Rent Laurel and Hardy: Way Out West: Vol.3 (1937)

Thin Story, Thick Charm - Laurel and Hardy: Way Out West: Vol.3 review by griggs

Two men, one deed, and nobody in the right town — that's the plot, and it's plenty.

Laurel and Hardy do the sort of double act you'd think comedy had forgotten how to make. Hardy's slow-burn stare at Stan's latest catastrophe is worth the runtime alone, and there's a mule that steals scenes off actual humans. The middle stretch is where the real chaos lands, and it's the funniest thing here — saloon carnage, a soft-shoe dance nobody asked for, and Stan lighting his thumb like it's nothing.

Thin story, thick charm. I had a great time.

Comedy western. - Laurel and Hardy: Way Out West: Vol.3 review by Steve

It's not obvious why anyone would trust Laurel and Hardy with delivering the valuable deed to one of the world's most profitable goldmines, and true to form they mistakenly leave it in the hands of a crooked saloon keeper (James Finlayson) and his mercenary moll rather than the exploited sweetheart (Rosina Lawrence) it was intended for.

Soon Stan and Ollie are breaking into the premises, trying to get it back. With only our heroes to protect the rights of the bullied youngster against the finagling Finlayson makes the audience really root for them. Which is awful, given how hopeless they are.

 The standout scene is the duo forcing entry into the upper room of the saloon using a pulley, with a donkey at one end and Mr. Hardy at the other. The donkey ends up on the balcony. There's some fine comedy arising from Stan trying to get a locket over Ollie's head without opening the clasp.

Laurel and Hardy are at the peak of their craft. Every visual gag and character reveal is perfectly honed. There's some singing and dancing but this adds a little warmth rather than unwelcome diversion. There's a meagre budget and a minor director, but as always, the stars transcend the production.