1933
This is one of those "aren't wives controlling and obnoxious bitches?" kind of comedies. I usually can laugh at them, but I was raised by an extreme feminist so something in me twitches. I also heard a guy say today that women shouldn't be allowed to drive so maybe I am just looking for a fight.
So Laurel and Hardy are apparently a "thing" just like the Marx Brothers. I had actually never heard of them before. This means that I haven't heard of any fans of theirs either. I have a similar opinion about this movie and Duck Soup. I am sure they were hilarious for the time, but now their jokes are completely outdated. They didn't get a laugh out of me once. This is not to say that comedies from the thirties can never be funny. I loved Gold Diggers of 1933 and I even laughed at Buster Keaton back in the twenties. I think the difference is that the comedies I like were a lot more subtle and witty. Sons of the Desert, Duck Soup, and even Chaplin's movies consisted of pure gags, which are never as entertaining.
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
Good acting, though.
"Well, here is another fine mess you got me into" was #60 in AFI's top 100 movie quotes.
Had to get this one off Amazon.
I grew up on Laurel and Hardy, or "Goes og Gokke" as they are known as in Denmark, so I am almost hardwired into liking them. This is not their best piece though. For my money I would go for Sons of the Desert.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you were Danish!
DeleteYup. and I even have a movie blog, though I am not anywhere as far as you.
DeleteOh let me know the URL!
DeleteIt is tsorensen1001.blogspot.dk
DeleteOr just google TSorensen1001
Nice! I started reading your reviews today! Very entertaining!
DeleteI've never really got Laurel and Hardy. Some good bits (I'm talking generally here, not necessarily just about 'Sons of ..'). Far too much silly slapstick, predictable development and .. just endless repeat of situations and reactions. You kno I will always be with you on Keaton...
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, agreed.
DeleteYou never heard of Laurel and Hardy? What's wrong with kids nowadays!!!
ReplyDeleteI kind of grew up on them, or at least the cartoons, so I was looking forward to this. Plenty of gags about tripping over suitcases multiple times don't date well, but it's mostly all about the characters and watching how they rub off on each other and the situations. You know Stan's going to cry at some point and that Ollie's going to lead him astray before blaming him for "another fine mess". Glorious! Maybe if you're not familiar with this and in on the joke, so to speak, it would lose most of it's appeal.
Lol I definitely think it is a generational thing. I already anticipate getting mad at people for not knowing about Buffy the Vampire Slayer in ten years.
DeleteWho?
DeleteBy the way, I'm not sure that this characterises the wives as controlling or obnoxious bitches. The joke is very much on hopelessly errant husbands and then we laugh each time the wives give them the comeuppance they so richly deserve.
DeleteOh my poor heart.
Delete