Our Relations

Our Relations is a 1936 American comedy film directed by Harry Lachman starring Laurel and Hardy, produced by Stan Laurel for Hal Roach Studios. This is the third of three films in which they play a dual role: the first was Brats and the second was Twice Two. The story is based on the short story "The Money Box" by W.W. Jacobs, author of "The Monkey's Paw". Premise One day Stan and Ollie receive a letter with a photo of them with their twin brothers Alf and Bert. For years it has been believed that Alf and Bert are dead. In reality, they are still alive and working as sailors on the SS Periwinkle which happens to moor in the harbour of the city where Stan and Ollie live with their wives, Daphne and Betty. Onboard the ship, the chief engineer, Finn, is enthusiastic about saving and becoming a millionaire. Since Alf and Bert also dream of becoming millionaires, they leave their wages of $74 with Finn, who promises to keep the money safely for them. Before they disembark, the captain hands the pair a small package to keep for him temporarily. In a beer garden, Alf and Bert impulsively agree to buy two young ladies dinner. But the women order expensive items and Alf and Bert have only one dollar. They tell the landlord they will need to fetch money, and leave him the contents of the captain's package, a valuable ring, as security. They go straight to Finn, who refuses to return their wages. So they sell his sailor suit in a pawn shop and receive two dollars. Disappointed, they go back to Finn, who explains that their wages have been sewn into the lining of his suit. He persuades Alf and Bert to give him their suits so he can wear one and trade the other for the pawned suit. He has no intention of keeping his promise and returning the money. Meanwhile, Stan and Ollie visit the beer garden with their wives and are indignantly asked to pay the bill by, to-them unknown, Alice and Lily, whom Alf and Bert left behind. This in turn angers Daphne and Betty. Under pressure, Ollie pays the bill run up by Alice and Lily and is mystifyingly given the ring left as security by Alf and Bert. Finn appears and shows a photo of Alf and Bert with some other young women to Daphne and Betty, who angrily leave the restaurant. Stan and Ollie, who are also angry, cause Finn to be beaten up by the landlord and the waiter, and he threatens revenge. Meanwhile, Alf and Bert are in Finn's quarters and decide to visit the landlord and ask for the ring.