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7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Wrong Again remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, so 'Wrong Again' – a classic Laurel and Hardy short from way back. If you've got ten minutes and a soft spot for genuinely silly physical comedy, you absolutely should give it a go. Folks who appreciate the charm of early cinema and these two masters of comedic chaos will find plenty to grin about. But if you’re after something profound or, you know, a story that makes *sense*, then yeah, this probably isn't your cup of tea. It's pure, glorious nonsense. 🐴
The premise here is just delightful in its absurdity. Our boys, Stan and Ollie, are stable hands. There's this magnificent horse, a stallion actually, named Blue Boy. Pretty regal looking, for a horse.
Then they catch wind of a big news story: a famous painting, Gainsborough's 'The Blue Boy,' has been nicked. You can almost see the gears grinding, or perhaps, *not* grinding, in their heads. They immediately jump to the conclusion that *their* horse, Blue Boy, is the stolen painting. Yeah, you read that right. The horse is the painting. Oh, Stan. 😂
What follows is a brilliant showcase of their particular brand of mayhem. They decide, naturally, that the best course of action is to return this 'stolen painting' – the horse – to its rightful owner to collect a huge reward. This involves trying to get a full-sized horse, Blue Boy himself, into a fancy city mansion. It’s exactly as bonkers as it sounds.
There's this one scene, I'm thinking about it now, where they're attempting to wrestle the horse into an elevator. The sheer effort, the horse's utter disinterest in cooperating, and Ollie’s escalating frustration against Stan’s bewildered attempts… it’s a masterclass in escalating comedic tension. You can practically *feel* the horse thinking, 'Are these guys for real?'
The pacing is quick, which is perfect for a short film like this. It doesn’t overstay its welcome, just barrels headfirst into the central gag and milks it for all it’s worth. They keep trying, bless their hearts, to get Blue Boy through doors, up stairs, and into rooms where a horse simply does not belong. The look on the owner's face when he finally encounters the 'stolen painting' is just priceless. It’s a silent movie, but you can hear his bewilderment. 🤨
It's not just the big slapstick moments either. Pay attention to the smaller bits, like Stan’s little flinches when Ollie gets exasperated. Or the way Ollie adjusts his tie even in the middle of wrestling a large animal. These tiny, human quirks are what make their characters so enduring. They’re not just props for gags; they're *people*, albeit very, very silly ones.
And yes, the whole thing wraps up exactly as you’d expect: with utter chaos and no reward for our hapless heroes. It's a testament to their genius that even when you know where it’s going, the journey is still incredibly fun. 'Wrong Again' really is a fantastic little piece of Laurel and Hardy's legacy. It's simple, it's silly, and it’s a reminder that sometimes, confusing a horse with a painting is all the plot you need.
IMDb —
1927
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