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Movies Forum Index » Silent Movies Forum » Wear Valley Mercury: Stan Laurel - The Big Noise from...
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| Bruce Calvert... |
 Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 7:13 pm |
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http://www.wearvalleymercury.co.uk/wear-valley-news/story,1593.html
Stan Laurel - the Big Noise from Bishop
Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy - these men were icons of
silent film, pioneers of comedy and legends of the silver screen. (May 2
edition)
They were so well loved and respected that even now, decades after their
deaths they are still remembered.
Of the four men above, Stan Laurel was particularly well respected by his
peers. Involved in writing and directing many of the 106 films he made with
comedy partner Oliver Hardy, he treasured all aspects of the entertainment
industry and it was in Bishop Auckland that he developed his early love for
acting.
Stan Laurel was born Arthur Stanley Jefferson at his grandparents house in
Ulverston, Lancashire on June 16th 1890.
His parents Arthur and Margaret Jefferson lived in Bishop Auckland and were
very active in the theatre scene.
Many of Stan's earlier years were spent living with his Grandparents but he
moved into the family home in Waldron Street, Bishop Auckland after the
birth of his sister.
It was at this time that Stan's parents had him re-baptised in St Peter's
Church. Tony Hillman, a member of the Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society
says: "The history of Stan Laurel is everywhere in Bishop Auckland, from the
church he was baptised in to the place he first attended school."
Stan Laurel attended King James 1 Grammar School but last year the building
was burnt down in a suspected arson attack. "It's very sad," says Tony, "I
think the building is up for sale but it's just a shell, not much new can be
done to it because its grade two listed. The Eden Theatre, which Stan's
father managed, was also demolished many years ago."
While the monuments of Stan Laurel's history in Bishop Auckland seem to be
disappearing, there are a small group of people who are keeping his memory
alive in the town. Hog Wild is the name of Bishop Auckland's Laurel and
Hardy appreciation society.
Named after the pair's 1930 short film, they meet once a month in the Laurel
room in Bishop Auckland Town Hall. Collectively the Laurel and Hardy
appreciation groups are called the Sons of the Desert. Each group is called
a 'tent' and Britain alone has about 41. Each tent is headed by a Grand
Sheik; Tony Hillman holds this position in Hog Wild. "As Grand Sheik I don't
have any power, it's just a bit of fun," explains Tony. "We have about 50
members on our books and about 25 come to each meeting."
The Hog Wild's were also very active in getting the local council to produce
a statue of Stan Laurel to commemorate his time in the town. The statue is
currently being cast in bronze in China and is set to be unveiled in early
July. It will show Stan Laurel in overalls, holding a paintbrush. Behind him
will be a tower of film canisters representing some of Laurel and Hardy's
most famous films and at the top of the tower will be the Hog Wild film. "We
asked for it to be at the top," says Tony, "it will be a big honour."
Unfortunately it would seem that Stan Laurel's association with the area is
bringing little if any tourism.
"Not many people outside the region know about his association with Bishop,"
says Tony. The theory behind this is the film industry was so centralised to
Hollywood in those days that some people may not even realise he was a
British actor. "Stan is a part of our film history and we want to make sure
he is not forgotten by the young generations.
"We have a couple of members that are as young as eight or nine and they
love the films, which shows Laurel and Hardy's comedy is just as relevant
today. "Stan Laurel was also particularly interesting because he wasn't just
interested in the money and fame that came with being a film star.
"Unlike Hardy who liked to spend his money at the race track and wasn't as
interested in the creative side of their work."
Stan also loved his fans, listing his number in the phone book so they could
ring him and often striking up life-long friendships with them.
He answered all fan mail personally and after the death of his comedy
partner, Hardy in 1957 he vowed never to act again and spent much of his
time answering letters. On February 23, 1965, Stan Laurel died after
suffering a heart attack.
A comedian to the end he wrote his own epitaph joking:"If anyone at my
funeral has a long face, I'll never speak to him again." The respect Stan
Laurel gained throughout his Hollywood career was confirmed by the guests at
his funeral. Dick Van Dyke a friend and protégé gave the emotive eulogy.
But it was comedian Buster Keaton who summed Stan up best. He was over heard
at the funeral saying, "Chaplin wasn't the funniest, I wasn't the funniest,
this man was the funniest."
The Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society meet on the first Tuesday of every
month in the Laurel Bishop Auckland Town Hall. New members are always
welcome and more information can be found by calling 01388 602610.
--
Bruce Calvert
--
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