Product Description

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'.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #453172 in Books
• Published on: 2003-06-17
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 259 pages

Review
'Remarkable ... positively miraculous... apart from the rather greedy wish for more of everything, it is difficult to see how this book could be improved upon.'

About the Author
John McCabe is an established writer on theatre and cinema in America and a personal friend of Stan Laurel's widow, Ida. He remains eternally grateful to his lifelong friend, John Carroll, who dragged him, as a doubting child, to see his first Laurel and Hardy film.

Customer Reviews

Stan and Ollie
I wish they'd put Stan and Ollie back on TV to show another generation how wonderful these two are. There's no doubt that they remain as funny today as they did back in their prime. I'm a big fan and have many of their DVD's. I wanted to know about the duo and this book informed me greatly.

Mr Laurel and Mr Hardy is a riveting biography of the two men. It took me only a few hours to get through. It concentrates mostly on Stanley who was the creative genius behind the pair, but this only heightens interest in the chapter on Ollie, which is written in interview form. I liked the way the book started with Laurel failing miserably on his first attempt at performing, with his Dad in attendance. His perseverence was incredible as he subbed for Chaplin during the early days before hard work and the luck to be partnered with Mr Hardy, finally garnered him some success.

The book, written after many interviews with Stan, has got a very appealing narrative. We get insights into the making of their films, answering questions about how the pair came together and how most of their routines got started. It's very enlightening.

What I found most surprising was the undercurrent of emotion throughout. Its author obviously had a wonderful adoration for the pair and Stan, while speaking to him is very nostalgic about the past. I love the parts where Stan met Chaplin after many years, after they both had made it. And where, years after their filmic success, when they were touring Europe, the church bells in Cobh played out their theme tune.

If you have any interest in Laurel and Hardy, you must get this book.

A must read for anyone who loves Stan and Ollie
A marvellous delight and fascinating insight into the lives of two of the 20th Century's great talents. If there is a downfall of this book, it is perhaps that the author seems to connect more with Mr Laurel than Mr Hardy, giving a slightly unbalanced biography. Nevertheless - BRILLIANT.

a good read for beginners.
this isn't the most detailed or in-depth biography of the best comedy team in the world, but it is the perfect place to start.
john mccabe was quite well acquainted with laurel and hardy, so his research for his book has been done very professionally.
he first met them in the 50s during L and H's extensive tour of England. mccabe was corresponding with both of them afterwards, in which he gradually pieced together his information that became this book. hence, you will notice the word " authorized" on the front of the book. all the right people were interviewed that knew or worked with laurel and hardy.
it is interesting to note that the author concentrates more on the men themselves rather than just the films. i think that balances the entire proceedings very well.
upon publication, this was the first of many books of all different kinds, even those that covered the team's solo careers, their British tours etc.
to the best of my knowledge, this book has rarely gone out of print which must surely say something about its popularity.
john mccabe increased his output by writing seperate biographies about the team; stan laurel came first, the book was published originally in 1975; the book about oliver hardy came out much later in 1989.
but this book is highly recommended as a starting point for those who either haven't heard of laurel and hardy or simply haven't read much about them. enjoy.