The boys think their days of fishing to feed themselves have come to an end, when Stan's rich uncle Ebenezer dies leaving a large estate. But they soon learn that Ebenezer was murdered and all the relatives, including Stan, are suspects.
Acting
Laurel's vacant genius and Hardy's exasperated dignity — comedy alchemy.
Direction
Parrott packs more setups in 30 minutes than most features manage.
Practical Effects
Every pratfall landed live; no stunt doubles, no safety nets.
Director
James Parrott
Stan Laurel
Stan
Oliver Hardy
Ollie
Frank Austin
Butler (uncredited)
Stanley Blystone
Detective (uncredited)
Bobby Burns
Nervous Relative at Window (uncredited)
Rosa Gore
Old Relative (uncredited)
Dorothy Granger
Young Relative (uncredited)
Dell Henderson
Housekeeper (uncredited)
Fred Kelsey
Chief of Detectives (uncredited)
Lon Poff
Old Relative (uncredited)
Art Rowlands
Theater-goer Relative (uncredited)
Tiny Sandford
Policeman (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Laurel and Hardy's first 'official' short as a team for Hal Roach, though they'd appeared together earlier. The murder-mystery framework let them transplant their vaudeville routines into a prop-heavy set piece.
Pre-Code Hollywood allowed darker comedy beats here — the murder premise, knife gags, and greedy relatives would've softened post-1934. Catch the edge while it lasts.
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