Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de) This is a Laurel and Hardy short film from 1931, so almost 85 years ago already. Wow. It is in black-and-white, not silent anymore and runs for slightly under 20 minutes and looking at how the whole thing is basically only about a single misunderstanding, I have to say they did a good job with keeping that storyline intact and not letting it drag too much. Laurel gets his revenge in the end and boy I had no idea he was such a violent fella. Of course, it also backfires at him again too. The duo mistakes a theater play recital for an actual conversation and they believe an old woman is about to get evicted from her home. They try their best to prevent this from happening for the rest of the film. As always, chaos ensues. Director Horne and writer Walker worked on several L&H film, so they knew exactly what they were doing to make two of the biggest stars at that point appear as interesting as ever. Finally, just a little scene I found funny: The landlord says at some point that he will get his minions to clear the place and I immediately had to wonder if he was the villain the yellow little creatures from 2Despicable Me" were hanging around with back in the 1930s. Anyway, if you haven't seen the film, you will probably have absolutely no idea what I am talking about. Oh yeah, and aging makeup was very popular back then as well. The actress who played the old lady was a lot younger. Then again, Méliès made himself look considerably older in the 1890s already. "One Good Turn" could have been five minutes shorter maybe for a better viewing experience, but it is still a decent watch. Recommended.

JoeytheBrit As others have pointed out, this Laurel and Hardy short is mainly memorable for an uncharacteristic - and truly hilarious - worm-turning sequence when Stan, outraged at being wrongly accused of stealing from an old lady by Ollie, terrorises his friend with righteous anger and a boot up the backside. Although this is a highlight, the film is consistently funny throughout, even though there isn't much of a story to speak of. The film also starts strongly with Stan trying to put out a burning tent with cups of water fetched from a nearby river much to the puzzlement of Ollie who is washing their smalls at the time. All you see is Ollie's reactions as Stan's legs run back and forth in front of him, but the timing and Ollie's expression are spot on. Be sure to catch this one.

Jackson Booth-Millard 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. Basicaly Stan and Ollie are living rough, with only some clothes and their car, and after managing to burn down their tent they see no choice but to go begging for food somewhere. They find the house of Old Lady (Mary Carr), and she agrees to make some sandwiches and coffee for them, while they do a little wood chopping, which of course doesn't last long. While tucking into their food, they overhear the Old Woman begging "villainous landlord" (James Finlayson) not to evict her when she can't pay him the $100 she owes. Stan and Ollie decide to try and sell their car and give the Old Woman the money to pay the villain off, and a paying drunk man accidentally puts his wallet in Stan's pocket, spurring Ollie to think he stole it from the Old Woman. So he forces Stan to go back (their car by the way collapses) to prove his guilt, but they both didn't realise she was rehearsing with the Community Player for a play, so Stan is very mad, and the film ends with a last squabble. Filled with good slapstick and all classic comedy you want from a black and white film, it is an enjoyable film. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were number 7 on The Comedians' Comedian. Worth watching!

MartinHafer For the first 90% of this Laurel and Hardy short, there wasn't a whole lot to distinguish it from any other. In fact, the plot seemed a bit "schmaltzy" (i.e., sappy), as Stan and Ollie try to help out an old lady who they mistakenly think is about to be evicted by an evil landlord. Instead of the usual Laurel and Hardy hi-jinx, the film tends to be a nicer and gentler side to the boys--thus, to me, it's a tad dull! That is, dull until the very end of the film! At this point, in a HUGE contrast to the usual relationship between Stan and Ollie, Stan has had enough and proceeds to chase Ollie about trying to beat the stuffing out of him!! And, in the process, they destroy much of the nice old lady's home! The scene is a lot of fun to watch and quite spectacular, so the film is definitely worth seeing. Just don't expect it to be among their better films--at least until the end.