Do Detectives Think?

Do Detectives Think? or The Bodyguard is a 1927 silent comedy short film starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy prior to their official billing as the duo Laurel and Hardy.

Do Detectives Think?
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Fred Guiol
Written by	Hal Roach H.M. Walker (titles)
Produced by	Hal Roach
Starring	Stan Laurel Oliver Hardy
Distributed by	Pathé Exchange
Release date	November 20, 1927 (1927-11-20)
Running time	19 minutes
Country	United States
Languages	Silent film English intertitles

Full film

Plot

A judge sentences a dangerous criminal, the Tipton Slasher, to death "for killing two Chinamen, both seriously". Judge Foozle, in pronouncing sentence, rather gratuitously adds "And I hope you choke!". The Slasher vows to cut out the Judge's tonsils without anesthetic. When the Slasher escapes, the judge hires Laurel and Hardy, two clumsy detectives, for protection. While on duty, Laurel and Hardy face various mishaps, like losing their hats in a cemetery. Unbeknownst to them, the Slasher disguises himself as a butler in the judge's house.

Hardy tries to impress the judge with his shooting skills but causes chaos instead. The judge's wife mistakes the Slasher for a threat, leading to a tense confrontation. Despite their blunders, Laurel and Hardy eventually capture the Slasher, though not without chaos. In the end, the judge's accidental scare helps the police catch the Slasher, thanks to Laurel and Hardy's unintentional help.^[1]

Cast

• Stan Laurel - Ferdinand Finkleberry
• Oliver Hardy - Sherlock Pinkham
• James Finlayson - Judge Foozle
• Noah Young - The Tipton Slasher
• Viola Richard - Mrs. Foozle
• Frank Brownlee - Detective agency boss
• Charles A. Bachman - Officer
• Will Stanton - Slasher's pal
• Charley Young - Juror
• Wilson Benge - Butler attacked by Slasher
• Ed Brandenburg - Courtroom spectator
• Charles Lloyd - Juror

Production notes

Do Detectives Think? is the first film to showcase Laurel and Hardy donning their iconic attire of crumpled suits and bowler hats, the typical outfit of detectives during that era.

Homages

Canadian musician Nash the Slash chose his stage name based on the character in Do Detectives Think.^[2]