Laurel and Hardy-The Dancing Masters-1943

Here, in its entirety from HULU, is the 1943 Laurel and Hardy feature, THE DANCING MASTERS. I remember watching this late night on TV in the mid-seventies and thinking it better than many of their later features. Watching it again this morning, I was struck by the interesting co-stars, also.

First and most obvious perhaps is a young Robert Mitchum--before he was really Robert Mitchum--in a short but substantial part as a thug.

Then there's Margaret Dumont, Groucho's traditional foil in so many Marx Brothers classics, here performing her traditional oblivious dowager role.

The hero of the film is one Robert Bailey, a leading man with a rubbery, character actor face. His voice was familiar but I couldn't quite place him until I looked him up. As BOB Bailey, he was the longest running actor to play the title role in radio's YOURS TRULY, JOHNNY DOLLAR!

Finally the "other man" in the picture is played by Allan Lane and while he's all dressed up with slicked back hair and a mustache, it really is Allan "Rocky" Lane, B movie cowboy and known to a whole generation of Baby Boomers as the voice of MISTER ED! "Willllllbuuuuuur!"

So, in essence, you have Stanley and Ollie working to protect Mrs. Rittenhouse from Mister Ed with the assistance of Johnny Dollar!