Bonnie Scotland Blu-ray review
Aug 05, 2026- Permalink
Warner Archive have just released the Laurel and Hardy comedy Bonnie Scotland on Blu-ray and I couldn’t be happier. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, the Three Stooges and Abbott and Costello were a big part of the Sunday Morning Funnies TV show that beamed across the border from Buffalo. My Dad and I would watch them each week and laugh our brains out. 1935’s Bonnie Scotland, directed by James W. Horne, sees the pair heading off to Scotland, where they unwittingly sign up for the Scottish Regiment and get shipped off to India. Their time in India sees them clashing with their stern Sergeant and a local terrorist threat. Thanks to Warner Archive and Allied Vaughn, I had a chance to take a look. The WB likes disclaimers, so here goes: Though Warner Brothers provided me with a copy of this release to review, the thoughts and opinions below are mine.
The 1080p AVC encoded digital transfer is presented in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio. The Blu-ray transfer is sourced from a 4K scan of the nitrate protection elements. I’m getting very used to the great job that Warner Archive does. The presentation has nice details and a wide range of greyscale between dark blacks and crisp whites. The feature presentation has been beautifully restored (compare it to some scratchy shots from the included trailer) and it’s head and shoulders above what I saw as a kid.
On the audio side of things, we get an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono soundtrack. Subtitles are available for English SDH. Dialogue is clear and the sound effects that accompany their slapstick are nicely presented in the track as well. There’s no hiss or pops to speak of.
The Bonnie Scotland Blu-ray does not come with a digital code. As for extras, we get an audio commentary from Leonard Maltin and Richard W. Bann, who both have written and lectured about the duo. We also get scenes from the movies Hollywood Party (1934) and Pick a Star (1937) that featured Laurel and Hardy, as well as a theatrical trailer.
It’s great to see Warner Archive giving Bonnie Scotland a restored Blu-ray release. Fans of the legendary Laurel and Hardy will want to add this to their collection.