The film is a huge assemblage of near-stars and Laurel and Hardy--with lots of silly Busby Berkeley-style song and dance routines and a totally forgettable romance between Eddie Quillan and some lady about whose identity I could not care less. These people all come to a party at Jimmy Durante's home and Jimmy is trying to convince one of the guests to sell him his collection of lions.
For film historians and fans of classic Hollywood comedy, this is a must-see film--even though the overall results are less than thrilling. That's because although the film lacked a decent plot and had many lulls, it still gives an interesting combination of Laurel and Hardy, the Three Stooges, Jimmy Durante AND Mickey Mouse. Talk about a strange group of party guests!!! Sadly though, Laurel and Hardy get top billing even though they don't appear until near the end AND their scenes are far from distinguished--in fact, they are downright dull. The Stooges don't have a lot to be happy about here, either. Mickey is okay. The only one who had good writing and came off well was Durante--who played an amusing and improbable role as "Schnarzan"--sort of like a hairier and uglier Johnny Weismuller.
Overall, I'd give Jimmy Durante an 8, Stan and Ollie as well as the Stooges a 3, the romance a 1, the song and dance routines a 2 and the overall film a 4 for entertainment value and 8 for historical value. Using my complicated mathematical formula (known only to a select few), I'd give the film an overall score of 6--though this is being a tad charitable.
FYI--According to the Leonard Maltin Guide, TV versions lack the Mickey Mouse and color Chocolate Soldier cartoons, but when this was shown on Turner Classic Movies this was indeed included.
For film historians and fans of classic Hollywood comedy, this is a must-see film--even though the overall results are less than thrilling. That's because although the film lacked a decent plot and had many lulls, it still gives an interesting combination of Laurel and Hardy, the Three Stooges, Jimmy Durante AND Mickey Mouse. Talk about a strange group of party guests!!! Sadly though, Laurel and Hardy get top billing even though they don't appear until near the end AND their scenes are far from distinguished--in fact, they are downright dull. The Stooges don't have a lot to be happy about here, either. Mickey is okay. The only one who had good writing and came off well was Durante--who played an amusing and improbable role as "Schnarzan"--sort of like a hairier and uglier Johnny Weismuller.
Overall, I'd give Jimmy Durante an 8, Stan and Ollie as well as the Stooges a 3, the romance a 1, the song and dance routines a 2 and the overall film a 4 for entertainment value and 8 for historical value. Using my complicated mathematical formula (known only to a select few), I'd give the film an overall score of 6--though this is being a tad charitable.
FYI--According to the Leonard Maltin Guide, TV versions lack the Mickey Mouse and color Chocolate Soldier cartoons, but when this was shown on Turner Classic Movies this was indeed included.