Great Guns
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| Great Guns | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Monty Banks |
| Written by | Lou Breslow |
| Produced by | Sol M. Wurtzel |
| Starring | Stan Laurel Oliver Hardy Sheila Ryan Dick Nelson Edmund MacDonald |
| Cinematography | Glen MacWilliams |
| Edited by | Alfred DeGaetano |
| Music by | David Buttolph |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 73:30 |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Great Guns is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Monty Banks, and produced by Sol M. Wurtzel for 20th Century Fox starring Laurel and Hardy. It is also known as Forward March.
Plot[edit]
Daniel Forrester IV, a wealthy young bachelor, receives his draft notice with elation, eager to dispel his aunts' doubts about his constitution. Joining the army alongside his chauffeur Ollie and gardener Stan, they undergo basic training at Fort Merritt in Texas. While Daniel excels, Stan and Ollie's antics irk their drill sergeant, especially Stan's pet crow Penelope.
Sergeant Hippo's jealousy grows as Daniel attracts the attention of Ginger Hammond, the fort's photo developer. Concerned for Daniel's health, Stan and Ollie attempt to dissuade Ginger from pursuing him, fabricating stories about his financial status. However, their efforts fail, and Hippo further intervenes by restricting Daniel's leave.
When Stan and Ollie are captured during a military exercise, Daniel, spurred by loyalty, aids in their rescue using Penelope. Their success earns them praise, and Daniel and Ginger's romance blossoms. The trio, along with Penelope in uniform, partake in a military parade.[1]
Cast[edit]
- Stan Laurel as Stan
- Oliver Hardy as Oliver
- Sheila Ryan as Ginger Hammond
- Dick Nelson as Dan Forrester
- Edmund MacDonald as Sgt. Hippo
- Charles Trowbridge as Colonel Ridley
- Ludwig Stossel as Dr. Schickel
- Kane Richmond as Captain Baker
- Mae Marsh as Aunt Martha
- Ethel Griffies as Aunt Agatha
- Paul Harvey as General Taylor
- Charles Arnt as Doctor
- Pierre Watkin as Colonel Wayburn
- Russell Hicks as General Burns
- Irving Bacon as Postman
- James Flavin as White Army Officer
Production notes[edit]
Considered the initial venture of Laurel and Hardy following their departure from Hal Roach Studios, Great Guns marks a decline in their career trajectory. The duo encountered challenges with unsuitable scripts and limited creative autonomy, contrasting sharply with the freedom they enjoyed at their former studio. While Stan Laurel had been accustomed to contributing creatively both on and off-screen at Hal Roach Studios, this latitude was not afforded at 20th Century Fox. Biographer John McCabe extensively chronicled Laurel's discontent with the creative constraints imposed by their later films produced by 20th Century Fox and MGM.
Alan Ladd appears briefly as a photo store customer.
References[edit]
- ^ "Great Guns (1941) - Overview". TCM.com. Retrieved 2016-12-14.
External links[edit]
- Great Guns at IMDb
- Great Guns at the TCM Movie Database
- Great Guns at AllMovie
- Great Guns at the American Film Institute Catalog
- Great Guns at Rotten Tomatoes
