Laurel & Hardy's last American film is also probably the best(or more accurately,least worst)of their post-Hal Roach movies.One positive aspect,unlike their previous Fox/MGM wartime efforts,is that there are scenes in the film which are reasonably in character,as likeable innocents,and not complete idiots. A reworking of the egg-breaking sequence from HOLLYWOOD PARTY(1934)works quite well,as does a water-throwing routine.Arguably the best moments in the film are with cult character actor Hank Worden,who while registering at the hotel says he can't write("He's forging my name!",Stan protests!). Where the film falters is with supposed villain Ralph Sanford.Walter Long,Rychard Cramer,Charlie Hall and James Finlayson were both menacing and funny in the Roach films,but in this film,Sanford is neither despite his bulky frame.Former Radio announcer Richard Lane is good though,but the film falters in it's second half with a hackneyed 'double' story;namely Stan being a lookalike for the great bullfighter Don Sebastian.And for the first time since their earliest silent days,Fox's make-up department do away with their comic hairstyles.Still,the film brightens up with an amusing 'freak' ending,which Stan liked to employ occasionally with the Hal Roach studios.Not a good film,but certainly a tolerable one compared to A-HAUNTING WE WILL GO(1942) and THE DANCING MASTERS(1943).
Review of The Bullfighters
