Michael_Elliott
Dancing Masters, The (1943) ** (out of 4) Later day Laurel and Hardy has the boys working as dance instructors but they decide to help a friend try to sell a new invisible ray gun. This film wasn't as bad as I had heard but it's still one of the lesser films that the boys made. There are plenty of laughs throughout the film but for the most part the jokes fall flat on their face. We get several sequences, which we've seen in earlier L&H films and these include the entire ending when Laurel is trying to get injured so that they can collect some insurance money. The highlight of the film has to be seeing a young Robert Mitchum trying to sell the boys some insurance. Again, the film isn't that bad and it's mildly entertaining for 63-minutes but we've seen these jokes in better shorts before.
tavm
In a remarkable coincidence, I found out in the morning paper that today is the day Oliver Hardy died 50 years ago. That made me want to watch The Dancing Masters right away since I checked that out of the library last Sunday. Since this was one of Hardy's and partner Laurel's latter-day features they made for, in Stan's words, "those Fox people", there isn't much in the way of logic in the comic set pieces that are depicted here but for the most part the movie is pretty amusing with many laughs and smiles from me when the boys are by themselves or whenever they have someone new, like leading lady Trudy Marshall, participate in one of their routines. In fact, Ms. Marshall recounted to one L & H biographer how she told Stan and Ollie how she'd love to do comedy so they let her in the "Mixed Hats" routine in which she also incorporated plates. She became known as "One-Take Marshall" from that incident in her cherished memory! Also appearing, without credit, was Robert Mitchum in one of his early thug roles, here talking a little fast for his usual character. Also, Margaret Dumont, usual Marx Brothers foil, provides some amusing moments. Alas, the movie falls apart at the end with a really illogical bus chase that mixes obvious back projection scenes with obvious model scenes to uneven results. Stan's line at the end does partially make up for that. So while The Dancing Masters is not an L & H classic, it's certainly worth a look for die-hard fans of the boys. Rest in eternal peace, Mr. Hardy.
Boba_Fett1138
Problem with this movie is that nothing in the movie really feels connected to each other. The story feels messy and weak. On top of that the supporting actors were also quite horrible in their roles.No, this is not the best Laurel & Hardy movie. It still is good for some laughs certainly but overall it's a disappointing movie to watch. The movie already begins weak and unfunny. The movie does get better as it progresses but it never reaches the same level as any of the other Laurel & Hardy movies.Another disappointment was Stan Laurel. He didn't seem to play his character with as much joy as he used to do and his acting was to be honest poor at times.Still watchable but not really recommendable, even though the movie does have its moments.6/10http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
