Essentially, 'Block-Heads (1938)' is an hour-long farce. This classic comedy plays out as a series of ever-escalating, slapstick-style events that turn its domestic setting and simple story into something altogether more entertaining. It feels more like an elongated short than a fully-fledged feature, focusing on several skits - some of which are apparently inspired by the iconic duo's previous short-form work - that all rely on the central dynamic between Laurel's innocence and Hardy's frustration. Whatever can go wrong, does go wrong and it's usually a joy to watch it do so. There's some real inventiveness going on here and some of the set-pieces are properly funny - a case of mistaken war-time injury stands out as perhaps the picture's highlight. There is the occasional moment that doesn't work so well, though, which is usually when the flick takes a turn for the absurdist or when its age starts to show (if you know what I mean). It's not all that fulfilling as a narrative, either. Still, most of what's on-screen is successful, if a little tiring due to its sheer, unrelenting amount and foot-on-the-gas pace. It's an enjoyable comedy right the way through, made possible only by the brilliance of its leads and their engaging dynamic. 7/10
Review of Block-Heads
