fumbling through a language they clearly didn't speak, all while protecting a dog from a grumpy landlord. It's ridiculous. I loved it.