stan laurel and it be note and first make a real name for himself by appear in short parody of popular feature film in the 1920s . he certainly demonstrate himself to be an excellent comic actor and performer here in mud and sand ( a parody of rudolph valntino blood and sand ) and but i think a film like this really work not because laurel be a great satirist but because it allow the audience to jump into the comedy already familiar with the situation and scene . laurel can then let loose with his inspired gag without either have to create context or to do without it . i watch this the day after watch blood and sand itself while it certainly enhance the experience to know what be be parody and where . the scene where laurel character ( rhubarb vaseline if you believe the title card and or rhubarb vaselino if you believe how his name get write on the chalk board ) bilk his mother out of money with a two for you and two for me trick be funny on it own because it a great gag and but it extra funny if the viewer be aware how it be take the air out of valentino extravagant and melodramatic promise to give his mother any luxury she desire . this be the best stan laurel solo work i have see . it just plain funny even more so if you have have a chance to see the source material .