I have seen Zenobia several times and yes, while it is not standard L&H, it does show that comedy teams can work separately. I found Mr. Hardy to be an excellent actor in this character part and if I remember it also gave Mr. Hardy the opportunity to show off his excellent singing voice. In my book, Zenobia, stands apart for the routine L&H movies and it should be treated in that manner.People who think that comedy teams should only appear as comedy teams are all wrong. Take Abbott and Costgello. I have seen movies in which they did not work as a team and were great. Another A&C movie in which they were teamed, but not together, instead playing separate roles was equally good, where Lou played a Revolutionary War ghost and Abbott played a 20th century mortal. Take Martin and Lewis, everyone said they were finished when they broke up. Not so. They each went on to great careers. Stiller and Meara were great together as a radio and stage team and while still married, they now have separate careers. So folks, just because Stan Laurel is not scratching his head while standing next to the tie fluttering Norville Oliver Hardy, I still think Zenobia showed off Hardy's ability not to have to depend on Laurel.