Laurel and Hardy, the iconic comedy duo of the early 20th century, are known for their hilarious slapstick routines and enduring on-screen partnership. Their lives, both on and off screen, were marked by a unique blend of creativity, success, and personal struggles that ultimately contributed to their legendary status in the world of comedy. Born as Arthur Stanley Jefferson and Norvell Hardy in 1890 and 1892 respectively, the two comedians had vastly different upbringings. Laurel, a British native, began his career in the entertainment industry at a young age, starting in vaudeville and eventually making his way to Hollywood. Hardy, on the other hand, was an American actor who had a background in silent films before teaming up with Laurel. Their partnership began in 1927 when they appeared together in the silent short film "Putting Pants on Philip.
Of the one thousand photos here (800 new to this printing), I would venture to say only dozens have been published before. Many came from Oliver Hardy’s personal collection. If you love Stan and Ollie as I do you will derive great pleasure staring at rare behind-the-scenes shots, scrapbook and home-movie frames, original newspaper ads and posters, elements of working scripts, and much, much more. Want to see Oliver Hardy, Edgar Kennedy, and Hal Roach taking an impromptu swim on location with members of their crew? Or original billboards touting the latest L&H releases? This is the book for you.
I know a fair amount about this team, having watched and written about them for many years, but I got lost in the pages of this book the other night and couldn t put it down. What isn t mentioned in this article is that the man who brokered the deal between the Jay Ward and Hal Roach organizations was the man we love to hate, the Prince of Darkness himself, Raymond Rohauer.
Their partnership began in 1927 when they appeared together in the silent short film "Putting Pants on Philip." This marked the start of a successful collaboration that would span over 30 films and numerous shorts. Laurel and Hardy's unique comedic style, characterized by their physicality, timing, and chemistry, resonated with audiences around the world and made them one of the most beloved comedy duos of all time.
LAUREL & HARDY: THE MAGIC BEHIND THE MOVIES by Randy Skretvedt — A Closer Look
Labeled “The Ultimate Edition,” this massive volume represents the third time L&H devotee Skretvedt has published the results of his decades-long research on Laurel and Hardy—and it is magnificent. I know a fair amount about this team, having watched and written about them for many years, but I got lost in the pages of this book the other night and couldn’t put it down. I also had trouble picking it up again: it’s incredibly heavy, and well worth its price, not only in content but in sheer heft. There is 50% more text than there was in its second incarnation.
Of the one thousand photos here (800 new to this printing), I would venture to say only dozens have been published before. Many came from Oliver Hardy’s personal collection. If you love Stan and Ollie as I do you will derive great pleasure staring at rare behind-the-scenes shots, scrapbook and home-movie frames, original newspaper ads and posters, elements of working scripts, and much, much more. Want to see Oliver Hardy, Edgar Kennedy, and Hal Roach taking an impromptu swim on location with members of their crew? Or original billboards touting the latest L&H releases? This is the book for you.
Randy seamlessly blends fandom with scholarship in his account of the team’s career and meticulous documentation of their movies. Over the past forty years he got to know key members of the Hal Roach team, from prop men to musicians; their quotes paint a vivid picture of how the Laurel & Hardy films were made. And if you wonder why some of producer Roach’s other comedy series could be so poor, or uneven, when they drew on the same talent pool the answer is crystal clear: they didn’t have Stan Laurel calling the shots.
Even if you own an earlier edition of Laurel & Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies this oversized, 630-page coffee-table book eclipses them—or to put it another way, leaves them in the dust. “Ultimate” is the key word: here is a volume that lives up to its promise and belongs on every film bookshelf. Bear in mind that this is a limited edition; according to the publisher, once this hardcover has sold out it will not be reprinted.
Note: Books purchased directly from Bonaventure Press will be numbered, signed by the author, and accompanied by a free audio CD of excerpts from the author’s interviews with L&H luminaries. Click HERE for details.
Tagged Bonaventura PressBook ReviewJournalLaurel & HardyRandy SkretvedtLeonard Maltin is one of the world’s most respected film critics and historians. He is best known for his widely-used reference work Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide and its companion volume Leonard Maltin’s Classic Movie Guide, now in its third edition, as well as his thirty-year run on television’s Entertainment Tonight. He teaches at the USC School of Cinematic Arts and appears regularly on Reelz Channel and Turner Classic Movies. His books include The 151 Best Movies You’ve Never Seen, Of Mice and Magic: A History of American Animated Cartoons, The Great Movie Comedians, The Disney Films, The Art of the Cinematographer, Movie Comedy Teams, The Great American Broadcast, and Leonard Maltin’s Movie Encyclopedia. He served two terms as President of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, is a voting member of the National Film Registry, and was appointed by the Librarian of Congress to sit on the Board of Directors of the National Film Preservation Foundation. He hosted and co-produced the popular Walt Disney Treasures DVD series and has appeared on innumerable television programs and documentaries. He has been the recipient of awards from the American Society of Cinematographers, the Telluride Film Festival, Anthology Film Archives, and San Diego’s Comic-Con International. Perhaps the pinnacle of his career was his appearance in a now-classic episode of South Park. (Or was it Carmela consulting his Movie Guide on an episode of The Sopranos?) He holds court at leonardmaltin.com. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook; you can also listen to him on his weekly podcast: Maltin on Movies. — [Artwork by Drew Friedman]
Director: William A. Seiter
Despite their professional success, Laurel and Hardy faced personal challenges throughout their lives. Laurel struggled with a tumultuous personal life, including multiple marriages and divorces, while Hardy battled with health problems, including obesity and other related issues. These challenges often affected their work and added depth and complexity to their on-screen personas. Their comedy, although filled with laughter and joy, often explored themes of friendship, resilience, and the foibles of human nature. Laurel and Hardy's ability to bring laughter to audiences, even during the darkest times, endeared them to millions and allowed their humor to transcend cultural and generational boundaries. As Laurel and Hardy's careers progressed, they faced the challenges of the transition from silent films to "talkies." However, their talent and adaptability allowed them to successfully make the leap, and they continued to entertain audiences with their witty banter and physical comedy. In the later years of their partnership, Laurel and Hardy experienced a decline in popularity, but their impact on the world of comedy remained undiminished. Even after their deaths in 1965 (Laurel) and 1957 (Hardy), their films and comedic legacy continued to captivate new generations, cementing their status as comedy legends. Laurel and Hardy's lives and madness will forever be remembered as the epitome of comedic genius and the power of genuine friendship. Their enduring influence on comedy and their ability to bring laughter to audiences across the globe is a testament to their enduring talent and the universal appeal of their characters. Through the laughter they created, they will forever be cherished, remembered, and celebrated as two of the greatest comedians in history..
Reviews for "Revisiting Laurel and Hardy: Why Their Comedy Stands the Test of Time"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Laurel and Hardy: Their Lives and Madness". I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of their comedic genius and their personal lives, but the book fell short. The writing lacked excitement and failed to bring their story to life. Additionally, the book seemed disjointed, jumping back and forth between different periods of their lives without much coherence. Overall, I found the book to be dull and unsatisfying.
2. John - 1 star - As a longtime fan of Laurel and Hardy, I had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. The author seemed more interested in providing a detailed account of every single movie they made, rather than exploring the essence of their comedy and the challenges they faced as a comedy duo. I wanted to learn more about their dynamic on and off the screen, but the book lacked depth and failed to capture their essence. It felt more like a dry recitation of facts, rather than an engaging exploration of their lives and madness.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "Laurel and Hardy: Their Lives and Madness" was a letdown for me. The writing style was dry and lacked any real emotion, making it difficult to connect with the story. The author focused too much on the minutiae of their lives, such as their contracts and financial struggles, while neglecting to delve into the emotional aspects of their journey. I wanted to understand the personal struggles they faced and the impact it had on their comic genius, but the book failed to deliver. Overall, I found it to be a tedious read that did not do justice to Laurel and Hardy's legacy.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I was hoping for a more comprehensive and insightful book about Laurel and Hardy, but "Their Lives and Madness" left me wanting more. The author seemed more interested in compiling a detailed chronology of their films rather than providing an in-depth analysis of their comedic brilliance. While the book did offer some interesting tidbits about their personal lives, it felt disjointed and lacked a cohesive narrative. It left me feeling unsatisfied and wishing for a deeper exploration of the duo's unique comedy and their impact on the entertainment industry.