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Block-Heads

Comedy · War · 1938

It's 1938, but Stan doesn't know the war is over; he's still patrolling the trenches in France, and shoots down a French aviator. Oliver sees his old chum's picture in the paper and goes to visit Stan who has now been returned to the States and invites him back to his home.

Movie details

Block-Heads

“90 Minutes of Happiness and Hi-Jinks”

1938 Comedy · War 57m

Critical arithmetic

The consensus, allegedly.

IMDb

7.5 / 10

4.6K votes

TMDB

6.9 / 10

Community rating

External scores via OMDb · CC BY-NC 4.0. Values normalized for display; availability varies by title.

It's 1938, but Stan doesn't know the war is over; he's still patrolling the trenches in France, and shoots down a French aviator. Oliver sees his old chum's picture in the paper and goes to visit Stan who has now been returned to the States and invites him back to his home.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Block-Heads?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

Shoulder Arms

Shoulder Arms

Comedy · 1918

An American doughboy, stationed in France during the Great War, goes on a daring mission behind enemy lines and becomes a hero.

Pack Up Your Troubles

Pack Up Your Troubles

Comedy · 1932

The story begins in 1917 with Stan and Ollie being drafted into the U.S. Army to fight in World War I. While in the Army, the pair befriend a man named Eddie Smith, who is killed by the enemy during a battle. After the war is over, Stan and Ollie venture to New York City, where they begin a quest to reunite Eddie's little daughter with her rightful family. The task proves both monumental and problematic as the boys discover just how many people in New York have the last name Smith.

Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero

Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero

Animation · 2018

The true story of the most decorated dog in American military history - Sgt. Stubby - and the enduring bonds he forged with his brothers-in-arms in the trenches of World War I.

Distant Drums

Distant Drums

Western · 1951

After destroying a Seminole fort, American soldiers and their rescued companions must face the dangerous Everglades and hostile Indians in order to reach safety

Carry On Sergeant

Carry On Sergeant

Comedy · 1958

Sergeant Grimshawe wants to retire in the flush of success by winning the Star Squad prize with his very last platoon of newly called-up National Servicemen. But a motley bunch they turn out to be, and it's up to Grimshawe to put the no-hopers through their paces.

The Flying Deuces

The Flying Deuces

Comedy · 1939

Ollie falls in love with a woman. When he discovers she's already married, he unsuccessfully attempts suicide but he and Stan then decide to join the Foreign Legion to get away from their troubles. When they’re arrested for soon trying to desert the Legion—they escape a firing squad by stealing an aircraft.

The Enemy Below

The Enemy Below

War · 1957

The crew of the American destroyer escort, the USS Haynes, detects a German U-Boat—resulting in a prolonged, deadly battle of wits.

Kelly's Heroes

Kelly's Heroes

Adventure · 1970

A misfit group of World War II American soldiers goes AWOL to rob a bank behind German lines.

Against the Sun

Against the Sun

War · 2014

A WWII pilot, bombardier, and radioman find themselves adrift on a lifeboat without food or water after being forced to ditch their plane during a scouting mission.

Oh! What a Lovely War

Oh! What a Lovely War

Comedy · 1969

The working-class Smiths change their initially sunny views on World War I after the five boys of the family witness the harsh reality of trench warfare.

Where it lives

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Streaming availability data supplied by JustWatch.

Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

John G. Blystone

Written by

James Parrott · Harry Langdon · Felix Adler · Charley Rogers

Stan Laurel

Stan Laurel

Stan

Oliver Hardy

Oliver Hardy

Ollie

Patricia Ellis

Patricia Ellis

Mrs. 'Toots' Gilbert

Minna Gombell

Minna Gombell

Mrs. Hardy

Billy Gilbert

Billy Gilbert

Mr. Gilbert

James Finlayson

James Finlayson

Man on Stairs

Tommy Bond

Tommy Bond

Neighbor's Son

Court is in session

Put Block-Heads on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.