OLDER LETTERS to LHC

HE SAID WE'RE INSIGHTFUL!  (swoooon)

     Thanks for your insightful reviews of the recent Hallmark DVD. As one who used to care for the Roach nitrates, I KNOW they can look much MUCH better.

    Also, I just wanted to say "excellent" for your wonderful L&H website.

     I'd also like to give you the link to our SOD Oasis here in Dayton. [Editor's Note: Link to the Dayton, Ohio SOD Tent can be found on our links page.]

Best regards,

George R. Willeman
Nitrate Film Vault Leader
The Library of Congress
Motion Picture Conservation Center
Dayton, Ohio

THE MAN CAME AND TOOK THE RADIO AWAY!

     Can you tell me why we need reviews of the films? They are all great and if one has to nit-pick them like Siskel and the Dead Guy then maybe you need a TV show. In fact, I will volunteer to write a synopsis of each film explaining why they are all great.

Phil Hendrie

The Phil Hendrie Show
Premiere Radio Networks
Sherman Oaks, Ca.
www.philhendrieshow.com

I DREAMT I DWELT IN CHARLIE HALLS

     I only have 2- other photo's as the were dispersed throughout the family.  I am the only one left who remembers Charlie, all his brothers are now dead and the only sister ,who also went to live in USA never had children. I understood the family lost contact with him after he left films and THINK my father heard he was working in a car factory in Detroit.

      Does anyone knowwhat happened to him, and did he have family?

     Bryan Hall (Drbnhall@aol.com)

MUSINGS FROM OREGON

Dear JL and JB:

      You really deserve kudos for your on-going, er, is that "upgrading" (? I am NOT a techie) of Laurel and Hardy Central.  What I mean is that your site continues to get better and better, and speaking as a long-time fan I want you fellows to know that I really appreciate your talent and your willingness to share your love with all of us out here.  The "Silents" section looks fantastic!  Really good.  Thanks for sharing.

      I have been really enjoying the "KINO" produced Fatty Arbuckle/Buster Keaton shorts that my lovely wife gets for me FREE from our local library.  I have also recently seen several Keaton features, namely The General (breathtaking), Sherlock, Jr. (only about 40 years ahead of its time) and Our Hospitality, my personal favorite (so far) Keaton feature, a film which has me smiling and laughing during the first half and cheering and I mean CHEERING, BABY!! during the second.  A still from The General is now my wallpaper on my computer (I had a still from You're Darn Tootin' up there for a looooong time.)

      Recent L&H acquisitions include Oliver the Eighth (kind of a snoozer but pleasant); Dirty Work (very funny, delightful, could be among the best but MAN is the mad scientist a bizarre juxtaposition to the Boys' comedy; HOWEVER...his butler is great); Busy Bodies (Two Thumbs Up, Four Stars,  etc;  the gags are perfect but, you know, the scene of the Boys driving cheerfully to work, listening to their record player, is really the best part);  Their First Mistake (can you say "hit and miss"?).  I also recently got BLOCK-HEADS, but you know I really much prefer DIAVOLO and SONS.  The later features have ever so small of a smattering of that 40's "slickness" which I do not care for.

      As far as the operettas go, DIAVOLO is my favorite, and I think I like BOHEMIAN GIRL  a little better than JL but not quite as much as JB.  Again, I really think you can draw a line between "early" and "late" L&H and I slightly prefer the early.  I am, of course, quibbling, as BOHEMIAN is, well, WONDERFUL, especially, my goodness, Arline's prayer.  That is so sweet!  I also love the wine-bottling scene and all the scenes with Mae.  Hey, JB, I don't think we can turn JL into a lover of "Marble Halls," (too bad!) but did you know that Enya sings that song?  I think you would really like it.  She does a good job.

      Again, speaking of "early" rather than "late" (and remembering all the while that these are quibbles), I slightly prefer Hog Wild to Towed in a Hole.  Man, Hog Wild is so, well, wild, and so strange at times.  Stan's "Gee, I'd like to hear Japan, too" is my favorite line from that film, although I have no idea why!  I also appreciate Fay Holderness' very brief scene of looking out the window and smiling at her husband.  Her smile is so sincere, in that, well, Fay the actress is having a good time and her character...well, how boring would life be without Ollie and his friend!  (But we cannot admit this out loud, of course...)

      I guess I like the Boys best at their "purest", e.g. SONS and Blotto.  (Hey, do either of you know what the singing waiter says right before he drinks the tea?  Is it "My kindness, boys"? )  I cannot believe how beautiful Anita Garvin is in Blotto.  The music to my print sets such a great tone, as you all say "30 minutes in Laurel and Hardy Heaven."

      So, JB, if SONS=PUREST=RUBBER SOUL and DIAVOLO=CLASSIEST=ABBEY ROAD and BLOCKHEADS=WILDEST=WHITE ALBUM and WEST=MOST ENTERTAINING=REVOLVER, let me ask you, how would the Marx Brothers fit in here, hmmm?  I say MOST ENTERTAINING=DUCK SOUP; CLASSIEST=OPERA; WILDEST=HORSEFEATHERS, and PUREST=ANIMAL CRACKERS....????  I am not sure if I got it right!!

      Thanks for reading,

      Your fan in the Great Northwest,

      Tory Mitchell

Laughing Like "Mad"

     Well, I just finished LAUREL AND HARDY: THE ROOTS OF COMEDY by Simon Louvish, and the verdict is definitely a "thumbs up." I guess 3 times is the charm, because the same author dropped the ball with both of his 2 previously published film-bios (on W.C. Fields and the Marx Brothers.)

     It just goes to prove that there is such a thing as redemption after all. Louvish is officially off the hook, although the author is still going to spend some time in purgatory for MAN ON THE FLYING TRAPEZE and MONKEY BUSINESS.

     There was something pretty funny in the new book that I thought you'd both get a kick out of. The book reprints some of the very last letters Laurel ever wrote, circa 1964 or so. Apparently Stan was a big fan and avid reader of MAD, and sent copies of the magazine to his pals! (The author thinks that he possibly felt some sort of kinship with MAD's mascot, Alfred E. Newman, because both characters share an idiotic smile. I think the answer is much deeper, and more primal & cerebral than that. But I'll leave that for the professors and savants...)

     Anyway, here's the thing: I can't explain why, but somehow the thought of a 75 year-old Stan Laurel laughing out loud at Mort Drucker and Don Martin cartoons, aimed at pre-adolescent American boys, makes me very happy. I've been picturing it and laughing all day. (I'm not alone either, because everyone at work I told this story to seemed to get the same kick out of it. If I make 75, I know I'll be the exact same way.)

     Your website sets a new standard for (for want of a better term) fan sites. It's nice to renew your acquaintance with the relics of your youth, especially when you find that they still hold up. Such is the case with Laurel and Hardy, and L & H Central is a worthy tribute. Congratulations, happy new year and happy anniversary.

 A laurel, and hardy handshake from,

Mike Fontanelli
Senior character artist, Warner Bros. Licensing

These Two Were the Best

     I've been a L&H fan for about 48 years, and in all those years of watching their films I can still laugh at the things that they do, even though I know whats coming up next. These two were the best at what they did, and that's making people laugh.

     I loved those two guys; it was sad for me when they both died.  But today, I'm very lucky to have my own collection of their films. There are still some movies that I don't have, but soon or later those movies will be released and they will be in my collection.

    I have a ten year old daughter that loves watching them also. She memorizes the movies and loves them very much. We try to have an L&H night at the movies at least once a month.

     Thank you very much for the website on these two guys. Keep up the good work, and Bless you.

 IN CHRIST
A. Casello

Two Names Stand Out

     Just wish to tell you what a joy the L&H central site is. I Love all forms of comedy, old or contemporary. However, in all of 20th century comedy,  two names will always stand out on above of the rest. The comedy was funny, fresh, warm as well as simple and clever. It wasn't only comedy in those films, I think the close, warm friendship of Stan and Ollie came through the camera and onto the screen, which is why, I believe, they continue live on deep in the hearts of so many people.

     For me, I have no idea why this is... I never new L & H personally, they are both from a different era to me, I just remember their movies when I was a kid,  yet - when I read John McCabes books, on "The Boys", I cannot help shedding a tear when it comes to the chapter on their deaths. They touch people even now. And with those restoring films, archives, books and sites such as this, Stan & Ollie will continue to touch peoples hearts and funny bones for a very, very long time.

     Thank you for doing such a great job.

Al Clarke

Laurel and Hardy and Pizza?
(Can Life Get Any Better?)

     I have started a search on Laurel and Hardy and this is the first site I came upon and still need to get all the way through this site.

When I am feeling down or alone or bugged by health problems there is no better healer and no greater joy than sitting in a darkend room curled up comfortably in my chair watching The Boys do their thing.  And it is even more meaningful for me as Laurel and my grandfather looked alike.      I first remember seeing Laurel and Hardy on silent projector films that Shakey's Pizza Parlors used to show.  I sure miss those, the pizza parlors and the projection films.  What an atmosphere they exuded!

...Regards........

Julie

The Water Rats

     I've just checked out your website dedicated to Laurel & Hardy and I enjoyed it. It's a wonderful tribute to two of film comedy's gentle geniuses. I enjoyed the insight into the films and the look at the boys lives. But I never knew that Stan & Babe made one more TV appearance before Babe Hardy became ill and died during the summer of l957. The audio clip of the boys brief appearance on The BBC's TV tribute to "The Water Rats Club" was a beautiful look at the boys recalling the greats of show business who were members of "The Water Rats"and next to their appearance in PICK A STAR, it's the only other film scene where L&H get a chance to be themselves.  A bittersweet final appearance to their fans, but a wonderful way to end their careers.

     Thank You for creating this website.

Kevin S.Butler

EDITOR'S NOTE: As always, we thank Webmaster Rob Lewis for allowing us to link to that sound clip and for using the picture.

The Boys in Copenhagen

Per Gøtterup, Denmark Co-Webmaster The Danish Neve Campbell Page

A Stooges and Honeymooners Fan Chimes In

     I just went to your Laurel and Hardy webpage -- EXCELLENT!!!  I'm a Stooges fan the most, but I also enjoy Laurel and Hardy, and I wanted to tell you what a great site you have.

     I just love classic comedy - mainly old TV shows.  My favorite TV shows are Lucille Ball, Jackie Gleason, and Dick Van Dyke.  As for movies, like I already said the Stooges, Abbott and Costello, Laurel and Hardy, and just about anything that's funny!  People can have today's comics, just give me the ol' ones and their belly laughs anyday!!!

Ben

(affiliated with The Honeymooners Page - http://www.honeymooners.net()

At LHC, we use coffee to get our blood pumping every morning

     "On to the Show" gets my blood pumping every morning! Recently acquired "They Go Boom," I love it almost as much as my daughters, ages 6 and 8...

     "Duck Soup" was also a recent purchase-utterly fascinating!  In the "History" section of your review of that film you note it is available only on laser disc?  Errr....no, this was a VHS tape, Image Entertainment.  And, speaking of Image Entertainment, and your gracious offer to try to fulfill our requests for an MP3 of the Month, and my on-going efforts to attain for "Their Purple Moment" the respect it deserves...my copy of TPM is also from Image, and its music track is fan-tas-tic;  any possibility of a piece of that being an MP3?

     Thanks for reading, fellows!

Tory Paul Mitchell (Hmmm...also a "TPM":))
Portland, Oregon

AMC Maraton Awakens Sense of Humor

     I can remember one winter shortly after being married and shortly after having cable tv I was getting really involved with the old movies (the good old classics westerns/mystery mainly on American Movie Classics), well I remember when AMC was having marathons of various movies with common actors. I had never really appreciated L & H before this and I was dissapointed that a whole weekend of L & H was on, well I waited 'till more than half way thru this L & H marathon before begrudgingly tuning to this marathon. Was I ever in for a surprise., I began watching one of their shorts and could'nt stop laughing, I watched into the night-trying to be quiet as it was getting late, I literally split my sides. My wife, trying to sleep in the other room was hitting the wall and demanding that I keep quiet.

     I kept up with them until AMC stopped showing them, then I found them on the Oddesy network, but now I just can't find the anywhere. But I managed to record every one I ever saw and have purchased any one I have ever seen available. I probably have close to 25 hours of these two. Now my son and I watch them as our features on the weekends he loves them as well. Now that I have found this website maybe I can find out how many I am lacking and how to acquire the ones I don't.

     I have never, before eight years ago, considered myself a fan of comedy--any. I had tried various comedy venues but nothing seemed to make me laugh (Chevy Chase could make me smile however) but since seeing Laurel and Hardy I feel that maybe I do have a sense of humor after all.

Stacie Jaeger

It's a Wonderful Site

     It must have been fun to review the films in tandem. A very cool format!

Thanks,
Dave Gersztyn
Warren, Michigan

Yes, But Would Britney Look Good in a Derby? (Probably!)

     It's heartening to discover that there are others out there who appreciate the comic genius of 'the boys'.

     My young kids, who were born decades after Stan and Ollie left this world, love their movies - almost as much as they love Britney Spears. Now, that indeed is heartening!

G. Lamothe
Vancouver, BC, Canada

A Laurel Story

Dick Narveson

(Our Best Letter Ever!)
When in Ancient Rome...

     I am trying to find information on Roman foods. I wanted to know if they ate hard boiled eggs. I have to do a presentation on them. A presentation on Ancient Roman Foods. If you can help me I would greatly appreciate it.

     Things that could be helpful to me:

• Roman Recipes (Ancient Roman)
• Anything you think may be helpful to me!

     The Ancient Romans eventually developed a deep fondness for plates of beans with some nice piping hot coffee. If coffee wasn't available, they would have a demitasse, in a large cup. Occasionally, when the mood struck them (and it wasn't often), they would have marmalade for breakfast. Then they would go off into battle, armed with molasses and feathers, humming "The Old Spinning Wheel." Which, in a nutshell, explains why there are no Ancient Romans left today.