Great Guns

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Great Guns
GreatGuns poster41.png
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
Production
company
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • October 10, 1941 (1941-10-10)
Running time
74 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

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.

Contents

Plot

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

Production notes

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.

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References

  1. "Great Guns (1941) - Overview". TCM.com. Retrieved 2016-12-14.