Pick a Star: Laurel and Hardy do the heavy lifting

Is this thing worth a watch?

If you are a completionist for 1930s studio comedies or just need to see every frame of film Laurel and Hardy ever touched, then sure, go for it. Everyone else might find the actual 'Cinderella' plot a bit of a snooze-fest. It’s the kind of movie that feels like it’s waiting for the *real* stars to show up, and honestly, the audience is waiting right along with it.

The story is basic—girl moves to Hollywood, girl meets PR guy, girl gets famous. We’ve seen this script a thousand times, and it doesn’t really do anything new here. It feels like the writers were just checking off boxes on a 'How to Make a Hollywood Movie' list.

The Laurel and Hardy Problem

The movie is mostly an excuse to drop in musical numbers and comedy bits. When Laurel and Hardy are on screen, the movie finally gets a pulse. There is a moment where they are trying to navigate a set, and it’s pure, beautiful chaos. It’s the only time the movie actually feels alive.

But then the camera cuts back to the leads, and all the air just leaves the room. It’s like watching two different movies spliced together. One is a high-energy slapstick romp, and the other is a dry, dusty melodrama about show business.

Small Things I Noticed

• The extras in the background look like they haven’t been paid in three weeks. They’re just standing there, staring at the walls.
• The transition between the musical numbers and the dialogue scenes is so abrupt it’s almost funny. *Wham*, we’re singing, *wham*, we’re arguing about contracts.
• Patsy Kelly is doing a lot of work here. She’s funny, but you can see her trying to carry scenes that are clearly missing a few pages of dialogue.

If you like this sort of thing, you might also find yourself wandering back to Radio Rhythm for that same specific, weird energy of the era. It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s got that jittery, black-and-white charm that is hard to hate completely.

Ultimately—wait, I promised I wouldn't use that word. Let's just say the movie ends exactly how you think it will. No surprises. No twists. Just a fade out and a sigh of relief that the PR guy finally did his job. 🎬

It’s not a movie I’d recommend for a movie night, but it’s a weird little artifact. If you're bored on a Sunday afternoon, it’ll do. Just don't expect a revelation.