Two Tars

During a shore leave, two sailors opt to rent an automobile, with Laurel assuming the role of driver. However, his lack of proficiency behind the wheel leads to a near collision with a pedestrian at a street corner. Subsequently, Hardy takes over driving duties but promptly crashes the vehicle into a lamppost, prompting him to retreat in embarrassment. Their misadventures continue as they encounter two young women struggling with a malfunctioning vending machine. Hardy's attempt to resolve the situation results in the machine's destruction, exacerbating the situation.

Their actions draw the ire of the store proprietor, leading to a chaotic encounter where Laurel and Hardy find themselves entangled in the escalating conflict. Despite their efforts to flee, they inadvertently become embroiled in a larger-scale altercation involving numerous motorists. This conflict quickly escalates into a chaotic exchange of vehicular damage and improvised weaponry.

The arrival of law enforcement is met with further chaos, as a steamroller inadvertently incapacitates the officer's motorcycle. Seizing the opportunity, Laurel and Hardy escape into a nearby railway tunnel, leaving behind a trail of vehicular wreckage.

{{Cast listing|

• Stan Laurel - Stan
• Oliver Hardy - Ollie
• Edgar Kennedy - Motorist
• Thelma Hill - Brunette girl
• Ruby Blaine - Blonde girl
• Harry Bernard - Truck driver
• Chet Brandenburg - Motorist
• Baldwin Cooke - Motorist
• Edgar Dearing - Motorcycle policeman
• Frank Ellis - Motorist
• Helen Gilmore - Motorist
• Clara Guiol - Motorist
• Charlie Hall -Shopkeeper
• Jack Hill - Motorist with mattress
• Fred Holmes - Motorist
• Ham Kinsey
• Sam Lufkin
• Charles McMurphy
• Retta Palmer
• Lon Poff
• Thomas Benton Roberts
• Charley Rogers
• George Rowe
• Lyle Tayo

}}

One of the most elaborate silent comedy shorts, Two Tars was filmed as a three reel (30-minute) comedy originally called Two Tough Tars and edited down to 20 minutes. The opening scenes were shot on the 3800 block{{Cite web |last=Now |first=Chris Bungo Studios Filming Locations Then and |title=Chris Bungo Studios Filming Locations Then and Now |url=https://ChrisBungoStudios.com |access-date=2024-10-21 |website=Chris Bungo Studios Filming Locations Then and Now |language=en-US}} of Main Street in Culver City, and the car battle scenes were filmed in Santa Monica along what is now Centinela Avenue.

Chapters — called Tents — of The Sons of the Desert, the international Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society, all take their names from L&H films. There are four Two Tars Tents in Solingen, Germany; Guernsey, Channel Islands; North Illinois/Wisconsin Border; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A fifth Two Tars Tent was established in Reidsville, North Carolina, but is no longer active.

{{reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|0019504}}
• {{Internet Archive film|two-tars_1928|title = Two Tars}}
• {{tcmdb title|id=614757}}
• {{Rotten Tomatoes|two_tars}}

{{Laurel and Hardy filmography}}

{{James Parrott}}

Category:1928 films

Category:1928 comedy films

Category:1928 short films

Category:1920s American films

Category:1920s English-language films

Category:American black-and-white films

Category:English-language comedy short films

Category:Films directed by James Parrott

Category:Films with screenplays by H. M. Walker

Category:Laurel and Hardy (film series)

Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer short films

Category:Silent American comedy short films

Category:Surviving American silent films