Some of the reviews for this film describe it as the team's best or near-best. While I wouldn't go that far, it is a very good and enjoyable film and is among the better silent shorts they made.
The film begins with Ollie's wife walking out because Stan has been living with them for two years and Ollie won't throw him out of the house. Only moments later, Ollie's rich uncle stops by the house to meet Ollie's wife. With timing only found in films, it's the same uncle that promised to put Ollie in the will as long as he's happily married. Desperate to keep up appearances, Ollie panics and has Stan pretend to be the wife! This isn't the first time nor the last when Stan went in drag. Oddly, he looked rather convincing and this provided some laughs. My favorite of these cross-dressing scenes was actually from one of the last of the Laurel and Hardy films, JITTERBUGS. While not an especially good film, the scenes with Stan playing a lady were priceless.
Aside from the cross-dressing, another plot element involves a stolen necklace that is dropped down Stan's dress by the thief. He and Ollie spend perhaps too much time trying to get the jewels out of the dress, as the gag seemed a bit too over-done--though it was still funny and rather risqué.
Overall, some good laughs and well worth a look. For the team's best silents, though, try BIG BUSINESS or SHOULD MARRIED MEN GO HOME?.
FYI--The "Pink Pup" nightclub seen in this film is also featured in THEIR PURPLE MOMENT and you see the outside of it in THE BATTLE OF THE CENTURY--two other Laurel and Hardy films.
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