Series: The Spat Family Director: Fred L. Guiol Producer: Hal Roach Titles: Photography: Nicholas T. Barrows Editor: Stars: Frank Butler, Laura Roessing, Sidney D'Albrook Company: Pathé Exchange Released: 02 December 1923 Length: 2 reels Production No.: F-4 Filming dates: July 23 - August 22, 1923; retakes October 3-6, 1923 Rating: -/10

The Great Outdoors

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FROM THE FOOTAGE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW: The Spat's are out camping in the woods for the weekend when Ambrose finds a horseshoe on the ground. He nails it above the door (upside down) whilst Tewkesbury heads off to chop some wood for the fire. With the smallest axe, he chops down the tallest tree - which falls directly on their cabin. Miraculously all three of them emerge unscathed from the rubble. It's then off to the river for a spot of trout fishing, after which Tewkesbury sets fire to all their clothes when he hangs them over a fire. Wondering how they are going to get home in the state they are in, they spot a group of six men down by a river and after sneaking up on them from behind, they throw a rock into the water to distract the group. The men jump into the river whilst the Spats creep around to the camp and take all of the men's clothes. This leads to a chase down some railway tracks where Mrs. Spat and Ambrose jump onto a moving train with Tewkesbury failing to make it as the train goes into a tunnel (see location shots below). Tewkesbury does finally get on the train but as he, his wife and Ambrose climb up onto the carriage roof they are spotted by the railroad bull who chases them. The three of them take refuge between two carriages under the train until it stops to take on water. With their run of bad luck continuing the water is unleashed all over them, forcing them to get off the train whilst the bull continues to chase them. The final scene finds a policeman who arrests all three of them, handcuffs them all together and leads them away.

Favourite bit As these films themselves aren't that great I find myself looking for something that stands out and it's this stunt that does it. In a desperate attempt to escape the railroad bull the Spats hide underneath the carriage of a moving train. With his legs between the wheels it's one slip and your bollocks will take a pounding!

Trivia • Copyrighted November 23, 1923. • This was the fourth film in the series. • After the Spats get a soaking on the train Laura Roessing's left nipple is briefly clearly visible through her clothing afterwards. My opinion • Silly plot but some good scenery with the train shots.

	Frank Butler Mr. Tewkesbury Spat
	Laura Roessing Mrs. Spat
	Sidney D'Albrook Brother Ambrose
	Leo Willis Railroad bull
	Jack O'Brien Swimmer
	Hubert Diltz Swimmer
	UNIDENTIFIED Swimmer #1
	UNIDENTIFIED Swimmer #2
	UNIDENTIFIED Policeman

CREDITS (click image to enlarge)

SHOT ON LOCATION (click any image to enlarge)

Acknowledgements: W. Dustin Alligood (Harpodeon.com) Jesse Brisson (identification of Hubert Diltz, Jack O'Brien) This page was last updated on: 17 August 2024