8mm Forum: Blotto

This is topic Blotto in forum 8mm Print Reviews at 8mm Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000558

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on September 21, 2014, 01:37 PM:

Blotto (1931)
Laurel & Hardy 30 mins B/W
Blackhawk Films

During the prohibition period, Laurel and Hardy make plans to spend a wild night out at the Rainbow Club. Phoning Stan at home, Ollie suggests a ruse by which Stan is to convince his wife, who keeps him on a short leash, that he has been called away on business. Stan readily agrees to the idea, assuring Ollie that his wife is "so dumb she'll never know the difference".
Mrs. Laurel,(Anita Garvin) eavesdropping on another line, is furious, but continues listening as Stan tells Ollie that he knows where he can get some liquor. His plan is to steal the bottle that his wife has hidden in the house, and later blame the loss on the ice man. Mrs. Laurel immediately launches a scheme of her own: she replaces the alcohol with a non-alcoholic mixture. Stan and Ollie proceed to get "drunk" at the nightclub, having a wonderful time, even though of course they only think they are drinking alcohol.
They are serenaded by a singer at the club and Stan breaks down sobbing upon listening to the sad rendition of the song. Then Stan and Ollie both break into hysterical laughter when they are talking about stealing Mr.s Laurel’s booze. That is, until an angry Mrs. Laurel turns up armed with a shotgun, reveals that their "liquor" is merely cold tea, chases them into the street, and demolishes their cab with one well-aimed shot.
This 30 minute short is, without doubt, the funniest Laurel & Hardy film that I have ever seen. A couple of years ago I showed it as part of a film show at my house, and my friends mother was quite literally chocking with laughter, to the point where I actually thought she might die in my home cinema! [Big Grin]

Such is the totally infectious nature of Stan and Ollies laughter.
I had this film on DVD for many years, but I was delighted to pick up a super 8 print from Steve Osbourne last week. Nothing like showing these classic old films on a 'reel' projector!
Print and sound are both very good on my Blackhawk print.
Highly recommended ****

Posted by Kevin Hassall (Member # 2352) on September 21, 2014, 03:06 PM:

i have this paul so funny stans laugh kills me i had this off a friend he had it twice not in original box but good picture

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on October 03, 2014, 09:02 AM:

Might have been my print you got, I strive to find the best - Shorty

Posted by Bradford A Moore (Member # 426) on October 07, 2014, 04:59 PM:

Very funny, I was just watching this super 8 Blackhawk print this afternoon too. One of my favorites.

Posted by Mark Todd (Member # 96) on October 10, 2014, 11:38 AM:

My favourite part is Ollies increasing mood and what the !!!,s in the Phone box.

You can just imagine it, but I suppose we all live with that now with overseas call centres and terrible automated menus !!!

Best Mark.

Posted by Joseph Randall (Member # 4906) on July 05, 2015, 08:25 PM:

I agree that BLOTTO is one of their all-time best! The premise of getting blotto on a non-alcoholic drink was so good that Jackie Gleason borrowed the idea for a classic episode of THE HONEYMOONERS.

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2