Laurel and Hardy did not make many 3-reelers. I'm not an expert on Laurel and Hardy, but as far as I'm aware, the disappointing and rather tiresome "Be Big" (1930) was their first -- and that would certainly have been much more enjoyable at two reels, as most of the extra action consists of Ollie literally getting caught in Stan's shoes -- a caper that soon wears out its welcome.
The next L&H three-reeler seems to be "The Laurel and Hardy Murder Case" (1930), which, despite its soppy conclusion (maybe it wasn't such a cliché back in 1930?), is one of their funniest and most uproarious outings.
And now we come to "Another Fine Mess". I love this film! I think the timing is superb -- and there's not a minute wasted! It's a fun picture all the way with not only L& H themselves in top form, but Thelma Todd at her prettiest and wittiest. Not only do all three have great roles, but all three make the absolute most of their opportunities. Oliver really shines as the bogus millionaire hunter, Stan is wonderfully adept at his quick-change impersonations, and Thelma, of course, as just said, is perfectly wonderful.
The movie gains its humorous intensity not only from its superb scripting, playing and direction, but simply from the fact that, aside from a quick introduction with the boys being chased by a cop and the obligatory chase climax, it all takes place in the one setting, and so what have here is the concentrated humor of a stage play as well as the wider range of the movies.
The next L&H three-reeler seems to be "The Laurel and Hardy Murder Case" (1930), which, despite its soppy conclusion (maybe it wasn't such a cliché back in 1930?), is one of their funniest and most uproarious outings.
And now we come to "Another Fine Mess". I love this film! I think the timing is superb -- and there's not a minute wasted! It's a fun picture all the way with not only L& H themselves in top form, but Thelma Todd at her prettiest and wittiest. Not only do all three have great roles, but all three make the absolute most of their opportunities. Oliver really shines as the bogus millionaire hunter, Stan is wonderfully adept at his quick-change impersonations, and Thelma, of course, as just said, is perfectly wonderful.
The movie gains its humorous intensity not only from its superb scripting, playing and direction, but simply from the fact that, aside from a quick introduction with the boys being chased by a cop and the obligatory chase climax, it all takes place in the one setting, and so what have here is the concentrated humor of a stage play as well as the wider range of the movies.