Atoll K

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Atoll K
Theatrical release poster.
Directed by	Léo Joannon
Produced by	Raymond Eger
Written by	John D. Klorer Frederick Kohner Piero Tellini René Wheeler
Starring	Stan Laurel Oliver Hardy Suzy Delair
Music by	Paul Misraki
Cinematography	Armand Thirard
Editing by	Raymond Isnardon
Distributed by	Franco London Films Les Films Sirius Exploitation Pictures Inc.
Release date(s)	October 17, 1951 October 25, 1951 December 14, 1951 December 21, 1951 April 25, 1952 1953 December 14, 1954
Running time	100 minutes // 82 minutes
Country	France Italy
Language	French
Allmovie profile
IMDb profile

Atoll K is a 1951 French/Italian film starring Laurel and Hardy in their final screen appearance. Co-starring Suzy Delair, the production was rife with problems. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were the only cast members who spoke English; most of the crew and all of the supporting cast were French or Italian. Language barriers and health problems caused major delays; Laurel contracted dysentery, which caused extreme weight loss and added lines to his facial features, and Hardy was troubled with heart murmur and weight problems. They recovered their health following the making of the film, and would spend the remainder of their performing career mostly touring British music halls.

Atoll K was issued at 100-minute length in France, but most versions since then are abridged. An 82-minute version retited Robinson Crusoeland was released in the UK; this was reissued under the title Utopia in the United States, where it is now in the public domain and widely available on home video.

[edit] Atoll K 1951

[edit] Plot

Laurel and Hardy inherit a South Seas island and a boat. They set sail, unaware that a stateless refugee and a stowaway are on board. After a stormy voyage, they are shipwrecked on a newly emerged desert island, where they are soon joined by a chanteuse who fled from her fiancee. They set up the island as their own private republic, with Hardy as president and Laurel as "the people." All goes well until uranium deposits are found on the island, and people come from all over to prospect. The mob gets out of hand, refusing to listen to Hardy as president of the island. When another storm strikes and threatens to submerge the island, the mob leaves. Laurel and Hardy finally arrive at the island they inherited, only to have their land and supplies impounded.