Nothing But Trouble

This latter-day Laurel & Hardy vehicle finds the legendary comedy duo in fine form, as Stan & Ollie play guys who desire employment as a butler & chef (respectively). They make the acquaintance of a boy (David Leland) who is actually the youthful ruler of a fictional country, although his big dream is to play football for Notre Dame. Stan, Ollie, and the boy king all find themselves in peril due to the machinations of the kings' scheming uncle (Philip Merivale).

"Nothing But Trouble" concentrates more on farcical situations rather than slapstick, and it's overall nothing that delivers true belly laughs. But the stars still make it engaging and enjoyably silly, especially in scenes like the one where Ollie is trying to cut through a persistently tough "Steak a la Oliver", has no luck...and Stan gets him a saw!

Directed by Sam Taylor ("Safety Last!"), this drags a little in scenes not featuring the stars, but it generates enough good-natured chuckles to make it a good time. It also leads to a hair-raising climax with a long drop in front of our heroes. And the supporting cast (Leland, Merivale, Mary Boland, Henry O'Neill, and John Warburton) serves Stan & Ollie well.

My favorite bit: Stan having to be prodded to practice proper serving etiquette.

Six out of 10.