Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
The 19-minute "Perfect Day" is a live action short film from 1929, so this one is already almost 90 years old. Wow! If you read the names of the people who made this, you will maybe realize already that it is a Stan&Laurel short film from their sound days already as they were among hose not too many who managed a successful transition from silent to sound film. But of course given the year when this was made, it is still a b&w film. Story-wise, I personally felt it just wasn't enough, not even for such a brief work. The 2 protagonists' wives added almost nothing except random waving at the camera that got repetitive at some point and Edgar Kennedy had no material either after the 10-minute mark. You could of course say this is realistic that he hasn't suffer even more from the lead duo's shenanigans, but well.. I don't know. To me he felt a bit wasted. I mentioned the repetitive waving already and in general they tried to stretch some joke here for too long, also everything involving the tire. Anyway, on a final note the right path for Laurel to shine is in my opinion the clumsy clown like Lloyd, maybe Keaton, but scenes like the brick window smashing scene should certainly be written for Hardy. Overall, this sadly is not the duo at their very best and it's really only worth seeing for the very biggest fans of the two. I give it a thumbs down.
Chrysanthepop
'Perfect Day' is pretty much the typical Laurel and Hardy comedy with the usual slapstick and jokes. However, unlike their other works, I found 'Perfect Day' to be comparatively weak. Some of the slapstick works well but some just don't gel well and look forced. Also the repetitive 'goodbye' and other gags gets irritating. I liked the interactions with Uncle Edgar and the dog and the trouble with the car. Laurel and Hardy are good at drawing some laughter but for me it was Laurel again who steals the show. Edgar Kennedy too stands out especially when he's fighting the dog. I don't mean to make it sound as though it is a terrible film because it's not. It does have its good moments but it's far from Laurel and Hardy's best.
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. 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!
Ron Oliver
A LAUREL & HARDY Comedy Short. It is a PERFECT DAY for the Laurels & the Hardys to go on a picnic, taking gouty old Uncle Ed with them. In typical fashion, the Boys proceed to demolish first the sandwiches & then the car, with Uncle's foot coming in for several good whacks along the way.Pure slapstick from start to finish. Those who like painful physical humor will get lots of laughs here. Stan & Ollie seem much more violent towards each other than usual. Edgar Kennedy plays the much-battered Uncle Ed.
AD
