Until recently, this Charley Chase film with Laurel and Hardy has been thought lost. However back in the 1990s, the second reel was discovered...though STILL reel one is missing. Because of this, it's very hard to rate. It's also interesting that books on Laurel & Hardy's films don't mention the movie...probably because up until the screening in 1993, no one realized Oliver Hardy is in the film...though only in a brief scene playing a policeman. It also might not be listed because Laurel never plays with or against Hardy...they just coincidentally were in the same Hal Roach production.
I have no idea what's in the first reel but assume it showed Charley and his wife headed to divorce court...which is where they are in reel two. Charley's wife tells all sorts of lies and exaggerations about how awful Charley is in order to get the divorce he's contesting. She even says he shot her in the heart....but she was okay! She also describes him as a drunk who ran about town in his underwear and beat her! It's all way over the top and the only idiot who seemed to believe all this is Charley's attorney (Stan Laurel)! Oddly, after all this, she dropped her case and the pair were reunited after a bully rushes up to sock Charley since he's supposedly such a cad! What's next? See the film...or at least what's left of it. It's on YouTube if you care to give it a try.
What's left of the film is unfortunately quite funny. I say unfortunately because it really makes you wish we had all of the film. Perhaps one day it will be discovered.
