I felt that “Stan & Olllie” was a wonderful tribute to both men. And as we are seeing a revival of interest in silent film and classic Hollywood films with a new generation of viewers, hopefully we may see the potential of “Laurel & Hardy” Blu-ray releases and also receiving the same treatment as Charles Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harry Langdon and introducing their comedy and classic work to many people. “Stan & Ollie” is highly recommended!
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TITLE:Â Stan & Ollie
FILM RELEASE: 2018
DURATION: 98 Minutes
BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (2:39:1 Aspect Ratio), English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English – Audio Description 5.1 Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English, English SDH
COMPANY: Sony Pictures Classics/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
RATED: PG
Release Date: March 26, 2019
Inspired by the book “Laurel & Hardy – The British Tours” by A.J. Marriot
Directed by Jon S. Baird
Written by Jeff Pope
Produced by Faye Ward
Executive Producer: Kate Fasulo, Andy Harries, Christine Langan, Xavier Marchand, Nichola Martin, Joe Oppenheimer, Jeff Pope, Eugenio Perez, Gabrielle Tana
Music by Rolfe Kent
Cinematography by Laurie Rose
Edited by Una Ni Dhonghaile, Billy Sneddon
Casting by Andy Pryor
Production Design by John Paul Kelly
Art Direction by David Hindle, Astrid Sieben
Set Decoration by Claudia Parker
Costume Design by Guy Speranza
Starring:
Steve Coogan as Stan Laurel
John C. Reilly as Oliver Hardy
Shirley Henderson as Lucille Hardy
Nina Arianda as Ida Kitaeva Laurel
Rufus Jones as Bernard Delfont
Danny Huston as Hal Roach
Stewart Alexander as Joe Schenck
Richard Cant as Harry Langdon
Laurel & Hardy, one of the world s greatest comedy teams, set out on a variety hall tour of Britain in 1953. Diminished by age and with their golden era as the kings of Hollywood comedy now behind them, they face an uncertain future. As the charm and beauty of their performances shines through, they re-connect with their adoring fans. Even as the tour becomes a hit, Stan & Ollie can t quite shake the specter of Laurel & Hardy s past; the long-buried ghosts, coupled with Oliver’s failing health, start to threaten their precious partnership. A portrait of the most tender and poignant of creative marriages, they are aware that they may be approaching their swan song, trying to rediscover just how much they mean to each other.
Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were known as the comedy duo Laurel & Hardy.
And in classic Hollywood, these two were no doubt the best at what they do, entertaining audiences with their style of slapstick comedy during the silent era and the decade of talkies.
While the two had impressive careers as solo comedians, the two became a team in 1926 and made their last film together in 1950.
But like many stars of the silent era, the transition to the talkie era was not kind to them. While starring in A-films with Hal Roach film studio, their latter films were primarily B-movies for 20th Century Fox and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and the remaining part of their career were music hall tours held in Europe. In fact, their last film “Atoll K” in 1950 was not an American film but a French-Italian co-production.
The story of these two men working as partners towards the end of the career was featured in the book “Laurel and Hardy: The British Tours” by A.J. Marriot. A book that showcased the comedians towards the end of their career, the testing of their friendship, their financial hardship and Oliver Hardy’s sickness.
And the 2018 film “Stan & Ollie” directed by Jon S. Baird (“Vinyl”, “Filth”, “I’m Dying Up Here”) and written by Jeff Pope (“Philomena”, “Mrs. Biggs”, “Cradle to the Grave”) is a biographical comedy/drama film that was inspired by the book.
The film begins with the duo, Stan Laurel (portrayed by Steve Coogan) and Oliver Hardy (portrayed by John C. Reilly) making their film “Way Out West” and Stan refusing to renew his contract with Hal Roach.
While Stan believes that Hal Roach Studios and Hal Roach (portrayed by Danny Huston) is not financially recognizing them, Roach terminates his contract, while Stan looks at it as a way to pursue other opportunities with the support of his wife Ida (portrayed by Nina Arianda).
As for Oliver, he is still contracted with Roach and ends up working with silent comedy king Harry Langdon (portrayed by Richard Cant), for the 1939 film “Zenobia”. A film that was not well-received but Oliver, with the support of his wife Lucille (portrayed by Shirley Henderson), looking at it as it’s work and he has to make money.
While the two would work together again (after the case was dropped), they had a meeting with 20th Century FOX, which Stan looks as a big boost for them, especially financially. But Oliver doesn’t show up and the two aren’t signed. This would leave Stan feeling betrayed by his partner, making him feel bitter towards him.
The film fastforwards years later when the duo would tour through Europe in 1953 and both feeling that their producer Bernard Delfont (portrayed by Rufus Jones) is not doing enough for them. But the built-up resentment from the past between the two (and each other’s wives) are starting to become more apparent.
Will this resentment lead to the breakup of Hollywood’s most famous comedy duo?
VIDEO:
“Stan & Ollie” is presented in 1080p High Definition (2:39:1 aspect ratio). Picture quality is very good! Close ups show great clarity and I didn’t notice any banding or artifact issues during my viewing of the film. You can’t tell at all that John C. Reilly is wearing prosthetics and a lot of of makeup but he really looks the part in the film, as does Coogan as Stan Laurel.
AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
“Stan & Ollie” is presented in English 5.1 DTS-HD MA, English audio description track 5.1 Dolby Digital. The film is dialogue-driven and dialogue and music are crystal clear through the front channels, with crowd ambiance utilized for the surround channels.
Subtitles are in English and English SDH.
SPECIAL FEATURES
“Stan & Ollie” comes with the following special features:
- Cast & Crew Q&A
- 3 Featurettes
- 3 Deleted and Extended Scenes
- Theatrical Trailer
“Stan & Ollie” was one of the films that I really was looking forward to.
As a fan of “Laurel & Hardy”, I purchased a lot of their shows and films via a box set, I also purchased and own a lot of photos of the comedy duo from the 20s.
And while I have read about the latter years of the two comedians, the film gives me a visual of the heartbreak of seeing these two comedians, who have worked for decades together facing the inevitable.
Their style of slapstick comedy was looked at as entertainment from the past and younger people looked at their entertainment as something their parents grew up with and of course, the comedy duo that people were fluctuating too was Abbot & Costello.
As the men grew older and saw less opportunities, both men had different perspectives. Stan looked at how much money Laurel & Hardy made for Hal Roach Studios and felt they had leverage for better deals and he and his wife were in the same mind. While Oliver and his wife looked at it as a job is a job, do whatever you can to make income. No complaints.
So, it was inevitable that their perspectives would clash. As Stan was active and focused on trying to find the next big thing for Laurel & Hardy, Oliver was more passive and just wanted to work.
But it’s easy for us to look back at that past and know that while it was admirable of what Stan Laurel was trying to do, it was probably a little too late as the men were much older and their style of comedy was passe. We still see it today, albeit more in the sports industry where top athletes wanting big contracts when they are older and past their peak.
Needless to say, these differences in their outlook of their careers were evident and decisions made would end up both men harboring penned-up frustrations towards one another and you knew one or both were going to explode.
But while both grew frustrated, there was a lot of respect and love as friends that both had and how they would come together and work again, the way the film ended is how I expected things to be and leaving fans and also audiences appreciating their friendship and what they gave to entertainment for many decades.
I felt that “Stan & Olllie” was a wonderful tribute to both men. And as we are seeing a revival of interest in silent film and classic Hollywood films with a new generation of viewers, hopefully we may see the potential of “Laurel & Hardy” Blu-ray releases and also receiving the same treatment as Charles Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harry Langdon and introducing their comedy and classic work to many people.
“Stan & Ollie” is highly recommended!
