Country Gentlemen

Vaudeville partners Ole Olsen (as "J.D.") and Chic Johnson (as "Charlie") consider going straight. But, they stick together for a new money-making scheme. On the road, they pick up runaway Sammy McKim (as Billy Heath), and are jailed for kidnapping. But, the boy's mother is beautiful ex-silent screen co-star Lila Lee (as Louise), closing in on her retirement from the movies. Presently trying to manage a hotel, Ms. Lee vouches for the conning "Country Gentlemen", and gives them room at the inn. Far from great material for the cast, but you get to see them try. And, under-appreciated Joyce Compton (as Gertie) has a featured role.

*** Country Gentlemen (11/9/36) Ralph Staub ~ Ole Olsen, Chic Johnson, Joyce Compton, Lila Lee

One dose of these 2 is enough for me. There's another O & J film included in this Mill Creek comedy collection, but no thanks. Hope and Crosby, also wise-cracking would-be con artists in their Road pictures, show by contrast how inferior Olsen & Johnson are as film comedians.

Watched this film just to see Joyce Compton in one of her dumb blonde roles. She's fabulous. But it was irritating to watch O & J routinely belittle and mistreat her. Shockingly, they drove away from the café, miles from their destination, leaving her behind in the dust. However, to her character's credit, she takes no notice of their meanness, catches up to them, and continues to be loyal to these louts. Also enjoyed seeing Lila Lee, a major star in silent films, in a sizable support role.

10 stars for Compton. Zero stars for the 2 stars.

Country Gentlemen isn't what Olsen and Johnson are, but what they aspire to be or at least live like. In this film the boys are a pair of con artists leaving Oakland for the sticks with police on their trail.

An innocent run in with young Sammy McKim whom they are mistakenly thought of kidnapping lands them in a rural area far off the beaten path. It's a place that has an army base. But do they try and lie low. They do not, they are soon enough up to their ears in an oil stock swindle.

Ole would probably like to lie low, but Chic apparently can't help himself. They're both in trouble because of him.

I have to say though that Joyce Compton may have had her career role in Country Gentlemen. She's their dumb as a bag of rocks secretary who travels with a large great Dane. The gag is completely lifted from the Paramount classic Six Of A Kind where Burns and Allen also travel with the same kind of dog. As for Compton her performance is a combination of Gracie Allen and Marie Wilson. She's devastating and as far as I'm concerned stole the film from the stars.

It's not a great film, but this should serve as an introduction to Olsen and Johnson.

Not very funny Olsen & Johnson movie, made years before their better work at Universal (including the criminally underappreciated Hellzapoppin'). For those unaware, Olsen & Johnson were like a blend of the Marx Bros and Abbott & Costello, although they predate the latter I believe. They're not really as funny as either team but they have their moments. At least they aren't Wheeler & Woolsey.

Most of the humor in this film relies on Chic Johnson's annoying laugh. My advice to you would be to watch long enough to hear the laugh (it won't take long), then ask yourself "was that funny." If your answer is yes, strap yourself in for the time of your life. If your answer is no, turn the movie off and go watch Hellzapoppin'.

One does not watch an Olsen and Johnson film for the plot, one watches their films for the sheer insanity of the goings on. The jokes are full of puns, both visual and verbal, and very witty interplay that often comes so fast that you have to pause a moment to truly comprehend what you've just seen and heard.(At the top of their form there were/are few comedians who can top their word play) Here Olsen and Johnson are up to their usual tricks with the plot having the pair fleeing from the law in a big city when their stock fraud is discovered. Despite professing the desire to go straight they are soon up to their old tricks in a small country town.

While not as fast faced and rapid fire like some of their other films this movie is still quite enjoyable thanks to really clever writing. The jokes keep you amused even when the plot seems to take a well worn course. Actually other Olsen and Johnson films suffer from weak plot, but they have better pacing. In their better films like Hellzapoppin, there seems to have a joke every couple of seconds and you don't mind the slow pace or weak plot because you're simply laughing too hard. This isn't to say that the film is bad, its not, not even by Olsen and Johnson standards, it just not the best work they've done.

Definitely worth seeing, especially if you've never seen an Olsen and Johnson film before. These are two of the best screen comedians that have ever danced across the silver screen and any opportunity to see them work their magic is always welcome.