Laurel Hardy

For the first time, all 99 Laurel and Hardy comedies, from early two-reelers through classic shorts and great features, are fully documented with cast-lists, credits and plot outlines. 400 photos.

This delightful biography conveys the warmth and humour of the much-loved duo whose hilarious escapades convulsed a generation of movie-goers and who continue to acquire new worldwide audiences via the medium of television. Describing the book as 'positively miraculous', the Times Literary Supplement was moved to add 'it is difficult to see how this book could be improved upon'.

The remarkable story behind the planning, development and marketing of Laurel and Hardy's ill-received final film, Atoll K, has been little explored. Details on the script development, cast, crew, locations, and even basic information on running times and release dates have been sketchy at best since the film's 1951 release. This work reconstructs the circumstances surrounding this unusual international co-production (Atoll K was a French-Italian film with English-speaking stars). Through lost documents detailing the film's production and funding, previously unreleased behind-the-scenes photos, and a rare interview with French movie star Suzy Delair, the author explores the continuous changes to the film's script during its chaotic production and the final marketing of the film's many different versions (Atoll K was also released as Robinson Crusoeland in the United Kingdom and as Utopia in the United States). Several appendices detail alternative sequences and cut scenes in various versions of the film and include French box-office reports from 1951 to 1952 as well as a complete filmography.

Laurel and Hardy were a comedy duo who performed during the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, comprising Englishman Stan Laurel (June 16th, 1890 ? February 23rd, 1965), with American Oliver Hardy (January 18th, 1892 ? August 7th, 1957). They became famous for their slapstick comedy during the late 1920s to the mid-1940s, with Laurel playing the clumsy and childlike friend of the pompous bully Hardy. The duo's signature tune known as "The Cuckoo Song", "Ku-Ku", or "The Dance of the Cuckoos," was played over the opening credits of their movies, having become as emblematic of the duo as their bowler hats.

LAUREL and HARDY - The European Tours is a companion to the much acclaimed BRITISH TOURS. It details not only the stage tours Laurel and Hardy played around Denmark, Sweden, France, and Belgium - from October 1947 to January 1948 - but the year the two Hollywood comedians spent in France, during the making of their 1950-51 film Atoll K. Included in this is a whistle-stop promotional visit to Italy, taking in San Remo, Genoa, Milan and Rome. In addition are details of two earlier visits to France - one by Laurel in 1927, and one by both comedians in 1932.