Night Owls (1930 film)

Night Owls
Night Owls
Directed by	James Parrott
Written by	H.M. Walker
Produced by	Hal Roach
Starring	Stan Laurel; Oliver Hardy; Edgar Kennedy; James Finlayson
Cinematography	George Stevens
Edited by	Richard C. Currier
Music by	Marvin Hatley
Distributed by	Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer; DIC Entertainment (1990 re-release)
Release date	January 4, 1930;
Running time	20:44 (English); 36:06 (Spanish)
Country	United States
Language	English

Night Owls is a 1930 American Pre-Code Laurel and Hardy short film. It was filmed in October and November 1929, and released January 4, 1930.

Plot

Police officer Edgar Kennedy finds himself under pressure from his police chief to address a surge in burglaries within his jurisdiction or face dismissal from his position. Seeking a solution to appease his superior, Kennedy encounters vagrants Laurel and Hardy and devises a scheme to stage a burglary at the chief's residence in a bid to curry favor.

Initially hesitant due to the perceived risk, Laurel and Hardy are coerced into the plan by Kennedy's threats of severe punishment. Assured by Kennedy that he will ensure their release upon apprehension, the duo reluctantly agrees to participate. However, their endeavor is beset by numerous obstacles and complications.

Ultimately, as the plot unfolds, the chief discovers Kennedy in possession of stolen items within his own home, leading to the unraveling of the deceitful scheme. Despite encountering various challenges along the way, Laurel and Hardy manage to evade capture, escaping the predicament unscathed.

Cast

Stan Laurel as Stan Laurel
Oliver Hardy as Oliver "Ollie" Hardy
Edgar Kennedy as Officer Kennedy
James Finlayson as Butler Meadows
Anders Randolf as the Police Captain

Production

This was the first film to use their celebrated theme tune, "The 'Ku-Ku' Song", written by Marvin Hatley. The Film Classics reissue print features the instrumental version of Marvin Hatley's "Honolulu Baby" from the Sons of the Desert soundtrack in place of "The 'Ku-Ku' Song."

International versions

The film was also released in an alternate Spanish version,^[1] Ladrones,^[2]^[3]^[4] expanded to nearly four reels in length instead of the English two reels. The film was also released in an Italian version,^[1] Ladroni, and in an Esperanto version Ŝtelistoj, which are both now lost. The foreign versions retained not only the headliners, but Edgar Kennedy and James Finlayson as well. The English and Spanish versions are available on DVD.

References

^ ^a ^b "Variety's Bulletin Condensed". Variety. Vol. C, no. 4. August 6, 1930. p. 28. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
^ "Garbo's KISS May Set Foreign System". Variety. Vol. XCVIII, no. 8. March 5, 1930. p. 5. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
^ Schallert, Edwin; Schallert, Elza (May 1930). "Hollywood High Lights". Picture Play Magazine. Vol. XXXII, no. 3. Street & Smith Publications. p. 53. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
^ Schallert, Edwin; Schallert, Elza (February 1930). "Hollywood High Lights". Picture Play Magazine. Vol. XXXI, no. 6. Street & Smith Publications. p. 94. Retrieved August 9, 2019.