alexanderdavies-99382 Many years ago, someone once told me that I shouldn't watch "Chickens Come Home" as it isn't one of Laurel and Hardy's best. Well, after seeing this film I 100% disagree. There are some great laughs as Ollie's campaign in becoming mayor of the city is in jeopardy. The reason for this, is that an old flame threatens to reveal Ollie's rather colourful past. The former girlfriend is played by the indomitable Mae Busch. She was rock solid support for Laurel and Hardy and a powerful actress. Stan is sent to stop the blackmailing and to save Ollie's political career! I enjoyed the scenes at Hardy's home the most as he struggles to entertain some rather influential friends. Thelma Todd is very good as Mrs. Hardy as she easily suspects her husband has something to hide...... The look on the face of Ollie as he nervously sings for his guests at home, can speak a dozen words! Sheer fright and panic! James Finlayson appears as the household butler. It didn't immediately occur to me but Laurel and Hardy don't have screen time together, apart from the opening scene and the climax. A very funny short and a three reel one - 28 minutes.

MartinHafer Laurel and Hardy made a ton of comedy shorts together from the late 20s to 1935 and this one is a bit different because of its length. Unlike most, which were two-reelers (about 20 minutes more or less), this one was three. I'm not sure the plot needed the extra ten minutes, but the film didn't seem overly long or have any serious lulls.The film begins with Ollie in a very unusual position for one of their movies--he's a very successful man! He owns a manure business and is running for mayor. However, an old flame (Mae Busch) returns and threatens to blackmail him--even though they haven't been involved for many years. Instead of just coming clean or calling the police, Ollie enlists the help of Stan to keep this evil and very volatile lady busy until Ollie's dinner party with the judge and his wife is completed--then he can attend to Mae.Mrs. Laurel isn't so understanding when Stan calls home to tell her he'll be home late, though Ollie is the one that calls and tells Stan everything is fine with his wife! Later, when Stan tries to keep Mae in her apartment until Ollie can arrive, the explosive wench begins man-handling Stan--and an acquaintance of Stan's wife sees this and thinks the worse!Later, when Stan follows Mae to Ollie's house, Ollie is now panicked--and tells everyone that this is Stan's wife. However, when the real wife shows up, it's a pretty typical ending for a Laurel and Hardy short. In fact, the film's biggest weakness is the end, as it seems to end on a rather anti-climatic note.The film gets very high marks for energy and fun, though if you think about it, Ollie had done nothing wrong and this is a fundamental flaw in the plot. Still, it will give you a few laughs and is about average to above average for one of their films--which is still quite wonderful.

bakerd1-1 This is an absolutely hilarious sketch, that ranks with Men-O-War, Another Fine Mess, Perfect Day, and Twice Two as one of the funniest shorts the duo ever did. The show starts with Oliver--a successful fertilizer magnate (with dim witted Stan in tow) who's running for mayor. When an ex-girlfriend blackmails him, picture and all it's up to Stan to save Ollie's campaign, job, and marriage. The funniest part is when Stan and Ollie are carrying the blackmailer at the end Complete with furniture fight, car destruction, and other typical antics this is a great movie. The supporting cast is also great, complete with James Finlyson as the usual butt of jokes. An excellent move that has a 100 smiles in it.

Theo Robertson It's not often I feel I have to defend something on this site but after seeing CHICKENS COME HOME a few days ago I must say I'm slightly puzzled as to why some people think it's not as good as made out . I remember seeing this as a young child and enjoying it immensely and after seeing it again as an adult it's - Unlike a few other L&H shorts - just as enjoyable now Yeah the flaws with this short are the same with any other one in that the performances are very stagy with lots of shouting and over emphatic mannerisms but no one ever complains about that in other short films featuring Stan and Ollie and unlike a lot of the other shorts CHICKENS COME HOME does feature a coherent plot instead of a lot of episodic incidents Some people have moaned that the duo are kept apart from each other hence this is somehow less of a success but that's all down to opinion because I was very impressed with the fact Stan and Ollie were both funny on their own throughout the running time with Ollie getting the lion's share of laughs . Come on anyone with a pulse and a sadistic sense of humour will wet themselves as Mr Hardy sings " Somebody's coming to my house " or screams when he sees an indiscreetly placed photograph but the best moments are the ones featuring Ollie and his Butler who knows too much . If I remember correctly there was a situation comedy from over 20 years ago featuring Keith Barron and Carlos Douglas called DUTY FREE with a very similar premise