Bonnie Scotland (1935)

Bonnie Scotland Poster

Stan and Ollie stow away to Scotland expecting to inherit the MacLaurel estate. When things don't quite turn out that way, they unwittingly enlist in the Scottish army and are posted to India.

Introduction
"Bonnie Scotland" is a 1935 American funny film directed by James W. Horne and featuring the popular comedic duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. The movie is an ideal mix of comedy, light-hearted drama, and romance, deeply entrenched in the elements of the times it was made.

Plot Summary
The movie evaluates the comic misadventures of Laurel and Hardy as they journey from America to Scotland to claim an inheritance left for Laurel by his rich uncle. Upon arrival, they discover that the inheritance is merely a set of bagpipes and a snuff box. Broke and dissatisfied, they accidentally enlist in the British Army.

The British Army Adventures
Once signing up with the Army, they are right away sent out to India, falling under a series of unreasonable and funny scenarios. The set do not have the discipline and etiquette anticipated in the army, resulting in various humorous minutes including seldom following orders, creating chaos, and normally inviting trouble.

In one of the ongoing comical arcs, they regularly annoy their exceptional, Sergeant Major Finlayson, with their ineptitude and misdirected efforts. Their actions even consist of introducing an unscheduled attack on a friendly fortress, believing it to be taken by enemy contenders.

The Romance Factor
Simultaneously, a love storyline is woven into the story between Laurel and Hardy's buddy, Alan, and their army friend, Jeannie. However, Jeannie's rigorous and conventional auntie interferes, only to withdraw when she incorrectly thinks Alan is wealthier than he really is.

Climactic Scene and Ending
The film reaches its climax when an enemy people abducts them in addition to Jeannie. In the occurring action-packed series, they experience many close calls and wind up triggering more trouble than they solve. However, they manage to save Jeannie and escape, mostly through a combination of luck and unintentional cleverness instead of intentional heroics.

At the end, they are mistaken for heroes and, once again in a comical twist, they wind up in a hot air balloon wandering off into the sundown, suggesting their next adventure.

Reception and Legacy
"Bonnie Scotland" is kept in mind for its unique comedic style, showcasing Laurel and Hardy's physical comedy, slapstick humor, and their distinct characters as kind-hearted however absurd buddies. In spite of mixed reviews at the time of its release, the film is considered today as one of Laurel and Hardy's more unforgettable features, thanks to its blend of humor, experience, and touching character minutes.

The film likewise made an important contribution to Laurel and Hardy's body of work. The "Bonnie Scotland" regimens became part of the pair's basic collection, and some components were recycled in subsequent movies. For example, their military misadventures and the essential 'friendly fortress' sequence have actually frequently been compared to their later comedy "The Flying Deuces".

Overall, "Bonnie Scotland" provides a charming and timeless comical approach, maintaining the universal appeal of Laurel and Hardy's comical stylings while embedding them in a fun and appealing plot.

Top Cast

  • Stan Laurel (small)
    Stan Laurel
    Stanley MacLaurel
  • Oliver Hardy (small)
    Oliver Hardy
    Oliver 'Ollie' Hardy
  • William Janney (small)
    William Janney
    Allan Douglas
  • June Lang (small)
    June Lang
    Lorna MacLaurel
  • James Finlayson (small)
    James Finlayson
    Sgt. Maj. Finlayson
  • Anne Grey (small)
    Anne Grey
    Lady Violet Ormsby
  • Vernon Steele (small)
    Vernon Steele
    Col. Gregor McGregor
  • Maurice Black (small)
    Maurice Black
    Khan Mir Jutra
  • Mary Gordon (small)
    Mary Gordon
    Mrs. Bickerdike
  • David Torrence (small)
    David Torrence
    Mr. Miggs the Lawyer
  • Daphne Pollard (small)
    Daphne Pollard
    Millie the Maid