Twice the laughs as the Comedy Festival celebrates the greatest double act of all time. The Evening Mail BIRMINGHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL and MAC cinema will be celebratiing the work of comedy heroes Laurel and Hardy on October 10, with a whole day devoted to some of their funniest and rarest films, both silent and sound. Three different programmes feature ten classic comedies plus a rarely seen feature compilation, The Crazy World of Laurel & Hardy. There will also be a quiz, and memorabilia stalls. The full programme for the day is as follows: PROGRAMME 1
SCRAM
Dir: Ray McCarey (1932)
With Arthur Housman, Vivian Oakland
Told to leave town by a judge, L&H are invited home by friendly drunk - nly it isn't his home, it's the jdge's! THE HOOSEGOW
Dir: James Parrott (1929)
With Leo Willis, James Finlayson
"Neither Mr. Laurel or Mr.Hardy had any thoughts of oing anything wrong ..." but end up in prison ayway. The climax is a wild rice battle. THAT'S MY WIFE
Dir: Lloyd French (1929)
When Mrs.Hardy walks out on Ollie, Laurel has to impersonate her to impress a wealthy uncle. One of their last silents, restored with its original musical accompaniment. ANOTHER FINE MESS
Dir: James Parrott (1930)
With James Finlayson, Thelma Todd
Escaping the law, L&H hide in an empty mansion where Hardy is forced to pose as the owner, and Laurel alternatively as butler and maid. From a stage sketch written by Stan's father. PROGRAMME 2
TWO TARS
Dir: James Parrott (1928)
With Thelma Hill, Ruby Blaine
Usually voted their best silent film. Sailors on shore leave encounter two girls and the world's worst traffic jam. LAUGHING GRAVY
Dir: James W.Horne (1931)
With Charlie Hall
L&H attempt to hide their dog from their non-dog loving landlord. He doesn't like them much either. BRATS
Dir: James Parrott (1930)
The team play both themselves and their own children. Double the chaos. THE LAUREL-HARDY MURDER CASE
Dir: James Parrott (1930)
With Del Henderson, Dorothy Granger
A spoof of those 'reading of the will at midnight' type melodramas, with L&H trapped in a spooky mansion, the obligatory storm - and relatives disappearing one by one. PROGRAMME 3
THE LIVE GHOST
Dir: Charles Rogers (1934)
With Walter Long, Mae Busch
L&H help the captain of a ghost ship shanghai a crew, end up shanghaied themselves -and meet the ghost! YOU'RE DARN TOOTIN'
Dir: Edgar Kennedy Supervisor: Leo McCarey (1928)
Fired from the local brass band, musicians L&H unwittingly start a street feud which ends up involving half the town. THE CRAZY WORLD OF LAUREL & HARDY
Dir:Jay Ward Producer: Hal Roach (1966)
A feature compilation of the best of L&H - both features and shorts. Unseen for years, highlights include their Academy Award winning THE MUSIC BOX; foreign legion faux -pas in BEAU HUNKS; musical moments from SWISS MISS and WAY OUT WEST; gags galore from TOWED IN A HOLE, BACON GRABBERS, BUSY BODIES, HELPMATES - and much more. All programmes will feature extra surprise items including rare L&H clips and recently discovered appearances. Laurel and Hardy Day (U)
Sunday 10 October 2004, 1pm onwards
mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 8AT
Tickets £3.50 (£2.50) each programme or £9.00 (£6.00) for all three programmes.
ww.macarts.co.uk For more details about the festival, visit www.icbirmingham.co.uk/comedyfestival | 
Comedy Festival 
