Bonnie Scotland *** (1935, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, June Lang, James Finlayson, Daphne Pollard, William Janney) – Classic Movie Review 7385

Director James Horne’s Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy’s 1935 Hal Roach Studios comedy Bonnie Scotland is a below-par (for them) lampoon of British Empire adventure epics, redeemed by their performances, some good support turns, some appealing routines and some funny moments.

Penniless and unlucky as usual, Laurel (as Stanley McLaurel) and Hardy (as himself) go to bonnie Scotland to pick up their inheritance from Stan’s uncle. But it consists only of bagpipes and a snuff box, so they join the Scottish Lancers regiment in India on the Northwest Frontier, where they find themselves on a dangerous mission.

The virtues are adorable Stan and Ollie, James Finlayson as the Sergeant Major, and Daphne Pollard as Millie, a tiny Scots lady’s maid (‘Well toss me over the urdles’), the amusing start in a Scottish village (courtesy the MGM backlot) and the funny slapstick climax.

The failings are the romantic sub-plot, a boring young hero (William Janney), shoddy sets and corner-cutting stock footage and the lack of action.

But, once again, below-par Laurel and Hardy will do just nicely till the great ones come along.

It was mysteriously advertised as ’60 Minutes of Joy’, but it runs 80 minutes.

Bonnie Scotland also features David Torrence, June Lang, Anne Grey, Vernon Steele, James Mack, Mary Gordon, Maurice Black, James May, Kathryn Sheldon and Minerva Urecal.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7385

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