Dick und Doof in tausend Nöten

Those who have seen a lot of Laurel and Hardy will most likely see that this movie isn't especially original. The plot involving an argument gone awry with the neighboring shop keeper is very reminiscent of their silent film, BIG BUSINESS except in this case they are arguing and becoming VERY destructive with Charlie Hall instead of James Finlayson AND there is the plot element of the jealous husband that was added to TIT FOR TAT. But, despite this lack of originality, the movie is still great fun and it is absolutely wonderful watching the 3 men literally destroy each other's businesses over absolutely nothing! This movie is certainly a sight to behold as their behavior gets more and more and more out of control as the film progresses!

This movie perfectly shows the reasons why I like Laurel & Hardy pictures so much. It has got a great silly story, well timing and some great comical moments, all perfectly executed by the characters.

The story is very, very simple but it works oh so well and is oh so strong. Basically the movie is about Stan and Olie, who just opened an electrical repair store, having a small war with their neighbor the grocer. Basically the movie is about the two parties taking constantly revenge on the other, in a comical hilarious way. This movie is a direct (and the only) sequel to a previous Laurel & Hardy movie, namely; "Them Thar Hills".

The returning joke of the costumer who robs the store every time Laurel & Hardy went away is absolutely hilarious.

The simple story of the movie is extremely well executed and makes this movie one of the most enjoyable Laurel & Hardy shorts.

8/10

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Laurel and Hardy open up an electrical hardware store and go to introduce themselves to the neighbouring grocery store owner only to find that it is Mr and Mrs Hall, whom they encountered previously on a mountain trip for health reasons. Mr Hall still has issues regarding his wife and Hardy. These issues boil over when Hardy inadvertently gets involved with her again leading to a battle of retribution between the two men. Meanwhile, no one is minding the store.

Having just seem `Them Thar Hills' the day before, the fact that this film followed on from that one was a pleasant surprise. The strongest part of that film was a `tit for tat' battle with Charlie Hall, Well, someone clearly agreed that this was funny, so the vast majority of this film is given over to a continuation of that battle – directly referring back to Them Thar Hills. The whole film is hilarious. Not only does the humour strike an imaginative chord but the calm `accept my punishment' style approach of the film makes it even funnier. There is also a great running joke each time the duo leave their store.

Laurel and Hardy do great work – both giving and receiving the blows. Charlie Hall is about as spot on as I've seen him in these shorts. Here he has a bigger character than he often does and he really works hard to thank the film for the part I guess. Busch has less to do and is really only the plot driver here.

Overall this short is one simple idea – a running battle between Laurel and Hardy and Mr Hall the grocer. It is wonderfully simple and wonderfully effective as it is hilarious from start to finish.

Stan and Ollie run an electrical shop (I'm sure they are stellar businessmen). Unfortunately, they have had previous dealings with the guy next door who runs a grocery store. Somehow the guy gets it into his head that Ollie has a thing for his wife (Mae Busch) and decides to start a war (a tit for tat kind of thing) with the boys. Soon they are trying to outdo one another in their cruel attacks. What is also going on is a man who goes into Stan and Ollie's store and starts stealing their stuff. At first he takes little things. As time goes by, he is utterly ignored because the parties are so involved in their discord. Soon he is hauling out huge amounts of stuff, using a wheelbarrow. The timing and interaction between these people is delightful and, as usual, things don't go well.

This is certainly one of the best L & H shorts because unlike most of the others there`s little in the way of an episodic feel and it has a continuity with THEM THAR HILLS . What makes memorable to me is the innuendo involved when Ollie comes down the stairs with the grocer`s wife and laughs " I`ve never been in a position like that before " I was totally shocked , Oliver Hardy comes out of a bedroom , down a flight of stairs and exclaims " I`ve never been in a position like that before " Of course there`s an innocent explanation for all this but it`s unbelievable the censors allowed this type of innuendo to be used in 1935 . I would have loved to have seen this at a cinema when it was first released just so I could see if anyone picked up on the ambiguity of Oliver`s statement