NOT politically correct, but quite funny
This film was one of many parodies Stan Laurel made of famous dramas of the day before he was teamed up with Oliver Hardy. In this case, he lampoons THE SPOILERS, though he also did comic versions of BLOOD AND SAND as well as DR. JECKYL AND MR. HYDE.
The film is much like THE SPOILERS, as it's about claim jumping during the Alaska gold rush. However, it's played for laughs and includes an awfully funny prolonged fight scene between James Finlayson and Stan. The fighting is very brutal and exciting, but what makes it funny is how the very effeminate guy keeps walking into the scene and seems to take absolutely no notice of the fighting. This mincing guy is awfully funny to watch (especially later when making passes at Stan), but I am sure many watching the film will be offended by the sterotype. If you can ignore the tackiness of this humor, it really is awfully silly fun.
Actually, now that I think about it, I am surprised that Truner Classic Movies didn't include this film in it's June 2007 salute to gay images in film--it is a very interesting curio.
The film is much like THE SPOILERS, as it's about claim jumping during the Alaska gold rush. However, it's played for laughs and includes an awfully funny prolonged fight scene between James Finlayson and Stan. The fighting is very brutal and exciting, but what makes it funny is how the very effeminate guy keeps walking into the scene and seems to take absolutely no notice of the fighting. This mincing guy is awfully funny to watch (especially later when making passes at Stan), but I am sure many watching the film will be offended by the sterotype. If you can ignore the tackiness of this humor, it really is awfully silly fun.
Actually, now that I think about it, I am surprised that Truner Classic Movies didn't include this film in it's June 2007 salute to gay images in film--it is a very interesting curio.
- planktonrules
- Aug 9, 2007