Why Girls Love Sailors

Plot

In this silent comedy short, Stan Laurel plays a sailor who returns to port to reunite with his sweetheart (Viola Richard), only to have her kidnapped by a rough, intimidating sea captain. Desperate to rescue his love, Stan devises a plan to disguise himself as a woman and infiltrate the captain's quarters. The captain becomes immediately smitten with 'her,' leading to a series of comedic misunderstandings and awkward situations. The ruse is eventually discovered when the captain's actual wife arrives on the scene, catching Stan in his disguise. Chaos ensues as Stan and his girlfriend make a hasty escape while the angry captain's wife fires a pistol at them as they flee, providing a dramatic and humorous conclusion to their maritime adventure.

Historical Background

1927 was a pivotal year in cinema history, marking the end of the silent film era with the release of 'The Jazz Singer' in October. 'Why Girls Love Sailors' was released in March of that year, representing the height of silent comedy craftsmanship. The film industry was rapidly expanding, with Hollywood firmly established as the global center of film production. Comedy shorts were extremely popular, serving as appetizers before feature films in theater programs. The maritime theme reflected America's fascination with naval culture in the post-World War I period, when sailors were romanticized figures in popular culture. This film also emerged during the Prohibition era, when comedy films provided escapist entertainment for audiences dealing with social restrictions and economic uncertainty leading up to the Great Depression.

Making Of

The production of 'Why Girls Love Sailors' took place during a crucial transitional period at Hal Roach Studios when producer Hal Roach was experimenting with different comedy pairings. Stan Laurel had been a successful solo comedian, while Oliver Hardy had been playing supporting roles in various comedies. This film was one of approximately seven shorts where they appeared together in 1927, allowing Roach to assess their on-screen chemistry. The drag sequence required Stan Laurel to spend hours in makeup and costume each day, a process he found particularly uncomfortable in the hot studio lighting. Director Fred Guiol, who would go on to direct several early Laurel and Hardy films, worked closely with the comedians to develop their timing and visual gags. The film's climax with the pistol shot was achieved using a combination of practical effects and editing tricks that were considered quite sophisticated for the time.

Visual Style

The cinematography by Walter Lundin employed the classic techniques of silent comedy, including wide shots to capture physical gags and medium close-ups for emotional reactions. The film used the standard 1.33:1 aspect ratio of the era, with careful composition to ensure all action remained visible within the frame. The maritime sequences utilized practical effects and camera tricks to simulate the motion of ships at sea. The drag scenes employed soft focus and strategic lighting to enhance the illusion of Laurel's female disguise. The climactic pistol shot sequence used rapid editing and camera movement to create excitement and tension, demonstrating the sophisticated visual storytelling techniques that had been developed by 1927.

Innovations

While not groundbreaking in technical terms, the film demonstrated the refined techniques of late silent comedy production. The pistol shot effect at the film's climax used a combination of on-set squibs and careful editing to create a convincing illusion of gunfire. The drag makeup effects, while not revolutionary for the time, showed the sophistication of cosmetic techniques available in 1927. The film's pacing and editing rhythm represented the culmination of years of development in silent comedy timing. The preservation of the film's visual quality in surviving prints demonstrates the high standards of film stock and processing used by major studios like Hal Roach Productions.

Music

As a silent film, 'Why Girls Love Sailors' would have been accompanied by live musical performance during its original theatrical run. Typical scores for comedy shorts of this period included popular songs of the day, classical pieces adapted for comedic effect, and original improvisation by theater organists or pianists. The maritime theme would have suggested the use of nautical-themed songs like 'Anchors Aweigh' or sea shanties. No original composed score exists for this film, though modern restorations are often accompanied by newly commissioned scores that attempt to recreate the musical experience of 1927 theater presentations.

Memorable Scenes

• Stan Laurel's transformation into a woman, complete with makeup, wig, and dress, creating one of his most convincing drag performances
• The awkward romantic scene between the disguised Stan and the lovestruck captain, filled with physical comedy and near-reveals
• The chaotic finale where the captain's wife discovers the deception, leading to a frantic chase and pistol-wielding pursuit as Stan and his girlfriend escape

What Critics Said

Contemporary reviews in trade publications like Variety and The Motion Picture News were generally positive, noting the film's effective use of physical comedy and the promising chemistry between its leads. Critics particularly praised Stan Laurel's drag performance as 'convincing and humorous' while noting that Oliver Hardy showed potential as a comic foil. Modern film historians view the short as an essential piece of Laurel and Hardy's evolution, with scholars at the Silent Film Society recognizing it as a key document in understanding how their partnership developed. The film is often cited in academic studies of silent comedy as an example of the refinement of comic timing and visual storytelling that characterized the late silent era.

What Audiences Thought

Audiences in 1927 responded positively to the film's blend of romance and slapstick humor, with theater owners reporting good attendance for screenings where it was featured. The sailor theme resonated with contemporary audiences who were familiar with naval culture through newsreels and popular songs. The drag comedy sequence was particularly popular, drawing laughs from both male and female viewers. While the film didn't achieve the lasting popularity of Laurel and Hardy's later classics, it was remembered fondly by early fans who witnessed their partnership developing. Modern audiences viewing the film at silent film festivals and revival screenings appreciate its historical significance and the opportunity to see the early development of the duo's comic dynamic.

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