Zenobia (1939)

Zenobia (1939)

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“I’d rather do something for somebody that needs a doctor — even if they can’t pay their bills!”

Synopsis:
A kind country doctor (Oliver Hardy) successfully treats the depressed pet elephant (Zenobia) of a traveling medicine man (Harry Langdon), only to find that the grateful Zenobia won’t leave him alone afterwards. Meanwhile, his daughter (Jean Parker) hopes to marry a young man (James Ellison) whose snobby mother (Alice Brady) wants nothing to do with the “lowly” doctor and his family.

Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:

  • Comedy
  • Cross-Class Romance
  • Deep South
  • Doctors and Nurses
  • Harry Langdon Films
  • Jean Parker Films
  • Laurel and Hardy Films

Review:
Originally developed as a feature for comedic duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, Zenobia ultimately teamed Hardy with silent screen legend Harry Langdon:

… when Laurel had a falling out with Hal Roach studios. The result is a well-meaning but decidedly tepid comedy, one which admirably shows Hardy’s talents as a “leading man” yet fails to deliver many genuine laughs. The title character — a testy female elephant named Zenobia —

… is the film’s primary claim to uniqueness, yet Zenobia’s relentless attachment to Hardy unfortunately takes a back seat to the rather dull primary drama about cross-class romance and Southern snobbery. With that said, film fanatics will likely appreciate seeing Alice Brady in one of her final roles before she succumbed to cancer later that year; she looks frail but still manages to invest her character with gumption and energy.

Redeeming Qualities and Moments:

  • Oliver Hardy in a rare role without Stan Laurel by his side
  • Alice Brady in one of her final screen roles

Must See?
No, though fans of either Laurel and Hardy or Langdon will likely be curious to check it out.

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One thought on “Zenobia (1939)”

  1. First viewing. In total agreement; not a must.

    It’s interesting to see Hardy going solo, and he manages some nice shadings in role removed from his Laurel/Hardy persona.

    As well, I do like the scene of subtle suspense at a very public gathering, in which Parker proves she hasn’t been shown up. It’s a delight and a highlight.

    Sadly, overall the film is kind of a drag, tho the heart of it does seem in the right place.

    Director Gordon Douglas had a long and varied career – and would go on to give us, ‘Them!’, ‘Young at Heart’, the cult film ‘Sylvia’, ‘In Like Flint’, and the gay-themed ‘The Detective’.

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