This 21-minute short clearly reveals what makes Laurel and Hardy funny. Its simplicity, with little plot, reveals the genius of their comic talents. We expect pratfalls and their trademark tit-for-tat battles. Here, they slow things down and we also see Stan---bored while confined to the hold of the boat---trying to entertain himself. It's a sequence of simple ideas that illuminates the essence of their humor. Stan plays tic-tac-toe, he draws pictures on the wall, and he somehow manages to get his head trapped.
As well as any film they made, this one illustrates why we love these two characters. And I love the bit where Stan peaks at Ollie from various angles around and through the boat; it's so simple and so funny.
As well as any film they made, this one illustrates why we love these two characters. And I love the bit where Stan peaks at Ollie from various angles around and through the boat; it's so simple and so funny.