A-Haunting We Will Go (1942) in Color — Starring Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy

A-Haunting We Will Go (1942) — Buy This Classic in Color

Buy A-Haunting We Will Go (1942) in color — Alfred L. Werker’s delightfully chaotic comedy-mystery that pairs the legendary Laurel and Hardy with an elaborate magician’s scheme, now professionally colorized and restored in stunning HD quality. This riotous misadventure stars the incomparable Stan Laurel as Stan, Oliver Hardy as Ollie, the famed stage illusionist Dante as Dante, Sheila Ryan as the beautiful Margo, John Shelton as the resourceful Tommy White, Don Costello as the scheming gangster Doc Lake, Elisha Cook Jr. as the dangerous Frank Lucas, Edward Gargan as the dogged Police Lt. Foster, Addison Richards as the corrupt Attorney Malcolm Kilgore, and George Lynn as the sinister Darby Mason. One of the most entertaining entries in the Laurel and Hardy feature film catalog, this timeless classic is now available as an instant, DRM-free digital download for immediate enjoyment.

Plot Summary

The film opens with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in desperate straits, broke and homeless, sleeping on a park bench and wondering where their next meal will come from. Their miserable situation takes a sudden turn when a pair of shady characters working for the ruthless gangster Doc Lake (Don Costello) approach them with what seems like easy money — all they have to do is escort a coffin on a cross-country train journey and deliver it to a specific address. Stan and Ollie, too desperate and too naive to ask questions, eagerly accept the job without realizing they are being drawn into a dangerous criminal conspiracy. This classic movie continues to captivate new generations of viewers.

What the hapless duo does not know is that the coffin contains not a corpse but a very much alive gangster named Darby Mason (George Lynn), who is being smuggled out of town to escape the attention of the relentless Police Lt. Foster (Edward Gargan). The crooked Attorney Malcolm Kilgore (Addison Richards) has orchestrated the entire scheme to move his criminal associate beyond the reach of the law, and Stan and Ollie are merely unwitting pawns in his elaborate plan.

The journey quickly descends into chaos when the coffin ends up backstage at a theatre where the renowned magician Dante is preparing for his spectacular stage show. Through a series of increasingly absurd mix-ups, Dante’s prop coffin and the gangster’s coffin become hopelessly switched, leading to a cascade of confusion that entangles everyone — from Dante’s beautiful assistant Margo (Sheila Ryan) and the quick-thinking Tommy White (John Shelton) to the increasingly suspicious police. Stan and Ollie find themselves onstage as part of Dante’s magic act, creating pandemonium with their bumbling attempts to assist the illusionist while simultaneously trying to keep track of the coffin they were hired to deliver. The frantic climax brings together gangsters, police, magicians, and the bewildered comedy duo in a spectacular collision of slapstick, suspense, and pure comedic mayhem.

Cast & Crew

• Director: Alfred L. Werker
• Starring: Stan Laurel as Stan, Oliver Hardy as Ollie, Dante as Dante, Sheila Ryan as Margo, John Shelton as Tommy White, Don Costello as Doc Lake, Elisha Cook Jr. as Frank Lucas, Edward Gargan as Police Lt. Foster, Addison Richards as Attorney Malcolm Kilgore, George Lynn as Darby Mason
• Runtime: 68 minutes
• Year: 1942
• Rated: Approved
• IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
• Genre: Comedy, Crime

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

This professionally colorized and restored version of A-Haunting We Will Go transforms the visual experience of one of Laurel and Hardy’s most entertaining feature films. The frame-by-frame HD colorization reveals rich period details that the original black and white photography could only suggest — from the warm earth tones of the park bench where Stan and Ollie sleep rough to the lush crimson velvet curtains and gleaming brass fixtures of Dante’s magnificent stage show. The duo’s signature bowler hats, rumpled suits, and expressive faces gain striking new visual dimensions in color, while the eerie atmosphere of the coffin transport scenes takes on an atmospheric quality that heightens both the comedy and the suspense.

The colorization particularly enhances Dante’s elaborate magic sequences, where spotlights, colored silks, flashing props, and stage illusions burst to life with dazzling visual intensity. The contrast between the grimy, muted tones of the criminal underworld and the spectacular brightness of the theatre setting becomes a visual storytelling device in its own right. The restoration preserves every pratfall, double take, and perfectly timed piece of physical comedy from Laurel and Hardy while adding layers of visual richness that make this beloved classic feel fresh and vibrant for modern audiences. Also available in colour for international viewers.

Historical Significance

Released in August 1942 by 20th Century Fox, A-Haunting We Will Go represents a fascinating chapter in the career of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, marking one of their wartime-era features produced outside their longtime home studio of Hal Roach. Director Alfred L. Werker, a versatile filmmaker known for his work across multiple genres, brought a polished visual style to the production that complemented Laurel and Hardy’s physical comedy with atmospheric cinematography and crisp pacing.

The film is particularly notable for featuring Dante the Magician, one of the most famous stage illusionists of the twentieth century, performing genuine magic tricks that are seamlessly woven into the comedy narrative. Dante’s presence gives the film a unique flavor that distinguishes it from other Laurel and Hardy features, blending slapstick comedy with the spectacle of grand stage magic in a way that audiences of the era found irresistible. The supporting cast, including Elisha Cook Jr. — who would go on to become one of Hollywood’s most iconic character actors in film noir — adds dramatic weight and genuine menace that balances the lighter comic elements. A-Haunting We Will Go remains a testament to Laurel and Hardy’s enduring appeal and their remarkable ability to generate laughter even within the constraints of a wartime studio production.

Technical Details

• Original Format: Black and White (1942)
• Colorized: Professional frame-by-frame HD colorization and restoration
• Resolution: HD 720p
• File Format: MP4 / MKV
• Running Time: 68 minutes
• Language: English
• Delivery: Instant download link on-screen and sent to your email upon purchase
• Price: €15.00
• License: Personal, non-commercial use

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Who is Dante the Magician and why is he in this film?
Dante (Harry August Jansen) was one of the most celebrated stage magicians of the early twentieth century, famous for his elaborate touring shows that rivaled those of Houdini and Thurston. His appearance in A-Haunting We Will Go allowed him to perform genuine illusions on screen, adding an extraordinary dimension of spectacle to the comedy that makes this film unique among Laurel and Hardy features.

Q: What is the significance of the coffin in the plot?
The coffin is the central comic prop that drives the entire film. It contains a living gangster being smuggled out of town, but when it gets mixed up with one of Dante’s stage props backstage at the theatre, the resulting confusion creates an escalating chain of hilarious misunderstandings involving Stan, Ollie, the criminals, the police, and the magician’s entire company.

Q: How does this film compare to other Laurel and Hardy features?
A-Haunting We Will Go is distinctive for its blend of slapstick comedy with mystery and magic elements, giving it a livelier and more plot-driven structure than some of the duo’s earlier, more improvisation-heavy features. The presence of Dante and a strong ensemble of character actors lends the film a polished production quality that showcases Laurel and Hardy’s comedic brilliance within a tightly constructed narrative.

Digital Download Questions

Q: Is this the original film with added color?
Yes, this is the original 1942 black and white film professionally colorized frame-by-frame for authentic, vibrant visuals while preserving the original audio and performances.

Q: What devices can I watch this on?
Any device that supports MP4 playback, including Smart TVs, Windows and macOS computers, tablets, and iOS or Android mobile devices.

Q: Is the download DRM-free?
Yes, your digital download is completely DRM-free for personal use. No special software or accounts are required to enjoy the film.

Q: How and when will I receive my download?
You will receive a secure download link on the confirmation page immediately after purchase. A copy of the link will also be sent to your email address.

Related Colorized Classics

• Way Out West (1937)
• Sons of the Desert (1933)
• Swiss Miss (1938)
• The Flying Deuces (1939)
• Block-Heads (1938)