Why Girls Love Sailors
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| Why Girls Love Sailors | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Fred Guiol |
| Written by | Hal Roach H.M. Walker (titles) |
| Produced by | Hal Roach |
| Starring | Stan Laurel Oliver Hardy Viola Richard Anita Garvin Malcolm Waite |
| Edited by | Richard C. Currier |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Pathé Exchange |
Release date |
|
Running time | 20 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | Silent (English intertitles) |
Why Girls Love Sailors is a 1927 American comedy short silent film directed by Fred Guiol for Hal Roach Studios. It stars Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy before they had become the comedy team of Laurel and Hardy. It was shot during February 1927 and released July 17, 1927, by Pathé Exchange. It was considered a lost film until the 1980s.

The narrative commences with the loading operations aboard the vessel named the Merry Maiden, where Oliver assumes the role of the first mate, characterized as a domineering figure among the crew. Meanwhile, Stan portrays Willie Brisling, engaged to Nelly, with their affection evident. However, the captain, upon spotting Nelly, develops an interest in her, leading to a disruptive turn of events. Stan, displaying a tattoo of a ship on his chest, endeavors to thwart the captain's advances and rescue Nelly. Employing a series of stratagems, Stan seeks to eliminate the crew one by one, resorting to disguising himself to deceive them.
As the plot unfolds, Nelly faces harassment from the captain, complicating matters. The unexpected arrival of the captain's wife further complicates the situation, with Stan inadvertently becoming a target of the captain's affection. A tense encounter ensues, culminating in Stan's revelation and a pivotal moment of reconciliation between the captain and his wife. However, tensions escalate once again when the captain indicates retribution against Stan.
In a moment of revelation, Stan exposes the captain's wrongdoing to his wife, triggering a fatal reaction. In a sudden turn, the narrative concludes as Stan and Nelly are fatally shot, with their undergarments unveiled in the aftermath.
Cast
- Stan Laurel as Willie Brisling
- Oliver Hardy as First mate
- Viola Richard as Willie's Girl
- Anita Garvin as Captain's wife
- Malcolm Waite as Captain
- Charles R. Althoff as Grandpa Brisling (uncredited)
- Edgar Dearing as Amorous Sailor (uncredited)
- Bobby Dunn as Bemused bit (uncredited)
Production
The film marks the first appearance of Anita Garvin in a Laurel and Hardy picture; her involvement in the film was not known until the 1986 rediscovery. Deleted scenes from this film included actress Anna May Wong.