naseby I don't understand why this has a 6.7 overall rating, yes, being a fan, I'm biased, but I'm first to admit that like so many L & H fans, where the lads are good, they're good, as they are here and when they're bad, they're bad. (As their 1940's departure from Hal Roach showed). The boys have escaped from prison in the USA and stow away on a boat to Scotland, as Stan's Scottish Grandfather has died and left him 'something' in the will. Unfortunately, it turns out to be just a set of bagpipes and some snuff! The bulk of the fortune goes to the relative's granddaughter, Lorna McLaurel of whom there's a tentative link with in the film other than blood (As Stan's association was of course a more delinquent relative). A lot more to this, but we'll get to the boys, whom always have some sub-plot in the films. Stranded now in Scotland and broke, they inadvertedly enter the army (as they would) and get posted to India. (Along with Lorna's love interest, lawyer's clerk, Alan - who thinks he's been shunned by Lorna but finds out he hasn't - enough of them!). Naturally the boys are inept, Stan missing step when marching, causing the whole regiment to be 'out-of-pace'. Good support from Jimmy Finlayson, (who I may add, apart from maybe lesser-known Scottish actors, is the only major Scot genuinely in it). Being India, there's going to be natives attacking the fort (original) and the boys inadvertedly thwarting them perhaps in some ways like Beau Hunks (Or Beau Chumps, depending which part of the English-speaking world you're in). All in all, rompy, fun, good gags (When Stan sees the McLaurel family Butler: 'Nice fella, he sure can 'buttle'!')And, of course, the 'absurd' visual gags that only they can do and have you in stitches with - Ollie taking the snuff, sneezing, falling in a river and having sneezed all the river dry! Don't miss this one!

johcafra After a particularly wicked day, having to contend with the weather outside and the workplace inside, I settled down to view a serendipitous broadcast. Fans don't seem to hold this feature film with Mr Laurel and Mr Hardy in as high regard. It was the first one of theirs I'd seen from start to finish besides their take on Babes in Toyland, the broadcast of which is a New York metropolitan-area Christmas tradition.You certainly don't view this for the acting, topicality or thematic consistency. The transition from a heat-shrunken pair of pants to India by way of the Highlanders made me blink, and I half-expected an extra to blurt, "It's like Gunga Din all over again!"But one brilliant scene displayed the worst fear of anyone on parade, and what could only be called a dance set to "100 Pipers" had to have been spur-of-the-moment. Perhaps I was especially susceptible to five (count 'em) scenes that instantly generated tears of helpless laughter: The snuff box and the footbridge, the bagpipes and glass smoking water pipe (they're apparently related), the candle beneath the bed beneath the...fish...and the final five or so minutes that had to have inspired The Goon Show.I bless the gents' memory for the gift...and that of Leatherpuss too!

Boba_Fett1138 This Laurel & Hardy movie is not among their best. It has way too much story and subplots present and because of this the boys are not given the full opportunity to show their skills and antics in this movie.There are lot of scene's in which Laurel & Hardy are not even present. There is an unusual amount of dialog and story present which works perhaps only distracting from Laurel & Hardy and their silly slapstick moments. Most people are not waiting for a movie like this. Most people just want to see Laurel & Hardy act silly and get into some troubling and silly situations. The whole story makes perhaps a bit of a pointless impression and the ending is not satisfying enough because it leaves too many loose ends.But before I really am beginning to sound negative, of course the movie is still fun. There are some good jokes present, of which some are also truly quite memorable. It also is always fun to see James Finlayson in a Laurel & Hardy picture. This time he plays the boys their sergeant in the army in Imperial India. He provides the movie with some good and memorable moments.Yet it is the story that is most overly present in the movie. The movie is not really about Laurel & Hardy, not really about slapstick moments but it's more a serious story disguised as a comedy instead. This might slightly disappoint some of the fans, although there still is plenty to enjoy for them and for everyone else of course. The gags still work, despite the 'serious' (serious for Laurel & Hardy standards of course, I mean.) story.7/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Ron Oliver Stan & Ollie arrive in BONNIE SCOTLAND to claim Stan's inheritance. Through a series of mishaps, the Boys end up in the British Army, stationed in India & threatened with imminent death at the hands of a fierce tribal chief...With rather more plot than usual in a typical Laurel & Hardy film - the romantic subplot has virtually nothing to do with Stan & Ollie - this is still a delight for fans of the Boys. By this point in their joint career they were past perfection & beyond praise. Seeing them act together is like watching an intricate piece of clockwork. Among the highlights here: the candle under the bed; the `invisible' accordion; and the dance to ‘A Hundred Pipers'.Stan & Ollie are given fine support by the rest of the cast: Mary Gordon, as the hotel proprietress; David Torrence, as a crusty old lawyer; Daphne Pollard, as a feisty little maid; and James Finlayson, the Boys' eternal foil, as their long-suffering Sergeant Major. June Lang & William Janney supply the romantics.The lovely opening shots of Village life set the mood beautifully; early scene where blacksmith Lionel Belmore hammers out the `Cuckoo Song' - while the Boys make their first appearance & march towards the camera - is a joy.