Country Gentlemen

We watched this movie only because it was on a Comedy DVD set that my sister received for her birthday- I didn't have high expectations for it but nevertheless I went into it with an open mind... at least until the opening credits! (Ole and Chic both peak their heads out of an office door with the most inane expressions on their faces- I think it was supposed to be funny. It was, but not for the reasons they intended)

There was very little about this movie that was funny- though my siblings and I laughed quite a bit- completely out of sheer disbelief. Some of the gags included Chic and Ole nearly getting into a fist fight with the police until Chic holds up some drinking glasses to his eyes and says "You wouldn't hit a guy with glasses, would you?!"

At another point a mob has bound them to a stick and are carrying them off, tribal/cannibal style, and are planning to blow the duo up. Desperately, one of them yells to the blonde secretary that has been accompanying them on their adventures to "Call me a cop- fast!!" so she calls him a cop. "Okay, you're a cop. Was that fast enough?"

The most enjoyable part of the movie was looking for the gay innuendo- "We're partners! You can't break us up!" "Things go great until you come along and queer things up!", etc. Hahaha!

At one point in their travels they pick up a young boy that's running away from home (people were trusting back then!)Trouble ensues, but when the boy is returned to his mother she is so filled with gratitude that she tells them to come come to her hotel. I was kind of shocked(This movie is from the 1930's after all!)- I thought she was actually inviting them up to her hotel room! But then it was revealed that she was actually the owner of a hotel and she was offering them rooms there.

Also notable is the performance by Fluffy, The Great Dane- formerly known as Prince.

Though the movie packed in a lot of stuff in 60 minutes, it quickly bogged down and was actually kind of boring. One can only take so much of Chic's high pitched giggle which seemed to be the movie's main gag.

One dose of these 2 is enough for me. There's another O & J film included in this Mill Creek comedy collection, but no thanks. Hope and Crosby, also wise-cracking would-be con artists in their Road pictures, show by contrast how inferior Olsen & Johnson are as film comedians.

Watched this film just to see Joyce Compton in one of her dumb blonde roles. She's fabulous. But it was irritating to watch O & J routinely belittle and mistreat her. Shockingly, they drove away from the café, miles from their destination, leaving her behind in the dust. However, to her character's credit, she takes no notice of their meanness, catches up to them, and continues to be loyal to these louts. Also enjoyed seeing Lila Lee, a major star in silent films, in a sizable support role.

10 stars for Compton. Zero stars for the 2 stars.

Country Gentlemen isn't what Olsen and Johnson are, but what they aspire to be or at least live like. In this film the boys are a pair of con artists leaving Oakland for the sticks with police on their trail.

An innocent run in with young Sammy McKim whom they are mistakenly thought of kidnapping lands them in a rural area far off the beaten path. It's a place that has an army base. But do they try and lie low. They do not, they are soon enough up to their ears in an oil stock swindle.

Ole would probably like to lie low, but Chic apparently can't help himself. They're both in trouble because of him.

I have to say though that Joyce Compton may have had her career role in Country Gentlemen. She's their dumb as a bag of rocks secretary who travels with a large great Dane. The gag is completely lifted from the Paramount classic Six Of A Kind where Burns and Allen also travel with the same kind of dog. As for Compton her performance is a combination of Gracie Allen and Marie Wilson. She's devastating and as far as I'm concerned stole the film from the stars.

It's not a great film, but this should serve as an introduction to Olsen and Johnson.

Not very funny Olsen & Johnson movie, made years before their better work at Universal (including the criminally underappreciated Hellzapoppin'). For those unaware, Olsen & Johnson were like a blend of the Marx Bros and Abbott & Costello, although they predate the latter I believe. They're not really as funny as either team but they have their moments. At least they aren't Wheeler & Woolsey.

Most of the humor in this film relies on Chic Johnson's annoying laugh. My advice to you would be to watch long enough to hear the laugh (it won't take long), then ask yourself "was that funny." If your answer is yes, strap yourself in for the time of your life. If your answer is no, turn the movie off and go watch Hellzapoppin'.

Movie moves right along and has many one liners. Comedic in nature and keeps one's attention. The story line is about two men who are steps ahead of the law and dissolving their partnership in securities swindles. Interesting that it has a musical soundtrack in the background complimenting the dialog. The two main characters contrast each other with smart and not so smart personae. Gertie plays the persistent female bent on bringing additional struggle and trouble to the partners in crime.

If you like early comedy from a not so known cast, good show to watch.

Film quality is good even. Steak dinner is 60 cents back then.