by Ted Davis

Directed by: Jess Robbins

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: The first time film meeting of screen greats Stan Laurel and Oliver ‘Babe’ Hardy is of historical importance, but their well known characters are not yet formed in this silent comedy short about a homeless young man (Stan Laurel) and his recently acquired doggy friend who are confronted repeatedly by a large and short-tempered robber (Oliver Hardy), even though they possess no money of their own.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Outside of a purebred dog show, Stan has a temporary hold on a large dog which spies a small tabby cat on the sidewalk and gives chase.

The cat bolts through an open window into the judging room and lands on a startled judge’s shoulder, then jumps to the ground. The dog pulls Stan through the same window, sparking a confused and hurried exodus of the dogs and their holders from the premises. (The footage with the cat was missing for decades and was recently restored.)

The Lucky Dog is included on the recent Flicker Alley blu-ray release of Laurel & Hardy: Year One, a remarkable achievement and a labor of love and craft and research which is highly recommended to fans of the Boys.

Final Mewsings: Yes, the sweet dog is lucky indeed to find a new owner, but the stray cat lucks out too by escaping the pounding feet and paws of the panicked crowd.

Relevant Links:

To discuss this film and other cats in movies and on television, join us on Facebook and X.