Reviews

This is a beautiful film. The characters are all real. The actors are all real. The quality of this film is difficult to describe because it is more than the sum of it's parts. It is a slice of real life. The actors are of a sort that we rarely see. They portray a kind of reality that is devoid of ego. There is also a quality of love that is expressed in this film that I have not seen. It is intergenerational. I hope that this will be eventually be released on DVD so that people all over the world can see it. It is the type of film that you would not expect could be made in today's culture of packaged emotion. The plot has merit and is absorbing, but it is the pleasure that one gets by simply being in the presence of these wonderful people that will make you want to revisit this film again and again.

It was most enjoyable to spend time in the company of these people. Myrna Loy and William Powell are great, and the supporting cast including all the extras are great fun to watch. It's like being at a great party. It is great fun to see many familiar faces, some from films with Laurel and Hardy. There is also an uncredited appearance by Shemp Howard (from the Three Stooges).

One unexpected treat: The dancing by Carmen D'Antonio and Miguel Fernández Mila is among the most graceful I have ever seen. They seem to glide. It reminded me of the "moonwalk" but intensified and expanded many times over. I have never seen anything like it.

Laurel and Hardy speak their Spanish lines with the same conviction as they do their lines in the English language version. The supporting cast is great. They have the same flair as the supporting cast more often associated with Laurel and Hardy. The added sequences slow the pace down somewhat - but the two added vaudeville acts entertaining at "Senor Hardy's" home are absolutely amazing. I'm glad their routines have been preserved.

It is very interesting and fun to see little bits of business being improvised by both Laurel and Hardy in this version. Creative geniuses at work.

This is a treasure, in my opinion.