Postage Due

In case you don't know it, Stan Laurel had a film career before being teamed with Oliver Hardy. Stan starred in or co-starred in many shorts during the late teens and 1920s. The quality of the lot varied considerably. However, despite a few really good films here and there, the bulk of the films are, at best, average and not even close to the quality of the premier comedians of the day. Considering I am one of the biggest Laurel and Hardy fans (having reviewed just about all their films--even the foreign language ones I could get hold of), my seeing Laurel as a less than stellar solo act should carry some merit, as I really WANTED to enjoy these movies more.

This film is about an intrepid postal inspector played by James Finlayson. He's out to catch lawbreakers and his quarry in this film is the wicked Stan Laurel--who mails a postcard without affixing postage!! Making this seem like a first-class felony was a clever move as was Finlayson and Laurel running about almost like the film were a precursor to THE FUGITIVE. While there aren't huge laughs, a few decent ones and a really good final sight gag make this film worth a peek.

Very funny little comedy where Stan showed his ability to hold the audience attention. it can be divided in two part, the first located in George Rowe's shop where Stan tried to take a photograph dressed like a "God"... with Jimmy Finn moral disapproval and the second part taking place at the Post Office. here Stan is trying to write a letter to his girlfriend including the "God" picture, but he can't find a pen that could write properly! when he had finally done, he discover that the stamp is missed! so he began to chase his letter all around the Office. In the meantime we can see Finn chasing him and a couple of thieves trying to burgle the Office. It's a very fast comedy with some taste of pure slapstick, but Stan and Fin are as usual very good! especially in the first part with Stan trying to pass for a "God"