Tit for Tat (1935)

Tit for Tat Poster

Stan and Ollie have set up their own electrical appliance store but, unfortunately for them, the grocery right next door is run by the man and wife whom they encountered in "Them Thar Hills" (1935). Stan and Ollie go and visit to offer the hand of friendship, but the grocer again becomes convinced that Ollie and his wife are fooling around.

Summary of "Tit for Tat"
"Tit for Tat" is a brief funny film from 1935, starring the renowned duo Laurel and Hardy. Directed by Charles Rogers, this movie is notable for being basically a follow up to their previous brief, "Them Thar Hills", and features a repeated fight between Laurel and Hardy and their on-screen competitors, Mr. and Mrs. Hall. As is normal with Laurel and Hardy films, "Tit for Tat" is filled with slapstick humor and comical misconceptions, crafted in a manner only this famous comedic pair could accomplish.

Plot Summary
"Tit for Tat" opens with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy establishing their brand-new electrical appliance store. The excitement of this brand-new endeavor quickly takes a turn when they acknowledge their across-the-street neighbors-- it's none aside from Mr. Hall and his better half, the very same couple with whom they had a less-than-pleasant encounter with in "Them Thar Hills". Both parties recall their previous altercation and the environment quickly becomes tense.

As a gesture of good neighborliness, Laurel and Hardy decide to visit the Halls to bury the hatchet. The Halls run a supermarket, and at first, both couples try to begin once again on a friendly note. Nevertheless, the effort to smooth over past disputes quickly disintegrates as misunderstandings and mishaps take place. It doesn't take long for things to elevate, and soon a tit-for-tat series of retaliations begins in between the 2 stores.

The vendetta intensifies with each side attempting to outdo the other's pranks and acts of sabotage. Laurel and Hardy's attempts at retribution typically backfire, leading to a comical display of failures. In the middle of the mayhem, eggs are tossed, clothes are dirtied, and the stores fall under turmoil as more people become inadvertently associated with the fray. Mr. Hall's clients and even a law enforcement officer get captured up in the mess.

As the war of pranks continues, the damages end up being more extreme, and the comedic relocations more outrageous. Acts of revenge range from relatively innocent tricks to outright harmful behavior, including the switching of indications to misinform clients, the purposeful destroying of goods, and even the electrocution of Mr. Hall as a result of a booby-trapped sales register.

The film approaches its climax as the antics reach a point where there is no return, and both the electrical store and the grocery are in disarray. The chaotic sequence demonstrates the practiced physical comedy skills of Laurel and Hardy, whose timing and expressions turn every incident into a moment of humor.

Thematic Elements and Critical Reception
"Tit for Tat" efficiently showcases the style of escalated disputes and the absurdity of vengeance. The tit-for-tat exchange that drives the plot is used to review how small disagreements can spiral out of control if left unchecked. As a comedy, it also highlights the idea that taking oneself too seriously can be the root cause for numerous a foolish outcome.

The movie was favored upon release and remains a preferred amongst Laurel and Hardy enthusiasts. The movie's humor, driven by the appeal and chemistry between the two leads, works as successfully today as it did upon its initial release. It has actually considering that been considered as a classic example of early American slapstick movie theater.

In summary, "Tit for Tat" is a timeless piece of comedy substantiated of the vaudeville tradition, provided by one of cinema's most endearing duos. The film's creative usage of a basic property-- intensifying retaliation-- provides a lens through which to see human folly in a light-hearted and generally attractive way.

Top Cast

  • Stan Laurel (small)
    Stan Laurel
    Stan
  • Oliver Hardy (small)
    Oliver Hardy
    Ollie
  • Mae Busch (small)
    Mae Busch
    Mrs. Hall
  • Charlie Hall (small)
    Charlie Hall
    Mr. Hall
  • James C. Morton (small)
    James C. Morton
    The Policeman
  • Bobby Dunn (small)
    Bobby Dunn
    The Kleptomaniac
  • Baldwin Cooke (small)
    Baldwin Cooke
    Customer
  • Jack Hill
    Passerby
  • Viola Richard (small)
    Viola Richard
    Passerby