Review of One Good Turn (1931) by Becca A — 17 Feb 2011

Points up the limitations of the short form, with ideas that might have served an entire feature - such as Stan and Ollie mistaking am-dram rehearsals for real life, or indeed being driven to vagrancy (a la "Sullivan's Travels") - treated as something temporary and throwaway, intended to distract the audience for a couple of reels before the main presentation.

You're left to admire a handful of neat stumbles (Stan over a small rock around the opening campfire; Ollie on a can precariously positioned on their host's front steps) and spectacular collapses (the heroes' jalopy; the old dear's outhouse).

Hat damage: none, although Ollie appears to leave his behind during the final chase - and the best gag depends on a succession of chopped logs falling on both leads' heads.