Laurel and Hardy, also known as Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, were one of the greatest comedy duos in the history of cinema. Their iconic partnership spanned over three decades, from the 1920s to the 1950s, and they continue to be adored by audiences worldwide. Stan Laurel was born Arthur Stanley Jefferson in 1890 in England, while Oliver Hardy, whose birth name was Norvell Hardy, was born in 1892 in the United States. Both actors had established careers in the entertainment industry before they eventually teamed up. Laurel had experience in silent films, working as a writer and actor, while Hardy had appeared in numerous comedic films and had even directed some before partnering with Laurel. It was in 1926 when Laurel and Hardy were paired together by producer Hal Roach that their magic truly began.
They have always been my favorite comedy team. Their films are hit and miss, from the sublime Way Out West, Sons of the Desert and The Music Box to the awful Utopia (their last). In the end, however, it is their personal magic that transcends all the imperfections. One of the highlights of their films are the (unfortunately) infrequent musical interludes featuring Hardy's beautiful voice and Laurel's eccentric dancing.
One of the highlights of their films are the unfortunately infrequent musical interludes featuring Hardy s beautiful voice and Laurel s eccentric dancing. Robb Wilton, Tommy Handley, Arthur Askey, Frank Randle, Ted Ray, Eric Morecambe, Ken Dodd, Bernard Manning, Les Dawson, Tommy Cannon, Bobby Ball, Syd Little, Robin Askwith, Victoria Wood, Caroline Aherne born in London but moved to Manchester aged 2 , Fiona Allen, Steve Coogan, Lee Mack, Peter Kay and Diane Morgan are all from Stan Laurel s county, Lancashire, to name but a few.
It was in 1926 when Laurel and Hardy were paired together by producer Hal Roach that their magic truly began. The chemistry between the two was undeniable, and their contrasting personalities and physical comedy skills made for a perfect comedic match. Laurel was known for his childlike innocence, often portraying the bumbling and lovable fool, while Hardy played the role of the pompous and ill-tempered but ultimately good-hearted character.
'Laurel & Hardy : Their Lives And Magic' (2011, Documentary)
I found this documentary very interesting for a number of reasons. There are rare contributions from Lois Laurel (Stan Laurel's daughter) and Cassidy Cook (Stan's great grand-daughter). It's interesting hearing about a trip Oliver Hardy made with Stan Laurel later in life to see his family home in Ulverston, Lancashire, in the north-west of England. I was also left curious by the theatre marquee advertising a film starring Lois Lane.
'Double Whoopee' (1929)
I didn't realise the ways in which Stan Laurel and Babe Hardy crossed paths on their way to becoming a comedy team under producer Hal Roach, first appearing together in 'The Lucky Dog' (1921). I like the way the running narrative traces the gradual erosion of community spirit and creative freedom that drove the ideas behind their masterpieces of the 1930s. The documentary contends this completely gave way when they were strait-jacketed in the 1940s by major studios who simply didn't know what to do with them.
'The Boy Friend' (1928)
'Laurel & Hardy : Their Lives And Magic' is currently screening on the channel Sky Documentaries here in the U K. I think 'Harold Lloyd : Hollywood's Timeless Comedy Genius' can probably still be seen through the channel Sky Arts.
Stan Laurel and Dana Andrews
Interview with Jerry Lewis
Last Edit: Dec 28, 2020 23:14:37 GMT by petrolino
"Movies are the enemy of the novel because they are replacing novels. Novelists shouldn’t write for the movies, unless, of course, they discover they’re no good at writing novels." - John Irving
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Post by phantomparticle on Dec 27, 2020 3:18:11 GMT
I've seen a number of documentaries on the duo. Stan and Ollie, a fictionalized account of their stage act in England in the fifties, is a beautiful valentine to their memory.
They have always been my favorite comedy team. Their films are hit and miss, from the sublime Way Out West, Sons of the Desert and The Music Box to the awful Utopia (their last). In the end, however, it is their personal magic that transcends all the imperfections. One of the highlights of their films are the (unfortunately) infrequent musical interludes featuring Hardy's beautiful voice and Laurel's eccentric dancing.
Hopefully, the Baum documentary will be available in the U.S., if not already.
And This, Too, Shall Pass Away"People aren't supposed to look back. I'm certainly not going to do it anymore.” - Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
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Post by petrolino on Dec 27, 2020 5:55:25 GMT
Years before Billy Wilder shot Marilyn Monroe's iconic sequences with an air stream from a vent, Stan Laurel was pulling the same gag wearing a kilt. I did not know that till watching this documentary.
"Movies are the enemy of the novel because they are replacing novels. Novelists shouldn’t write for the movies, unless, of course, they discover they’re no good at writing novels." - John Irving
It's Good to be the King
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Post by TheGoodMan19 on Dec 29, 2020 18:12:38 GMT
I have to see this. L&H are my favorite comedy duo by far. Sons of the Desert is an absolute masterpiece. They were unique in that they were great friends. Abbott and Costello had times when they wouldn't speak to each other. The Marx Brothers had feuds. When Oliver Hardy died, Stan Laurel couldn't go to the funeral for health reasons. He said "Babe would understand", Babe being Hardy's nickname. I believe I seen a huge poll asking who was the greatest British comedian. Stan Laurel won. Quite an accomplishment, seeing how he hadn't done anything since 1951. And beating Dudley Moore, Marty Feldman, the Monty Pythons.
"People aren't supposed to look back. I'm certainly not going to do it anymore.” - Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
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Post by petrolino on Dec 30, 2020 0:15:25 GMT
Dec 29, 2020 18:12:38 GMT TheGoodMan19 said:I have to see this. L&H are my favorite comedy duo by far. Sons of the Desert is an absolute masterpiece. They were unique in that they were great friends. Abbott and Costello had times when they wouldn't speak to each other. The Marx Brothers had feuds. When Oliver Hardy died, Stan Laurel couldn't go to the funeral for health reasons. He said "Babe would understand", Babe being Hardy's nickname. I believe I seen a huge poll asking who was the greatest British comedian. Stan Laurel won. Quite an accomplishment, seeing how he hadn't done anything since 1951. And beating Dudley Moore, Marty Feldman, the Monty Pythons.
That is an accomplishment. And he was from the north-west of England where a lot of great comics have come from. They would play all the working mens clubs which were tough crowds. Robb Wilton, Tommy Handley, Arthur Askey, Frank Randle, Ted Ray, Eric Morecambe, Ken Dodd, Bernard Manning, Les Dawson, Tommy Cannon, Bobby Ball, Syd Little, Robin Askwith, Victoria Wood, Caroline Aherne (born in London but moved to Manchester aged 2), Fiona Allen, Steve Coogan, Lee Mack, Peter Kay and Diane Morgan are all from Stan Laurel's county, Lancashire, to name but a few.
"Movies are the enemy of the novel because they are replacing novels. Novelists shouldn’t write for the movies, unless, of course, they discover they’re no good at writing novels." - John Irving
Their signature style of comedy involved slapstick humor, hilarious misunderstandings, and the famous catchphrase "Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into!" Their films were filled with brilliant sight gags and physical comedy routines that had audiences in stitches. Some of their most famous films include "Sons of the Desert" (1933), "Way Out West" (1937), and "Block-Heads" (1938). Laurel and Hardy were not limited to the silver screen; they also appeared in numerous stage shows and performed their comedy routines live. However, despite their incredible success, Laurel and Hardy faced personal and professional challenges throughout their careers. They had disagreements with studios, contract disputes, and financial troubles. Nonetheless, they remained committed to their craft and continued to entertain audiences until the end. While their popularity declined in the 1940s and 1950s as the era of silent films came to an end, their legacy as comedy legends remained intact. Laurel and Hardy inspired countless comedians and actors, and their influence can be seen in the work of modern-day comedians. They were awarded a special Academy Award in 1961 for their contributions to screen comedy. Laurel and Hardy will always be remembered for their timeless humor and the laughter they brought to millions of people around the world. Their lives and magic continue to enchant audiences to this day..
Reviews for "The Secrets of Laurel and Hardy's Comic Timing Revealed"
1. Marie Smith - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Laurel and Hardy: Their Lives and Magic". As a long-time fan of the duo, I was looking forward to learning more about their lives and career, but this book fell short. The writing felt dull and lacked the charm and wit that Laurel and Hardy were known for. The content was also quite repetitive, with little new information or insights. Overall, I found it to be a boring and uninspiring read.
2. John Thompson - 2/5 stars - I must say I was expecting a lot more from "Laurel and Hardy: Their Lives and Magic". While I appreciate the effort to delve into their personal lives and explore their magic on-screen, the execution was lacking. The book read more like an endless list of facts and dates, without any real depth or analysis. It failed to capture the essence of Laurel and Hardy's comedic genius and left me wanting more substantial content. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book to fellow fans looking for an engaging read about this iconic duo.
3. Amanda Johnson - 1/5 stars - "Laurel and Hardy: Their Lives and Magic" was a huge disappointment for me. The writing style felt dry and academic, making it a chore to get through even a few pages. The lack of personal anecdotes or behind-the-scenes stories left the book feeling impersonal and detached. As a fan of Laurel and Hardy's hilarious films, I expected a more vibrant and entertaining approach in this biography. Unfortunately, this book failed to capture the magic of the duo, resulting in a lackluster and uninspiring read.