Block-Head (1938)

There are short films and then there are feature films. This is your typical Laurel and Hardy short feature which falls somewhere in between.

This Hal Roach produced comedy romp pulls its plot from current events such as WWI, big game hunting and Middle American suburban life. But forget that, the most important part is that Laurel and Hardy are up to their usual gags playing their usual selves in this laugh-laden story with a typical bouncy score.

It starts off with a oblivious Stan guarding his trench for over 20 years as the story moves from 1917 in France to the year 1938. Don't question it just accept that Stan is stupid and he has a mountain of ration cans to prove it.

When he finally is brought back to civilization there's one man who especially surprised, his good ol' buddy Oliver who is just about to celebrate his anniversary with his wife.

The friends finally get their reunion at the old soldiers home where Stan is laid up and the fun begins. Because Stan and Ollie are the perfect antithesis and they always lead to the greatest of guffaws.

The laughs continue to spew out whether its Stan's supposedly amputated leg or a truck piled high with dirt. And that's before they even arrive home where they must deal with 13 flights of stairs and the ever present James Finlayson ready to trade some choice words and fists with Ollie.

Ollie also has some marital problems of his own that are complicated by the pretty young wife that lives across the hall. He and Stan manage to do what they do best by completely decimating their house and blowing up their kitchen. The end title card drops as our two heroes gallop away followed by a jealous husband with an elephant gun. Sounds about right.

I dearly hope I never grow tired of Laurel and Hardy, because if I do it will almost feel like I lost just a bit of my humanity. They are often so dumb, so mean to each other and to others, but at their core they are always a lovable duo. By now they are caricatures in appearance and for their buffoonery, but they are also so beloved by the masses. I would like to say even to this day.

Ollie with his fiery temper and bossing of Stan. Stan with his stupidity and often surprising talents (smoking a hand-pipe and pulling down the shadow of a window blind just to name a few). I wish there had been more screen time for Billy Gilbert, but otherwise this is a wholly worthwhile addition to the L & H legacy.

4/5 Stars