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Author
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Topic: Blotto
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Paul Adsett
Film God
Posts: 5003
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 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]](biggrin.gif) 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 ****
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Elmo GS1200 f1.0 2-blade
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