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7.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Going Bye-Bye! remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, if you have a soft spot for Laurel and Hardy, you are going to watch this anyway. If you hate slapstick or get annoyed by people making the absolute worst decisions possible, just walk away now. This isn't high art, but it’s got a rhythm that most modern comedies completely forgot how to do.
The whole premise is just a setup for them to get terrified. Stan and Ollie are basically vibrating with anxiety for the entire runtime. You can see it in how they stare at the door, waiting for it to burst open.
Walter Long is in this, and man, he really knows how to play a guy you want to stay away from. He’s got this looming presence that makes the comedy feel just a little bit sharper. It’s not just goofy tripping over chairs; there’s a real threat here.
There is this one moment where the criminal breaks out, and it’s surprisingly tense. For a second, you forget you’re watching a comedy. Then Stan does something incredibly stupid, and you’re back in the mess again. 🤡
I found myself thinking about Fool's Paradise while watching the chaotic back-and-forth between the guys. Sometimes you just need a movie that isn't trying to change the world. It’s just trying to make you laugh at two idiots getting stuck in a corner.
It’s not perfect. Some of the bits drag on a little long. You can almost see them waiting for the punchline to land, and the silence in between feels a bit heavy. But then they start arguing, and the chemistry just works. You can’t fake that stuff, no matter how much money you throw at a screen.
If you’re looking for something that feels like a warm, slightly dusty hug from the past, this is it. Don't expect a masterpiece. Just expect to see Stan try to solve a problem and make it ten times worse in about three seconds. It’s glorious.