Essential Must Haves for Laurel and Hardy Fans

 

March of the Wooden Soldiers: The Amazing Story of Laurel & Hardy's Babes in Toyland by Randy Skretvedt


I have just got around to reading Randy Skretvedt's newest book about Laurel and Hardy, which is entitled March of the Wooden Soldiers: The Amazing Story of Laurel & Hardy's Babes in Toyland. As a huge Laurel and Hardy fan and someone who has loved Randy Skrevedt's previous books on the boys and their films, this book is even better than I could have hoped. This is simply a must read for anyone who loves Laurel and Hardy. This book delves into the making of one of the comedy duo's best feature length films, Babes in Toyland (AKA March of the Wooden Soldiers) (1934). The sheer depth and detail this book goes into is simply incredible. As many movie fans know, Hal Roach originally wrote a story treatment for this film that Stan refused to do. Hal Roach remained bitter about this for much of his life and felt disappointed with the finished film. This story has left many of us, wondering what Hal Roach's original story was like. Thanks to this book though we are finally able to read Hal's original story. Though this original story is not very good, it is fascinating to read for any real movie buff. Also, indispensable is that this book is that the back of it includes mini biographies of the cast and crew. Frankly I could spend a long time just studying this part. The various pictures in this book are also worth the cost. There are not only screenshots from the movie, but there are also many rare images, such as drawings sent to Stan and Babe (what everyone called Oliver Hardy in real life) from the Disney studio, images from old movie magazines and various collectables based off the film. As well as all this the book also gives us, a brief summary of Stan and Babe's careers, a look at the original stage play and other film versions of the musical. This is more than just a fun read; this is essential reading and even the most avid Laurel and Hardy buffs will learn something reading this book.

 

Laurel and Hardy: Year One

I know this Blu-ray set has been out for a while now, but I am still in awe for how incredible it is. This is the type of Blu-ray that us Laurel and Hardy fans have been waiting for much too long. This set sets its focus on the silent short films that Stan and Babe made during their first year as a team (1927). These films have never looked this great before. In fact, they look amazing here. I guarantee if you are a Laurel and Hardy fan and don't own this set, that you have never seen these films looking this great before. Not only this but you get a wonderful selection of incredible bonus features. This includes as a close of a reconstruction of the famous lost film, Hats Off (1927), commentaries by Randy Skretvedt for each film, a look at shooting locations and much more. What also makes this set so important is that so many of us Laurel and Hardy fans can finally own many of their great silent films. The selection of films on this set includes all the films they made together in 1927 in their entirety (not including the lost film Hats Off) as well as two pre- 1927 short films they both appeared in before teaming, The Lucky Dog (1921) and 25 Minutes from Hollywood (1926). Not only are there some great films here, but it is also fascinating to watch how much the duo evolved in such a short period of time. To say this is essential watching for a Laurel and Hardy fan is an understatement.