German Laurel & Hardy film found

A rare Laurel and Hardy film has been uncovered - in which the duo speak German.

Researchers uncovered the 40-minute short, Spuk um Mitternacht (Ghost at Midnight), a remake of their 1931 movie The Laurel and Hardy Murder Case in Moscow.

Made before dubbing was common, the film has the stars recite their lines phonetically alongside a cast of German-speakers. A few extra gags were also added for the new audience.

Although such remakes were common practice, the only other surviving footage of the duo is clips from their 1931 hit Pardon Us.

Stefan Droessler, director of the Munich Film Museum which found the movie, told BBC News Online: "In general the film works very well, and contains unique jokes about Stan's uncle in Berlin, and Julius Caesar.

 "Munich Film Museum will restore the film to its full length so it can be made available for screenings and a future DVD release."

Published: 10 Aug 2004