The Complete Films of Laurel & Hardy

by William K. Everson

Book Overview

For the first time, all 99 Laurel and Hardy comedies, from early two-reelers through classic shorts and great features, are fully documented with cast-lists, credits and plot outlines. 400 photos.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806501464
• ISBN13: 9780806501468
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Citadel Press
• Length: 223 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 8.4" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

GREAT VOLUME ON GREAT TEAM

Changing the title from "The Films of ..." to "The Complete Films of ...", this welcomed re-issue (from 1967) chronicles the best comedy team the movies ever had. Rich with photos, this serves as a fine example of why Mr. Everson was such a revered wiriter of books concerning Hollywood's Golden Age and greatest players. From classics to clunkers, all of the team's films are reviewed and illustrated. A must for students of comedy and the legion of fans of "Mr. Hardy, and this is my friend, Mr. Laurel".

Nice Look at Superb Comic Duo

This nicely-photographed look at the films of Laurel and Hardy should put smiles on many faces. Author William Everson lists their films in chronological order, offering a synopsis for each and analyzing its strengths and weaknesses. The author also provides a box listing the producer (usually Hal Roach), director, supporting cast members, etc. Stan Laurel (1890-1965) and Oliver Hardy (1892-1957) teamed up for some 100 shorts and feature films during their successful 1927-1945 partnership, and most appear in these pages (a few "lost" films do not). The author also provides a brief biography of both men, a look at their early careers before they teamed up, and an analysis of their routines. I gave this enjoyable book just four stars due to a couple factual errors (Laurel's birth year is off) and an omission of biographical trivia. For example, Hardy enjoyed the track, while Laurel in retirement helped rising comics like Dick Van Dyke, and took calls from curious fans in his Santa Monica apartment (his number was listed). Despite these minor flaws, this is an amusing and informative read. As many know, the official Laurel and Hardy appreciation club ("The Sons of the Desert") is on-line and currently has many chapters in North America, Europe and Australia.

The Complete Films of Laurel and Hardy by Everson

This book is perfect for Laurel and Hardy enthusiasts. It contains a solid introduction on the evolution of the partnership with dozens of pictures of the dual team. They played in tens of films including: Forty-Five Minutes from Hollywood, Why Girls Love Sailors, Flying Elephants, Call of the Cuckoo, The Finishing Touch, Liberty, Be Big and a host of others. This volume would make a fine gift for any student, film enthusiast or cultural enthusiast. It is well worth the price charged for the considerable value of the pictorial content alone. This work complements an earlier version published in the 1960s.

First guide to Laurel & Hardy movies is still a great read

Motion-picture authority William K. Everson wrote the first book-length guide to Laurel & Hardy movies (it was originally published in 1967). If you or someone you know are Laurel & Hardy fans, this book is a lot of fun. Everson summarizes each Laurel & Hardy film and discusses the various strong and weak points. You'd think this would be dry and dull, but Everson knew and loved his subject, and his very enjoyable book has given many Laurel & Hardy fans the chance to become familiar with the films. There are also dozens and dozens of photographs. The book's only drawback was not Everson's fault: several "lost" Laurel & Hardy films have been rediscovered since 1967, but the publisher decided against revising the book. So the text is still vintage 1967, and now it isn't really the "Complete" films of Laurel & Hardy, but it's still a fine "episode guide."

One of the Best Laurel and Hardy Books

I would have rated this book with 5 stars instead of 4 except that it has some factual errors. These are minor though and this book is really a classic on my favourite comedy couple. It tells about each of their films in chronological order. The other books on L & H I recommend are 'The Magic Behind the Movies', 'Mr L and Mr H' and also 'Babe' by John McCabe, and 'Stan' bt Fred Guiles. Also I recommend to everyone who loves funny things to read a novel called 'Rastus Reilly'. It is very naughty but in a nice way and it echoes L & H movies in some ways.