THE BIG NOISE is an amiable Laurel & Hardy comedy made after the pair split with Hal Roach Studios. It's nowhere near as funny as their earlier work a decade before but it passes the time well enough if you're a fan and is comparable with similar fare from the era. The main thing that disappointed me is that there's a real lack of scenery and prop destruction, apparently a decision made to help contribute to the war effort. The hapless duo become bodyguards for an eccentric inventor whose malfunctioning devices cause plenty of chaos. The stars are noticeable older here but they still give it their all and the gags come thick and fast, although the success rate is lower and that 'bunk bed' scene goes on interminably.
Review of The Big Noise
