Stan and Ollie: The Roots of Comedy: The Double Life of Laurel and Hardy

Louvish, Simon

ISBN 10: 0312325983 / ISBN 13: 9780312325985

Published by St. Martin's Griffin, 2004

Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0312325983I3N00

Synopsis:

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy have remained, from 1927 to the present day, the screen's most famous and popular comedy double act, celebrated by legions of fans. But despite many books about their films and individual lives, there has never been a fully researched, definitive narrative biography of the duo, from birth to death.

Louvish traces the early lives of Stanley Jefferson and Norvell Hardy and the surrounding minstrel and variety theatre, which influenced all of their later work. Louvish examines the rarely seen solo films of both our heroes, prior to their serendipitous pairing in 1927, in the long-lost short "Duck Soup." The inspired casting teamed them until their last days. Both often married, they found balancing their personal and professional lives a nearly impossible feat.

Between 1927 and 1938, they were able to successfully bridge the gap between silent and sound films, which tripped up most of their prominent colleagues. Their Hal Roach and MGM films were brilliant, but their move in 1941, to Twentieth Century Fox proved disastrous, with the nine films made there ranking as some of the most embarrassing moments of cinematic history.

In spite of this, Laurel and Hardy survived as exemplars of lasting genius, and their influence is seen to this day. The clowns were elusive behind their masks, but now Simon Louvish can finally reveal their full and complex humanity, and their passionate devotion to their art. In Stan and Ollie: The Roots of Comedy: The Double Life of Laurel and Hardy, Louvish has seamlessly woven tireless and thorough research into an authoritative biography of these two important and influential Hollywood pioneers.

About the Author: Simon Louvish is the author of the acclaimed biography of W.C. Fields, The Man on the Flying Trapeze. He is also the author of novels including The Days of Miracles and Wonders. He teaches at the London International Film School.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Stan and Ollie: The Roots of Comedy: The ...
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: 2004
Binding: Paperback
Condition: Good
Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket