This is one of many bland little comedies made by Stan Laurel in his pre-Laurel and Hardy days. While it's far from his worst, it's not a particularly inspired or interesting film. To make things worse, Laurel made another very similar film (THE NOON WHISTLE) that wasn't any better. It's a shame, as some of his very best films with Oliver Hardy were also set at a lumber yard or construction site. Here, though, there just isn't much for Stan to do but over-act and hope for better scripts. He just bumbles around and there's barely a big laugh in the film.
Overall, it's a film only for a die-hard Laurel and Hardy fan (like myself) who is trying to see every available film the guys made--even the lesser films. However, don't assume that all of Laurel's pre-teaming films were bad. Some, like DR. PYCKLE, are very, very good and worth seeking.
