Be Big

[Angus McLaurel]

Stan & Ollie prepare for an outing with their wives, but Ollie gets a phone call tempting him into a boys night out. He is torn between the two until he is persuaded to go out with the lads.

He then has to convince the wives into going alone, so he fakes an illness which means Stan helping out and nursing Ollie. The wives go out. Stan & Ollie prepare their night out, but it doesn`t go to plan.


Apparantly, if information is correct, this was the 50th film Stan & Ollie made together. If that`s so, then it`s a shame it wasn`t a lot better. Although they present this three reel comedy, with good intent, it may have worked better with just two reels, because it weakens towards the end.


There are some good scenes though with nice touches, particularly their doorbells, and Ollie`s telephone ring. Interesting idea, as Ollie takes a shower with his hat on, as not to get his hair wet!


I like Stan`s childlike behaviour as he arrives at Ollie`s house, ready for the outing, with his bucket & spade.


A couple of interesting quotes from Ollie:


"When a Hardy makes his mind up, it`s as firm as the rock of Gibraltar"

"No man is bigger than the excuse he can make to his wife"


There`s a very strong resemblance in storyline, to that of later feature film, "Sons of the Desert" As they plan to go out without their wives and con them into making them believe they are elsewhere. In this case, Ollie`s mates seem to be planning on seeing a stripper! (nothing wrong with that!)


A hint of racism is present with the black baggage handler. Obvious stereotype.


OLLIE: Why don`t you do something to help me
STAN: What`s the matter?
OLLIE: Help me put my boots on


Ollie doesn`t realise he already has them on. This leads to a questionable scene with Stan draped across Ollie`s leg in a compromising position, but I won`t go into that.

Ollie suffers more pain has he gets a huge nail stuck up his crack. But Stan is very helpful and removes it with a claw-hammer!


I like the idea of the fitted bed (fitted to wall) Leaves more room. There`s another scene that worried me, which describes the film, Stan & Ollie hide in the bed


STAN: What do I do?
OLLIE: Be Big!


hmm?

A decent film this, watchable, though not one of my favourites. 6/10

[mgm]

This doesn't have enough plot for a two reeler let alone a three reeler. The struggle with Ollie's boot is milked dry very quickly. It all seems rather ad-libbed at times. Not much more I can say. Ollie has a lovely house. A rather camp film at times.


STAN: A cool head never won a fair lady


Rating A very weak entry 4/10