January Meeting 2024 January 14, 2024

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

A belated Happy New Year to you all.  Our next film show will be next Wednesday, January 17th,  7.30pm till 10.30pm at the THE BRIDGE INN on Longmoor Lane, Sandiacre NG10 5LW –  in the outside function room as per usual.

 This Wednesday just happens to be the eve beforeo Babe Hardy’s birthday….he was born 18th Jan 1892.  So, we’ll be celebrating the 132nd university of his birth…yes that’s 132 years ago!  We have a strong programme of Hal Roach Studio short film subjects planned which are all Ollie-centric,  including a showing of our very own namesake film, “Beau Hunks” from 1931 ( with the ever-illusive….Jeannie Weennie, aka Jean Harlow).

I’m also taking the opportunity to show the Boys first credited L&H film at the Hal Roach studio “45 minutes from Hollywood” from 1926.  This is more a Babe Hardy solo venture in support Glen Tryon.  This is because Stan only plays a very fleeting role in disguise so as to avoid being seen or even credited!!!  More about this on Wednesday.  As we haven’t seen this film for 4 years…it’s overdue an airing.

I’ll also be showing yet Another Fine L&H based cartoon in the intermission, with thanks going to Ant and jo Mitchell Waite.  This one is entitled “Hollywood Steps Out” from May 1941…it’s a very good cartoon depicting many many film stars of the day including Bing Crosby and his horses, the Marx brothers, the 3 stooges, Tarzan.  There’s no Stan…but Ollie is seen dancing on the dance floor.  Yes, I did screen it last summer but I’ve had a few requests to re-show it – so your wish is my command.  Indeed, I’ll also screen,  Babe’s  “Dough Boy” cameo appearance at the horse races from Bing Crosby “Riding High” film from 1950.

Yes, there will be birthday cake…..and of course the in-famous raffle, any unwanted Christmas presents would be gratefully accepted as we had a pretty good clear-out at the Christmas show.

I have also secured two 2024 L&H calendars from the calendar store…one I can sell for £7.20 (ie 40% off the £12 rrp) and the other I will put in the raffle.  First come first served on the evening – so get there early!!

On the news front…there are two L&H related theatre productions coming soon to a theatre near you!   Firstly, “The Lucky Dog” theatre company are again performing their Laurel & Hardy play “Hats Off to Laurel & Hardy” at the Leicester Guildhall  on Saturday 24th February 6pm as part of the Leicester comedy festival.  Undoubtedly this is the best L&H biographical play ever. The main actors are members of the Sons of the Desert and they perform regularly at UK and European L&H conventions. The 2 hr play was written with the full support of the Sons…particularly Dean McKeown from the Fra Diavolo tent in Bonnie Scotland.  I know that many of you have seen this play before.  At just £10 a ticket it’s certainly value for money and worth another look.  You will need to book this online on the Leicester comedy film festival website.  Indeed, I’ll be going.

Secondly, celebrity pianist and playwright Neil Brand, has put a 2 hr Laurel & Hardy show together entitled “An evening of Laurel & Hardy” and it’s currently on-tour around the UK.  Unfortunately, the nearest venues to us are Lichfield Garrick theatre (Tues 23rd Jan) and Newark Palace theatre (Weds 24th Jan) both at 7.30pm.  Tickets are also a little pricey at £22.50.   Neil Brand certainly knows his stuff…he was a regular at the silent film festival, and he wrote the radio and then later film play, Stan.  So undoubtedly it should be very good and I’ve read good reviews of it.  I’ll be going to the Garrick theatre.

After Wednesday, our next film show will be the usual 3rd Wednesday….February 21st when we will be having a belated Valentines film show with a screening of Swiss Miss…with Babe in Lough yet again but to another girl – a Swiss missl!!

So, hope to see you this Wednesday to celebrate Babe’s 132nd birthday.  Please bring friends and family – all are welcome.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)