March Of The Wooden Soldiers – A Priceless Nine-Reel Comedy (DVD Video)

Product Details

• UPC: 5060000404081
• Product Type: DVD Video
• Format: DVD, Dolby Stereo, NTSC
• Aspect Ratio: 4.3
• Running Time: Approximately 77 minutes
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance; general viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children)
• Release Year: 1934 (original film production; bonus feature from 1915)
• Language: English
• Studio: Hal Roach Studios (veteran Laurel and Hardy producer)
• Directors: Gus Meins and Charles R. Rogers

Overview

"March Of The Wooden Soldiers" is a timeless family comedy that stands as a true gem among the Laurel and Hardy filmographies. In this classic 1934 production, Stan Laurel ("Stannie Dum") and Oliver Hardy ("Ollie Dee") play endearing toymakers in the whimsical realm of Toyland. Their well-intentioned efforts to fulfill Santa Claus's order go hilariously awry when a misinterpreted request results in 100 six-foot high toy soldiers—rather than the intended 600 one-foot high figures. When the villainous Barnaby and his eerie Bogeymen invade Toyland, our bumbling heroes rise to the occasion, saving the beautiful Bo Peep (Charlotte Henry) and restoring cheer to the land.

Not only is this film celebrated for its lavish fantasy sets and memorable musical sequences, but it is also recognized as a personal favorite of Oliver Hardy. Over time, censorship and even a poorly executed remake kept this classic out of the limelight, making its rediscovery all the more poignant for fans of early Hollywood comedy.

French Translation – Overview (Vue d'ensemble) :
« March Of The Wooden Soldiers » est une comédie familiale intemporelle, véritable bijou dans la filmographie de Laurel et Hardy. Dans cette production classique de 1934, Stan Laurel (« Stannie Dum ») et Oliver Hardy (« Ollie Dee ») interprètent d’attachants fabricants de jouets dans le monde féerique de Toyland. Leurs efforts bien intentionnés pour honorer la commande du Père Noël tournent à la catastrophe hilarante lorsqu’une mauvaise interprétation aboutit à la production de 100 soldats-jouets de six pieds de hauteur — au lieu des 600 soldats d’un pied initialement prévus. Lorsque le malfaisant Barnaby et ses spectres envahissent Toyland, nos héros maladroits se hissent au rang de sauveurs en délivrant la ravissante Bo Peep (Charlotte Henry) et en ramenant la joie dans le royaume.

Product Features

• Historic Significance:
  A rare example of family entertainment from the golden era of Laurel and Hardy, produced by the acclaimed Hal Roach Studios.
• Lavish Fantasy Sets:
  Known for its elaborate production design and engaging operetta-style narrative, making it a standout among feature-length comedies.
• Beloved Performances:
  Starring the iconic duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, with additional memorable support from Charlotte Henry as Bo Peep and Henry Brandon as the villain Barnaby.
• Bonus Feature:
  Includes one of Stan Laurel's earliest films, "Hustling For Health" (1915), offering fans a glimpse into the origins of his cinematic career.
• Family Entertainment:
  While the film maintains a PG rating, its blend of visual comedy, charming songs, and adventurous spirit makes it a delight for family viewing.

Interesting Facts

• Personal Favorite:
  Oliver Hardy considered "March Of The Wooden Soldiers" as his personal favorite among Laurel and Hardy’s operettas.
• Cultural Impact:
  Originally produced during the height of the Hal Roach Studios era, the film was later seldom seen in public due to censorship cuts and a sub-par remake by Walt Disney in 1961.
• Censorship and Legacy:
  Noteworthy for the fact that certain scenes and musical numbers were often edited out during TV broadcasts, contributing to its "lost" status among classic comedies.
• Star-Studded Production:
  Bo Peep is played by Charlotte Henry, widely known as a popular child star of the 1930s, further cementing the film’s place in early cinema history.

French Translation – Interesting Facts (Faits Intéressants) :

• Coup de cœur d’Oliver Hardy :
  Oliver Hardy considérait "March Of The Wooden Soldiers" comme l’une de ses favorites parmi les opéras-comiques de Laurel et Hardy.
• Impact culturel :
  Produit à l’apogée des studios Hal Roach, le film fut par la suite rarement diffusé en raison de cessions de scènes et d’un remake médiocre réalisé par Walt Disney en 1961.
• Censure et héritage :
  Certains passages et numéros musicaux furent souvent coupés lors des diffusions télévisées, contribuant ainsi à son statut de film « perdu » parmi les classiques de la comédie.
• Production étoilée :
  Le rôle de Bo Peep, interprété par Charlotte Henry – une enfant vedette des années 1930 – renforce le prestige historique du film.

Plot Summary

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy lightheartedly tackle the challenges of being toymakers in Toyland. Their misadventures begin when a misunderstanding with Santa Claus results in a comically oversized toy army. As chaos erupts with the arrival of Barnaby and his minions, the duo's inadvertent heroism shines through when they rescue Bo Peep and save the day.

Publishers

This DVD is part of a timeless collection of Laurel and Hardy’s cinematic masterpieces, masterfully produced by Hal Roach Studios. The restoration and distribution are managed by Eureka Video.
For more information and additional classic titles, please visit the Eureka Video website at www.eurekavideo.demon.co.uk.

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Hashtags

English:

#LaurelAndHardy #MarchOfTheWoodenSoldiers #ClassicComedy #HalRoachStudios #VintageFilm #FamilyEntertainment #OldHollywood #SilentEraComedy #EurekaVideo #TimelessCinema

French (Hashtags):

#LaurelAndHardy #MarchOfTheWoodenSoldiers #ComédieClassique #HalRoachStudios #FilmVintage #DivertissementFamilial #HollywoodDantan #ComédieAuCinéma #EurekaVideo #CinémaIntemporel