Simply A Masterpiece

Captivating movie !

An Exercise In Nonsense

Ok... Let's be honest. It cannot be the best movie but is quite enjoyable. The movie has the potential to develop a great plot for future movies

Many people seem to compare this to Chaplin's 'A Days Pleasure', but given the majority of that film took place on a boat, and this one takes place in a stationary car, there is hardly any semblance at all. It's a nice day, and Stan and Ollie want to take their families out for a drive, but there are issues with the car, and that is where the comparisons to 'A Days Pleasure' stops.Many also claim this is funnier than 'A Days Pleasure' but I certainly don't see it. The jokes are telegraphed and laboured. Given it was early days for sound and the technical difficulties were high I won't be too critical of that, but the expression in the voices does sound phony, and doesn't improve upon the duo's best silents such as 'Big Business', 'Wrong Again, and 'Leave 'em Laughing.' They also have not yet discovered the art of soundtrack timing. The music plays underneath the whole thing as if it were a silent, with no pause or adjustment for the occasions when the actors speak.This one for Stan and Ollie die hards only.

This is a short film featuring Laurel and Hardy. They are trying to be good husbands and offer to take their families out for a weekend drive into the country for a picnic. The weather is lovely and they have every reason to believe it will be the perfect day. But, considering they are Laurel and Hardy, you of course know this isn't true. Time and time again, little things keep happening that delay their departure. And, with each little problem, their enjoyment of this perfect day diminishes. Finally, when they have worked out all their problems, they are off---at which point a MAJOR catastrophe occurs and the film concludes--with an absolutely wonderful reaction on the part of the boys. About the only short-coming of this film is that the plot is awfully basic, but the execution is so good that this can be forgiven. Lovers of the team are sure to be impressed by this effort, though if you are a non-fan, this isn't their very best effort--for that, try BIG BUSINESS or SONS OF THE DESERT (my two personal favorites).

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are the most famous comedy duo in history, and deservedly so, so I am happy to see any of their films. Mrs. Hardy (Kay Deslys) and Mrs. Laurel (Isabelle Keith) are looking forward to a picnic with Uncle Edgar (Edgar Kennedy), suffering from a gouty foot, and husbands Ollie and Stan. Before setting off they are clumsy enough to drop the sandwiches (twice), and the dog is having a nibble at the Uncle's bandaged foot. So they all at last get to the car, injuring the Uncle's foot a couple of times, but after saying goodbye to everyone, a pin in the road flattens the tyre, and Ollie and Stan try to change it. After this pickle, and another goodbye to neighbours, the jack was left on, and Ollie chucks it away, crashing through the neighbour's window, and they have a little bit of a fight. So after this, getting their coats back on in a muddle, and yet another goodbye, the car needs the starting handle winded, and there is a quick blow, then overheating, which Stan sorts with a hose. So finally, the car is ready to go, and the film ends with the goodbyes to the neighbours, and ignoring the road, they drive into a closed part of the road, and as result end up sinking into the large puddle (possibly wet tarmac). Filled with wonderful slapstick and all classic comedy you could want from a black and white film, it is an enjoyable film. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were number 7 on The Comedians' Comedian. Very good!

This Laurel & Hardy short feature has quite a variety of slapstick material. Most of it is rough physical humor - such as sore feet getting trodden upon and bricks being thrown through windows - but there are plenty of different, funny gags with a couple of subtle ones thrown in. Stan and Ollie are planning on taking their wives and their uncle (Edgar Kennedy) for a nice peaceful picnic, a "Perfect Day". They encounter difficulties even before getting out the door, and once they get into the car, the real chaos starts. Stanley has a very funny bit trying to change a tire, and there is a nicely done subtle joke when, in the midst of a heated 'tit-for-tat' battle with a neighbor, everyone suddenly jumps up and runs inside - what did they see? "Perfect Day" is a good comedy and worth a look.