In all, prior to his partnership with Hardy, he appeared in over sixty movies.ĭuring 1926 Stan became a regular and important part of the group known as The Hal Roach All-Stars and was given more performing roles by Hal Roach. He directed 'Yes, Yes, Nanette' (starring Oliver Hardy) in 1925, and directed and wrote for many other movies during 19. He was constantly learning and honing his comedic skills and when his contract with Rock ended he was hired by producer, Hal Roach, primarily as a writer and director,only acting as a performer occasionally when needed. In 1924 Stan gave up the stage completely in order to concentrate on movies and he was given a contract by stuntman turned-producer Joe Rock to make 12 comedy shorts. He made several short movies between 19, whilst still touring the vaudeville circuit, including in 1921 making 'The Lucky Dog' with a certain Oliver Hardy although nothing came of it at the time. When Stan began getting the occasional walk on role in the fast developing new medium of motion pictures and decided that the thirteen letters in his stage name of Stan Jefferson was unlucky, it was Mae who suggested the surname of Laurel and from 1919 he was always billed as Stan Laurel. He also appeared with the actress Mae Cuthbert, with whom he lived for 6 years from 1919, although never marrying. In 1913 he returned with the Karno troupe and this time he stayed, touring for several years in vaudeville.
He travelled with the Karno troupe to America in 1910 returning to Britain to resume touring. From the age of 15 he used to play truant from school in order to watch and study the comics at the Britannia Pantopticon theater in Glasgow, and he made his debut there when he was just 16 years old.īy 1910, he was good enough to be invited to join Fred Karno's traveling comedy troupe where he was both a featured performer and understudy to its main star, one Charles Chaplin. Both his parents were prominent stage actors and for much of his boyhood Stanley lived with his grandmother in County Durham where he attended school, until he moved with his family to Glasgow, where his father had become manager of the Metropole Theaterįrom a young age Stanley showed an interest in the stage and his early ambition was toīe a music hall comedian. He had two brothers and a sister and came from a theatrical family.
Stan Laurel was born Arthur Stanley Jefferson on 16th of June, 1890, in Ulverston, Cumbria in northern England. When Oliver Hardy was asked about the secret behind their success, he simply replied, "Ask Stan."
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As well as being a clever and experienced actor, he had great skill as a writer, movie director, and editor. Stan Laurel was the dynamo behind the success of laurel and Hardy. Individually they were brilliant actors together they were unique comedy geniuses forming a partnership which will never be forgotten. "Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into!". After that they had less artistic licence and their movies became more formulaic and less spontaneous.Įven today, over half a century later, they are still instantly recognisable and their punchlines are fondly recognised and remembered : "I'm Mr. Their most acclaimed period was before 1940 when they were with the Hal Roach studio. Laurel and Hardy made over 100 movies together, from 1926 to 1951 beginning with short two-reelers, and then progressing to feature length films such as 'Sons of the Desert' in 1933 and 'Way Out West' in 1937. They speak the same language to people everywhere. Their innocent warmth, charisma and casual style of comedy transcend all political and language barriers. It is universal and everyone, young or old, anywhere in the world can relate to them instantly. Part of their secret is the simplicity of their humor. The fat, pompous one and the thin, stupid one, both equally dumb, were in reality two very shrewd, talented and vastly experienced performers. Before their partnership began, both Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy had enjoyed a successful individual career in silent movies, but after the mid 1920's when they formed their double act, they made movies together for twenty five years and became a formidable combination. Laurel and Hardy are the best known comedy duo the world has ever known.
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