PIC of the Week – Laurel & Hardy in The Devil’s Brother/Bonnie Scotland
Article series by Ray Schillaci
Oh dear reader, such a dilemma. So little to choose from this week, like a regurgitated form of Tomb Raider without Angelina Jolie. Mind you, her age probably prevents another adventure, but all the whiz-bang effects and stunts could not generate excitement for the wonderful Alicia Vikander in a vehicle that was pedestrian at best.
Then Universal insults us with a 35th Anniversary edition Blu of the classic comedy, Trading Places with Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy, and gives us practically the same disc as they did in 2013. We have another throwaway Nicolas Cage movie with The Humanity Bureau. Also, a limp rehash of the highly respected The Strangers with the added boring title, Prey at Night.
Other than Universal releasing a slew of Ma & Pa Kettle films which appeal to a specific comedy taste, there appears to be little to brag about. But, Warner Archive has dug deep and found not one, but two Laurel and Hardy films that were not included with the famous Hal Roach Essential Collection, The Devil’s Brother/Bonnie Scotland. Now, there are those who just do not get this legendary comedy duo. That’s too bad. Because, if given half a chance, these brilliant comedic actors could show you a very good time.
For me, Way Out West, A Chump at Oxford, and their first starring role in Pardon Us is the duo’s very best. That does not mean the other films are to be easily missed. Just the description alone of these two films are pretty funny setups.
The Devil’s Brother is a musical/comedy with a master thief enlisting the help of Stan Laurel as Stanilio and Oliver Hardy as Ollio to help assist him in stealing from a Lord and Lady. Of course, the theft is bungled and turned into a kidnapping with some very funny results. Bonnie Scotland has Stan as MacLaurel, an American who stowaways on a ship with his friend Ollie to claim his inheritance from his uncle. But, the fortune turns out to be a snuff box and bagpipes. Through a series of missteps, the boys end up in the British Army and follow up with the actual person that had the bulk of the inheritance which she took to India.
This is a great double feature and follows in the footsteps of so many Warner Archive titles. As with other WB Archive discs, this is a DVD-R, and as Amazon will tell you, that the product is manufactured on demand. But, I have never had a problem with the quality of their older titles.
Best Price – Amazon Prime – $17.99
