Laurel & Hardy: The Bohemian Girl

A gypsy caravan encamped near a castle gets even with the nobleman who hates them by kidnapping his child and raising her as their own. In the end she is revealed to be a princess just in time to save her beloved guardians, Stan and Ollie. This marked the fourth time Laurel & Hardy appeared in a feature based on an operetta. Between musical interludes, there are some terrific comic sequences with Stan trying to bottle wine, and tricking Ollie in a game of “fingers. ” The picture had been in development as a costumed spoof since 1934, but required extensive alteration and re-shooting when one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, vivacious Thelma Todd, died mysteriously while the production was being previewed. To minimize the notoriety, her intended role as the Gypsy Queen was recast and re-shot. Directed by James W. Horne and Charley Rogers. With Mae Busch, Antonio Moreno, Jacqueline Wells, Darla Hood and James Finlayson.