The Laurel and Hardy Movie Scripts: 20 Original Short Subject Screenplays (1926-1934) (2018)

 

Hal Roach (who produced many of the Laurel and Hardy films) was fond of saying that 50% of what is in the script will not play. This is what makes this book of movie scripts for Laurel and Hardy films made at the Hal Roach studio such a fascinating read. For those of us who are fans of Laurel and Hardy, it is wonderful to read how greatly these scripts differ from the films we all know. Some have gags that seemed funny in a script format, but the filmmaker's decided wouldn't work in a movie. Some have completely different endings. Sometimes a funnier joke than what was in the script was later improvised. Sometimes the scripts have gags that are funny but would have seemed too out of character to work on screen. Reading these scripts gives us a wonderful glimpse into the hard work that went into making these silly films. 

This book also gives you a wonderful look into what a short subject script was like. This is especially fascinating as you look at the silent films. When one thinks of scripts they think of a list of lines making reading a script that simply gives great detail into the action quite enlightening. It is a fascinating insight to see that some of the scripts for the silent films are actually much longer than for the talkies. It is also interesting to note the difference between the earliest scripts and the later. The earliest scripts leave little room for improvisation describing every action on screen. However, some of the later scripts would simply hint at some of the slapstick action allowing the comedians to improvise greatly. 

These scripts are compiled by entertainment historian and Laurel and Hardy expert Randy Skretvedt. Having read through many scripts, he selects ones that he knows we be especially fascinating to those who know these films by heart. He also writes introductions before each of the scripts. He gives insight into the changes from script to screen as well as some behind the scenes information about some of these films. His writings are often times also very essential to Laurel and Hardy fans. 

Probably the most fascinating of these scripts is the first one, which is a script for a film that was never filmed. What makes this more fascinating is it would have been the first film that the duo would have made together for the Hal Roach Studio.

As well as being a very fascinating and enlightening read, this book is also a lot of fun to read. Though nothing tops the films themselves for comedy, many of these scripts still had me laugh out loud a few times.

One wouldn't think a book of movie scripts could give this much insight into the making of these classic comedies. However, this is one of the most informative books made about the comedy duo. It is also a heck of a lot of fun.