I don't understand why this has a 6.7 overall rating, yes, being a fan, I'm biased, but I'm first to admit that like so many L & H fans, where the lads are good, they're good, as they are here and when they're bad, they're bad. (As their 1940's departure from Hal Roach showed). The boys have escaped from prison in the USA and stow away on a boat to Scotland, as Stan's Scottish Grandfather has died and left him 'something' in the will. Unfortunately, it turns out to be just a set of bagpipes and some snuff! The bulk of the fortune goes to the relative's granddaughter, Lorna McLaurel of whom there's a tentative link with in the film other than blood (As Stan's association was of course a more delinquent relative). A lot more to this, but we'll get to the boys, whom always have some sub-plot in the films. Stranded now in Scotland and broke, they inadvertedly enter the army (as they would) and get posted to India. (Along with Lorna's love interest, lawyer's clerk, Alan - who thinks he's been shunned by Lorna but finds out he hasn't - enough of them!). Naturally the boys are inept, Stan missing step when marching, causing the whole regiment to be 'out-of-pace'. Good support from Jimmy Finlayson, (who I may add, apart from maybe lesser-known Scottish actors, is the only major Scot genuinely in it). Being India, there's going to be natives attacking the fort (original) and the boys inadvertedly thwarting them perhaps in some ways like Beau Hunks (Or Beau Chumps, depending which part of the English-speaking world you're in). All in all, rompy, fun, good gags (When Stan sees the McLaurel family Butler: 'Nice fella, he sure can 'buttle'!')And, of course, the 'absurd' visual gags that only they can do and have you in stitches with - Ollie taking the snuff, sneezing, falling in a river and having sneezed all the river dry! Don't miss this one!
Review of Bonnie Scotland
