Laurel and Hardy ('The Boys' as they are affectionately known) are the most
recognized comedy duo the cinema has produced. The film that introduced them as
the "Stan and Ollie" characters we know so well today was 1927's Do Detectives
Think?. Before that, Stan Laurel (from England) and Oliver Hardy (from America)
had long solo careers, as this collection of rare and hilarious comedies shows.
Hardy entered movies in 1913, Laurel in 1917. Stan often played sharp-witted
types, and Ollie "heavies" or villains (often with comics Billy West or Larry
Semon). By the mid-1920's, both were employed at the Roach Studios, still
playing different roles, with Laurel also gag-writing and even directing Charley
Chase, James Finlayson, Our Gang - and Oliver Hardy!
Producer Hal Roach played "comic roulette," teaming his stars in the hopes of
hitting box office gold. The Boys make their first appearance together in Lucky
Dog, but it will be another ten years before they truly become a team. This
collection showcases the comic genius of two great performers on the road to
fame - Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy.
Short Kilts (1924) with Stan Laurel, James Finlayson: The clans
collide when the McPhersons invite the McGregors over for supper. Trouble starts
between Stan and Fin over a game of musical chairs... nothing a bowl of haggis
and a punch in the eye can't fix!
Smithy (1924) with Stan Laurel, James Finlayson: After being
discharged from the army, Smithy (Stan) gets a job building houses. Construction
becomes destruction when his old sergeant (Finlayson) shows up!
Along Came Auntie (1926) with Oliver Hardy, Vivien Oakland: Talk about
desperate housewives! Deeply in debt, Vivien rents a room to Ollie, her first
husband. When her rich, divorce-hating aunt turns up, her ex and current hubbies
are at each other's throats, and nothing she does can hide her past.
The Stolen Jools (1931) with Laurel and Hardy: A Hollywood "who's
who"! Along with Buster Keaton, Joe E. Brown and many others, The Boys (by now
established in their familiar characters of "Stan and Ollie") are detectives -
and arrive on the scene with their classic "demolished automobile" gag.
Home Movies (1938): Before home video, there was 16mm film, and Stan
was an early 'home movie' enthusiast. Here are rare glimpses of his daughter at
home and friends on the Hal Roach lot, including Babe out of character!
The Tree In A Test Tube (1943) with Pete Smith as Narrator: To help
the war effort, The Boys made this public service announcement the year they did
"Jitterbugs" and "The Dancing Masters" for 20th Century Fox. Theatre-goers
learned everything they always wanted to know about - wood products!
Starring: Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy
Directed by: Various Directors
Laurel and Hardy, Volume 3 (DVD Movie) . . .
