Michael_Elliott Busy Bodies (1933) *** 1/2 (out of 4) Classic Laurel and Hardy film has the boys working at a sawmill and you can just imagine everything that goes wrong. This is probably one of the most busy L&H films out there because there isn't a frame in the film where they aren't trying to get a laugh and for the most part they get all of them. There's a wonderful sequence where Hardy gets a brush glued to his face and Laurel, trying the best he can, goes to get it off but just creates more problems. The physical nature of the gag with Hardy getting his hands stuck in the window is also very well done. There are countless gags running throughout the 19-minutes including the classic scene where the boys get their car cut in half. All of this is surrounding by another gag featuring a co-worker who keeps getting in their way. I really appreciate how hard this film works in making the viewer laugh and it gets even more kudos for actually making the majority of the jokes work.

theowinthrop Some comedians rely on plot and screenplay - such as the Marx Brothers, who have to have sharp dialog for Groucho and Chico, and some social target to aim at. So did W. C. Fields. But Laurel & Hardy were frequently at their best when they had a simple story line and just expanded the situation without words.IN BUSY BODIES they are going to work at a wood mill run by Tiny Sanford. They have to go to work by car, and we see them in a rare moment of pleasant peace with the world, listening to music on their car radio - or I should say car "radio" as it is something special. They arrive at the work site, and quickly have their first run in with Charlie Hall, causing him to become discomforted by a mild joke (which he is not crazy about). But shortly they head inside, and keep getting into a variety of simple but effective sequences that are pure gold humor. First Ollie keeps getting hit in the head by co-workers with bars. Then Ollie's fingers get stuck in a window frame, that Stan can't quite get him out of. Curiously enough Stan starts showing a bit of initiative here - looking at a blueprint supposedly of the window frame. Ollie, impatiently points out it is a blue print for the Hoover/Boulder Dam (why? what's it doing there?). Shortly occurs another confrontation with Hall, which ends with a surprising action by Stan. More mayhem (including Stan having to give Ollie a shave with a wood plane - you have to be there to see it) follows, topped by Ollie being shot through an air duct into crashing on top of a shed, demolishing it (and nearly demolishing Tiny Sanford). The film ends with the boys trying to drive off in their Model T, only to find that a buzz saw has other other ideas.It is not as organized as say THE MUSIC BOX or HELPMATES, but it is as funny as those two sound shorts were. This is a delight to watch to see how the boys did so much with so little.

MartinHafer It's amazing how many times Laurel and Hardy's best comedy short involve rather mundane scripts where the action is mostly confined to one setting. Instead of feeling claustrophobic, films such as this one and BIG BUSINESS are wonderful throughout and brilliant in their simplicity.Stan and Ollie are on their way to work and they talk about how much they love their new job as carpenters. It seems they are working at some sort of combination lumber yard and carpentry shop--which is really hard to imagine as this job would take both talent and brains--something the boys are sorely lacking! At first, the predicaments they get into are pretty mundane--such as Ollie getting his hands stuck in a window frame or getting a paint brush glued to his chin. However, as the film continues, the outlandish gags get bigger and crazier and the film ends with several of the most memorable stunts I have ever seen. However, so as not to spoil the film, I think it's best just to let you see it yourself.See this film. It's highly original (even though Stan and Ollie did several shorts where they are fixing or building things, this one is certainly unique) and amusing throughout--a truly standout film.

quickdog Have you ever wondered why the government formed OSHA to help promote and protect worker safety on the job? This short demonstrates why OSHA was needed. No. It had nothing to do with unions or workers organizing. It all had to do with Busy Bodies as Laurel and Hardy turn the carpentry shop upside down, backwards and inside out.Safety violation 1. No smoking in the work place.Safety violation 2. Improper use of glue and adhesives.Safety violation 3. Tools used for purposes other than what they were made for.Safety Violation 4. Opening and closing windows improperly.Safety violation 5. Just being Laurel and Hardy.Did I mention that Laurel and Hardy were innovative and on the cutting edge of technology. They were the first to put a disc player in their car. The only problem is: Where's the motor? Their on board phonograph is durable though.Busy Bodies is a laugh fest and along with Help Mates and The Music Box is one of the best L&H shorts. For any L&H fan or for any fan of comedy, this is a must see.