Atoll K (also known as: Robinson Crusoeland and Utopia)

(released 1951-52)

Here it is: the very last film of Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy. And what a film! The boys were invited to make a film in France in 1950. They were very anxious to do it, because they hadn't filmed in 5 years. Shooting was going to take 12 weeks: it became 12 months!

When they arrived in France, there wasn't even a script ready and the director, Leo Joannon, was a nitwit (he liked to film water for days and days). Perhaps worst of all was the language barrier: all supporting players spoke French or Italian, everything except English.

Finally, the boys became seriously ill. Stan lost a lot of weight(in fact, he had to be taken to hospital for surgery, and afterwards, he was only allowed to work for 20 minutes a day! He fell off from 82 to barely 50 kg!) and Oliver suffered from heart trouble.

This film has been described as desastruous, but in my opinion, it is reasonably funny, once you get over the shocking appearance of the two comedians. For example, the scenes when Stan tries to rescue Ollie with a lifebuoy that doesn't float or when Stan shaves himself using a bit of sandpaper, are really funny. They show that Stan & Ollie were trying to make the best of it.

Finally, the story: Stan & Ollie come to Paris to collect the inheritance of Stan's late uncle. But, after deduction of taxes, they are left with a few banknotes, an old boat and the deed of an island in the South Sea. They set sail for this island, together with the cook Antoine and a stowaway, Giovanni. They get into a terrible storm and are thrown on an atoll. Afterwards, a young woman (Chérie Lamour) joins them. 

They form a republic with Ollie as president and Stan as "the people". The atoll proves to be a rich finding-place of uranium, so a lot of people are immigrating. Finally, there is a revolt, the government is captured and sentenced to death. Just before the boys are hanged, another storm breaks out and the atoll disappears in the ocean. Luckily, they are saved and brought to their real island with lots of supplies. These are, however,  confiscated and they are left without any food. The final scene forms a suitable end to their film career: Ollie looks to Stan and says:

"Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into!"

upon which Stan begins to cry: "But I couldn't help it, you're always blaming me for everything ..."

After this final film, Stan & Oliver returned to stage and made a few British tours in 1952-54.

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