This is a wonderful little Laurel and Hardy film. Stan and Ollie do their civic duty and testify against criminal Walter Long (who, by the way, played the scariest looking criminal in several Laurel and Hardy films). The thug is convicted and as he's being drug off to prison, he threatens to get even--saying he'll "tie their legs around their heads like a bow-tie!". Well, despite being pretty dumb, the boys wisely decide to leave town. But, because they are short of funds, they advertise for someone to come along and share driving expenses. Because this is a comedy short, it's no surprise that the person that answers their ad is the girlfriend of Walter Long! And just before the boys arrive at the lady's house to pick her up, Long escapes and heads to her house as well. However, Long and the boys don't meet up right away. When Stan and Ollie ring the bell, Long hides in a trunk (not realizing who's at the door) and gets locked inside. Not knowing who is inside, Stan and Ollie try their best (which means, they do a horrible job) of trying to get him out--and in the process make you feel sorry for Long! Eventually, he gets out and this leads to one of the better sight gags to end a Laurel and Hardy film.
The short is well written and acted and has excellent pacing. All-in-all, it's one of their better shorts and well worth seeing.
The short is well written and acted and has excellent pacing. All-in-all, it's one of their better shorts and well worth seeing.