Way Out West (1937)

Directed by James W. Horne. Starring Oliver Hardy, Stan Laurel, James Finlayson, Sharon Lynn, Rosina Lawrence, Stanley Fields, Vivien Oakland.

Stan & Ollie never had a truly great feature-length vehicle, but this Western laffer probably came the closest. The boys arrive at Brushwood Gulch to deliver a gold mine deed to the daughter of its deceased owner, but saloon owner Finlayson and his singing harridan of a wife (Lynn) deceive the fellas into giving the deed to them instead. Lots of memorable scenes—tickle torture, mule slinging, soft-shoe dance, etc.—and no lengthy dry spells; plus, even the brief music breaks (usually deadening in comedies from the era) are agreeable or better. The story is awfully thin, and there are a few missed opportunities for additional slapstick/misunderstanding set pieces, but what a fine mess to find oneself in. The deep/high voice dubs over Laurel’s singing voice on “On the Trail of the Lonesome Pine” were provided by Chill Wills and Rosina Lawrence.

79/100