Lucky Dog

[Angus McLaurel]

Stan gets thrown out into the street, where he finds himself in the company of a dog. He tries desperately to get rid of it, but with no success. As he walks on, he is stopped by a mugger (Ollie) and is almost robbed, but manages to get away. He tries to enter the dog in a show, but is refused because it isn`t a thoroughbred.

Stan later spots a woman who has lost her dog. Stan offers the woman his dog as a replacement. The woman, accepts kindly and offers Stan a lift to her home. The woman`s boyfriend is left behind and unimpressed, and as a result he discovers Ollie the mugger and they plan revenge between them.

The boyfriend arrives home with Ollie, who is now claiming to be the `Count de chease de Switzerland`. Ollie tries to shoot Stan but fails. He then tries a stick of dynamite. Luckilly, the dog grabs the dynamite and runs outside with it, finds Ollie and the boyfriend and blows them up.



Although not yet officially teamed up as a duo, this is the first ever appearance of Stan & Ollie together in a film. It is mainly a Stan Laurel film, as he is the main character. Ollie appears as the bad guy.

As a film, it starts off alright, with Stan being thrown into the street onto the tram lines. What amazing brakes the trams had in those days.

There are some nice Stan comedy mannerisms later on as he atttempts to hide the dog in the dustbin. His reaction when the policeman catches him in the act.


"Put `em up insect, before I comb your hair with lead"


The first line of dialogue between the boys. (Courtesy of a caption!)


Although Stan and Ollie aren`t actually friends in this film, the way they work together shows the potential of their future careers together. Stan`s look, as Ollie finds the wallet in Stan`s pocket, (he didn`t even know it was there.) The interaction of the two characters is already there (although not aware of it then).

The film itself starts off quite nicely, an interesting experience seeing Stan & Ollie`s first ever appearance, but not the funniest film I`ve seen 5/10

[mgm]

The first film together, well not truly Stan is the star, Ollie a hired heavy. This is simple slapstick with some funny titles. Stan looks strange with his greasy hair and over made up eyes (done so they would show up on the film stock of the day).

Ollie is thinner, as well as wearing typical heavy style eyebrows and moustache. The copy I have on DVD has several jumps missing several moments, rendering bits confusing. It's nice to see Noddy Holder as the girl's dad!. Historically important so 10/10 for that. For the comedy 3/10 basic but fun.