(1943)
2
Craig Butler
Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy didn't blossom away from Hal Roach and the "shorts" format, and Jitterbugs doesn't compare to any of their pre-1940 classic films of any length. But it's certainly one of the team's better later efforts, and offers many enjoyable moments. Surprisingly, Jitterbugs has much less of the team's visual and slapstick-oriented gags and focuses much more heavily on wordplay. The duo was more than capable in this area, but those fans expecting much more physical comedy will be a bit disappointed. It's also true that -- as again was often the case after leaving Roach -- this film crowds Laurel and Hardy with other characters that often push them into the background. The boys tend to work better when the plot is not so convoluted as it is here, but the use of other characters does afford Vivian Blaine the chance to shine a little, especially in her musical numbers. The songs are rather routine, but Blaine sells them with gusto. As far as the stars go, they're in good form; they just don't have enough first rate material. However, each gets a chance to shine, Laurel in drag as a very amusing aunt and Hardy posing as a southern colonel to extremely good effect.
Jitterbugs on AllMovie
Jitterbugs (1943)
