STATE LIBRARY NSW - 2 Feb 2025 - Sons of the Desert (1933)

Restored sound era classic with soundtrack, 65 minutes.
Tickets: $25/$20  
General seating - not reserved or numbered
(T 0419 267 318)

Shot in 21 days at a cost of $165,000, Sons of the Desert was one of the top 10 films of the year, grossing over $1 million worldwide upon its original release in 1933!

It is regarded as one of the funniest comedies in cinema with many iconic lines such as:

“Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into!”

Stan’s sudden eloquence in the attic: “I’ve certainly got to hand it to you, Ollie.”
“For what?”
“Well, for the meticulous care with which you have executed your finely formulated machinations in extricating us from this devastating dilemma.”

The whole tightly controlled film shows the pair at their best, fighting to maintain their dignity in a world almost as absurd as they are. Few comedy duos created and maintained characters of such lovable dimensions. There is a kind of wounded liaison against the world which was not only exceedingly funny but also somehow pertinent.

These two henpecked adult infants who manage to fulfill their dream of attending an absurdly infantile, riotous convention only by lying to their spouses are forced to deal with the consequences of their deceit.

A famous W C Fields’ quote is apt, “…if a tragedian can be nominated for inducing tears then a comedian should be eligible for inspiring laughter.”
We and millions after entering the world of Laurel and Hardy second the proposal.