Saps at Sea (1940)

Overview
"Saps at Sea", released in 1940, is the twentieth function movie by the funny duo Stanley Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Produced by Hal Roach and directed by Gordon Douglas, it was their last movie under their longtime contract with Roach. With characteristic slapstick humor and comic verse, "Saps at Sea" sees Laurel and Hardy in the midst of a madcap sea adventure including a left found guilty and a derelict ship, which ultimately leads them into a swirl of turmoil.

Plot Summary
In "Saps at Sea", Oliver Hardy plays a stress-ridden factory horn tester who loses his sanity due to the perpetual sound. Hardy's medical professional sends him on a sea trip to regain his health, stipulating absolute quiet and a strenuous diet of goat's milk. Stanley Laurel plays the requiring buddy who accompanies Hardy on this journey. However, before they leave, Laurel unintentionally triggers a goat to be delivered to their apartment rather of a boat, triggering an uproar.

Neglecting their unforeseen guest, they spontaneously choose to utilize a suspiciously inexpensive fishing boat that's up for rent. Unknown to them, a killer named Nick Grainger (played by Rychard Cramer) is concealing on board the boat. Grainger had actually escaped from prison and killed a guard in the process, and now the cops are non-stop pursuing him.

Continuation and Conclusion
The trouble starts when their fishing boat adrifts due to Laurel forgetting to tie it up. They awake to find themselves alone at sea with Grainger. In a comic turn of occasions, Laurel and Hardy in some way encourage Grainger that they are hardened criminals too. They handle to maintain this façade, however when Grainger discovers their true identities, it leads to them inadvertently shooting him and after that stressing about what to do next.

On the other hand, the goat they had onboard conserves the day and charges at Grainger, knocking him overboard. The duo signifies a nearby ship, and they are rescued. However, in true Laurel and Hardy style, the motion picture ends with them stuck in a lifeboat, circling constantly, while everyone else has managed to board the rescue ship.

Cast Performance
Laurel and Hardy's signature comedic efficiencies are the highlights of "Saps at Sea". They perfectly transport their roles' comic absurdity without overt grandstanding. Their ability to link physical humor with pun-filled dialogue makes them an extraordinary pair. Rychard Cramer, as the enormous killer Grainger, likewise delivers an unforgettable performance.

Reception
"Saps at Sea" remains a timeless Laurel and Hardy comedy. Critics argue that, though it may not rank amongst their best movies, it definitely includes the traditional elements that makes their comedy classic. The slapstick routines, one-liners and unreasonable situations are provided with such captivating comical precision that they never ever fail to captivate.

In conclusion, "Saps at Sea" reaffirms Stanley Laurel and Oliver Hardy's comedic brilliance. It encapsulates their distinct mix of slapstick humor and wordplay and is a testimony to their long-lasting popularity in movie history. In spite of their characters' foibles and incidents, Laurel and Hardy guarantee the audience is always rooting for them.

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