Laurel and Hardy, also known as Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, were one of the most iconic comedic duos in the early days of Hollywood. Their unique comedic style and hilarious on-screen performances continue to entertain audiences around the world. Stan Laurel, born in 1890, started his career in British music hall before moving to the United States in 1910. He began working in silent films and collaborated with various comedians and directors in the early years of his career. However, it was his partnership with Oliver Hardy that catapulted him to stardom. Oliver Hardy, born in 1892, had a background in vaudeville and had also worked in silent films before teaming up with Laurel.
Once raced in a poodle shirt which may or may not be a shirt for a poodle. Unfortunately the type of person who does not let little kids win at competitive games. Often cries while running. Currently in grad school to learn to write sentences with subjects. East Coast transplant to Flagstaff, missing NYC bodegas, New England accents and Rhode Island Del's, but not urine-and-vomit scented subway rides. Twitter and Instagram @jmmackattack
Stilpa does a hyperbolic of course, but pretty good impression of Blaine s trademark destruction of the fourth wall, as he gazes directly into the camera after completing a trick. He was becoming an endurance artist, a career path that involved him existing suspended in a block of ice for 62 hours straight, and spending 44 days sealed inside a glass box 30 feet above the ground in London.
Oliver Hardy, born in 1892, had a background in vaudeville and had also worked in silent films before teaming up with Laurel. The duo first appeared together in the 1921 film "The Lucky Dog," but it wasn't until they started working together at the Hal Roach Studios in the mid-1920s that they truly hit their stride. Laurel and Hardy's magic lay in their perfect comedic timing, slapstick humor, and impeccable chemistry.
Does David Blaine have the skills of an elite ultra marathon runner?
David Blaine’s dark eyes stare unblinkingly into yours, reaching out stoically from the confines of your computer screen and intoning the type of quiet, serious concentration you’d expect from a man whose profession is listed as magician.
That’s not David Blaine. That is Mitch Stilpa, an actor/comedian from an improv troupe in LA (what a terrible combination of words) whose parody videos of David Blaine’s street magic made a big splash on Funny or Die for a while. Stilpa does a hyperbolic of course, but pretty good impression of Blaine’s trademark destruction of the fourth wall, as he gazes directly into the camera after completing a trick.
The four parody videos have amassed over 78,000,000 views on YouTube, and as HuffPost put it back in 2011, Blaine’s “aesthetic and demeanor make him a pretty solid target for parody.” Magicians in general are rarely respected for their craft, and usually the butt of some jokes or at least emphatic eyerolls. And Blaine’s “Street Magic” concept, where he interacted with apparent strangers on the street for his breakthrough documentary in 1996, was especially ripe for riffing off of.
But while the world was chuckling to itself at David Blaine’s expense, Blaine was reinventing himself as more than just some sort of street vendor illusionist. He was becoming an endurance artist, a career path that involved him existing suspended in a block of ice for 62 hours straight, and spending 44 days sealed inside a glass box 30 feet above the ground in London. The accomplishment of these feats is the crux of my argument. Anyone who can put their body through such physical pain and suffering, who willingly endures extreme discomfort for long stretches of time for no real reason other than to prove that they can was practically born to be an ultra-marathoner. There is a very fine, pretty much nonexistent line between endurance artist and endurance athlete and I for one would love to see how Blaine’s talent as the former translates into his promise for the latter.
Blaine has transcended the realm of magic with most of his acts recently. There’s no real trick or deception going on in the feats he’s managed to pull off. The “magic” is just that he is able to force his body to do completely unnatural things. For example, Blaine’s trick where he eats glass–is actually him eating glass. The man is truly, physically consuming glass. He takes a bite out of a champagne flute and then chews. He bites down again and again, cutting his mouth all over, desecrating his poor chompers, and reducing the glass to little specks until he can swallow it. This type of mind-blowing pain tolerance lends itself easily to the kind of mentality a person covering almost four times the distance of a marathon without really stopping to sleep, and barely eating.
Not only is Blaine capable of withstanding pain over a long portion of time, but he also has a certain level of insanity that seems to be a prerequisite for becoming an ultra runner. He has done tricks that are downright stupidly dangerous. He’s caught a bullet in his mouth on stage, an actual bullet, from a real gun that he caught in a metal cup that he held in his mouth. The amount of confidence Blaine must have in himself in order to believe he can catch a bullet with a cup in his mouth without killing himself makes me think he would have the kind of self-belief important for running up and down steep, rocky trails by yourself for hours on end.
Blaine’s resume does also hint toward an innate aerobic ability. After training and working on techniques to do so, he successfully held his breath for 17 minutes underwater. Which makes me confident in his lung capacity to say the least.
As Ira Glass recently said of Blaine in a This American Life episode, “He works on these things for years, trains his body to do this stuff.” Sounds a lot like the life of an ultra runner to me.
Once raced in a poodle shirt which may or may not be a shirt for a poodle. Unfortunately the type of person who does not let little kids win at competitive games. Often cries while running. Currently in grad school to learn to write sentences with subjects. East Coast transplant to Flagstaff, missing NYC bodegas, New England accents and Rhode Island Del's, but not urine-and-vomit scented subway rides. Twitter and Instagram @jmmackattack
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Laurel was known for his child-like innocence and mischievous nature, while Hardy portrayed the stern yet bumbling character. Their contrasting personalities and physical traits complemented each other on screen, creating a comedic dynamic that was unmatched. The duo's most famous works include films like "Sons of the Desert," "Way Out West," and "The Music Box," which won them an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. Laurel and Hardy's comedy transcended language barriers and cultural differences, making them international stars. Sadly, both Laurel and Hardy faced personal and professional challenges throughout their lives. They struggled with financial issues, health problems, and the decline of the film industry in the 1940s. Despite these difficulties, they remained dedicated to their craft and continued making films and performing until Hardy's declining health forced them to retire in the late 1950s. Even though Laurel and Hardy's careers thrived during the silent era, they successfully transitioned into the "talkies" and continued to create timeless comedy. Their influence can be seen in later comedic duos like Abbott and Costello and The Marx Brothers. Laurel and Hardy were more than just a comedic act; they were friends and collaborators who brought joy to millions. Their legacy lives on through their films, which are beloved by generations of fans. The magic they created on screen and the laughter they inspired will forever be remembered as a testament to their extraordinary talent and enduring appeal..
Reviews for "Laurel and Hardy: Comedy for All Ages and Generations"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Llaurel and harxdy their lives and magic". The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and didn't have any depth or development throughout the story. The writing was also quite mediocre, with excessive use of cliches and poorly constructed sentences. Overall, it was a tedious read that left me unsatisfied.
2. Christopher - 1 star - "Llaurel and harxdy their lives and magic" was a complete waste of my time. The story felt disjointed, with abrupt shifts in settings and characters that were confusing to follow. The world-building was poorly executed, leaving me with more questions than answers. The pacing was also extremely slow, and the action scenes were lackluster and unexciting. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I really wanted to like "Llaurel and harxdy their lives and magic", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The writing style felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the story or the characters. The dialogue was particularly cringe-worthy, filled with cheesy lines and unrealistic conversations. While the concept had potential, it failed to deliver an engaging and captivating narrative that could hold my interest. I was left feeling underwhelmed and disappointed by this book.
4. Michael - 1 star - "Llaurel and harxdy their lives and magic" was a major letdown. The plot was convoluted and messy, with numerous subplots that didn't seem to go anywhere. The pacing was inconsistent, making it hard to stay engaged with the story. The characters were forgettable and lacked any real motivation or purpose. The world-building was underdeveloped, leaving me with a lack of understanding of the setting and its rules. Overall, this book was a chore to read, and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.
5. Rebecca - 2 stars - I found "Llaurel and harxdy their lives and magic" to be a mediocre fantasy book at best. The plot felt derivative and lacked originality, with predictable story beats and tropes. The characters were shallow and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their journey. The pacing was also uneven, with slow moments that dragged on and limited action to keep the story moving. While the writing was decent, it couldn't save this book from feeling like a generic and unmemorable read.