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Often hailed as the greatest fantasy film ever made, The Thief of Bagdad (1940) was producer Alexander Korda's crowning achievement. Deservedly winning Academy Awards^® for art direction, color cinematography, and special effects, this Arabian Nights adventure appeals to all ages with its fantastical tale of Abu (Sabu), the little thief who befriends the prince of Bagdad (John Justin) and foils the nefarious plans of the evil grand vizier (Conrad Veidt), who seizes control of Bagdad and covets the princess of Basra (Joan Duprez). From its gorgeous, epic-scale sets to flying horses, magic carpets, and, best of all, Rex Ingram's towering jinni of the bottle, this Thief has all the magic of the tales that inspired it, and vibrant Technicolor brings it all to life in dazzling style. Six esteemed directors worked on this infamously troubled production, but the final result exceeded all expectations, becoming an instant classic that endures to this day. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Greatest golden age fantasy still well worth owning
This masterpiece, often referred to as the greatest fantasy movie ever, still holds up well over 60 years later. The Thief of Bagad has a terrific story with enchanting magic, enticing romance and terrific suspense. The acting is absolutely superb with fine performances turned in by Sabu the little thief, Rex Ingram as the powerful and scary genie, and Conrad Veidt who as the evil Vizier Jaffar is one of the best villians ever. John Justin, the blinded Caliph and his beloved princess (June Deprez) provide an engaging and often tragic romance that lends terrific depth to this story.

Best yet is the awesome imagination brought to life in this masterpiece epic. While some of the effects show their age (The spider, for instance), others, such as the flying mechanical horse and the magical carpet are still captivating. The immense attention to detail is evident in the palaces, the ships and the sultan's toy collection. Miklos Rosza's musical score along with this movie's wonderful cinematography recreates the legendary time of the Arabian Nights.

For my one complaint, while this movie clearly rates 5 stars, I'm knocking my review down to 4 stars due to the lack of DVD extras. When compared to spectacular golden age DVDs like Robin Hood, one begins wish all were made this way. Children from 8-13 (as well as adults) will still find joy in this delightful picture.

Brilliant Fantasy Adventure!!!
A blinded beggar, Ahmad, with his wise dog, is begging for food and coins in the harbor of a distant city. The Grand Vizier Jaffar requests that the beggar should be brought to the palace to help his beloved Princess wake up from a deep trance like sleep, since legends tell him that only a blind man can awaken the princess. During the blind man's visit, he tells the story of his life and how he once was the King of Bagdad and his dog was a thief named Abu. The story also reveals that he was blinded by the evil Vizier Jaffar and how he fell in love with the Princess. Thief of Bagdad is a captivating fantasy tale with magical items, dubious creatures, and enchanting adventures of a long lost king. The wide variety of creatures, items, and adventures is delicately balanced with a well written story, precise cinematography, and special effects that do not ruin the story despite the age of the film. The experience that is provided through this cinematic event is a magical story that offers both entertainment as well as contemplation, which is useful for young and old.

A masterpiece to been seen by all generations
"The Thief of Baghdad" is a masterpiece and should be seen by the present and future generations. It is a movie complete and all its aspects. I was 10 when I first saw "The Thief of Baghdad" and since then I could never forget the moments of enchantment it brought to me everytime (more than 10 times)I went to the movies to see it on the big screen. It was and still is my fantasy favorite movie. In the Middle 60's I finally found a copy in 16mm at a distributor and had to rent a projector to show the film at home. Although the copy was in very bad conditions I could even so, be able to go back to the days of my childhood while enjoying this wondereful film.
Recently I púrchased a VHS copy at Amazon[.com] and virtually "obliged" my 18 year-old daughter to watch it. It was a prize to have the film with me at all times. The new edition in DVD is perfect and reveals all the splendor the film brings.

A Fairy Tale concealing the Prennial Wisdom
I first saw this movie as a child in the 1940's. The effects were the best ever for the time, and even look really good today. This is another hero tale complete with a lowly but likable thief who undergoes the classic perils all heros face, but the placement is beaufifully fantasic with the mystery of sultans, evil vizer, genii, minerets, blue rosess of forgetfulness, and magical toys that come to life in Baghdad and Basra. It became my family's all time favorite, along with another Sabu movie, Jungle Book. If this is the type of fantasy and truth you like, go for it.

A Dream
Superb remake of Douglas Fairbanks silent classic; with Sabu as the charming little thief, helping a blinded caliph (John Justin), victim of evil Jaffar (Conrad Veidt), to recover her position and her sweetheart (June Duprez), setting for just amazing adventures.

Filled with wild ideas (the menacing shadow of Jaffar, the blue rose, the horse-toy, the sculpture of many hands, the giant spider, the laughing Genius), and a very, very beautiful color photography (June Duprez is beautiful and John Justin's eyes sparkle with intensity), this film is a certainly unspeakable dazzle for me. ... Read more

Description

4 Classic Vivien Leigh Movies on 2 DVDs
Digitally Re-Mastered

Dark Journey (1937, also starring Conrad Veidt) Madeline Goddard (Leigh), is a British double agent who meets and falls in love with a German spy Baron Karl Von Marwitz (Veidt) during WWI.This tale of espionage blends high adventure and romance making perfect order from wartime chaos and growing faith from despair.

Fire Over England (1937, also starring Laurence Olivier and Raymond Massey) Spain and England clash in this exciting war adventure.After a foiled plot to depose Queen Elizabeth I, Michael Ingolby (Olivier) goes undercover to infiltrate the court of King Phillip the II of Spain.

Sidewalks Of London (a.k.a St. Martin's Lane. 1938, also starring Charles Laughton and Rex Harrison)Charles Saggers (Laughton) adds a talented dancer and pickpocket, Libby (Leigh), to his sidewalk act in London theater district.Theater patron, Harley Prentiss (Harrison) is impressed by Libby's dancing.A theatrical career is launched when Libby attends Prentiss' after-the-play-party alone.

Storm In A Teacup (1937, also starring Rex Harrison) An English newspaper reporter, Frank Burdon (Harrison), meets the beautiful Victoria Gow (Leigh), daughter of a wealthy legal figure in town.When Leigh's father orders an impoverished woman's dog be destroyed, Frank tries to save the dog's life. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent set, actually great quality.
I can't fathom why the first review hit out at the picture/sound quality of this set, these movies were made in the thirties so you can hardly expect a crisp picture and crystal clear audio. I was able to understand and enjoy every selection on these discs, and found the transfer to DVD quite wonderful.

Just wanted others to know if you're a fan of Leigh, this set collects some grand gems!

my two cents
I love old movies, that is pretty much all I buy. I bought this because very few of Vivien Leigh's films are on DVD. I enjoyed "Storm In A Teacup".......BUT...the film quality of this set is so poor it is completely unwatchable so don't waste your money. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A sad ending
This very last movie Laurel & Hardy made was a disaster. They expected to film for about a month but it took a year to complete. Stan fell ill and had to undergo surgery. After having been released from hospital he should have taken a rest but being a professional he felt obligated to make the movie.
He was in a lot of pain and it certainly shows in this film. Stan also lost a lot of weight and both looked old and tired, which was partially due to the fact that the director had them waiting for days before calling them for some scenes.
Don't ever start a collection with this one. It might put you off for the rest of your life!

A Sad Farewell
I have mixed emotions about this one. Laurel and Hardy fans SHOULD see this one, because it is the last film the boys did.
But be prepared, Stan was in poor health at the time. He was a diabetic and suffered terribly during the heat. He was only 60, but looked like death warmed over. The film is NOT typical L&H comedy, but a poor attmept at political satire. Sorry folks, that just WASN'T the boys style. With poorly dubbed dialog for the non-English speaking performers, it's a little irritating at first. There is still some magic left, like Stan "burping" his pet lobster, when he and Ollie take the boat engine apart, only to have the pieces fall overboard and where Stan pours oil over troubled water. I just wish the film had been made when the boys were in better health and could have had more controll. In his final years,even Stan called this film an "abortion" True fans of L&H should remember them in their prime, like "The Music Box"
and "Way Out West"

A sad farewell to the screen's greatest comic team
"Utopia" was originally released in 1952 as "Atoll K" and later as "Robinson Crusoeland," and finds an aging Laurel & Hardy have inherited a yacht and an island. The boys set off to see along with a refugee as their cook and a stowaway. The yacht sinks in a storm, but a newly created atoll (hence the original title) emerges from the sea to give them a place to live. They are then joined on their new little paradise by Suzy Delair, who is running away from a jealous fiancee. Together they all create their own private little utopia, where everything is just perfect until uranium is discovered and all of the nations of the world begin to battle over ownership of the atoll. Just as the boys are about to be lynched, the atoll sinks back beneath the seas. Whatever its title, this final film from Laurel & Hardy certainly provides mixed feelings. The political satire angle is ambitious, but scarcely appropriate for comedians who rely so much on visual humor (compare with the Marx Brother's classic "Duck Soup"), although the sequence where Hardy distributes key political posts to everyone but Laurel (he gets to be "The People") is good. But most of the sight gags are not typical Laurel & Hardy routines and several people have claimed the best gags were cut from the film. There is also the shock of the appearance of Stan Laurel, who had been ill before the production and looks like he is at death's door. "Utopia" is a sad farewell to the screen's greatest comic team.

an exellent movie
THIS FRENCH MOVIE -YES THE PRODUCERS ARE FRENCH- PUT OLLIE AND STAND IN AN ISLAND. THIS MOVIE IS ONE THE LAST MOVIES THEY FILMED ... Read more

Reviews (12)

half good/half bad
Flying Deuces is perhaps the best Laurel & hardy film ever. I loved it, however it is offset by possibly the worst Laurel & Hardy film ever in "Utopia", Stan Laurel looked very thin and unhealthy and old and Hardy was the biggest he had ever been in the films...although there were humorous parts to it overall it was a pretty big stinker...but "Flying Deuces" is worth the purchase by itself.

From the French Foreign Legion to Utopia w/Laurel & Hardy
This DVD combines an above-average Laurel & Hardy effort wit the last feature film produced by the screen's greatest comedy team. "The Flying Deuces" gets its name from the final sequence where Laurel & Hardy escape from a firing squad in an airplane. The boys get in this predicament because Ollie is jilted by his girl friend (Jean Parker) and wants to commit suicide. Despite Stan's more than willing help the attempt fails and the boys end up joining the French Foreign Legion instead. Needless to say, Stan and Ollie are not very good soldiers, hence the appointment with the firing squad. The comedy routines in the film are okay, but there is nothing special. The best moments are the more musical ones, especially a nice soft-shoe routine and Stan playing a prison bedspring like a harp. Not a classic, but certainly a worthwhile effort from the boys. This 1939 seven-reeler was directed by Edward Sutehrland for RKO and co-stars Charles Middleton, James Finlayson, Reginald Gardiner, Jean Del Val and Clem Wilenchick. Note: One of the writers receiving screenplay credit for "The Flying Deuces" was Harry Langdon, the great silent comic who was just a notch below the celebrated triumvirate of Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd.

"Utopia" was originally released in 1952 as "Atoll K" and later as "Robinson Crusoeland," and finds an aging Laurel & Hardy have inherited a yacht and an island. The boys set off to see along with a refugee as their cook and a stowaway. The yacht sinks in a storm, but a newly created atoll (hence the original title) emerges from the sea to give them a place to live. They are then joined on their new little paradise by Suzy Delair, who is running away from a jealous fiancee. Together they all create their own private little utopia, where everything is just perfect until uranium is discovered and all of the nations of the world begin to battle over ownership of the atoll. Just as the boys are about to be lynched, the atoll sinks back beneath the seas. Whatever its title, this final film from Laurel & Hardy certainly provides mixed feelings. The political satire angle is ambitious, but scarcely appropriate for comedians who rely so much on visual humor (compare with the Marx Brother's classic "Duck Soup"), although the sequence where Hardy distributes key political posts to every but Laurel (he gets to be "The People") is good. But most of the sight gags are not typical Laurel & Hardy routines and several people have claimed the best gags were cut from the film. There is also the shock of the appearance of Stan Laurel, who had been ill before the production and looks like he is at death's door. "Utopia" is a sad farewell to the screen's greatest comic team.

Audio not in sync
The movies are good, especially Flying Deuces, not so much Utopia but the aggravating thing is poor quality of the Madacy distributed DVD. It sucks. The audio is not in sync with the video, not even close. What a ripoff, why can't they get such a simple thing like that right? Save your money !!

Mixed Bag
This is a mixed bag from L&H. Being that it's probably in the Public Domain, "Flying Deuces" is all over the place on DVD and when I was a kid in the 70s, it showed up a lot on TV.

This was a pretty good film. The other reviewers have discussed the plot, so I won't go there. Not up to the (sadly) seldom seen "Pardon Us" or "Pack Up Your Troubles," but a good time-killer. There is an oddly moving scene where Ollie tries to talk Stan into joining him in a foiled suicide effort by saying, "What will you do? Without me, people will stare at you and wonder what you are." Stan cries without going into his usual whiny shtick. This leaves a bizzare, but touching aftertaste. Then there's the famous "Shine On Harvest Moon Sequence." This scene, like much of the movie, doesn't exactly cause you to bust a gut and slap your knees, but it does make you smile.

Utopia is another matter. This is a really strange story about L&H inheriting an island and trying to start their own society with a group of castaways. The only reason anyone needs to see it is so that they could say they saw the last L&H film. I tried to watch this one 4 times before I could get all the way through without falling asleep. Peee-ooey. What a sad way to go.

just to clear things up
i just wanted to clear things up for some of the laurel and hardy fans out there. i bought this dvd with some doubt because i heard the sound was out of sync. this is not true and the sound and video are just fine and easily watchable. the picture quality isn't top notch by today's standards, but definitely nice, nothing you'll hate.

as for the content, the movies aren't the greatest things they've made, but its a good watch if youre looking for something to relax to at night.

note, if youre trying to decide which dvd to buy, and can't decide. DEFINITELY pick up the dvd that has "busy bodies" on it. i recently bought that one as well, and i must say thats my favorite film with those two. the dvd also has 4 other episodes on it. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good Ole Oater...But....Not The Best Buy...
Rage At Dawn": From 1955, this one is in technicolor and is based on the Reno Brothers. Robbing banks, terrorizing the good townspeople, and just being a general menace to society, these guys needed to be stopped! Enter one brave lawman James Barlow( Randolph Scott), who infiltrates the outfit and tries to restore law and order to the community. It's not easy though, as the town leaders are getting kick backs from the bad guys are are not willing partcipants to seeing justice done! More wonderful stars include Forrest Tucker and an appearance by Edgar Buchanan. Directed by Tim Whelan.

This film may also be purchased in a set of 4 other "oaters" by Platinum disc. The set is called "Great American Western Vol 1".
The other films included are "To The Last Man"/1933,"The Fighting Westerner"/1935, and "Abilene Town"/1946. They all star Randolph Scott, and include lots of famous faces from the era. There are many of these sets available with up to 40 films, and for those who love these old oaters is a much more inexpensive way to go. These films are not pristeen. The older ones show their age. There are scatches from the prints, and there is occasional humming noise in the background. But for the most part the pictures themselves were surprisingly clear and all have had the sound enhanced in DD5.1.The color seemed a little off in "Rage At Dawn"....But hey..for the price, I thought Platinum, did a great job of putting together so many of these packages for us Western lovers to choose from. There isn't anything on these transfers that take away from the enjoyment of the view, and from what I have read here, there isnt anything better about this more expensive edition.

Happy Trails...and enjoy...Laurie

Roan needs to go back to the studio on this one
This is a great old "B" western, starring Randolph Scott, and some great character actors in Edgar Buchanan and Denver Pyle.

As for Roan Group's transfer of this movie...I'm sure it is better than those cheapy pan and scan transfers offered by other companies of public domain movies.

However....

While I've been pretty impressed with Roan up to now, I'd have to say that this...the first anamorphic widescreen movie I've purchased from them...needs a lot of work.

From the outset, the picture is jittery, making the opening credits quite challenging. Add to that, quite a bit of source damage, a general picture softness, and, toward the end, a good amount of grain, and you have what would be considered a "bad" transfer by a major studio.

Odd thing about the DVD is....the theatrical trailer has a superb picture...quite the opposite of most releases. This shows that most of the problem with this DVD was probably the source movie. I'd recommend Roan take another shot at this one...or at least learn a lesson on their future anamorphic releases.

Sturdy Randolph Scott Western...
Another offering from the Roan Group.

"Rage at Dawn" is an interesting, but not particularly classic western. What makes it stand apart from most is the introduction of espionage.

Sturdy as ever, Scott is a "Peterson" man, an obvious allusion to the famous Pinkerton Detective Agency. He must infiltrate a gang of murderous outlaw brothers, and trick them into causing their own downfall. Their beautiful sister, a non-crook, and Scott naturally hit it off.

Familiar faces? How about a clean-shaven Denver Pyle? Pyle, best known to TV viewers of the 1970's as the white-bearded Mad Jack on "Grizzly Adams", or Uncle Jessie Duke on "The Dukes of Hazzard", Pyle was a supporting player in many westerns. Here, he plays the good brother who won't join in with his brothers' crookery.

Then there's Edgar Buchanan, famous as old Uncle Joe from "Petticoat Junction". In this film, he plays a crooked judge, on the bad brothers' payroll.

Of course, Forrest Tucker is the head bad guy, and J. Carrol Naish is along as another bad brother.

A good, sturdy western, with Scott playing his usual smiling tough guy (kind of a non-emoting Gary Cooper). Always fun to see Scott playing it cool in the face of the bad guys. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A sad ending
This very last movie Laurel & Hardy made was a disaster. They expected to film for about a month but it took a year to complete. Stan fell ill and had to undergo surgery. After having been released from hospital he should have taken a rest but being a professional he felt obligated to make the movie.
He was in a lot of pain and it certainly shows in this film. Stan also lost a lot of weight and both looked old and tired, which was partially due to the fact that the director had them waiting for days before calling them for some scenes.
Don't ever start a collection with this one. It might put you off for the rest of your life!

A Sad Farewell
I have mixed emotions about this one. Laurel and Hardy fans SHOULD see this one, because it is the last film the boys did.
But be prepared, Stan was in poor health at the time. He was a diabetic and suffered terribly during the heat. He was only 60, but looked like death warmed over. The film is NOT typical L&H comedy, but a poor attmept at political satire. Sorry folks, that just WASN'T the boys style. With poorly dubbed dialog for the non-English speaking performers, it's a little irritating at first. There is still some magic left, like Stan "burping" his pet lobster, when he and Ollie take the boat engine apart, only to have the pieces fall overboard and where Stan pours oil over troubled water. I just wish the film had been made when the boys were in better health and could have had more controll. In his final years,even Stan called this film an "abortion" True fans of L&H should remember them in their prime, like "The Music Box"
and "Way Out West"

A sad farewell to the screen's greatest comic team
"Utopia" was originally released in 1952 as "Atoll K" and later as "Robinson Crusoeland," and finds an aging Laurel & Hardy have inherited a yacht and an island. The boys set off to see along with a refugee as their cook and a stowaway. The yacht sinks in a storm, but a newly created atoll (hence the original title) emerges from the sea to give them a place to live. They are then joined on their new little paradise by Suzy Delair, who is running away from a jealous fiancee. Together they all create their own private little utopia, where everything is just perfect until uranium is discovered and all of the nations of the world begin to battle over ownership of the atoll. Just as the boys are about to be lynched, the atoll sinks back beneath the seas. Whatever its title, this final film from Laurel & Hardy certainly provides mixed feelings. The political satire angle is ambitious, but scarcely appropriate for comedians who rely so much on visual humor (compare with the Marx Brother's classic "Duck Soup"), although the sequence where Hardy distributes key political posts to everyone but Laurel (he gets to be "The People") is good. But most of the sight gags are not typical Laurel & Hardy routines and several people have claimed the best gags were cut from the film. There is also the shock of the appearance of Stan Laurel, who had been ill before the production and looks like he is at death's door. "Utopia" is a sad farewell to the screen's greatest comic team.

an exellent movie
THIS FRENCH MOVIE -YES THE PRODUCERS ARE FRENCH- PUT OLLIE AND STAND IN AN ISLAND. THIS MOVIE IS ONE THE LAST MOVIES THEY FILMED ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good Ole Oater...But....Not The Best Buy...
Rage At Dawn": From 1955, this one is in technicolor and is based on the Reno Brothers. Robbing banks, terrorizing the good townspeople, and just being a general menace to society, these guys needed to be stopped! Enter one brave lawman James Barlow( Randolph Scott), who infiltrates the outfit and tries to restore law and order to the community. It's not easy though, as the town leaders are getting kick backs from the bad guys are are not willing partcipants to seeing justice done! More wonderful stars include Forrest Tucker and an appearance by Edgar Buchanan. Directed by Tim Whelan.

This film may also be purchased in a set of 4 other "oaters" by Platinum disc. The set is called "Great American Western Vol 1".
The other films included are "To The Last Man"/1933,"The Fighting Westerner"/1935, and "Abilene Town"/1946. They all star Randolph Scott, and include lots of famous faces from the era. There are many of these sets available with up to 40 films, and for those who love these old oaters is a much more inexpensive way to go. These films are not pristeen. The older ones show their age. There are scatches from the prints, and there is occasional humming noise in the background. But for the most part the pictures themselves were surprisingly clear and all have had the sound enhanced in DD5.1.The color seemed a little off in "Rage At Dawn"....But hey..for the price, I thought Platinum, did a great job of putting together so many of these packages for us Western lovers to choose from. There isn't anything on these transfers that take away from the enjoyment of the view, and from what I have read here, there isnt anything better about this more expensive edition.

Happy Trails...and enjoy...Laurie

Roan needs to go back to the studio on this one
This is a great old "B" western, starring Randolph Scott, and some great character actors in Edgar Buchanan and Denver Pyle.

As for Roan Group's transfer of this movie...I'm sure it is better than those cheapy pan and scan transfers offered by other companies of public domain movies.

However....

While I've been pretty impressed with Roan up to now, I'd have to say that this...the first anamorphic widescreen movie I've purchased from them...needs a lot of work.

From the outset, the picture is jittery, making the opening credits quite challenging. Add to that, quite a bit of source damage, a general picture softness, and, toward the end, a good amount of grain, and you have what would be considered a "bad" transfer by a major studio.

Odd thing about the DVD is....the theatrical trailer has a superb picture...quite the opposite of most releases. This shows that most of the problem with this DVD was probably the source movie. I'd recommend Roan take another shot at this one...or at least learn a lesson on their future anamorphic releases.

Sturdy Randolph Scott Western...
Another offering from the Roan Group.

"Rage at Dawn" is an interesting, but not particularly classic western. What makes it stand apart from most is the introduction of espionage.

Sturdy as ever, Scott is a "Peterson" man, an obvious allusion to the famous Pinkerton Detective Agency. He must infiltrate a gang of murderous outlaw brothers, and trick them into causing their own downfall. Their beautiful sister, a non-crook, and Scott naturally hit it off.

Familiar faces? How about a clean-shaven Denver Pyle? Pyle, best known to TV viewers of the 1970's as the white-bearded Mad Jack on "Grizzly Adams", or Uncle Jessie Duke on "The Dukes of Hazzard", Pyle was a supporting player in many westerns. Here, he plays the good brother who won't join in with his brothers' crookery.

Then there's Edgar Buchanan, famous as old Uncle Joe from "Petticoat Junction". In this film, he plays a crooked judge, on the bad brothers' payroll.

Of course, Forrest Tucker is the head bad guy, and J. Carrol Naish is along as another bad brother.

A good, sturdy western, with Scott playing his usual smiling tough guy (kind of a non-emoting Gary Cooper). Always fun to see Scott playing it cool in the face of the bad guys. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A sad ending
This very last movie Laurel & Hardy made was a disaster. They expected to film for about a month but it took a year to complete. Stan fell ill and had to undergo surgery. After having been released from hospital he should have taken a rest but being a professional he felt obligated to make the movie.
He was in a lot of pain and it certainly shows in this film. Stan also lost a lot of weight and both looked old and tired, which was partially due to the fact that the director had them waiting for days before calling them for some scenes.
Don't ever start a collection with this one. It might put you off for the rest of your life!

A Sad Farewell
I have mixed emotions about this one. Laurel and Hardy fans SHOULD see this one, because it is the last film the boys did.
But be prepared, Stan was in poor health at the time. He was a diabetic and suffered terribly during the heat. He was only 60, but looked like death warmed over. The film is NOT typical L&H comedy, but a poor attmept at political satire. Sorry folks, that just WASN'T the boys style. With poorly dubbed dialog for the non-English speaking performers, it's a little irritating at first. There is still some magic left, like Stan "burping" his pet lobster, when he and Ollie take the boat engine apart, only to have the pieces fall overboard and where Stan pours oil over troubled water. I just wish the film had been made when the boys were in better health and could have had more controll. In his final years,even Stan called this film an "abortion" True fans of L&H should remember them in their prime, like "The Music Box"
and "Way Out West"

A sad farewell to the screen's greatest comic team
"Utopia" was originally released in 1952 as "Atoll K" and later as "Robinson Crusoeland," and finds an aging Laurel & Hardy have inherited a yacht and an island. The boys set off to see along with a refugee as their cook and a stowaway. The yacht sinks in a storm, but a newly created atoll (hence the original title) emerges from the sea to give them a place to live. They are then joined on their new little paradise by Suzy Delair, who is running away from a jealous fiancee. Together they all create their own private little utopia, where everything is just perfect until uranium is discovered and all of the nations of the world begin to battle over ownership of the atoll. Just as the boys are about to be lynched, the atoll sinks back beneath the seas. Whatever its title, this final film from Laurel & Hardy certainly provides mixed feelings. The political satire angle is ambitious, but scarcely appropriate for comedians who rely so much on visual humor (compare with the Marx Brother's classic "Duck Soup"), although the sequence where Hardy distributes key political posts to everyone but Laurel (he gets to be "The People") is good. But most of the sight gags are not typical Laurel & Hardy routines and several people have claimed the best gags were cut from the film. There is also the shock of the appearance of Stan Laurel, who had been ill before the production and looks like he is at death's door. "Utopia" is a sad farewell to the screen's greatest comic team.

an exellent movie
THIS FRENCH MOVIE -YES THE PRODUCERS ARE FRENCH- PUT OLLIE AND STAND IN AN ISLAND. THIS MOVIE IS ONE THE LAST MOVIES THEY FILMED ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Lady X should be better known!
One of the most charming of the "screwball comedies."Highlights include the delightful performances of Laurence Olivier as the smug young attorney and Merle Oberon as the lady who taunts him, but the performance you should not miss is that of Ralph Richardson as the dotty husband who hires Olivier to arrange the divorce proceedings that complicate the plot.Richardson and Olivier seem to have established a rapport in this film that made them exceptionally comfortable acting together.Each carries his own role in a way that enhances the wit and the humor of the other's part.Richardson is at his understated best in the scene where he leaves Olivier's office totally mystified by some chance remark but filled with suspicion!The film is full of gleeful surprises, and the plot just intricate enough to hold up under a third, a fourth, or a fifth viewing.It lacks the sophistication of Herbert Marshall and Miriam Hopkins' "Trouble in Paradise," but it is as full of exhilarating surprises.Here's a chance to see the young Olivier playing the daft lover.Compare this to his suaveperformance in the more mature role of the Doctor in "Uncle Vanya."

A very cute movie!
This movie is one that shouldn't be taken seriously.It's a cute little romp about a girl(Merle Oberon) playing a joke on a naive gorgeous young lawyer(Lawrence Olivier).He easily falls in love with her but thinks that she is a wicked woman who's been married several times.She plays along and lets him think that it's true causing all kinds of funny chaos in the life of the love -struck lawyer. Lawrence Olivier looks especially dashing and handsome!This is a must see for any Olivier and Oberon fan and for anyone else who loves no brainer type flicks.

..and oldie does not mean goldie every time.
A manipulative girl and a spine-less man. She should have been used as a prototype for some major attack vehicle (the attitude, not the size) and he would have done well as a bathroom towel - soft and pliable and one can fold it any way one wants. Terribly afraid of dark stains, though. She decides first that she wants his bed (without him in it) and then him (with the bed). He does not decide anything.

I suppose one of the main reasons why Olivier became such a fantastic Shakespear actor was that he understood that otherwise he would have had to play in more stupid movies like that one. That was a very wise decision.

Terrific little intellectual comedy
I cannot believe no one has reviewed this film yet! Okiday, where do I start? This is one of the best little-known movies out there...ranks right up there with *Stand-In* (Leslie Howard, Joan Blondell) as one of the best obscure intellectual comedies out there. Merle Oberon is the vivacious and mysterious "Lady X" that attourney Laurence Olivier becomes enamored of, and although she completely butchers her accent (SHE'S an American? Yeah, right), she still delivers a solid performance. Olivier makes a terrific naive young lawyer, and is completely captivating (and, may I add, pretty darn sexy). Hilarious mix-ups and such crap ensue. Not the greatest film ever made, but one of the most enjoyable, and a fabulous film all-around. By the way, contrary to the box art, the film is actually in color (at least the version I have on tape is, and you can tell when things are colorized).

Great fun!
I have watched this movie three times.It never fails to make me laugh, and brighten my mood.True it is not a thought provoking plot, but if you want to sit back relax, and laugh this is the movie to watch. I had to buyit because I enjoy it so much. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

half good/half bad
Flying Deuces is perhaps the best Laurel & hardy film ever. I loved it, however it is offset by possibly the worst Laurel & Hardy film ever in "Utopia", Stan Laurel looked very thin and unhealthy and old and Hardy was the biggest he had ever been in the films...although there were humorous parts to it overall it was a pretty big stinker...but "Flying Deuces" is worth the purchase by itself.

From the French Foreign Legion to Utopia w/Laurel & Hardy
This DVD combines an above-average Laurel & Hardy effort wit the last feature film produced by the screen's greatest comedy team. "The Flying Deuces" gets its name from the final sequence where Laurel & Hardy escape from a firing squad in an airplane. The boys get in this predicament because Ollie is jilted by his girl friend (Jean Parker) and wants to commit suicide. Despite Stan's more than willing help the attempt fails and the boys end up joining the French Foreign Legion instead. Needless to say, Stan and Ollie are not very good soldiers, hence the appointment with the firing squad. The comedy routines in the film are okay, but there is nothing special. The best moments are the more musical ones, especially a nice soft-shoe routine and Stan playing a prison bedspring like a harp. Not a classic, but certainly a worthwhile effort from the boys. This 1939 seven-reeler was directed by Edward Sutehrland for RKO and co-stars Charles Middleton, James Finlayson, Reginald Gardiner, Jean Del Val and Clem Wilenchick. Note: One of the writers receiving screenplay credit for "The Flying Deuces" was Harry Langdon, the great silent comic who was just a notch below the celebrated triumvirate of Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd.

"Utopia" was originally released in 1952 as "Atoll K" and later as "Robinson Crusoeland," and finds an aging Laurel & Hardy have inherited a yacht and an island. The boys set off to see along with a refugee as their cook and a stowaway. The yacht sinks in a storm, but a newly created atoll (hence the original title) emerges from the sea to give them a place to live. They are then joined on their new little paradise by Suzy Delair, who is running away from a jealous fiancee. Together they all create their own private little utopia, where everything is just perfect until uranium is discovered and all of the nations of the world begin to battle over ownership of the atoll. Just as the boys are about to be lynched, the atoll sinks back beneath the seas. Whatever its title, this final film from Laurel & Hardy certainly provides mixed feelings. The political satire angle is ambitious, but scarcely appropriate for comedians who rely so much on visual humor (compare with the Marx Brother's classic "Duck Soup"), although the sequence where Hardy distributes key political posts to every but Laurel (he gets to be "The People") is good. But most of the sight gags are not typical Laurel & Hardy routines and several people have claimed the best gags were cut from the film. There is also the shock of the appearance of Stan Laurel, who had been ill before the production and looks like he is at death's door. "Utopia" is a sad farewell to the screen's greatest comic team.

Audio not in sync
The movies are good, especially Flying Deuces, not so much Utopia but the aggravating thing is poor quality of the Madacy distributed DVD. It sucks. The audio is not in sync with the video, not even close. What a ripoff, why can't they get such a simple thing like that right? Save your money !!

Mixed Bag
This is a mixed bag from L&H. Being that it's probably in the Public Domain, "Flying Deuces" is all over the place on DVD and when I was a kid in the 70s, it showed up a lot on TV.

This was a pretty good film. The other reviewers have discussed the plot, so I won't go there. Not up to the (sadly) seldom seen "Pardon Us" or "Pack Up Your Troubles," but a good time-killer. There is an oddly moving scene where Ollie tries to talk Stan into joining him in a foiled suicide effort by saying, "What will you do? Without me, people will stare at you and wonder what you are." Stan cries without going into his usual whiny shtick. This leaves a bizzare, but touching aftertaste. Then there's the famous "Shine On Harvest Moon Sequence." This scene, like much of the movie, doesn't exactly cause you to bust a gut and slap your knees, but it does make you smile.

Utopia is another matter. This is a really strange story about L&H inheriting an island and trying to start their own society with a group of castaways. The only reason anyone needs to see it is so that they could say they saw the last L&H film. I tried to watch this one 4 times before I could get all the way through without falling asleep. Peee-ooey. What a sad way to go.

just to clear things up
i just wanted to clear things up for some of the laurel and hardy fans out there. i bought this dvd with some doubt because i heard the sound was out of sync. this is not true and the sound and video are just fine and easily watchable. the picture quality isn't top notch by today's standards, but definitely nice, nothing you'll hate.

as for the content, the movies aren't the greatest things they've made, but its a good watch if youre looking for something to relax to at night.

note, if youre trying to decide which dvd to buy, and can't decide. DEFINITELY pick up the dvd that has "busy bodies" on it. i recently bought that one as well, and i must say thats my favorite film with those two. the dvd also has 4 other episodes on it. ... Read more