Sons of the Desert

1933 film by William A. Seiter

For other uses, see Sons of the Desert (disambiguation).

Sons of the Desert

Theatrical release window card

Directed by| William A. Seiter
Written by| Frank Craven
Byron Morgan (continuity)
Produced by| Hal Roach
Starring| Stan Laurel
Oliver Hardy
Charley Chase
Mae Busch
Dorothy Christy
Cinematography| Kenneth Peach
Edited by| Bert Jordan
Music by| Marvin Hatley

Production
company

Hal Roach Studios

Distributed by| Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Release date

* December 29, 1933 (1933-12-29) (U.S.)

Running time

| 64 minutes
Country| United States
Language| English

Sons of the Desert is a 1933 American pre-Code comedy film starring Laurel and Hardy. Directed by William A. Seiter, it was released in the United States on December 29, 1933. In the United Kingdom, the film was originally released under the title Fraternally Yours.

In 2012, the film was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant" by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.[1]

## Plot

[edit]

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, members of the fraternal lodge called Sons of the Desert, attend a California meeting where it is resolved that all members must attend the upcoming national convention in Chicago. While Oliver is eager to honor the oath, Stan is apprehensive about how his wife Betty will react. Despite initial reluctance, Stan gives in to Oliver's persuasion. Their plans, however, conflict with their wives' own arrangements.

Oliver's wife Lottie insists on a mountain retreat she has planned. To get out of it, Oliver pretends to be ill. Stan then arranges for a fake doctor's recommendation that a voyage to Honolulu is needed, allowing them to attend the convention without their wives knowing. At the event, the song "Honolulu Baby" is performed, creating a festive atmosphere.

Unaware of the deception, their wives become alarmed when they hear that a ship returning from Honolulu has sunk in a typhoon. While they search for news of survivors, Stan and Oliver return home to find their houses empty. They hide in the attic, but are soon discovered when their wives see a cinema newsreel showing both men clearly participating in a parade at the convention.

Under pressure, Oliver tries to maintain the illusion that they were shipwreck survivors, but Betty quickly sees through the lie. Stan eventually confesses, which leads to relief from Betty and anger from Lottie. Betty is pleased to have won her earlier bet with Lottie about which husband was more honest, and rewards Stan with affection.

Oliver, in contrast, must face Lottie's fury, not only for the deception but also for embarrassing her in front of a neighbor. As Stan returns to check on Oliver, he finds him bruised and surrounded by broken crockery. Stan begins to sing "Honolulu Baby," but is struck in the head by a well-aimed saucepan, leaving Oliver alone to deal with the consequences.

## Cast

[edit]

Half-sheet theatrical release poster

* Stan Laurel as Stan
* Oliver Hardy as Oliver
* Charley Chase as Charley
* Mae Busch as Lottie Hardy
* Dorothy Christy as Betty Laurel
* Lucien Littlefield as Dr. Horace Meddick, the Veterinarian
* Ty Parvis as the sailor in "Honolulu Baby" song and dance[2]
* Charita Alden as the lead Hawaiian hula dancer (uncredited)[3]
* Robert Cummings as a ship steward (uncredited)

## Reception

[edit]

### Critical response

[edit]

Leonard Maltin gave it three and a half of four stars: "L&H's best feature film; duo sneaks off to fraternal convention without telling the wives; then the fun begins, with Chase as hilariously obnoxious conventioneer."[4] Leslie Halliwell gave it one of his rare four of four stars: "Archetypal Laurel and Hardy comedy, unsurpassed for gags, pacing and sympathetic characterization."[5]

## Production notes

[edit]

The fraternal organization seen in the film is styled to resemble the Shriners, known formerly as the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, which is a club exclusive only to master masons of Freemasonry. Oliver Hardy was a freemason,[6] and they were both members of the Grand Order of Water Rats.

## Soundtrack

[edit]

* "Honolulu Baby" – written by T. Marvin Hatley[7]
* "Auld Lang Syne" – written by Robert Burns
* "We Are the Sons of the Desert" – written by Marvin Hatley[8]
* "Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!" – music and lyrics by George Frederick Root

## Awards and honors

[edit]

The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:

* 1998: AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies – Nominated[9]
* 2000: AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs – #96[10]
* 2005: AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes:
* Oliver: "Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into!" – #60[11]
* 2007: AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies (10th Anniversary Edition) – Nominated[12]

## Similar films

[edit]

* Sons of the Desert is a partial remake of 1928's We Faw Down.
* Another Laurel and Hardy short film called Be Big! has a storyline similar to this feature. Stan and Ollie are invited to a party with a club that the two attend. However, they are about to take their wives on holiday for the weekend. Ollie pretends to be ill and persuades the wives to go ahead, saying Stan will stay to look after him and they will arrive at the holiday location the next day. They get changed into their uniforms, which causes problems such as Stan putting on Ollie's boots by mistake. In contrast to Sons of the Desert, in Be Big Stan is initially unaware of the party at their club until Ollie fills him in, and then tells him his sick act was a charade.

## Legacy

[edit]

The international Laurel and Hardy society The Sons of the Desert takes its name from this feature film.

The title was also used as the name of a country group, as well as that of the Danish comedy quartet "Ørkenens sønner" (1991–present), the literal translation of the movie's title. The comedy group uses the basic theme of a fraternal organization, and their stage costumes are identical to the ones used in the movie's organization. Even their theme song is a translation of the one from the movie. Though adult themed, their gags and jokes resemble the ones seen at the movie's Chicago party.[13]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ King, Susan (December 19, 2012). "National Film Registry selects 25 films for preservation". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
2. ^ "Sons of the Desert". AFI Catalog.
3. ^ "Charita". IMDb.
4. ^ Maltin, Leonard (2015). Leonard Maltin's Classic Movie Guide (3rd ed.). Plume Book. ISBN 978-0-14-751682-4.
5. ^ Halliwell, Leslie (1989). Halliwell's Film Guide (7th ed.). Grafton Books. ISBN 0-06-016322-4.
6. ^ "Brother Oliver Hardy". Scottish Rite, NMJ. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
7. ^ "Honolulu Baby Lyrics". International Lyrics Playground. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
8. ^ "Soundtracks for Sons of the Desert". IMDb. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
9. ^ "AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies Nominees" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 21, 2017. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
10. ^ "AFI's 100 Years...100 Laughs" (PDF). American Film Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 12, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
11. ^ "AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes" (PDF). American Film Institute. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 7, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
12. ^ "AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies Nominees (10th Anniversary Edition)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 27, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
13. ^ "Sons of the Desert". TCM.

## External links

[edit]

Wikiquote has quotations related to Sons of the Desert.

* Sons of the Desert at IMDb
* Sons of the Desert at the TCM Movie Database
* Sons of the Desert at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
* Sons of the Desert at Rotten Tomatoes
* "Honolulu Baby" on YouTube

* v
* t
* e

Laurel and Hardy filmography

* Stan Laurel
* Oliver Hardy

Short films|

| Silent|

* The Lucky Dog (1921)
* 45 Minutes from Hollywood (1926)
* Duck Soup (1927)
* Slipping Wives (1927)
* Love 'em and Weep (1927)
* Why Girls Love Sailors (1927)
* With Love and Hisses (1927)
* Sugar Daddies (1927)
* Sailors, Beware! (1927)
* The Second Hundred Years (1927)
* Hats Off (1927)
* Do Detectives Think? (1927)
* Putting Pants on Philip (1927)
* The Battle of the Century (1927)
* Leave 'Em Laughing (1928)
* Flying Elephants (1928)
* The Finishing Touch (1928)
* From Soup to Nuts (1928)
* You're Darn Tootin' (1928)
* Their Purple Moment (1928)
* Should Married Men Go Home? (1928)
* Early to Bed (1928)
* Two Tars (1928)
* Habeas Corpus (1928)
* We Faw Down (1928)
* Liberty (1929)
* Wrong Again (1929)
* That's My Wife (1929)
* Big Business (1929)
* Double Whoopee (1929)
* Bacon Grabbers (1929)
* Angora Love (1929)

|

Talking|

* Unaccustomed As We Are (1929)
* Berth Marks (1929)
* Men O' War (1929)
* Perfect Day (1929)
* They Go Boom! (1929)
* The Hoose-Gow (1929)
* Night Owls (1930)
* Blotto (1930)
* Brats (1930)
* Below Zero (1930)
* Hog Wild (1930)
* The Laurel-Hardy Murder Case (1930)
* Another Fine Mess (1930)
* Be Big! (1931)
* Chickens Come Home (1931)
* Laughing Gravy (1931)
* Our Wife (1931)
* Come Clean (1931)
* One Good Turn (1931)
* Beau Hunks (1931)
* Helpmates (1932)
* Any Old Port! (1932)
* The Music Box (1932)
* The Chimp (1932)
* County Hospital (1932)
* Scram! (1932)
* Their First Mistake (1932)
* Towed in a Hole (1932)
* Twice Two (1933)
* Me and My Pal (1933)
* The Midnight Patrol (1933)
* Busy Bodies (1933)
* Dirty Work (1933)
* Oliver the Eighth (1934)
* Going Bye-Bye! (1934)
* Them Thar Hills (1934)
* The Live Ghost (1934)
* Tit for Tat (1935)
* The Fixer Uppers (1935)
* Thicker than Water (1935)
* Galaxy of Stars (1936 promotional)

Feature films|

* Pardon Us (1931)
* Pack Up Your Troubles (1932)
* Fra Diavolo / The Devil's Brother / Bogus Bandits (1933)
* Sons of the Desert (1933)
* Babes in Toyland (1934)
* Bonnie Scotland (1935)
* The Bohemian Girl (1936)
* Our Relations (1936)
* Way Out West (1937)
* Swiss Miss (1938)
* Block-Heads (1938)
* The Flying Deuces (1939)
* A Chump at Oxford (1940)
* Saps at Sea (1940)
* Great Guns (1941)
* A-Haunting We Will Go (1942)
* Air Raid Wardens (1943)
* Jitterbugs (1943)
* The Dancing Masters (1943)
* The Big Noise (1944)
* Nothing But Trouble (1944)
* The Bullfighters (1945)
* Atoll K / Utopia (1951)

Related|

* Stan Laurel filmography
* Oliver Hardy filmography
* Laurel and Hardy (animated TV series)
* The All New Adventures of Laurel & Hardy in For Love or Mummy (1999)
* Stan & Ollie (2018)
* Music
* The Sons of the Desert

* v
* t
* e

Films directed by William A. Seiter

* The Kentucky Colonel (1920)
* Eden and Return (1921)
* Hearts and Masks (1921)
* The Foolish Age (1921)
* Passing Through (1921)
* Boy Crazy (1922)
* Gay and Devilish (1922)
* Up and at 'Em (1922)
* When Love Comes (1922)
* The Understudy (1922)
* The Beautiful and Damned (1922)
* Little Church Around the Corner (1923)
* Daddies (1924)
* His Forgotten Wife (1924)
* The White Sin (1924)
* Listen Lester (1924)
* The Family Secret (1924)
* Helen's Babies (1924)
* The Fast Worker (1924)
* The Mad Whirl (1925)
* Dangerous Innocence (1925)
* The Teaser (1925)
* Where Was I? (1925)
* What Happened to Jones (1926)
* Skinner's Dress Suit (1926)
* Rolling Home (1926)
* Take It from Me (1926)
* The Cheerful Fraud (1927)
* The Small Bachelor (1927)
* Thanks for the Buggy Ride (1928)
* Good Morning, Judge (1928)
* Waterfront (1928)
* Outcast (1928)
* Synthetic Sin (1929)
* Why Be Good? (1929)
* Smiling Irish Eyes (1929)
* Footlights and Fools (1929)
* The Love Racket (1929)
* Strictly Modern (1930)
* Back Pay (1930)
* The Truth About Youth (1930)
* Sunny (1930)
* Going Wild (1930)
* Kiss Me Again (1931)
* Big Business Girl (1931)
* Too Many Cooks (1931)
* Caught Plastered (1931)
* Way Back Home (1931)
* Girl Crazy (1932)
* Young Bride (1932)
* Is My Face Red? (1932)
* Hot Saturday (1932)
* If I Had a Million (segment "The Three Marines", 1932)
* Hello, Everybody! (1933)
* Diplomaniacs (1933)
* Rafter Romance (1933)
* Chance at Heaven (1933)
* Sons of the Desert (1933)
* Love Birds (1934)
* We're Rich Again (1934)
* The Richest Girl in the World (1934)
* Roberta (1935)
* The Daring Young Man (1935)
* If You Could Only Cook (1935)
* The Case Against Mrs. Ames (1936)
* The Moon's Our Home (1936)
* Dimples (1936)
* Stowaway (1936)
* Life Begins in College (1937)
* This Is My Affair (1937)
* Sally, Irene and Mary (1938)
* Room Service (1938)
* Thanks for Everything (1938)
* Susannah of the Mounties (1939)
* Allegheny Uprising (1939)
* It's a Date (1940)
* Hired Wife (1940)
* Nice Girl? (1941)
* Appointment for Love (1941)
* Broadway (1942)
* You Were Never Lovelier (1942)
* Destroyer (1943)
* A Lady Takes a Chance (1943)
* Four Jills in a Jeep (1944)
* Belle of the Yukon (1944)
* The Affairs of Susan (1945)
* That Night with You (1945)
* Little Giant (1946)
* I'll Be Yours (1947)
* Up in Central Park (1948)
* One Touch of Venus (1948)
* Borderline (1950)
* Dear Brat (1951)
* The Lady Wants Mink (1953)
* Champ for a Day (1953)
* Make Haste to Live (1954)

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States
* France
* BnF data

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