Laurel and Hardy made a ton of comedy shorts together from the late 20s to 1935 and this one is a bit different because of its length. Unlike most, which were two-reelers (about 20 minutes more or less), this one was three. I'm not sure the plot needed the extra ten minutes, but the film didn't seem overly long or have any serious lulls.
The film begins with Ollie in a very unusual position for one of their movies--he's a very successful man! He owns a manure business and is running for mayor. However, an old flame (Mae Busch) returns and threatens to blackmail him--even though they haven't been involved for many years. Instead of just coming clean or calling the police, Ollie enlists the help of Stan to keep this evil and very volatile lady busy until Ollie's dinner party with the judge and his wife is completed--then he can attend to Mae.
Mrs. Laurel isn't so understanding when Stan calls home to tell her he'll be home late, though Ollie is the one that calls and tells Stan everything is fine with his wife! Later, when Stan tries to keep Mae in her apartment until Ollie can arrive, the explosive wench begins man-handling Stan--and an acquaintance of Stan's wife sees this and thinks the worse!
Later, when Stan follows Mae to Ollie's house, Ollie is now panicked--and tells everyone that this is Stan's wife. However, when the real wife shows up, it's a pretty typical ending for a Laurel and Hardy short. In fact, the film's biggest weakness is the end, as it seems to end on a rather anti-climatic note.
The film gets very high marks for energy and fun, though if you think about it, Ollie had done nothing wrong and this is a fundamental flaw in the plot. Still, it will give you a few laughs and is about average to above average for one of their films--which is still quite wonderful.
The film begins with Ollie in a very unusual position for one of their movies--he's a very successful man! He owns a manure business and is running for mayor. However, an old flame (Mae Busch) returns and threatens to blackmail him--even though they haven't been involved for many years. Instead of just coming clean or calling the police, Ollie enlists the help of Stan to keep this evil and very volatile lady busy until Ollie's dinner party with the judge and his wife is completed--then he can attend to Mae.
Mrs. Laurel isn't so understanding when Stan calls home to tell her he'll be home late, though Ollie is the one that calls and tells Stan everything is fine with his wife! Later, when Stan tries to keep Mae in her apartment until Ollie can arrive, the explosive wench begins man-handling Stan--and an acquaintance of Stan's wife sees this and thinks the worse!
Later, when Stan follows Mae to Ollie's house, Ollie is now panicked--and tells everyone that this is Stan's wife. However, when the real wife shows up, it's a pretty typical ending for a Laurel and Hardy short. In fact, the film's biggest weakness is the end, as it seems to end on a rather anti-climatic note.
The film gets very high marks for energy and fun, though if you think about it, Ollie had done nothing wrong and this is a fundamental flaw in the plot. Still, it will give you a few laughs and is about average to above average for one of their films--which is still quite wonderful.