Twice the laughs as festival celebrates 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 (1932)
Director Ray McCarey, with Arthur Housman, Vivian Oakland Told to leave town by a judge, L&H are invited home by a friendly drunk -only it isn't his home, it's the judge's! The Hoosegow (1929)
Dir: James Parrott, with Leo Willis, James Finlayson "Neither Mr. Laurel or Mr.Hardy had any thoughts of doing anything wrong ..." but end up in prison anyway. The climax is a wild rice battle. That's My Wife (1929)
Dir: Lloyd French. 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 (1930)
Dir: James Parrott 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 (1928)
Dir: James Parrott 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 (1931)
Dir: James W.Horne, with Charlie Hall L&H attempt to hide their dog from their non-dog loving landlord. He doesn't like them much either. Brats (1930)
Dir: James Parrott The team play both themselves and their own children. Double the chaos. The Laurel-Hardy Murder Case (1930)
Dir: James Parrott, 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 (1934)
Dir: Charles Rogers, 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' (1928)
Dir: Edgar Kennedy Supervisor: Leo McCarey 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 (1966)
Dir:Jay Ward Producer: Hal Roach 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. Sunday 10th October 2004 Laurel and Hardy Day (U) mac, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 8AT Phone Number: 0121 440 3838 Tickets £3.50 (£2.50) each programme or £9.00 (£6.00) for all three programmes. 1pm onwards www.macarts.co.uk | 
Comedy Festival 
