Film Review – “Stan & Ollie”

STAN & OLLIE
Starring:  Steve Coogan, John C. Reilly and Danny Huston
Directed by:  Jon S. Baird
Rated: PG
Running time:  1 hr 38 mins
Sony Classics

They were one of the greatest comedy teams of all time.  The thin, quiet Englishman 
and the almost larger than life "Babe" from Georgia.  There job was to make us laugh and
this they did.  But when the laughter stopped, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy found themselves
on the outside of Hollywood looking in.

Featuring two award-worthy performances by Coogan (Laurel) and Reilly (Hardy), "Stan & Ollie" tells
the story of the duo as they mount what they hope is a comeback with a vaudeville tour of Great Britain.
Interspliced among the trip are scenes from the duo's past.  We join them on the set of 1937's "Way out West."
While working on the film they discuss their upcoming contract renewal and the hopes of more money
from studio head Hal Roach (Huston).  Laurel is released from his contract and Hardy is left to do a film with
Harry Langdon ("Zenobia"), which is heretofore referred to as "the Elephant movie."  Though the two have
reunited for the tour, there appears to be no love lost between them.  When Laurel states that he loves "Babe" (Hardy's
nickname), Hardy replies, "You loved "Laurel and Hardy," but you never loved me.

If I'm going to throw out kudos to this film, and I already have with the actors, I would be remiss if I didn't 
mention the amazing make-up work presented.  Like Hardy, Reilly has (and I mean this in a nice way) beady
eyes and you can see into Hardy's soul through Reilly's.  Coogan is equally brilliant as Laurel, who spends a majority
of the film writing scenes for  a comeback film he knows will never be made.  Thankfully this one was.

If you're not familiar with the work of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, I urge you to seek it out, either through home video
or YouTube.  If you are, and are a fan, I urge you to seek out "Stan & Ollie."

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Filed Under: Film Reviews Tagged With: hardy, laurel

3D Blu-ray Review “Laurel & Hardy: March of the Wooden Soldiers in 3D”

Actors: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy
Directors: Gus Meins
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: 3D Classics
Release Date: October 30, 2012
Run Time: 77 minutes

Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Laurel & Hardy are comedic legends…always will be.  “March of the Wooden Soldiers” is based on Victor Herbert’s 1903 operetta “Babes in Toyland”. This 1934 film has been spectacularly restored and presented in color…but there is still more this new release from Legends Films has been enhanced with a stunning stereoscopic 3D transfer.  The film is still a little bit creepy (as it has always been), but still fun to watch around the holidays. This is the first time that you have ever seen this film like this and let me tell you it looks good!

Official Premise: Imagine an enchanted fantasy world of timeless characters and magical moments where nothing goes right for the clumsy toymakers Stannie Dum and Ollie Dee. When a notorious scoundrel, Barnaby, demands to marry the beautiful Little Bo Peep, guess who secretly emerges as the blushing bride? Based on the original Babes in Toyland, this movie is a dazzling spectacle of 6-foot wooden soldiers, Mother Goose characters and the beloved team of Laurel and Hardy.

The original black and white tape was completely restored using the Legend Films proprietary restoration technology and then was colorized in High Definition resolution. So on this release we have the fully restored color and black and white versions.  There are no special features included on this release though unfortunately. I would have loved to see some classic shorts or other vintage goodies.  Nonetheless, Legend Films has scored again with another great restored and in this case 3D conversion. Can’t see what they have planned next.

 

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“Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection” 10-Disc Set Arrives October 25th

TIMELESS SOUND-ERA FILMS FROM THE LEGENDARY HAL ROACH LIBRARY DEBUT IN ONE EXTRAORDINARY DVD SET  FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE U.S.

LAUREL & HARDY: THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION

Digitally Remastered And Digitally Restored, Loaded With Over Two Hours Of Special Features, The Spectacular 10-Disc Set Arrives October 25 From RHI Entertainment And Vivendi Entertainment

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – Celebrating the genius of the most beloved comedy team of all time, LAUREL & HARDY: THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION debuts in a stunning 10-disc set on October 25, 2011 from RHI Entertainment and Vivendi Entertainment. With a comedic style that defined an era and created a legacy that is still celebrated today, 58 of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy’s talking shorts and feature films, produced under legendary movie mogul Hal Roach from 1929 through 1940, are now available for the first time in the U.S. all together in one magnificent collection.

Transferred in high definition for the first time and digitally enhanced for home viewing in the finest quality available to date, the set contains favorites that have been enjoyed for generations including Helpmates, Hog Wild, Another Fine Mess, Sons of the Desert, Way Out West, and the Academy Award® winning film The Music Box.

LAUREL & HARDY: THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION comes housed in collectible, book-style packaging with an extensive, detailed film guide. The set also boasts over two hours of special features including exclusive, never-before-seen interviews with comedy legends Dick Van Dyke, Jerry Lewis, Tim Conway and more, who discuss the enduring impact and influence of Laurel and Hardy.

Additional features include commentaries by Laurel and Hardy aficionados, along with a virtual location map that allows viewers to take an interactive tour of the iconic places in and around Los Angeles where Laurel and Hardy filmed. Available for the suggested retail price of $99.98, LAUREL & HARDY: THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION showcases some of the most cherished and hilarious films in cinema history and is a must-have for comedy fans and collectors everywhere.

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“Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection” Announced Today!

TIMELESS SOUND-ERA FILMS FROM THE LEGENDARY HAL ROACH LIBRARY DEBUT IN ONE EXTRAORDINARY DVD SET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE U.S.

LAUREL & HARDY: THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION

Digitally Remastered And Digitally Restored, Loaded With Over Two Hours Of Special Features, The Spectacular 10-Disc Set Arrives October 25 From RHI Entertainment And Vivendi Entertainment

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA – Celebrating the genius of the most beloved comedy team of all time, LAUREL & HARDY: THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION debuts in a stunning 10-disc set on October 25, 2011 from RHI Entertainment and Vivendi Entertainment. With a comedic style that defined an era and created a legacy that is still celebrated today, 58 of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy’s talking shorts and feature films, produced under legendary movie mogul Hal Roach from 1929 through 1940, are now available for the first time in the U.S. all together in one magnificent collection.

Transferred in high definition for the first time and digitally enhanced for home viewing in the finest quality available to date, the set contains favorites that have been enjoyed for generations including Helpmates, Hog Wild, Another Fine Mess, Sons of the Desert, Way Out West, and the Academy Award® winning* film The Music Box.

LAUREL & HARDY: THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION comes housed in collectible, book-style packaging with an extensive, detailed film guide. The set also boasts over two hours of special features including exclusive, never-before-seen interviews with comedy legends Dick Van Dyke, Jerry Lewis, Tim Conway and more, who discuss the enduring impact and influence of Laurel and Hardy.

Additional features include commentaries by Laurel and Hardy aficionados, along with a virtual location map that allows viewers to take an interactive tour of the iconic places in and around Los Angeles where Laurel and Hardy filmed. Available for the suggested retail price of $99.98, LAUREL & HARDY: THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION showcases some of the most cherished and hilarious films in cinema history and is a must-have for comedy fans and collectors everywhere.

 

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