Laurel and Hardy

This world needs more partnerships like Laurel and Hardy.  After all, one was from England and the other one was from Georgia.  (Read my profile if you don't know what I mean!)  I have told you from   this earlier post about Oliver Hardy living in the small town of Madison. Now, I understand that is possible that he might have even been born in Covington (which is just the next town over from Conyers) instead of Harlem, Georgia!  I wish I could find out for sure!  Wherever he was born, he was most certainly from Georgia!  His nickname was Babe and that is what all his friends called him.  Such a great dancer for such a big man and so light on his feet!  I love this video that I found for you and I love the song that makes their toes start tapping and their feet to start moving. Listen to it and you will be humming it too!  I have read that they just made up this dance when they were listening to one of the Avalon boys strumming on his guitar...
(Richard tells me that another song from this same movie, "On The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine" was a hit record in England in 1975!  I love that song too, look that one up if you get a chance!)

 Laurel and Hardy toured England, Ireland and Scotland in the 50's and were not sure how they would be received.  They were mobbed everywhere they went while they were there!

Laurel and Hardy, they were both so very clever and oh so talented. The thin one, Stan Laurel was really the industrious one and Oliver Hardy, a great singer and dancer was the more laid back character, exactly opposite of their on- screen personas!  After retirement, Stanley Laurel spent a great deal of time responding to his fan mail.   He even had his phone number in the phone book and talked to whoever who called him.  That is how Dick VanDyke became a good friend of his.  In fact, Dick Van Dyke read the eulogy at Stan Laurel's funeral.  He recited this prayer at the service...

As I stumble through this life,
help me to create more laughter than tears,
dispense more cheer than gloom,
spread more cheer than despair.

Never let me become so indifferent,
that I will fail to see the wonders in the eyes of a child,
or the twinkle in the eyes of the aged.

Never let me forget that my total effort is to cheer people,
make them happy, and forget momentarily,
all the unpleasantness in their lives.

And in my final moment,
may I hear You whisper:
"When you made My people smile,
you made Me smile."

 

I hope that you take the time to listen to Laurel and Hardy. Just watching them dance has made my day!  I hope it makes yours too!