Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable Oliver Hardy solo, January 5, 2006
Oliver Hardy rarely made any solo appearances after being teamed with Stan Laurel, so it's interesting to see the kind of performance he put forth as a solo star after he was famous. (In his pre-stardom days he usually played heavies and supporting roles, not really a star in his own right.) This story takes place in the small town of Carterville, Mississippi in 1870, and Hardy plays Dr. Henry Tibbitt. His daughter Mary is about to get married to Jeff Carter, but Jeff's mother really doesn't like the Tibbitts (largely because they're from different social classes), and tries at every step to discredit and humiliate them, both privately and publicly. Meanwhile Professor McCrackle (played by Harry Langdon) comes to town with his medicine show. His elephant Zenobia falls sick, and Dr. Tibbitt is sent for to find what's ailing her. It turns out to be nothing more than a knot in her tail, but Zenobia is so grateful she starts following him about everywhere. This really hurts and angers Professor McCrackle, who takes Dr. Tibbitt to court for alienation of affection, with his lawyer being paid for by Mrs. Carter. All of this winds up with some interesting twists and turns, and a really cute ending.
On its own this really isn't a great picture, but it is really fun, with a lot of funny moments and scenes. Ollie was funny enough, with enough great screen presence, to carry this film alone, proving that he was every bit as funny as Stan Laurel. It's been said that Stan is the hook that draws you in, but that Ollie is the one that makes you stay a fan longterm. Alone, his talents are quite obvious, and might make one pay more attention to him the next time one is watching one of his L&H films. It also seems fitting that he was playing a country doctor from a small Southern town, since he was from the South in real life, and always remained very proud of that fact (although he and his first wife left the South in protest and disgust after the infamous lynching of Leo Frank, and as far as we know Ollie never went back to the South after that). It was also nice to see him trying to explain race relations to the cute little boy, Zeke, who seems to be the son of the family cook (played by the great Hattie McDaniel), and how he gave him a quarter later on for memorising the Declaration of Independence and taking to heart its lessons about equality and happiness for all people. The real-life Hardy also had those beliefs, and never understood racial prejudice, so it's nice to see his character mirroring what he in real life might have articulated to a child trying to understand such a complex matter. I also enjoyed Harry Langdon's performance in this, and liked the chance to hear what his voice sounded like after only seeing his silent work. In this film he did not play the borderline disturbing man-child character he made famous in the Twenties, a character I didn't really warm up to in the films I've seen him in so far. It shows that he was a very talented underrated comedian who was more than capable of being funny when he was working with the right people and had great material.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Dr. Ollie cures the biggest medical problem he ever saw., March 25, 1999
By A Customer
The setting is in the old south of the 1800's, Dr. Tibbetts (Ollie) makes a house call on an unusual patient who is truly grateful for his professional care. In appreciation she won't leave his side, which provokes the jealousy of her partner, the disdane of society folks and the laughter of everyone else you see. Co-starring are Billie Burke as Mrs Tibbetts, with Harry Langdon and Alice Brady (in what I believe are their last screen appearances.) When there is love between the doctor's daughter and the son of the richest woman in the county, mother is not pleased and tries to discredit this hard working physician, accusing him of professional misconduct. While personal honor is put to the test, the good doctor takes the time to tell a young boy of the Declaration of Independence and it's place in our lives. When all is said and done this doctor turned lawyer for the day puts on a courtroom display that leaves all with a smile. It is a rare appearance of Ollie without Stan Laurel, who's expired contract was soon to be renewed. Ollie, Harry Langdon and Zenobia are a sight to see and to sit back and enjoy. Don't miss that opportunity.
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