Almost every review I've read here bashes this little film because the reviewers expected it to be something it's not. As it stars the famous comedy duo Laurel and Hardy, it seems they expected this to be a comedy. Well, it's not a comedy. It's a public service announcement (PSA) explaining the importance of the timber industry and wood-based products to the war effort during WWII.
Does that sound funny? It's not, and again, it's not intended to be. It's meant to be educational, and in that respect, it succeeds. If you come to this film expecting it to be wildly entertaining just because L&H appear, you're going to be disappointed. But I would argue that this would be your fault, because you are putting an expectation on a film it was not intended to fulfill.
It's about 11 minutes, not 5 or 6 as many have stated. The first half has L&H teaming with Pete Smith as they discover how many everyday items they use contain some level of wood product. That part is about 6 minutes and the end of L&H's involvement. The next 5 minutes detail how wood is being used specifically for war materials, like wooden skies for alpine troops, reinforced wood for pontoon bridges, airplanes made entirely of wood (even the gas tanks), and other such examples. This was actually very informative and somewhat interesting. Funny? No. Interesting? Yes.
It's also a bit alarming from a military perspective. One scene showed U. S. troops on maneuvers and they were all wearing gas masks. Another clip showed horse-drawn carriages, presumably for munitions. Both of these are relics of World War I, yet this film was released in 1942. It soberly illustrates how unprepared the United States really was for the new war they had just joined.
So for reviewers here to say this is worthless, or that its only for L&H diehards, well, speak for yourself. It's not a bad little film if approached with the proper mindset.
6/10. Would I watch again (Y/N)?: Yes.
Does that sound funny? It's not, and again, it's not intended to be. It's meant to be educational, and in that respect, it succeeds. If you come to this film expecting it to be wildly entertaining just because L&H appear, you're going to be disappointed. But I would argue that this would be your fault, because you are putting an expectation on a film it was not intended to fulfill.
It's about 11 minutes, not 5 or 6 as many have stated. The first half has L&H teaming with Pete Smith as they discover how many everyday items they use contain some level of wood product. That part is about 6 minutes and the end of L&H's involvement. The next 5 minutes detail how wood is being used specifically for war materials, like wooden skies for alpine troops, reinforced wood for pontoon bridges, airplanes made entirely of wood (even the gas tanks), and other such examples. This was actually very informative and somewhat interesting. Funny? No. Interesting? Yes.
It's also a bit alarming from a military perspective. One scene showed U. S. troops on maneuvers and they were all wearing gas masks. Another clip showed horse-drawn carriages, presumably for munitions. Both of these are relics of World War I, yet this film was released in 1942. It soberly illustrates how unprepared the United States really was for the new war they had just joined.
So for reviewers here to say this is worthless, or that its only for L&H diehards, well, speak for yourself. It's not a bad little film if approached with the proper mindset.
6/10. Would I watch again (Y/N)?: Yes.