The Great Balancing Mechanism.

As much as Laurel and Hardy are loved and respected as great comedy pioneers, you have to admit that most of the characters played by Oliver are bullies. Maybe they’re only minor league bullies, but they’re bullies nonetheless. That’s why I like the following short clip from their film Pack up Your Troubles.

It isn’t the cutesy Shirley Temple clone that appeals, or the general slapstick. It isn’t even Stan Laurel’s genius in maintaining a developing range of different mannerisms and expressions over quite a long period of screen time. What I like is the visual gag with the baseball bat and drum at the end.

Maybe the boys saw it as merely a comedic device. To me, it’s a delightful example of instant karma. That’s why I like it.