Any Laurel and Hardy Fans?

West Ender · 06-05-2006, 16:18

Following on from the George Formby thread, I wonder how many people rate Stan Laurel as highly as I do?

Stan was born in Ulverston, which was in Lancs then, and went to California as a young man along with Charlie Chaplin and others. He was one of the most inventive comic actors of all time. When he teamed up with Oliver (Babe) Hardy they became, in my opinion, the best and funniest double act ever. Most of what they did was devised and directed by Stan and they complimented each other so well their comedy was just fantastic. Stan's apparent idiocy and Babe's oh so pompous stupidity go together to make all their work brilliant (and Babe was a good singer, too, they often got a bit of his singing in).

My favourite L and H film has to be "Way Out West" which has some of the best moments of Stan's comic genius. Who but Stan could light a pipe with his thumb? Who but Stan could drive a cart across a ford while Babe, walking alongside, disappears under the water? And what about their rendition of the song "Trail of the Lonesome Pine"?

To me, there's nobody like Stan and no comedy duo like the pair of them.

garinda · 06-05-2006, 16:34

I love Laurel and Hardy, they make me laugh out loud. We once went to the Stan Laurel museum in Ulverston, and had a great afternoon, the curator who insisted in showing us round was as funny as the exhibits.

The same cannot be said for Charlie Chaplin. A very interesting life, bit comedy wise doesn't do it for me.

garinda · 06-05-2006, 16:40

Although only Stan Laurel was British, I love most British films from the 30's, 40's, and 50's.

Gracie Fields, George Formby, Norman Wisdom. It must have been a real tonic when times were hard, to go to the cinema, forget about your real life and have a good old belly laugh.

'Sing as we go..............'

SPUGGIE J · 06-05-2006, 17:39

The films from the 30's to the 60's where in a class of their own and a British film industry institution in their own right. Laurel and Hardy sarted a trend that can never be surpassed by so called comedies now adays.

West Ender · 06-05-2006, 17:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

I love Laurel and Hardy, they make me laugh out loud. We once went to the Stan Laurel museum in Ulverston, and had a great afternoon, the curator who insisted in showing us round was as funny as the exhibits.

The same cannot be said for Charlie Chaplin. A very interesting life, bit comedy wise doesn't do it for me.

I agree, Chaplin's not in the same league, funny sometimes but doesn't light my fire .

We went to the Ulverston museum about 15 years ago. The owner was genuinely thrilled to bits when I told him I was born on Babe Hardy's birthday (18 January) and got me to choose a film clip to watch in his little cinema.

I believe he (the original owner) is dead now but the museum is still carried on by a new bloke.

garinda · 06-05-2006, 18:03

It was about fifteen years ago we were at the museum as well. It's a shame the old owner is dead, he was a real character. and had us in stitches. Definitely worth a visit if you are up that way.

jambutty · 06-05-2006, 18:43

Stan and Ollie were unique and as funny today as they were at the Saturday morning cinema at the Odeon.

West Ender · 06-05-2006, 18:55

The most brilliant dance I've ever seen - in Way Out West - still has me rolling with laughter every time.

grannyclaret · 06-05-2006, 19:09

I rate them even higher than George Formby... We have loads of video tapes...My favorite is the piano one...Where they go up hundreds of steps to deliver a piano when all the time there was easy acsess at the rear of the building,,,and then there is the one with the purse, 20 compartments long ,,and then again there is the one with the lovely dog !!!!LAUGHING GRAVEY!!!!,
Who would ever think of a name like that,oooh they would have made a fortune today...

Buzzer · 06-05-2006, 20:58

Love Laurel & Hardy ever since I was a kid, would have liked to have got the box set but £100+ is a bit to much...
By the way Ulverston is still Lancs

here's the link

http://www.forl.co.uk/

garinda · 06-05-2006, 22:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzzer

Love Laurel & Hardy ever since I was a kid, would have liked to have got the box set but £100+ is a bit to much...
By the way Ulverston is still Lancs

here's the link

http://www.forl.co.uk/

Does Ulverston being in 'real Lancashire', according to that website, mean that we also get back half of lake Windermere?

talentedbutslow · 06-05-2006, 23:13

UMMM.......if you had half a lake....how would you stop it getting full....when it rained???.........

SPUGGIE J · 06-05-2006, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by talentedbutslow

UMMM.......if you had half a lake....how would you stop it getting full....when it rained???.........

Sell the exta to the home counties.

talentedbutslow · 07-05-2006, 00:16

Just give me 10% commission for putting the idea in your head Spuggie.......

wayneyboy1942 · 07-05-2006, 10:13

I love watching Laurel and Hardy!!

Way out west is my fav film!! I diffy anyone not to smile at their dance outside the saloon!!