The Laurel & Hardy Podcast

Episode 30 marks the third year anniversary of The Laurel & Hardy Podcast. In today's show, we hear from some of the podcast's loyal supporters about why they love the show so much. The big business in hand, though, is the first part of a two-episode deep dive into Laurel and Hardy's silent masterpiece, Big Business. Patrick discusses the film with regular guest expert Randy Skretvedt, and together they explore the contentious legends surrounding the film's production, such as: were the boys selling Christmas trees in the summertime, and did they trash the wrong house by mistake??

For more information concerning The Laurel & Hardy Podcast, The Laurel & Hardy Magazine and Patrick's forthcoming series of books, starting with Laurel & Hardy: Silents, visit the brand new website at www.laurelandhardyfilms.com

To contact Patrick, email theboys@laurelandhardyfilms.com

The Laurel & Hardy Podcast returns with Episode 29 and takes a deep dive into the next chronological release, Stan and Babe's hilarious 1929 release, That’s My Wife.  Patrick welcomes returning guest expert, film historian and co-host of The Silent Comedy Watch Party, Steve Massa.

During the show, Patrick and Steve discuss this most risqué of Laurel and Hardy’s films, including a look at supporting players William Courtright and Jimmy Aubrey.

In this very special bonus episode of The Laurel & Hardy Podcast, Patrick chats with star of TV and stage Jeffrey Holland. Jeffrey is someone who can rightly be referred to as a member of UK TV royalty. His acting career on both stage and screen over the years has been prolific, appearing in such TV classics as Dad's Army, Are You Being Served? It Ain't Half Hot Mum, but he became a household name for his roles in the celebrated sit-coms, Hi-De-Hi, You Rang M'Lord and Oh, Doctor Beeching.

Since 2013, Jeffrey has been touring with his one-man stage show entitled, '...and this is my friend, Mr Laurel', a play in which he plays Stan reminiscing about his life and career. Jeffrey also talks about his earliest memories of Laurel and Hardy and ultimately faces the Atoll Question.

To learn more about Jeffrey Holland, click here: https://www.jeffreyholland.co.uk/

To book tickets to see Jeffrey in '...and this is my friend, Mr Laurel', at The Lighthouse in Poole, Dorset, click here: https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/whats-on/2022/and-this-is-my-friend-mr-laurel/

Under its new title, The Laurel & Hardy Podcast, Episode 27 takes a deep dive into Stan and Babe's wonderful 1929 release, Wrong Again.  Returning guest expert Glenn Mitchell pays a fitting tribute to the late film historian Dave Wyatt.

During Patrick and Glenn's discussion about the film in focus, the two shine a torch on the musical score, the mechanics of the horse on the piano gag and Leo McCarey's reminiscences of directing what became one of his favourite of all Laurel and Hardy's films.

Episode 26 has very lofty ambitions, as Patrick and his guests discuss Laurel & Hardy’s 1929 short, Liberty. In the footsteps of Harold Lloyd, Liberty is the one and only time Stan and Babe made an out-and-out ‘thrill’ picture and what a hilarious short it is! To help him to discuss the locations used for the filming of Liberty, Patrick welcomes a new guest to the Blogcast, the “great detective of silent film locations”, John Bengtson. As well as hearing John’s Laurel and Hardy back-story, we also have the welcome return of the Atoll Question!

In the second half of the show, Patrick also welcomes regular Laurel and Hardy author and expert and friend of the Blogcast, Randy Skretvedt, who takes a close look at the film’s productions history.

If you like your Podcasts packed full of interesting information, enjoyable conversation, movie clips and much more besides, then you’ll love Episode 26.

In this 25th episode of The Laurel & Hardy Podcast, Patrick provides an update on his forthcoming book, Laurel & Hardy: Silents and makes a special announcement about the future of The Laurel & Hardy Magazine. The main business of the day, however, is to take a close look at the 1928 silent short, We Faw Down. To help him with the analysis of the film, Patrick welcomes back to the Blogcast Canadian film historian, Chris Seguin.  In addition to discussing the film in focus, Chris also provides interesting context by talking about silent comedy star Larry Semon's demise which was happening concurrently with Laurel and Hardy's rise to greatness. 

In a bumper Episode 24, the Podcast has reached a pivotal moment in Laurel and Hardy’s cinematic history. Today’s film in focus, Habeas Corpus was not only the boys’ first out-and-out scare-comedy, but it was also the moment Stan and Babe took their first steps toward the talkies.

Joining Patrick on this deep-dive into Habeas Corpus is first-time guest and scare-comedy expert, Paul Castiglia. Paul discusses the genesis of the comedy horror film, discusses his Laurel and Hardy backstory and answers the infamous Atoll Question.

In addition, Patrick also welcomes regular Laurel and Hardy author and expert, Randy Skretvedt to take a close look at the film’s synchronised music and effects track.

If you like your Podcasts packed full of interesting information, enjoyable conversation, movie clips and much more besides, then you’ll love Episode 24.

Joining us on this special bonus edition of The Laurel & Hardy Podcast is a man who has had a number of guises in his life, including as an actor, singer, and playwright, and to that list, he can now add the title author. In 2021, he published an extensive biography of music hall impresario, Fred Karno, entitled Fred Karno: The Legend Behind the Laughter.

No discussion of Stan Laurel, Laurel and Hardy – or comedy in its wider sense can be complete without recognising the impact of Fred Karno, and so it is with great pleasure that we welcome on to Episode 23, author, David Crump.

On the show, Patrick chats to David about his own background before discussing the life and career of Fred Karno, with a specific focus on Karno’s involvement with Stan Laurel and later, about his brief spell working at the Hal Roach Studios.

As part of the show, we also hear a couple of extracts from two interviews with Stan Laurel, held in the late 1950s, in which Stan talks about joining the Karno troupe and his tour of the vaudeville circuits of the USA.

Episode 23 also sees the welcome return of the infamous ‘Atoll Question – but which items will David choose to with him onto his desert island?

The interviews sampled in this episode are:

1) Stan Laurel interviewed by Arthur B. Freidman in 1957

2) Stan Laurel interviewed by Tony Thomas in 1959

In Episode 22, Patrick celebrates the 2nd anniversary of the Podcast and we hear birthday messages from some of the podcast’s many global listeners. In addition, Patrick also welcomes back to the Blogcast Laurel & Hardy expert and author of Laurel & Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies and The Laurel & Hardy Movie Scripts, Randy Skretvedt.

On the show, Randy and Patrick discuss the film in focus which is the fantastic silent short, ‘Two Tars’ and much more besides.

Episode 21, sees Patrick offer a Laurel and Hardy handshake to returning guest and Hal Roach Studios expert, Richard W. Bann. This episode continues the discussion that Patrick had with Randy Skretvedt in Episode 20 about Stan and Babe’s 1928 silent short ‘Early to Bed’.

As Randy didn’t much care for this classic yet divisive short, Patrick invites ‘Early to Bed’ fan, Richard Bann to join him on the Podcast to explain just what he likes about the film.

As usual, listeners can expect another episode bursting with information and once again Richard draws on his wealth of first-hand accounts from Hal Roach Studios alumni.

In Episode Twenty, Patrick welcomes back to the Podcast Laurel & Hardy expert and author of Laurel & Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies and The Laurel & Hardy Movie Scripts, Randy Skretvedt. Throughout the course of the show Randy and Patrick talk about a film that neither of them are overly fond of, Early to Bed, and find that they share a personal reason for taking a dislike to it.

In addition to discussing the film in focus, Randy talks about a recent auction win that landed him a rare pile of vintage Laurel & Hardy items belonging to Oliver Hardy and Charlie Hall and the Hal Roach Studios.  This is part one of a two part look at Early to Bed. Don’t miss part two of this deep-dive into Early to Bed, coming in Episode 21, in which Patrick talks to Richard W. Bann about why he likes the film so much!

To read the blog on Early to Bed click here https://laurel-and-hardy-blog.com/2022/02/03/24-early-to-bed-1928/

To watch the Podcast video where Randy shows off his auction win, visit The Laurel & Hardy Blog’s YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDOoBwTfgycGRspLWd11wTw

Episode Nineteen sees the welcome return of special guest Glenn Mitchell. In the programme Patrick and Glenn discuss the first release from the officially designated ‘Laurel & Hardy’ series, 1928’s Should Married Men Go Home?

Patrick explores Babe Hardy’s obsession with golf and also the golfing culture prevalent at the Hal Roach Studios. In addition, Glenn takes an in-depth look at one of Stan and Babe’s co-stars making her final appearance with the boys, Edna Marian.

In this bumper Episode Eighteen, Patrick welcomes Laurel and Hardy and Hal Roach Studios expert Richard W. Bann to the Podcast for the very first time.

Richard is one of the foremost authorities on anything and everything connected to the Hal Roach Studios, including not only the films they produced but also its history, reputation and legacy as well.

Richard shares his Laurel and Hardy backstory, about how he discovered Stan and Ollie and the Hal Roach Studios in general and also his career history. He also discusses with Patrick the film in focus, 1928 silent short, Their Purple Moment.

To finish, Richard also answers the ever-difficult Atoll question.

This is easily the longest episode of the Podcast to date and with good reason. If you’re a true fan of the boys and the Lot of Fun, you won’t want to miss a minute of this one!

In a jam-packed Episode Seventeen and to help him discuss the 1928 silent short, You’re Darn Tootin’, Patrick welcomes two new, first-time special guests to the Podcast. First up is silent film accompanist, blogger, podcaster and host of The Silent Comedy Watch Party, Ben Model. Then Patrick welcomes his second guest, another world-renowned silent film accompanist, composer and playwright, Neil Brand. Both guests discuss their Laurel and Hardy backstories and answer the Atoll question, as well as explain how they each went about composing a score for You’re Darn Tootin’.

In Episode Sixteen, Patrick focuses on the classic silent short, From Soup to Nuts from 1928. Helping him to discuss the film is ever popular and ever-entertaining returning guest, Randy Skretvedt. In addition to talking about the picture, Randy also shares his memories of a key member of The Laurel & Hardy Stock Company, Anita Garvin.

In a bumper Episode Fifteen, Patrick discusses the classic silent short from 1928, The Finishing Touch. This film was the first of Stan and Babe’s films where they appear as labourers with a job to do. Joining in the fun to discuss the films and much more besides are two very special guests, returning author, expert, and Laurel and Hardy historian, Randy Skretvedt, and first-time guest, Canadian singer, songwriter, and author of The Art of Laurel and Hardy, Kyp Harness.

Acting as something of a bridge between Episodes Thirteen and Fifteen, this episode is a special bonus edition of the Podcast where the focus of discussion is a man who appeared in both Leave ‘Em Laughing and The Finishing Touch, Edgar Kennedy.  Patrick chats with special guest and Edgar Kennedy’s biographer, Bill Cassara.

In Episode Thirteen, Patrick chats with special guest, Nico Cartenstadt. As well as being a lifelong Laurel and Hardy fan, collector and Grand Sheik of Belgium’s Bogus Bandits Tent of the Sons of the Desert, Nico also co-wrote, Spot On! An Audiovisual Account of Laurel and Hardy’s 1952 British Tour with Michael Ehret. In addition to discussing the creation of the book, they also discuss the next film in the Laurel and Hardy canon, Leave ‘Em Laughing from 1928.

In this first-year anniversary episode, Patrick celebrates the Podcast’s first birthday with members of the Podcast's online Community and from the wider fan community too. The film in focus on Episode 12 is the restored and (almost) complete version of the boys’ 1928 silent short, The Battle of the Century. Discussing this classic comedy with him is returning guest, expert, and author of Laurel & Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies, Randy Skretvedt.

Also included are clips from interviews with Jon Mirsalis, Anita Garvin and also a brief cameo by Bob Gassell from The Marx Brothers Council Podcast too.

Names checked in the episode are Elmer Raguse, Buster Keaton, Clyde Bruckman, Richard Currier, Anita Garvin, James Finlayson, Charlie Hall, Hal Roach

In Episode Eleven, Patrick welcomes back to the podcast returning guest and Laurel & Hardy expert and author of ‘The Laurel & Hardy Encyclopedia’, Glenn Mitchell. Moving another step along the Laurel & Hardy film chronology, Patrick and Glenn have great fun discussing Stan and Babe’s 1927 silent short, Putting Pants on Philip, as well as taking a detailed look at one of the boys’ regular co-stars from their silent period, Dorothy Coburn.

On this second bonus episode of the Laurel & Hardy Podcast, Patrick chats with Laurel & Hardy solo films expert and author Rob Stone. Returning to the Podcast for the first time since his appearance in Episode One, Rob chats with Patrick about the brand new Blu-ray release of restored Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy solo films. Patrick also takes the opportunity to ask his guest the infamous Atoll question!

The tenth episode of the Podcast is the final part of two back-to-back episodes containing a fantastic interview with the author of Laurel & Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies, Randy Skretvedt. In this continuation from Episode 9, Patrick chats with Randy about Stan and Babe's cameo appearance in the Max Davidson short, Call of the Cuckoo, and also their hugely important and equally frustrating 'lost' film, Hats Off. To finish, Patrick also asks Randy the infamous, Atoll question - but which desert island flicks will he choose to take with him?

Episode Nine of the Podcast is the first of two episodes containing a fantastic interview with the author of Laurel & Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies, Randy Skretvedt. In this first part, Patrick asks Randy about his Laurel & Hardy backstory and they also discuss the pivotal 1927 silent short, The Second Hundred Years.

In Episode Eight of the Podcast, Patrick chats with returning guest, author, silent film historian and co-host of the Silent Comedy Watch Parties on YouTube, Steve Massa. Along with the discussion of today’s film in focus, ‘Sugar Daddies’ (1927), the first short released under Hal Roach’s new distribution deal with MGM, the conversation also includes some contextual information concerning the likes of Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd too. Steve first appeared on the Podcast back in Episode Two, so this time Patrick has the chance to ask him the now infamous ‘Atoll question’!

In addition to the interview with Steve Massa, there are also audio messages from members of the Blog-Heads - (The Laurel & Hardy Podcast community online), Christopher Jaunsen and Graham Wale, sharing their thoughts with us on ‘Sugar Daddies’.

On this special bonus episode of The Laurel & Hardy Podcast, Patrick chats to Laurel & Hardy fan and long-time memorabilia collector Mark Hammond about collecting Stan and Ollie’s autographs. We discuss tips on how to spot fakes and how to buy with confidence.  As usual, Patrick asks his guest for their Laurel & Hardy backstory and also the infamous Atoll question!

For more information about Laurel & Hardy Autographs and spotting fakes visit: http://www.laurelandhardy.org/autographs.html

and http://www.laurelandhardy.org/buyerbewae2.htm

Episode Seven of the Podcast is the second of two episodes containing an interview with the author of The Laurel & Hardy Encyclopedia, Glenn Mitchell. In this final part, Patrick and Glenn talk about the 1927 silent short, ‘Flying Elephants’ and also discuss the life and career of one of the film’s stars, Viola Richard. In addition, we also hear from Bill Oates, the editor of the Sons of the Desert’s ‘Intra-Tent Journal’, as he gives his views on this silent oddity.

Episode Six of the Podcast is the first of two episodes containing an interview with the author of The Laurel & Hardy Encyclopedia, Glenn Mitchell. In this first part, Patrick and Glenn talk about Glenn’s Laurel & Hardy backstory, take a close look at the 1927 silent short, ‘Do Detectives Think?’ and the Tipton Slasher himself, Noah Young, as well as the now infamous ‘Atoll question’!

In another packed episode, Patrick has not one but two special guests. First, he talks to author Craig Calman about his friendship and association with Hal Roach, followed by a conversation with award-winning documentary filmmaker James Forsher about his forthcoming feature-length documentary about the life and career of Hal Roach. There are another two audio blogs, focussing on the next two films in the Laurel & Hardy filmography, namely Sailors Beware! (1927) and Now I’ll Tell One (1927).

In a packed episode four, Patrick reviews the new blu-ray/DVD set, Laurel & Hardy: The Definitive Restorations and talks to Laurel & Hardy aficianado, Chris Seguin about the two films in focus, Why Girls Love Sailors (1927) and With Love and Hisses (1927). They also discuss the influence of silent comedy star Harry Langdon on Stan Laurel and also Chris' obsession with the boys' final screen appearance, the controversial, Atoll K.

In this third episode, Patrick talks with Stephen Rettie about his family connection to Laurel & Hardy co-star and fan favourite, James Finlayson. The episode charts Finlayson's history growing up in Larbert, Scotland and emigrating to California and becoming a global star. The two Laurel & Hardy films in focus are 'Slipping Wives' (1927) and Love 'Em and Weep (1927), being Finlayson's first role in the same film as both Stan Laurel and Oliver 'Babe' Hardy.

In this second episode Patrick talks with silent film historian, Steve Massa about his connections with the world of Laurel and Hardy. The two audio blogs focus on the next two films in the Laurel and Hardy canon, being 45 Minutes From Hollywood (1926) and Duck Soup (1927) and Steve gives his take on them both.

This first episode of The Laurel & Hardy Podcast covers Laurel and Hardy's first appearance together on screen, namely 'The Lucky Dog' (1921). Included is a great interview with ground-breaking author Rob Stone who discusses Stan and Ollie's solo careers, as well as the film in question.

Introducing The Laurel & Hardy Blogcast. 

In each episode I'll be looking at and discussing the films of Laurel and Hardy, the world's best loved comedy duo. In addition, I have a great line up of special guests who will be joining me,  from authors, experts, film archivists, officiandos and regular fans alike. 

If you love Laurel and Hardy, this podcast series is for you! So, make sure you don't miss an episode by subscribing for free now...

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