Way Out West (1937) – Old Cowboys, New Laughs, Sjutton Gubbar!

So, yesterday kvällen – after a fish soup that was more pepper than fisk, I revisited “Way Out West.” Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, these two clowns… I mean, legends. You recognize them straight away, even if the film’s older than my pappa’s oldest vinyl. Directed by James W. Horne and produced by Hal Roach – ja, that Hal Roach who basically invented the idea of funny duos in the old Hollywood days.

From the moment that ridiculous donkey scene starts, it’s obvious: this film doesn’t care much about logic, but it’s got a heart like the moose statue in Borås. Stan and Ollie are supposed to deliver a deed to a gold mine, but of course, they get tangled up with a tough hostess and the world’s most crooked barkeeper. I won’t fake it – some jokes felt stale, but when Stan breaks into that cry-laugh thing he does? I got actual chills, like the first proper höststorm in Göteborg.

You’ve seen James Finlayson too – the guy with the bonkers mustache who basically invented the double-take. He chases them around the saloon with more energy than my old gympal during surströmming season.

I remember, 1994 nånting, Folkets Hus in Sundsvall, my old polare Joppe giggled so hard at the “Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia” dance scene he spilled Festis all over his jeans. The Swedes in the room, we all lost it – something about grown men kicking their heels like småglin at Midsommar, total barnsligt joy.

Sure, some jokes haven’t aged perfekt, and the pacing is sometimes slow as ice fishing in April. But if you like physical slapstick and oddball warmth, you’ll get a kick out of it. Next time someone says classics are passé, just show them Stan’s hat trick. Maybe bring a dry pair of jeans.

watch the full movie on Mavshack Movies on YouTube

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