Our film show venue The White Lion has closed and we are nomads again. Fortunately we have a tent.
Best wishes to the landlord Sergio for his next venture.

Can you help us find a new venue? Ideally close to our current location in Beeston. Some suggestions have been made last night which we will investigate – but if you know of any place that would be willing to accommodate us, on a 3rd Wednesday of each month, and hopefully not charge us, please let me know.  Ideally,  we need car-parking and sufficient room for 30+….preferably a separate and quiet room.

I’ll let you know as soon as we have found a new venue,

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

On a sad note, last night we toasted Ron Stokoe who sadly passed away last week at the age of 93.  Ron was the taxi driver that drove Stan & Ollie between theatre and hotel in Southend in 1952.  I know many of you would have met Ron at the Bull Inn last year, when Roger Robinson brought him up all the way from Southend.  He was certainly a wonderful and charming fellow and was a very popular member of the Saps tent and of the Sons at the desert at large.  He was a good friend of Denise and myself.  He will be sorely missed.  John Palmer has sent me a nice a photo of him which I’m sure he won’t mind me sharing.  John tells me that this was actually the first time Ron had ever sat in a Model T Ford and was quite a thrill for him.  RIP Ron.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
Our next film show is this Wednesday, 17th July  at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   We should again be upstairs.

All are welcome and entry is free.

We had an absolutely marvellous day at the Bull Inn, Bottesford in June.  First of all,  I’d like to thank all those that made that day such an MGM roaring success….Robin Cook for the film premiere of a restored version of the silent Duck Soup, Antony Mitchell-Waite for his interesting talk on his latest look-a-like research,  John Palmer for bringing his super Model T Car and Danny Lawrence for all his support throughout the day.  I’d also like to thank James Exton for opening up his home, the Plough Inn, during our visit to Barkston.  Secondly, I’d also like to thank you all for supporting us on the day…..and yes we hope to do it all again next year as we celebrate the tent’s 20 year anniversary.  I’m hoping to put a few photos up on our website in the near future (http://www.laurelandhardynottingham.uk/)  but if you can’t wait, just drop me an email and I’ll send you a copy of the Bull Inn group photo.

As you may be aware it is 50 years since Neil Armstrong first stepped on the moon (July 20th 1969), with the Saturn V rocket being launched from Cape Canaveral on July 16th 1969.  The moon landings formed a big part of my childhood and, although I never wanted to be an astronaut, I was certainly inspired to follow an acadamic and  career path into science and engineering.  Sadly, there have been many many ridiculous conspiracy theories over the years about whether or not man has actually reached the moon….indeed ridiculous.  That’s because everyone knows that Stan & Ollie landed on the moon in the 1930s….or I should say crashed into the moon –  see the 3 images below for proof!

But seriously folks, this month, in recognition of this amazing feat of putting a man on the moon, I’ve put together a programme of Laurel & Hardy films where the “moon” is featured….indeed it was tough thing to do!!  I will, however,  say that we will be showing the Boys first ever feature film “Pardon Us”  from 1931….where Ollie sings “Lazy Moon”.

We will also continue our history of L&H cartoons – though I intend to skip forward to Sep 1966, with a 5 min short Larry Harmon “Laurel & Hardy Show” cartoon by Hanna Barbera entitled “Missle Hassle” where Stan & Ollie land on the moon!  Although, its a cartoon that is mostly focused towards our younger members (which includes myself), it is very interesting from an historical point of view.  It was released less than one year after the first US space walk from the Gemini missions and several months before the Apollo programme.  It also highlights the risks that were taken by those brave astronauts with  parallels  to the aborted Apollo 13 mission.   So, again you’ll see Stan & Ollie on the moon 3 years before Neil Armstrong!   We will have the usual raffle, all donations are gratefully accepted.

Our next meetings remains on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at on August 21st at 7.30pm.

Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday.  Please bring friends and family – all are welcome.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
This is a reminder that we have two film shows next week.

Our first film show is on  Wednesday, 19th June at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm in the upstairs function room – the “Beeston cinema”.   

In our Wednesday show we will be screening the “Elephant in the (court) room” film, “Zenobia” from 1939.  This was the film that caused the rather controversial and 100% fictitious argument in the recent “Stan & Ollie” film.  Zenobia is not very well favoured amongst Laurel & Hardy fans due to the obvious absence of Stan…but it certainly isn’t ,as some may think, a Langdon & Hardy comedy pairing  where Harry Langdon directly replaces Stan.  It is a much different film, a very gentle comedy where Oliver gets a chance to show off his prowess as a comedy actor and because it echoes back to his roots in the deep South…..South of what Sir….the south of l…Atlanta, Georgia.   It also has  a strong cast of familiar actors/actresses.   I have to admit, I like this film a lot  and over the years I’ve collected a lot of memorabilia associated with it including the original Hal Roach studios signed contract with Harry Langdon.   So please take it for what it is….an interesting one-off – its a film  we’ve only shown  once before in the tents 20 year history and certainly worth seeing again.   Of course, we will also be showing a number of Laurel & Hardy short films and a few interesting rarities/oddities….all with an animal theme as a prequel to our main event next Saturday.

Tomorrow as you will be aware (June 16th) will be the university of Stan’s birthday – 129 years ago….so indeed we will also be celebrating this on Wednesday with a piece of birthday cake and a bit of an unexpected birthday surprise….to be revealed on the night.   There will be the usual raffle (all donations gratefully accepted) and we’ll be continuing our series of cartoon animations, all in line with the evening’s theme.

All are welcome and entry is free.

Our second film show is on Saturday, June 22nd, 1pm-6pm, at the Bull Inn, Bottesford (NG13 0BW)  entitled “Laurel & Hardy’s ANIMAL CRACKERS“…and not the Marx brothers!.  This is a tribute to all the brilliant animals that appear in many  wonderful Laurel & Hardy films and to those that we toast….including Ethel the Chimp, MGM the lion and of course….. poor old Laughing Gravy!  Indeed, we will be showing many animal-related short Laurel & Hardy films during the day.  The highlight of the day will be a premiere screening of a fully complete and restored version of the silent short DUCK SOUP (1927).  This is Laurel & Hardy’s version of the film and not to be confused with another film of the same title by  the Marx brothers.  This will be shown by film historian, archivist and ex-projectionist tent member, Robin Cook.   For those that do like The Marx Bros –  they will make a briefly appearance during the day!

We will also have a number of special guests with us from all around the UK…..Antony and Jo Mitchell-Waite (from the Stoke Midnight Patrol Tent ) will be briefly talking about their recent and forthcoming series of books, first of which was entitled  “Two Peas in a Pod”…duh.  Our own Danny Lawrence will be selling/signing his superb book on Arthur Jefferson (Stan Laurel’s father).  Mark Hammond (from Brighton) is a well-known Laurel & Hardy autograph, memorabilia and playbill poster collector.   For a second year running, Rob Lewis (Grand Shiek of the UK Helpmates Tent and editor of the Laurel & Hardy Magazine) and his family will be joining us.  As many of you know, Rob has been a major ambassador for Laurel & Hardy not just in the UK but internationally through the UK Helpmates tent, Helpmates conventions and the L&H magazine which he has been doing for over 40 years.  He doesn’t usually travel to other tent events, so it is an honour for us for him to be with us again .   He has also been selling L&H merchandise for many many years….and will again be providing us with L&H calendars at Christmas.  Rob was an on-set consultant on the Stan & Ollie film…..but unfortunately not on the storyline!  We also hope to have Howard Parker with us (ex-Hats Off Derby tent Grand Shiek  and co-editor of the L&H Magazine).  I’ve also been informed that we will have representatives from a few other tents…including the Brats from Sheffield.

We will have the usual raffle and observational quiz.   The event is FREE and all are very welcome.

For those that are new to the tent, the Bull Inn was regularly visited by Stan & Ollie during the early 1950s as Stan’s sister Beatrice Olga and her husband Bill Healey ran the pub as landlords.  In the lounge there are numerous photos of their visits….including photos of the boys pulling the pints behind the Bull Inn bar on Christmas Day 1953 which was during their 4 week “Laurel & Hardy Christmas Party” variety show at the Nottingham Empire theatre.  There are two plaques – one inside and one outside the pub that mentions their visits….though the years stated are not quite right!

On the morning of June 22nd,  we will again be visiting The Plough Inn in Barkston (4 miles north of Grantham) where Stan’s father, AJ,  and his sister, Beatrice Olga, once lived and ran the small pub during the 1940s – and where of course Stan & Ollie made at least one visit during their 1947 theatre tour.   We will also be visiting AJs grave in the village and paying our due respects to a very special father.    Those interested in this pre-event …please meet at the Stag Inn at the centre of this small village (NG32 2NB) at 10.30 am.   I expect to be at the Barkston & Syston cemetery at 10.45am and the the Plough Inn (22 West Street) at 11.15 am.

All are welcome to Bottesford & Barkston, and it always makes a fun day out.

All this information is on our website, thanks to Mark Elvin… http://www.laurelandhardynottingham.uk

Our July film show will be on the usual third Wednesday July 17th.

So, hopefully,we’ll see you TWICE TWO next week.  All are welcome.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

“Boys At the Bull”

The Nottingham Beau Hunks Tent again invite everyone everywhere to join them in an afternoon of film fun and frivolity at the Bull Inn in Bottesford (between Nottingham & Grantham, NG130BW) on Saturday 22nd June, 1pm until 6pm.  The Bull Inn was once run by Stan’s sister, Beatrice Olga and her husband Bill Healey.   Stan & Ollie  visited the pub on a number of occasions during their 1952 and 1953/4 variety theatre tours of the UK.   The pub’s lounge is adorned with photographs and memorabilia all in memory of those very special visits. 

This year, we have entitled our film show “LAUREL & HARDY’S ANIMAL CRACKERS”.  This is a tribute to the brilliant animals that appear in many  wonderful Laurel & Hardy films….including Ethel the chimp, MGM the lion and of course….. poor old Laughing Gravy!  Indeed, we will be showing many short Laurel & Hardy films during the day.

The highlight of the day will be a premiere screening of a fully complete and restored version of the silent short DUCK SOUP (1927) by film historian and tent member, Robin Cook.  Robin has meticulously restored the US version of this film himself using professional software from four different sources – the 1928 British print rediscovered at the British Film Institute in 2013, the actual Belgian print discovered in 1974, a censored clip from the Library of Congress, USA, and a French 9.5mm home-movie print from 1937.  I’ve been told by authorative observers that the print quality is absolutely amazing – indeed the best they’ve seen!

We will also have author Danny Lawrence selling and signing his book on Stan’s father, Arthur Jefferson (AJ),  and co-authors Antony and Jo Mitchell-Waite will be talking about their interesting series of books entitled  “Two Peas in a Pod”…duh.   

John Palmer will also be bringing his fabulous Model T Ford motorcar, presenting an ideal opportunity for photos.   We will have the usual raffle and observational quiz.   

The event is FREE and all kids aged from 4 to 104 are very welcome.

In the morning,  we will again be visiting The Plough Inn in Barkston (4 miles north of Grantham) where Stan’s father, AJ,  and his sister, Beatrice Olga, once lived and ran the small pub during the 1940s – and where of course Stan & Ollie made at least one visit during their 1947 variety tour.   We will also be visiting AJs grave in the village and paying our due respects to a very special father.    Those interested in this pre-event …please meet at the Stag Inn at the centre of this small village (NG322NB) at 10.30 am, Saturday morning.  

The Beau Hunks Tent continue to meet every 3rd Wednesday of the month at the White Lion Pub,  24, Middle Street, Beeston, NG91FX, Nottingham at 7.30pm.     

All are very welcome to join us.

 For more information please contact Grand Sheik, Dave Tomlinson at DTomlinson@tinyworld.co.uk

Bull Inn Bottesford, Easter Sunday 13th April 1952  – a day before they perform “A Spot of Trouble” for a week at the Nottingham Empire theatre.

(courtesy of the Nottingham Evening Post from an article in the Nottinghamshire Guardian Apr 19th 1952 – colourised by the Leicester Mercury in 2010)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,

Our next film show is this Wednesday, 15th May  at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   Hopefully we’ll be upstairs again.

All are welcome and entry is free.

This month is our  “Nothing but Mae” film show in tribute to the eternally ever-popular Mae Busch.  Though her birthday is next month (June 18th), its always over-shadowed by Stan’s birthday just two days latter – so it has now become our annual fixture to pay tribute to one of our favourite supporting actresses a month earlier – in May….indeed, the month that was named after her wasn’t it?   Though she was a major silent film star, infact a million dollar babe of the 1920s where many of the films she appeared in grossed a million dollars, she was actually a year younger than Stan, born June 18th 1891.  I intend to show nothing but a series of Laurel & Hardy short films in which the eternally ever-popular Mae Busch provides a supporting, and in one film, a top billing role!

We will also continue our history of L&H cartoons with a short cartoon from 1933 entitled “The Five and Dime” , where Oswald the Rabbit performs the song “Million Dollar Baby” on the piano in a five and dime store with cameo appearances by Jimmy Durante, Charlie Chaplin and of course Stan & Ollie.   We will have the usual raffle, all donations are gratefully accepted.

May I remind you that we have not one but two film shows next month…both with an animal theme.  Firstly, on Wednesday evening, June 19th,  at the White Lion,

we will be screening  ZENOBIA (1939), the so-called “Elephant in the Room” film that was the cause of that controversial argument in the recent STAN & OLLIE (2019) film.  We shall of course  be celebrating the university of Stan’s birth 129 years ago!

Then, on the following Saturday, June 22nd, we have our annual  “Boys at the Bull”  film event at the Bull Inn in Bottesford (between Nottingham & Gantham, NG13 0BW)),  with the usual 1pm start (until 6pm).   The Bull Inn was once run by Stan’s sister, Beatrice Olga and her husband Bill Healey.   Stan & Ollie  visited the pub on a number of occasions during their 1952 and 1953/4  theatrical tours of the UK.   The pub’s lounge is adorned with photographs and memorabilia all in memory of those very special visits.

This year, we have entitled our Bulll Inn film show “LAUREL & HARDY’S ANIMAL CRACKERS”.  This is a tribute to the brilliant animals that appear in many  wonderful Laurel & Hardy films….including Ethel the chimp, MGM the lion and of course….. poor old Laughing Gravy!  Indeed, we will be showing many animal-related short Laurel & Hardy films during the day.  The highlight of the day will be a premiere screening of a fully complete and restored version of the silent short DUCK SOUP (1927) by film historian and tent member, Robin Cook.  Robin has meticulously restored the US version of this film himself using professional software from four different sources – the 1928 British print rediscovered at the British Film Institute in 2013, the actual Belgian print discovered in 1974, a censored clip from the Library of Congress, USA, and a French 9.5mm home-movie print from 1937.  I’ve been told by authorative observers that the print quality is absolutely amazing – indeed the best they’ve seen!  We will also have author Danny Lawrence on-hand selling and signing his book on Stan’s father, Arthur Jefferson (AJ),  and co-authors Antony and Jo Mitchell-Waite will be talking about their interesting series of books entitled  “Two Peas in a Pod”…duh.   John has graciously agreed to bring his fabulous Model T Ford motorcar, presenting an ideal opportunity for photos (weather permitting).   We will have the usual raffle and observational quiz.   The event is FREE and all are very welcome.

On the morning of June 22nd,  we will again be visiting The Plough Inn in Barkston (4 miles north of Grantham) where Stan’s father, AJ,  and his sister, Beatrice Olga, once lived and ran the small pub during the 1940s – and where of course Stan & Ollie made at least one visit during their 1947 theatre tour.   We will also be visiting AJs grave in the village and paying our due respects to a very special father.    Those interested in this pre-event …please meet at the Stag Inn at the centre of this small village (NG32 2NB) at 10.30 am.

We have already started to advertise the event amongst the Laurel & Hardy fraternity, so we are hoping for a few “out-of-towners” with us.  Rob Lewis has already confirmed with me that he’ll be making the trip up again with his family from the “South of London”.  I’m also hoping to have the Helpmates L&H lookalikes (Gregg Taylor) with us too.

Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday.  Please bring friends and family – all are welcome.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
Our next film show is this Wednesday,17th March at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   We should be upstairs again!

All are welcome and entry is free.

For those that are fed up of the another nice mess we have got ourselves into, called Brexit…you will be pleased to know that next Wednesday I have declared our film show a Brexit free zone….i will not be mentioning that B-word again!  However, as I’m short of a theme this month….I will be mentioning a lot of other B-words….and infact our beautiful and  brilliantly funny films will all begin with the letter “B“.  I was quite amazed to learn that of the 106 (or is it 107?) films  that Stan & Ollie are credited , that no less than 16 of them begin with the letter “B“…and infact three of them comprise of two words beginning with the Letter B (ie Be Big, Big Business and Busy Bodies)!!  In this list of 16 films…3 are silent shorts, 7 are talkie shorts and 6 are feature films.  All interesting stuff, I hear you say….but what you going to show on Wednesday?  Well, certainly no B-movies.  We’ll be starting with a  silent short from the Boys featuring Edgar Kennedy, whose birthday it is this month….with a young Jean Harlow.  This will be followed by the  Boys 1936 feature film  “Bohemian Girl“…with Thelma Todd and Mae Busch.   In this film Stan has trouble bottling wine whilst siphoning from a large barrel and ends up being “guzzled”

After the break, it is talkie short films all the way until the end (or should I say exit!).  First, we will be showing the film I’ve been trying to fit in for the last  couple of months  “Berth Marks” … that has a beginning that had been adopted and adapted for the beginning of their “Birds of a Feather” sketch used during the 1953/4 British tour, which was the subject of the “Stan & Ollie” film.  This will be followed by one or two talkie of your choice from a list of 4 (“Be Big”, “Blotto”, “Brats” or “Busy Bodies”).

We will also be continuing our series of Laurel & Hardy cartoons from the 1930s, which will be in the B-theme!  Of course we will have our usual raffle, any donations are always gratefully received.

Our following film show is on usual 3rd Wednesday of the month – May 15th, when we will be paying tribute to the ever-popular Mae Busch.   Our event at the Bull Inn in Bottesford is set for Saturday June 22nd 1pm to 6 pm – we will be having a bit of an animal theme.  This is the pub, that Stan & ollie visited a number of  times during the 1950s UK tours.  It was run by Stan’s sister Beatrice Olga and her husband Bill.  We will also be out at Barkston in the morning visiting the Plough Inn (Stan’s sister s 1st pub) and paying our respects to Arthur Jefferson (Stan’s father) who is buried in the local cemetery.

Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday.  Please bring your friends and family – all are very welcome, to what should be a B-good evening!

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
Our next film show is this Wednesday, 20th March at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   I hope we will be upstairs again!

All are welcome and entry is free.

There were many film careers sustained and many others launched by an appearance with Laurel & Hardy.  None more so than that of an a young american actress born Harlean Carpenter….. later known to the world as Jean Harlow.  However, we know her best as the young lady that broke Oliver Hardy’s heart …and yes so many other hearts in “Beau Hunks”. the much travelled and toasted, Jeannie Weenie (….she’s mine all mine!). This month we will be celebrating the university of her birth, by showing not 1 but 2 of the 3 short films she appeared in.…and we’ll be showing our tents namesake film “Beau Hunks”, where her image fails to be a distant memory.

“Stan & Ollie” can still be seen in many local cinemas and the good news is that the DVD is shortly to be released (March 26th in the USA, but no date yet over here in the UK).  As mentioned in my previous emails, this is an absolute brilliant film with some absolutely great touches with Messrs Cougan & Reily capturing their on and off screen personas superbly.   Unfortunately, the writer played a little fast and loose with the facts concerning the 1953/4 UK tour on which the film is supposedly based.   In the last few months, I’ve been looking at what was good about this storyline but more importantly what was not so good and trying to correct some….or i should say, many of the errors.   In January, we looked at the timing of the Cobh visit and the unreal  “Elephant in the room” argument between Stan & Ollie.  In February, we took a week by week “whistle-stop” view at the theatre tour, corrected any ideas that this was a rags to riches story, clarified what exactly they were performing or indeed not performing on stage, and the real circumstances of Ollies heart attack.  Also as a tent, we generally expressed our disappointment that there was no representation of the 5 week visit to Nottingham for their special and unique sold-out Christmas Party show and of their trips to the Bull Inn, particularly when they served behind the bar on Christmas Day.  I  wouldn’t be unbiased in thinking that THIS was the highlight of their UK tour after visiting Cobh….rather than fictitious appearances at the Worthing Lido and the London Lyceum.    Thanks goes out to Stan Laurel book author Danny Lawrence, who gave his personal thoughts/concerns on how Stan was depicted during the movie – particularly in his harshness to Hal Roach and in his treatment of Babe, which I thoroughly agreed with.

In our third and final part looking back over the storyline, I’m looking very briefly at the mentioned Robin Hood film that was never made and also some of the other people that were/weren’t mentioned by the film.  “Stan & Ollie” is a very good film, putting Laurel & Hardy generally in a good light.  It’s just a shame the storyline wasn’t quite right.  Of course, without an interesting and engaging storyline, “Stan & Ollie” may never have been filmed….which would have been a bigger shame!   As a close to our final ramblings on the film, I will be showing the full 30 min restored version of the “This if Your Life” US TV broadcast  from December 1954.  This was broadcast just 6 months after they returned from their 1953/4 UK tour.

We will also be showing “Berth Marks”, which unfortunately we couldn’t show last month that has a beginning that had been adopted and adapted for the beginning of their “Birds of a Feather” sketch used during the 1953/4 UK tour.

We will also be continuing our series of Laurel & Hardy cartoons from the 1930s and of course we will have our usual raffle, any donations are always gratefully received.

Our next film show is on usual 3rd Wednesday of the month – April 17th.   Our event at the Bull Inn in Bottesford is set for Saturday June 22nd 1pm to 6 pm – we will be having a bit of an animal theme.  We will also be out at Barkston in the morning visiting the Plough Inn (Stan’s sisters 1st pub) and paying our respects to Arthur Jefferson (Stan’s father) who is buried in the local cemetery.

Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday.  Please bring your friends and family – all are very welcome.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
Our next film show is this Wednesday, 20th February at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   We could be upstairs or….ermm downstairs!!

All are welcome and entry is free.

Though the sad news is that the wonderful “Stan & Ollie” cinematic film show may have come and gone, the good news is that it has generated a great deal of interest, new information and a new fervour for all things Laurel & Hardy including their films…and so the party continues.   Horray!!  This month, we will be showing one of the Boys best feature films……“Way out West” from 1937.  Indeed this was the film that the Boys were making at the start of the latest “Stan & Ollie” film with the “At the Ball, That’s all”  dance routine, which was then later reproduced on stage.   It also contains the magical “Trail of the Lonesone Pine” …..also reproduced in the “Stan & Ollie” film.    I will also be  showing a number of short Laurel & Hardy films from the Hal Roach studio which include some gags/routines that are seen in the new film release.

As I’ve mentioned before, though the “Stan & Ollie” film is a great film, the writer was a bit (OK a lot) fast and loose with the true facts of the 1953/4 UK tour and the UK tours in general.  Yes…hmmm, why should the true facts get in the way of a good story!  And indeed, its a good story!  Last month, we highlighted two of the major untruths in the film.  First concerning their trip to Cobh, which though it did happen, it occurred at the beginning of their 1953/4 tour, that is before they travelled on to the UK England and certainly not at the end.  We also exposed that the “elephant in the room” argument concerning Zenobia was just pure fiction, another rouse for a good story line.  Though undoubtedly they would have had a few grumpy moments during the tour, there were certainly no reported grudges, arguments or upset between them; then or ever.  Of course without these dramas, “Stan & Ollie” may never have been filmed.  This month, I will continue to look at the UK leg of the 1953/4 tour….and dismiss the myth that it was a rags to riches story as depicted – infact, sadly it was probably more the opposite!

The film is a great film and if you haven’t yet seen it, I still urge you to go and see it.  The characterisations are brilliant and you will soon forget you are watching Messrs Cougan & Reily.

We will also be continuing our series of Laurel & Hardy cartoons from the 1930s and of course we will have our usual raffle, any donations are always gratefully received.

Forthcoming Events…

1. The Lucky Dog theatre company are performing 3 shows at the Leicester guildhall as part of the Leicester comedy festival.  First off is a 2- hour biographical show “Hats Off to Laurel & Hardy” for £10 on Friday at 7,30pm.  Then on Saturday and Sunday is a 1-hour  “The Laurel & Hardy cabaret”  show which looks at sketches in films and on UK-tour for £8 at 3pm.  I’ll be at the first show.

2. Jeffrey Holland will be at the Century Theatre in Coalville on Saturday March 9th 7.30pm with his wonderful play, “…And this is my friend Mr Laurel” .  £16 & concessions £14.  They also have a screening of “Stan & Ollie”  Friday, March 22nd.  Indeed, I will be there.

3. Our next film show is on usual 3rd Wednesday of the month – March 20th.

4. Rob Lewis and Roger Robinson are planning a Laurel and Hardy event on May 25th with a visit to the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch mini Railway that Stan & Ollie partly re-opened in 1947.  Details to follow.

5.  Our event at the Bull Inn has now been set for Saturday June 22nd – we will be having a bit of an animal theme.   Rob Lewis GS of the Helpmates UK tent will again be joining us…Rob, was one of three Laurel & Hardy consultants who were on set during the filming of “Stan & Ollie”.

Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday.  Please bring your friends and family – all are very welcome.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)

Hello Laurel & Hardy friends,
Our next film show is this Wednesday, 16th January at the usual location, THE WHITE LION….24, Middle Street, BEESTON, NG9 1FX commencing at the usual time of 7.30pm.   We’ll probably be downstairs again in the warmth.

All are welcome and entry is free.

This month, we will be celebrating the university of the birth of Oliver Norvel Hardy…one half of undoubtedly the worlds greatest comedy team of all time.  He was born January 18th 1892, 127 years ago.  We will also be celebrating the release of “Stan & Ollie”, a bio-pic that has already attracted award nominations both here with the BAFTAs and across the pond with the Golden Globes.  I can’t believe how much publicity has gone into this with newspaper and magazine articles and TV coverage covering not only the film but also the real Laurel & Hardy…there has also been a multitude (if not an embarrassing level) of film ads in newspapers, magazines, ITV, electronic advertising signs….even advertising on the sides of double-decker buses.   Obviously we all hope it will do well at the box-office.  Some of you I know have already seen it and enjoyed it.

Yes, I highly recommend you do see it.

….Back to theme – this month I will be showing a number of short Laurel & Hardy films from the Hal Roach studio with a good leaning to Babe Hardy, some with gags that are duplicated in the new film.  I will also show clips from the best TV articles I’ve seen concerning L&H and the film release.  I also intend to show a few clips from the “Elephant (in the room)” film that is mentioned in the Stan & Ollie film….that is the film that Babe did with Harry Langdon and “apparently” upset Stan when he was out of contract!   I will avoid any spoilers for those that have not seen it…but as I’ve mentioned before there are several facts that do go astray, but these do not significantly detract from what is a very good film that shows the great love, respect and affection that these great men had for each other throughout their lives.  We will expose some of these inaccuracies at future meetings – just to put the record straight!

We will also be continuing our series of Laurel & Hardy cartoons from the 1930s and of course we will have our usual raffle, any donations are always gratefully received  – particularly any unwanted Christmas presents (but best not to bring those from nearest & dearest) :-).

More information..

1.  I believe there are still places left for Laurel & Hardy courses being run at the Derby Quad cinema (Sat 19th January) culminating in a showing  of “Stan & Ollie” and at the Nottingham Broadway cinema (sat 26th January) with a showing of “Atoll K”.  I will be at both, but the former is recommended over the latter!!

2.  There is a wonderful newspaper article on the local L&H connections…particularly the Bull Inn, in the Leicester Mercury.

See  https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/local-news/day-laurel-hardy-came-bull-2410951

3.  Next film show is on usual 3rd Wednesday of the month – February 20th, when we hope to show one of the Boys best features, Way out West  which is the basis of much of the goings on…off in the “Stan & Ollie” film.

4.  I’ve been informed that Jeffrey Holland will be at the Century Theatre in Coalville on Saturday March 9th with his wonderful play, “…And this is my friend Mr Laurel”

5.   Rob Lewis and Roger Robinson are planning a Laurel and Hardy event at the end of May, with a visit to the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch mini Railway that Stan & Ollie partly re-opened in 1947.  Details to follow.

6.  We are again planning an event at the Bull Inn – provisionally for  Saturday June 22nd, but we will firm up details before next months meeting with our usual meeting at the White Lion on  Wednesday June 19th.

Egg-citing times indeed,

Hopefully, we’ll see you on Wednesday.  Please bring friends and family – all are very welcome.

Fraternally Yours,

Dave T

(Grand Sheikh – Nottingham Beau Hunks tent)