Two Great Friday Nights at the Landmark Loew's Jersey Theatre: Part Two

After enjoying the Walton Family Reunion on December 2nd, David and I returned to Loew's Jersey Theatre on December 9th. I was especially excited because the feature was one of my favorite holiday films: March of the Wooden Soldiers starring Laurel and Hardy. I have watched this film every year at Christmas time for as long as I cam remember. The excitement for me was to finally see it on the big screen with an audience.

Loew's Jersey Theatre is a film lover's paradise. The theater was saved from demolition in 1996 after being closed for ten years. The Friends of Loew's (FOL) have been raising money and doing the restoration themselves over the years. The atmosphere created by FOL is very special. Part of any show at the Loew's is an organ recital prior to the feature film. The Wonder Morton Organ at the Loew's Jersey Theatre is actually a sister organ acquired from the Loew's Paradise in the Bronx. I can't imagine an event at this venue with the Wonder Morton. In addition, because it is run by volunteers who love classic films, the theater attracts an audience of all ages and ethnicities who share a love of classic film. It is always encouraging to see young fans at these events. In order for film preservation and appreciation to continue, it is essential that young people get the opportunity to see classic films on the big screen. I also love that so many parents and grandparents are getting the chance to share their film favorites with their children and grandchildren.

March of the Wooden Soldiers drew a good crowd. It did seem to be a lot of families which was great to see. We were treated to a Christmas themed organ recital before the movie. In addition, we had a Bob Hope Christmas Seals short and Max Fleischer's Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer cartoon before the feature began. This extra touches transport the audience back to the "Golden Age of Movies." There was a  community spirit created by the theaters back in the day. I feel blessed to experience that during a day and age when we too often forget to embrace the simple joys of life.

March of the Wooden Soldiers was hit with our audience. The operetta part of the movie did not age too well. Unfortunately, the songs don't seem to have the timeless quality of those in The Wizard of Oz  for example. However, the plot and its comedy stand up well. The audience still laughed hard at Stan and Ollie's antics. It was also fun that our audience continued the tradition of hissing at the villain. Every time Barnaby entered the scene, he was promptly hissed! Now, when is the last time you remember a current movie soliciting that same reaction?

The Evil Silas Barnaby

I love the story of March of the Wooden Soldiers. It takes place in Mother Goose Land. The Old Woman who lives in a shoe is Mother Peep(Florence Roberts). She has a number of children, her oldest being Little Bo Peep(Charlotte Henry). Bo Peep is in love with Tom Tom the Piper's son(Felix Knight). Mother Peep has two boarders, Stannie Dum(Stan Laurel) and Ollie Dee(Oliver Hardy), who help with the expenses. Unfortunately, there is a villain in Mother Goose Land, Silas Barnaby(Henry Brandon). Barnaby holds the mortgage on Mother Peep's Shoe. He wants to foreclose. However, if Bo Peep will marry him, he will tear up the mortgage. Mother Peep refuses this offer so Barnaby demands full payment. Stannie and Ollie tell Mother Peep not to worry, they'll get the money.

Bo Peep and Tom Tom

Ollie thinks Santa's toymaker will loan them the money. Stannie and Ollie work for the toymaker, and Ollie claims he and the toymaker are close friends. It's obvious when Ollie and Stannie go to work that the toymaker is not their good friend. So maybe the loan isn't in the bag after all. It gets worse. Santa stops by to see his toy soldier order. Ollie and Stannie have made 100 six foot soldiers. Unfortunately, Santa ordered 600 one foot soldiers. The toymaker is so mad he fires Ollie and Stannie. Not only do they not get the loan, but no pay either!

Ollie, Santa Claus, Stannie, the toymaker

Ollie and Stannie feel guilty that they can't give Mother Peep the mortgage money. The two decide to break into Barnaby's house and steal the mortgage agreement. The pair are caught by Barnaby and sentenced to dunking and banishment to Bogeyland. During the dunking of Ollie, the dunking chair breaks and he nearly drowns. Bo Peep tells Barnaby she will marry him if he drops the charges against Ollie and Stannie and cancels her mother's mortgage. Barnaby agrees and the wedding is set for the next day.

No one wants Bo Peep to marry Barnaby. However, Ollie agrees to give her away in a ceremony at Barnaby's house. Ollie delivers the bride and demands the mortgage upfront. Ollie then rips up the mortgage and Barnaby weds Bo Peep. However, when Barnaby lifts the veil to kiss his bride, it's Stannie! He vows revenge for being tricked! This leads to one of the funniest moments in the film. Ollie bids Stannie farewell. Ollie informs Stannie he is now married to Barnaby and has to stay at Barnaby's house. Stannie breaks out in tears and announces "But I don't LOVE him." Laurel's delivery of the line and his expression are priceless! The audience at Loew's laughed hysterically during this scene.

Barnaby and Bo Peep's(?) Wedding

Barnaby decides to frame Bo Peep's fiancee Tom Tom for "pignapping" and murder. Barnaby "pignaps" Elmer (one of the three little pigs) and hides Elmer in his house. He leaves sausage and other evidence in Tom Tom's house. Tom Tom is found guilty and banished to Bogeyland. Ollie accidentally eats some of the sausage offered as "evidence." Ollie realizes it is beef sausage and figures out that Barnaby set up Tom Tom. Stannie and Ollie rescue Elmer and reveal Barnaby's plot to all the residents of Mother Goose Land. Old King Cole orders a man hunt for Barnaby.

Barnaby and the Bogeymen

Meanwhile, Bo Peep goes to Bogeyland to tell Tom Tom he's been cleared and can come back to Mother Goose Land. Barnaby has a secret cave passage to Bogeyland and decides to go there and get an army of Bogeymen to attack Mother Goose Land. Tom Tom and Bo Peep try to get back to warn the residents of the impending attack, but the Bogeymen get there right behind them. Suddenly, Ollie and Stannie get a brilliant idea. They go the toymaker's workshop and activate the army of wooden soldiers. I have to say this sequence of stop motion and live action is amazing on the big screen. Watching the soldiers come to life and fight the evil Bogeymen on a 50 foot screen was incredible. I must also add that the Bogeyman were quite creepy. They would come in a close second to the Flying Monkeys in The Wizard of Oz in my book.

This movie shows why Hal Roach Studios had so much success in the 1930's. The dialogue and the pacing were very good. In addition, the sets depicting Mother Goose Land and Bogeyland were excellent. Roach also had solid group of actors under contract. Henry Brandon was outstanding as the evil Barnaby. Brandon later played a similar role in The Our Gang Follies of 1938 as the nasty opera manager who signed Alfalfa to an unbreakable contract.

I can't wait to see what films Loew's Jersey Theatre will be showing in January. However, they did announce Piper Laurie will be appearing there on January 28th! FOL are waiting to hear from the studios which films they will be receiving. You can bet David and I will be there!