Absolutely the worst movie.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Copyright 18 July 1934 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Corp. U.S. release: 21 July 1934. A Hal Roach "Laurel and Hardy" comedy. 2 reels. SYNOPSIS: High living has given Oliver a bad case of gout. Ordered by Dr Billy Gilbert to take a holiday in the mountains and drink plenty of water, Oliver obliges. Unfortunately the well water is well and truly tainted with moonshine liquor.NOTES: Laurel and Hardy two-reelers were the most popular short subjects in the world from 1927 through 1935. This entry was so well received, it inspired a sequel: Tit for Tat. VIEWERS' GUIDE: The 2012 British censor has classified this one as not suitable for children. We are inclined to agree.COMMENT: Starts off brightly enough with some amusing quips and non-sequiturs, plus clever bits of well-timed slapstick. Unfortunately, once Charlie Hall returns, the farce degenerates into typical L&H demeaning violence.Aside from a long tracking shot on location with Laurel and gouty Hardy in their car and trailer, this one has limited directorial opportunities, though the director does keep his camera firmly focused on his stars (which after all is what the fans have paid for).

The comic geniuses, Laurel and Hardy, made so many hilarious shorts that it is hard to choose a best one. Certainly "The Music Box," which garnished the duo an Oscar, is as good as the best humor ever put on celluloid. Though Laurel and Hardy made at least two masterful feature films, "Way Out West" and "Sons of the Desert," their shorts are among their greatest moments on the big screen. "Them Thar Hills" is non-stop laughter both physical and verbal from beginning to end.Mr. Hardy is in need of rest, says wise doctor Billy Gilbert. He has had too much high living. Mr. Laurel suggests that they move down to the basement, but Dr. Gilbert counters with recommending a trip to the mountains and to be sure and drink lots and lots of water. Laurel convinces Hardy to rent a hook-on trailer and the boys are off on another misadventure. Just before they decide on a camping spot near a well, a bunch of moonshiners dump their payload into the well to destroy the evidence as the revenuers close in on them. Though the idea of putting whiskey or moonshine into the drinking supply for comedic effect was not new--Charlie Chaplin used the ploy for one of his classic shorts, "The Cure," as early as 19l7--the situation is different and Laurel and Hardy adapt it to their unique brand of humor.The two are doing just fine in an outrageously funny scene where the two prepare a meal with making a pot of coffee becoming as funny as falling off a chair backwards. Naturally they use the spiked well water for the coffee. Both proceed to get looped. Enter a couple who have run out of gas and seek the assistance of Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy. Bad mistake. what takes place is one of the funniest slapstick routines ever filmed. Aiding in the sequence is a Laurel and Hardy regular, Charley Hall, second only to the magnificent James Finlayson as a perfect foil for the boys. His companion in hilarity is another Laurel and Hardy regular, Mae Busch, one of the screens great comediennes.Anyone who doesn't roll with laughter watching "Them Thar Hills" needs to have his/her funny bone checked out immediately. Those who enjoy "Them Thar Hills" should check out its sequel, "Tit for Tat," and let the fun continue.

Stan and Ollie are advised to take a break for their health by their doctor 'Billy Gilbert'. They rent a very early version of a trailer and head into "Them Thar Hills" and discover a bootleg liquor den. Much humour ensues with Ollie having his shoe cut in half by the blundering Stan who mistakes it for firewood. Charley Hall and Mae Busch add to the humour arriving to find some GAS. Ollie and Stan make a fine plate of Beans and Coffee for Mae. Charlie Hall comes back to discover Mae drunk on the bootleg liquor which the boys don't know is in the well water. After a few hard words from Hall an almighty Tit for Tat battle ensues, with Hall ending up tarred and feathered. Only surpassed for battles in their later films by TIT FOR TAT.

Them Thar Hills is another favorite Laurel and Hardy episode of mine. In this one, Stan and Ollie go out into the country for Ollie's health. Along the way they encounter a fun loving wife (Mae Busch) and her exasperated husband (Charlie Hall), and they get drunk on some wishing well water that had been contaminated with alcohol by moonshiners. The funniest part in this episode was when Stan and Ollie retaliate against Charlie Hall! Laurel and Hardy were both ingenious when it came to making episodes and movies, Stan Laurel had taken any gag he used and made it be extremely funny! Also, the way they played off each other in this episode and others were absolutely impressive. That's what made L&H so exquistite, comedy-wise. In fact, Laurel and Hardy are my second favorite comedy team of yesteryear! Also, Charlie Hall was a great L&H regular, too! And the fun doesn't stop there! After you see Them Thar Hills, watch the bonus sequel Tit for Tat! Both episodes are a can't-miss for Laurel and Hardy fans!