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Laurel and Hardy on TCM and the BBC

Filed under: Imported

Turner Classic Movies has been giving fans of old comedy films an April Fools' Day treat that will continue all month-- every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the network will air a total of 228 (!) movies by acts as well-known as The Marx Brothers and Abbott & Costello to more esoteric stars such as Charley Chase and Lum and Abner. Knowing that they should start with the absolute best, however, TCM's April 1st's schedule was made up of 18 feautures and two-reelers by everybody's favorites, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. It was the greatest excuse to call in sick and stay glued to the tube in ages.

This Stan and Ollie marathon inspired me to dig out a recording of a BBC radio play from last year that most fans in the U.S. have yet to hear: it's called "Stan," and it's as moving a drama as any Son of the Desert could want. Written by Neil Brand and starring Tom Courtenay as the title character, it recreates the last visit Stan Laurel pays to his old partner, who has suffered a major stroke and is not expected to live. If the premise sounds unpleasantly grim, the script and performances (including an almost mute Ollie) make it otherwise. It brims with love for these two cherished figures and actually closes with a genuine laugh that brings tears at the same time.

I wish I could steer you to someplace online to find the program, but the BBC only streams audio for a week and then removes it, so unfortunately, it's now long gone. But I can offer you this excerpt, where Stan reminisces about the tour of England they made after WWII, and the reception they were given. It will at least give you a taste of one of the best radio dramas I've ever heard.

Posted by Steve Monaco at April 14, 2005 4:55 AM

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