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Post by BATouttaheck on Sept 26, 2017 23:29:49 GMT
This thread ran a while ago and was fun. Video share time. Post 'um if you got 'um !
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Post by Nalkarj on Sept 26, 2017 23:38:17 GMT
My favorite comedy duo being silly-yet-sweet (or is that the other way around?) in front of a saloon in one of their best movies (Way Out West)? Count me in!
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Post by Doghouse6 on Sept 27, 2017 0:15:31 GMT
Let's not leave Chill Wills and The Avalon Boys out of our appreciation.
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Post by manfromplanetx on Sept 27, 2017 0:16:47 GMT
"Singin' and Dancin' and Laughin'" In memory of Květa Fialová , lead saloon singer Tornado Lou - Arizona Warbler seen below in the highly spirited, uproarious bar room scene from Limonádový Joe aneb Konská opera , Lemonade Joe (1964)
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Post by BATouttaheck on Sept 27, 2017 0:39:26 GMT
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Post by Doghouse6 on Sept 27, 2017 0:40:01 GMT
I've always wondered if the boys weren't poking some good-natured fun at Fred and Ginger, whose film Swing Time was released only days before Way Out West went into production in August of '36.
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Post by Nalkarj on Sept 27, 2017 0:44:59 GMT
Doghouse6Y'know, thing is, that sounds exactly like what the Boys would do, too--particularly Stan, as (from what I know about him) he would add an extra touch to what the writers concocted for them (e.g., according to Everson, the scooping sand gag in Blockheads).
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Post by BATouttaheck on Sept 27, 2017 0:49:36 GMT
Swing Time - Fred and Ginger
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Post by Doghouse6 on Sept 27, 2017 1:01:32 GMT
Doghouse6 Y'know, thing is, that sounds exactly like what the Boys would do, too--particularly Stan, as (from what I know about him) would add an extra touch to what the writers concocted for them (e.g., according to Everson, the scooping sand gag in Blockheads). I almost wrote "Stan" instead of "the boys," but it didn't seem fair to discount what might have been Babe's contributions. But the step (if not the execution) is identical: three bounces on alternating feet, with the trailing one and the arms extended in the "soaring" position. Perhaps coincidentally, Arlene Croce wrote in The Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers Book of a scene in Swing Time in which Fred is studiously resistant to Ginger's romantic advances (and the only one in their films in which he wears a derby): "He plays it like Stan Laurel." Refresh my memory about the scooping sand gag in Blockheads? I love that film ( and William K. Everson, whom I've always sought to emulate when commenting on films), but can't dredge that one to recollection.
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Post by Doghouse6 on Sept 27, 2017 1:13:18 GMT
BATouttaheck Thanks for the "Pick Yourself Up" clip. Bat. Here's the number in question ("Waltz In Swing Time"), with the step occurring at about 1:30. Fred and Gin threw in some turns Stan and Babe didn't.
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Post by Nalkarj on Sept 27, 2017 1:26:32 GMT
Doghouse6 said: The gag I'm talking about comes at about 22:52 in this video, after Stan has dumped a load of sand on Babe and his car. Everson wrote (and I don't have my dog-eared old copy of The Films of Laurel and Hardy in front of me, so I'm only paraphrasing) that the writers (which included Harry Langdon) only had the gag go to Babe's head sticking out of the sand, but Stan punctuated it by scooping it by hand.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Sept 27, 2017 2:10:01 GMT
Doghouse6Refresh my memory about the scooping sand gag in Blockheads? ...but (I) can't dredge that one to recollection. actually
I could not find the correct clip but figured that the other one would serve for the moment. The more happy dancin' the better I figure ! Thanks for finding and posting it !
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Post by Doghouse6 on Sept 27, 2017 14:03:12 GMT
Everson wrote (and I don't have my dog-eared old copy of The Films of Laurel and Hardy in front of me, so I'm only paraphrasing) that the writers (which included Harry Langdon) only had the gag go to Babe's head sticking out of the sand, but Stan punctuated it by scooping it by hand. Thank you! I remembered the dump truck gag, but had forgotten the "scooping" bit. So typical of the "Stan" character's ineffectual efforts to remedy the ill effects of whatever calamity Ollie has suffered at his hands (such as dabbing at the drenched Ollie with a handkerchief after he's fallen into the pond in The Music Box, or tucking the lower half of Ollie's necktie into the bib of his overalls after it's been sawed off in Busy Bodies). I love behind-the-scenes details. Notice the older Model A, rather than the late-model Ford seen beforehand, that was actually buried, and the protective custom-built roof with a hole in the top being lowered into position: Here we see Babe preparing to climb in (and Stan conferring with crewmen in the background): Babe now in place, apparently waiting for more sand: And with the truck and Babe in position, a final detail:
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Post by Nalkarj on Sept 27, 2017 15:44:08 GMT
Thanks, Doghouse6, and especial thanks for those wonderful behind-the-scenes photos! Each man knew his character so well, no? I mean, there are little ticks which just seem to derive naturally from the "Stan" and "Ollie" characterizations that Stan and Babe just know because they've been doing these characters so long. Which makes it all the more interesting, I think, when Stan breaks the "Stan" character in pictures as early as the silent "Putting Pants on Philip" to as late as A Chump at Oxford ("Lord Paddington"!) and Jitterbugs ("Potts"). Babe's breaking the "Ollie" characterization certainly occurs, but nearly completely in non-L&H films ( Zenobia, The Fighting Kentuckian). (Indeed, as far as I know, Stan wasn't in a single movie without Babe after their team-up.)
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Post by ZolotoyRetriever on Sept 27, 2017 18:49:18 GMT
From Paint Your Wagon (1969), "There's a Coach Comin' In":
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Post by BATouttaheck on Sept 27, 2017 21:47:26 GMT
Doghouse6Gotta sing! Gotta dance ! Gotta wish we still had those music emojis of days gone by.
But seriously, Gotta ask. HOW on earth did you notice the little dance step parallel in Way Out West and Swing Time ? I know that you are detail conscious but this one is downright spooky ! Both are just little bits in such busy wholes.
Those "making of images" are terrific ! The Boys are so real that it's odd seeing pictures that show them "just pretending!
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Post by BATouttaheck on Sept 27, 2017 21:52:56 GMT
ZolotoyRetrieverThanks for the Paint Your Wagon clip. Fun movie, sadly somewhat neglected !
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Post by Doghouse6 on Sept 27, 2017 22:48:45 GMT
Which makes it all the more interesting, I think, when Stan breaks the "Stan" character in pictures as early as the silent "Putting Pants on Philip" to as late as A Chump at Oxford ("Lord Paddington"!) and Jitterbugs ("Potts"). Babe's breaking the "Ollie" characterization certainly occurs, but nearly completely in non-L&H films ( Zenobia, The Fighting Kentuckian). (Indeed, as far as I know, Stan wasn't in a single movie without Babe after their team-up.) I cherish those scenes in A Chump At Oxford and Jitterbugs, and I'm among the apparently few people who truly enjoy Zenobia. I want to say I wish there had been more such moments and films, but I imagine it's their rarity that contributes to their value as tantalizing hints at the unexplored or undisplayed dimensions those talented guys harbored. And I believe that's absolutely correct about Stan. Were you on IMDB under this or another user name? Ever hear my Stan Laurel story? Wanna?
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Post by Nalkarj on Sept 27, 2017 22:52:11 GMT
Doghouse6I was, under this name, but for a very short period just before it closed, and that mostly in the "INTK" board (for Sleuth singers and other ridiculous requests). I'd love to hear your Stan Laurel story.
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Post by BATouttaheck on Sept 27, 2017 22:59:58 GMT
Nalkarj"ridiculous requests"... bah ! If it hadn't been for the mystery singer and the guy on the phone .... well, I hate to even think on it. Doghouse6 Stan Laurel story ? ready for all.
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