Icons that they were, not all the films of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were equal. Quite across the board, however, one could be assured of having a good time with the duo, for they illustrated much the same keen mind for comedy as contemporaries like Harold Lloyd, Buster Keaton, and The Three Stooges. If anything Laurel and Hardy's brand was just a little lighter and gentler as they consistently gave us a cavalcade of gags, physical comedy, situational humor, and witty repartee and one-liners - all topped off with the incredible lockstep dynamics of the stars themselves. Gratifyingly, more than not 'The dancing masters' stands shoulder to shoulder with much all the rest of their works as the silliness kicks up in no time at all. The approach here is so soft that there are times where it almost seems like the pacing is a tad lax, though as the proceedings mostly offer one hearty laugh after another, it's more that some moments are built chiefly to lay the groundwork for the next bit. All told this isn't necessarily one of their premier titles, but if you're looking for something fun and lighthearted, it's really hard to go wrong here.
Some facets of the story come off a little differently in 2023 than they must have eighty years before, and one might also observe that the story is a tad less cohesive and a tad more scattered than some other examples. That's no mark against the feature, mind you; we saw this elsewhere, too, as with The Marx Brothers, where sometimes the narrative tightly centered a piece, and at others the plot threads were mere vehicles for the gags. In any event, between George Bricker and screenwriter Scott Darling the tale does come full circle, and throughout these sixty-three minutes the scene writing offers one scenario after another to supply the laughs. All along the way 'The dancing masters' is wonderfully enjoyable: the stunts and effects that are employed look terrific, and even an instance of visuals added in post-production comes off well. The sets are a joy in and of themselves as they lend to the frivolity, and the costume design, hair, and makeup are lovely. With all this said, I'm also of the mind that the last major sequence and the ending are a little weak and strained - they go on too long, aren't as strong and do not look as good in the first place, and conclude with a whimper. Still, even then this isn't a case so severe as to wholly ruin the viewing experience.
When all is said and done there are other Laurel and Hardy movies that are distinctly better, and which one should prioritize when reviewing their oeuvre; among others, I'm an especial fan of 'Saps at sea' and 'Our relations.' At the same time, aside from their regrettable swan song 'Atoll K' (a.k.a. 'Utopia'), the level on which the pair operate means that to one extent or another entertainment is guaranteed. Even at its lowest point this 1943 picture is still enjoyable, and there are some flicks to have followed in all the decades since that can't say the same. One may not need to go out of their way for 'The dancing masters,' but the stars' legacy remains intact, and if you do have the chance to watch then it's a splendid way to spend a bit of time.
