Swiss Miss (1938)

Swiss Miss Poster

Stan and Ollie are mousetrap salesmen hoping for better business in Switzerland, with Stan's theory that because there is more cheese in Switzerland, there should be more mice.

Film Overview
"Swiss Miss" is a 1938 function American comedy movie produced by Hal Roach studios, directed by John G. Blystone, and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It significantly marked the comedically iconic duo Laurel and Hardy's step into "full-length function" territory in a quote to stay relevant in an increasingly film-focused market. They play a pair of taking a trip mousetrap salespersons who wind up in Switzerland, where they are embroiled in farcical experiences including an avant-garde author and a St. Bernard pet dog.

Plot Synopsis
Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, drift organs and mousetrap salesmen in Switzerland, find themselves in dire financial straits and turn to operating in a hotel to cover their accommodations costs. They are hired as kitchen assistance but without delay get on the wrong side of the unstable chef. All at once, the hotel is hosting a world-renowned author, Victor Albert, who exists to write an opera and avoid his other half's diversions. An opera singer called Anna Albert is likewise there, making complex matters even more.

Hapless Heroes and High Society Hijinks
Things swiftly hinder when Mrs. Albert tries to order a meal from Laurel and Hardy while the chef is absent. Their innocent however misguided efforts to prepare the purchased spaghetti and duck meal cause a funny series of catastrophes, including a packed duck and a bathtub filled with pasta. Meanwhile, Mr. Albert experiences a severe case of innovative block, which does not agree with his rich and demanding spouse.

Paws, Piano, and Peril
The plot thickens when the duo discovers a St. Bernard pet dog (that traditionally carries brandy) while delivering the author's piano over a range of mountains. Assuming that the dog brings brandy around its neck, Laurel and Hardy pursue it, causing a series of related comic misadventures. This, combined with an avalanche that buries the duo and the composer's spouse, drives the story in a refreshingly unreasonable direction.

Comic Climax and Conclusion
The funny crescendos when Laurel and Hardy, in their efforts to calm the author's other half, wind up launching a live gorilla triggering pandemonium in the hotel. Amidst the turmoil, the author's marriage breaks down, while the gorilla unintentionally reveals the duo's food theft, leaving them dealing with extreme repercussions.

Subtly, "Swiss Miss" interlaces comic slapstick with clever humor, showing Laurel and Hardy's signature shenanigans. The duo's distinct goofs, playful wordplay, and absurd pratfalls inject the film with enough comedy to keep audiences captivated.

Critical Reception
Although not considered among Laurel and Hardy's finest work, "Swiss Miss" is notable for the experimental transition into the realm of function films. Its authentic humor, eccentric scenarios, and unforgettable set-pieces exemplify the hilarity and charm that elevated Laurel and Hardy into funny legends. In spite of its absence of narrative depth, the movie serves its purpose admirably by using audiences overwhelming dosages of laughter and underline the duo's long-lasting comic expertise.

In conclusion, "Swiss Miss" is a timeless classic that represents the jesting genius of Laurel and Hardy, where daily encounters turn into comically disorderly catastrophes. The film is similar to a bygone age when humor was straightforward, and laughter was originated from viewing two adorable characters searching for their way out of outlandishly unlikely situations.

Top Cast

  • Stan Laurel (small)
    Stan Laurel
    Stan
  • Oliver Hardy (small)
    Oliver Hardy
    Ollie
  • Grete Natzler (small)
    Grete Natzler
    Anna Albert (as Della Lind)
  • Walter Woolf King (small)
    Walter Woolf King
    Victor Albert
  • Eric Blore (small)
    Eric Blore
    Edward
  • Adia Kuznetzoff (small)
    Adia Kuznetzoff
    Chef
  • Charles Judels (small)
    Charles Judels
    Cheese Shop Owner
  • Ludovico Tomarchio
    Luigi
  • Franz Hug
    Flag Thrower
  • Jean De Briac (small)
    Jean De Briac
    Enrico
  • George Sorel
    Joseph