Review of Busy Bodies (1933) by Mike M — 27 Oct 2011

The short in which the stars' bowler hats made the most sense, affording them protection (however limited) from the vagaries of the hostile environment they found themselves in. By now the pair had become masters of the form, and even those bits that threatened to go on too long - such as Ollie getting wedged in a window frame, or having a glue brush stuck to his chin - would be given explosive or imaginative resolutions.

It builds to ever more spectacular stunts - the man receiving a barrel over his head for his troubles is an especially satisfying gag, and the topper, when it comes, is terrific - and even if the whole lacks the conceptual heft of the stars' very best shorts, it remains appropriately workmanlike: those whose funny bones are only lightly goosed will still find themselves nodding approvingly at the craft.