Habeas Corpus

Plot

In this classic Laurel and Hardy comedy short, the duo are hired by a mad scientist named Professor Padilla to raid a cemetery and provide him with fresh corpses for his bizarre experiments. The scientist promises them $500 for each body they deliver, motivating the bumbling pair to attempt their first grave-robbing mission. Their nocturnal expedition to the local cemetery is fraught with disaster as they encounter a determined night watchman, struggle with their own incompetence, and create chaos in the graveyard. The situation escalates when they accidentally dig up the wrong body and must deal with the consequences of their blundering actions. The film culminates in a frantic chase sequence that showcases the duo's trademark physical comedy and perfect comedic timing.

Historical Background

Released in October 1928, 'Habeas Corpus' emerged during the final months of the silent film era, just as 'The Jazz Singer' had revolutionized cinema with its synchronized dialogue and music. The film represents the peak of silent comedy craftsmanship, created by the Hal Roach Studios at their most productive period. This was a time when comedy shorts were a staple of theater programs, with audiences expecting quick, punchy entertainment between feature presentations. The film's macabre theme of grave-robbing, while played for laughs, reflected the public's fascination with science and experimentation during the late 1920s, a period that saw significant medical and scientific breakthroughs. The stock market crash of 1929 would occur just a year after this film's release, marking the end of the prosperous Jazz Age that had fueled cinema's golden decade.

Making Of

The production of 'Habeas Corpus' took place during a pivotal moment in cinema history as the industry was transitioning from silent films to talkies. Director James Parrott, brother of comedian Charley Chase, brought a fresh approach to the Laurel and Hardy formula, emphasizing their physical comedy in ways that would define their later work. The graveyard scenes were filmed at night on the studio backlot to create authentic atmosphere, with the crew using powerful arc lights to simulate moonlight. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy spent considerable time developing their characters' reactions to the macabre situation, perfecting the timing of their double-takes and panicked expressions. The film's success led to Parrott becoming one of the duo's most trusted directors, helming many of their greatest shorts including 'Big Business' and 'The Music Box'.

Visual Style

The cinematography by George Stevens employs dramatic lighting techniques typical of late silent era films, with strong contrasts between light and shadow to enhance the graveyard atmosphere. The use of arc lights to simulate moonlight creates an eerie yet comedic mood that perfectly balances the film's macabre subject matter with its humorous intentions. Stevens' camera work emphasizes the physical comedy through carefully composed wide shots that allow both comedians to be visible simultaneously during their routines. The film makes effective use of tracking shots during the chase sequences, adding kinetic energy to the proceedings. The cinematography demonstrates the sophisticated visual storytelling that had developed in silent comedy by the late 1920s.

Innovations

While not groundbreaking in technical terms, 'Habeas Corpus' demonstrates the refined techniques that had been perfected in comedy short production by the late 1920s. The film showcases sophisticated gag construction with multiple layers of comedy building upon each other. The nighttime filming techniques used for the cemetery scenes were advanced for the period, requiring specialized lighting equipment and careful exposure control. The film's editing demonstrates the rapid pacing that had become standard in comedy shorts, with cuts timed to maximize comic effect. The production design of the graveyard set was particularly notable for its detail and effectiveness in creating atmosphere on a studio backlot.

Music

As a silent film, 'Habeas Corpus' originally had no synchronized soundtrack, but was accompanied by live musical performance in theaters. The typical score would have included popular songs of the era and classical pieces chosen to match the mood of each scene. A sound version was later created with added music and sound effects, utilizing the standard Hal Roach library of comedic sounds and musical cues. The musical accompaniment emphasized the spooky atmosphere of the graveyard scenes while maintaining the light-hearted comedic tone. Modern restorations include newly composed scores by silent film specialists who recreate the musical style of the late 1920s.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening sequence where Professor Padilla explains his experiments to Laurel and Hardy
• The duo's clumsy attempts to dig up a grave while trying to remain quiet
• The chase scene with the night watchman through the cemetery
• The moment when they realize they've dug up the wrong body
• The final frantic escape carrying a corpse through the town

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised 'Habeas Corpus' as one of Laurel and Hardy's finest shorts, with trade publications noting the perfect timing and escalating gags that built to a satisfying climax. The film was highlighted in reviews for its clever use of the graveyard setting and the duo's reactions to the morbid situation. Modern critics and film historians regard it as a transitional work that bridges their early silent period with their more sophisticated sound comedies. The film is often cited in retrospectives as an example of how Laurel and Hardy could transform potentially offensive subject matter into innocent fun through their characterizations. Film historian William K. Everson described it as 'a perfect miniature of comedic construction' in his book on American silent comedy.

What Audiences Thought

The film was very popular with theater audiences in 1928, who appreciated the duo's familiar characters in a new and outrageous situation. Audience reaction cards from the period show that viewers particularly enjoyed the graveyard chase sequence and the duo's attempts to appear casual while carrying a corpse. The film's success led to increased demand for Laurel and Hardy shorts, helping cement their status as comedy superstars. Modern audiences at revival screenings continue to respond enthusiastically to the film's physical comedy and timeless situations. The short remains a favorite among Laurel and Hardy enthusiasts and is frequently requested at classic film festivals.

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