Another fine mess

Over recent months I have rediscovered a childhood passion and it's as strong as ever - it was developing an interest in silent movies that led me back to Laurel and Hardy, a comedy duo I adored as a child. They used to show their old shorts on BBC2 of an evening and often they would leave me doubled up in laughter. They still have the power to do that. Check out the fan made video above which acts as a small tribute to the boys and shows many of their classic moments.

Almost ninety years have passed since the pair first worked together, though not then as the double act we know and love, in December 1920 for the Metro silent, The Lucky Dog. The film exists today in a reasonable print but it is only noticeable for the first time Laurel and Hardy appeared together on screen. The pair appeared in several other silent movies before making what is the first true Laurel and Hardy film. 1927's The Second Hundred Years holds that distinction.

In total the pair made 106 movies together - it's an awesome body of work and although the pair have never enjoyed the critical kudos as Charley Chaplin, many of their finest films deserve a much higher standing. Where Chaplin is seen as a genius, Laurel and Hardy are seen as crowd pleasers and although they were indeed that, there is much more to the canon than slapstick antics. Ahh but what perfectly timed slapstick.

BY 1928 the partnership had fully formed - They had toyed around with various looks, different characteristics but now each film would follow a set of conventions that would give their films a uniform look that made it feel like a series. They were two journeymen, unable to make the rent but always trying to better themselves and always willing, if unable, to help anyone in need.

Their first sound movie was 1929's Unaccustomed as We Are. And unlike other kings of silent comedy the pair made the transition to sound with little problem and indeed it is for their sound films that they are chiefly remembered. Ollie's Southern drawl and Stan's curious transatlantic accent were suited to the new medium and perfectly complimented each other. Laurel and Hardy are actually the first acts from the Hal Roach stable to make the transition to sound and this movie was Hal Roach's first sound movie. It was a raging success - Stan's crying, something he carried over from the silents, was even more hilarious with sound . A silent version was also released because many cinemas had yet to change over their equipment for sound but the writing was on the wall for silents and soon only Chaplin would remain in the silent medium an eventually even he had to concede and move to sound.

They made many classic sound shorts together before moving into features in 1931 with Pardon Us - indeed much of their best work exists in their sound shorts - The Music Box, Night Owls, Brats, Laughing Gravy to name but three from a list of enduring classics that stretches into double figures.

Pardon Us was directed by James Parrot and filmed during May -June 1930. There are two versions available - one at 56 mins and the other, which is included on the excellent Hal Roach Collection, runs at 65 minutes. Set during the prohibition era it finds Stan and Ollie in prison after trying to sell some of their home brew beer to a policeman.

Initially both Hal Roach and Stan Laurel were reluctant to move the team into feature length movies, feeling their natural style of comedy would be hard to maintain for over seven reels. However the film made so much money that it was inevitable features would be the way Laurel and Hardy would now go.

Pack up your Troubles followed in 1932 and there is not a second wasted in this excellent 68 minute World War One set movie.

The first section of the film takes place in the war ravaged trenches and sees Stan and Ollie capture an entire German squadron by - well, simply by being themselves. The second half of the films sees them back of Civvy Street and having to care for the young daughter of a pal who died in the conflict. The pair have to track down their late friend's folks so that they can take care of the child.

There are many notable films from their feature period - Sons of the Desert, Way out West, Bonnie Scotland, A Chump at Oxford and once again there are at least another dozen films one can add to the list.

The duo's final film was Atoll K AKA Utopia in 1950 - but it was always an ill conceived effort. Both stars were suffering from ill health and it breaks a fans heart to see them on screen in this tiresome movie. They are but frail shadows of their former selves.

Notable WEB SITES
OFFICIAL SITE
The worldwide appreciation society
Video clips