This entertaining film is one of Laurel and Hardy's most bizarre. Stan and Ollie work as stable-hands for a racehorse named "Blue Boy." They overhear two men talking about "the famous Blue Boy," which has been stolen. There is a $5000 reward for its return, but the boys don't know that the men are talking about a famous painting. Trying to collect the reward, they take the horse to the mansion of the owner of the painting, arriving as he is getting out of the shower. Without looking at what Stan and Ollie have brought in, the owner tells them to put it on top of the grand piano. Stan does not understand, but Ollie tells him that rich people are "just the reverse" from everybody else. Stan and Ollie have quite a struggle to get the horse on top of the grand piano! ~ Bruce Calvert, All Movie Guide
Review by All Movie Guide
All Movie Guide
lost interest.
This was one of
Stan Laurel and
Oliver Hardy's last silent films, and one of their most original. Director
Leo McCarey claims he came up with the premise in a dentist's office -- while his teeth were being worked on, he saw a reproduction of Gainsborough's
Big Boy on the wall and it inspired the storyline. The concept fits right in with Laurel and Hardy's personas -- only they would be dumb enough to mix up a horse with a painting. Once they bring the steed to the home of the millionaire (played by actor and early silent director
Dell Henderson), the film really hits its stride. The horse proves to be a nice comic foil for the boys, chasing after them because they're carrying a tasty bouquet of flowers, repeatedly knocking off Laurel's hat and patiently standing on the piano while Stan uses Ollie's head as a piano leg. One of the most sublime moments is when Hardy explains to Laurel that rich people are nuts -- Stan adopts {Ollie's little hand gesture, which is repeated at several humorous moments. Although it's outdone by
Two Tars and
Big Business (two of the best comedy shorts ever made, sound or silent), Wrong Again is a must-see for anyone who loves to laugh. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide