Marujos Improvisados

There would be those that argue by 1940, the boys are past their best. This is a reminder of the prowess of these two comedic, cinematic giants. Ollie is diagnosed with hornaphobia (in fact, you're on the verge of hornamania!) by James Finlayson and advised to get some calm ocean air to relieve his jangled nerves. With Stan acting as nurse, the boys hire a boat, intending to stay moored to the dock until their goat (the doctor advises plenty of ghost's milk) gnaws through the mooring and they are left to drift out to sea accompanied by escaped prisoner Nick Grainger (and Nick jr.). Some scenes had me rolling in laughter - Ollie blowing up the lungtester, the banana, the synthetic meal, the dodgy plumbing and the fight scene at the end. If you've seen this film you'll know what I'm talking about. If you haven't then I recommend you find out. **** out of *****

I believe that next to "County Hospital" this is my most often viewed L & H movie. Ollie has a nervous breakdown from a case of Hornophobia caused by working in a horn factory. The sound of the musical instruments sets him off, giving him nearly superhuman strength and violent behavior. The doctor, Jimmy Finlayson, says they need to take a sea cruise. They have little money, so instead, they rent a houseboat moored to the dock. Sea ear but no complicated sailing. Who should come along but another one of those head shaved convicts, a public enemy, who decides to hide out on the boat. His name is Nick Granger and he calls his gun "Little Nick." The boys find themselves with no other option but to do him in before it does them in. Several efforts to do so are quashed. There is much physical humor and desperation. I found the conclusion satisfying in the best Laurel and Hardy tradition. The films that followed were not met with much acclaim. Maybe they were just tired, or their audiences had changed.

Stanley and Oliver are working in a noisy horn factory, which drives Oliver crazy.He doesn't even want to hear the sound of a horn after that.Jimmy Finlayson plays the doctor, who says the boys should go on a sea trip to get Ollie well. So the boys get a boat and do what Dr. Finlayson tells them to do.But a dangerous killer comes to the boat with them. Saps at Sea offers you many funny scenes, as the Laurel and Hardy films always do.No matter what the boys are doing in their movies, they're always hilarious.This movie has many scenes to remember, like when the crook makes Stanley and Ollie to eat "the food" they made.Saps at Sea is totally worth watching, if you want to get a few good laughs.I guarantee you will get some laughs when you watch this movie.Laurel and Hardy won't disappoint you.

The last (I believe) of the movies The Boys made with Hal Roach, this is also the last truly funny film they made, before going to 20th century fox, which so famously misued their talents. Although there are weak moments - the business with the "lung tester", for instance, is a bit, ah ... overblown (but worth having, just to see "Dr." Jimmy Finlayson) - but on the whole this flick is a good summary of what the boys brought to the screen. Richard Cramer (uncredited) appeared in other L&H flicks, and he is delightfully threatening here as the convict Nick Granger. The scene where The Boys have to eat their own synthetic meal ("Looks good, smells good, and it probably tastes good. Eat it.") is one of my favorite moments in the oeuvre. Stan & Ollie will always be pleasant companions in the lives of their millions of devoted fans.

Laurel and Hardy's last film during their best golden era where they worked for Hal Roach Studios. It's not their best Roach movie, but it's still quite funny with a good dose of laughs and is completely worth seeing. (After this one they would move over to Fox and MGM Studios where they'd make what most fans agree are the least films of their career). The boys work in a horn manufacturing company where they have to test out all sorts of loud and honking horns... and Ollie eventually freaks out and goes berserk with a nervous breakdown! (this scene was so funny to me the first time I ever saw it that I had one of the most robust laughs I've ever had while watching a comedy). It is advised that Stan take Ollie home for some peace and quiet, but with Stan to nurse Ollie, you know THAT will never happen! Stan calls funnyman Dr. Finlayson who examines Hardy and diagnoses him with "Hornophobia" and a prescription to go on a sea voyage for some peace and quiet. Not long after they get onto the boat, an escaped convict sneaks aboard and terrorizes them. Like some other L&H comedies, this one feels like it's two or three different shorts rolled into one feature and the best stuff is the first half. But don't let this deter you from checking it out if you have the chance. This is still some of the best comedy around. *** out of ****