Roughest Africa

This is a decent but not particularly inspired short film starring Stan Laurel in his pre-Oliver Hardy days. From the late teens until 1927, Laurel was a solo act playing with a variety of supporting actors--in this case James Finlayson. Stan plays a documentary film maker who goes to Africa to hunt wild game and make himself famous in the process. The trouble is, he isn't all that brave. The film has a few funny moments scattered about, but I really think it could have used a few more. I particularly liked the scene as his porters carry his supplies on the trek, but many of the "funny" bits didn't do much for me. As it is, it's a watchable but forgettable film.

By the way, in the 1920s audiences weren't as knowledgeable about animals of the world, though astute theater goers would have noticed that bears are NOT native of Africa nor are Asian elephants.