Laurel and Hardy and the Sons of the Desert are at the heart of Bowler Dessert magazine and Bowler Dessert Online
Bulletin
07.11.11.
|
New York
Times reviews The Essential
Collection New York Times
and http://www.nytimes.com
had a lengthy and appreciative review of
the new American DVD set, part of which
read: Elsewhere,
Randy Skretvedt wrote: Like many of you,
I am working my way through the new Laurel
and Hardy DVD set. Thus far, I am very
pleased at the quality of the transfers.
Sons of the Desert was a little
flat and could have used more contrast,
but after reading some of Dick Bann's
accounts of how poorly the Roach studio
treated the negatives, I'm amazed that
anything survives. To have these films in
near-pristine condition after 71 to 82
years is a minor miracle, and maybe not so
minor. I was thrilled to
see the gorgeous copy of The Midnight
Patrol, which always looked and
sounded worn, even in Blackhawk prints; I
was afraid that there was no better
pre-print material, but on the new DVD set
it absolutely sparkles. Hog Wild has its
original main title again, not the Film
Classics reissue, thanks to Dick Bann
making a 16mm copy of it for his own use
back in the '80s when Blackhawk
temporarily had use of an original 35mm
source. Dick's commentary
for Sons of the Desert tells me how
much I still don't know about the
production of the Laurel and Hardy films
and, for that matter, listening to my own
commentary for Way Out West, I'm
surprised at how little of that
information I've remembered! Good thing
I've written down copious
notes. Dick Bann and the
small army of Laurel and Hardy devotees
who worked on this project all deserve
congratulations for a magnificent
achievement. If you haven't bought one
yet, do so. Buy two of them, in fact, as
you'll be using your first copy so much
that you'll want another one to keep in
perfect condition. Randy
Skretvedt LaurelandHardyNews@yahoogroups.com Murder and curry The Brats Tent held their 23rd University Meeting on Monday 10th Octember which had a Halloween theme. Habeas Corpus, The Live Ghost and The Laurel-Hardy Murder Case were all screened to add to the atmosphere. Following the screening of Murder Case, we held the Loyal Toast, at which Oliver Johnson (below) provided us with an impression of Frank Austin (who played the butler) showing his teeth to the Boys to scare them.
On the following Monday over thirty Brats attended the 23rd University Curry Night at the Koh-I-Noor Restaurant and as usual another great night was had by all, with excellent food and several Laurel and Hardy films being projected onto a large screen throughout the night. A family who were out celebrating a birthday saw what a great time we were having and asked if they could join in with the singing of the Sons Anthem, where we all join hands and sing. Of course, being a friendly lot, we made them more than welcome and promptly sang the anthem twice for good measure! John Burton
Blyth art An unusual piece of public art which honours three important Northumberland figures has been unveiled. The Portrait Bench features comedian Stan Laurel, PC David Rathband, who was shot and blinded by Raoul Moat, and Guardsman Michael Sweeney, who was killed in Afghanistan's Helmand Province last year. The work was created using inspiration from Blyth and three publicly-respected people connected to the town. The artwork joined a national art collection, which is adorning the new lottery-funded Sustrans' National Cycle Network in communities across the UK. Situated in Ridley Park, Blyth, Northumberland, alongside a section of new walking and cycling routes, the faces on the bench are thought to represent the history of the town, which PC Rathband described as a "great honour". It was unveiled at a special ceremony yesterday which both PC Rathband and Guardsman Sweeney's mother Kim attended. "Blyth residents have chosen a selection of characters that show a real mix of the history of the town and will be a fantastic reminder for future generations about the area they live in." Stan Laurel's father built and managed the Old Blyth Royal Theatre, where the comedian gained some of his early experiences on stage. The new walking and cycling routes are part of a national project creating new links to the heart of communities across the UK, with Blyth bench linking the popular Coast and Castle Route. For more information go to www.sustrans.org.uk or download the free app for iPhones.
Rechabites Recently on these
pages, Phil Ruston told us about the shop
in West Bromwich which has the original
hand-painted sign of the Rehabites. He now
shares the above photos of his
discovery. 
Laughing beer While working in Kent, John Burton came across this beer, brewed by Jennings. |
In charge of
vice in the west Phil Ruston tells
us that Phil Hill is the new Vice Sheik of
the Way Out West Tent of West
Bromwich. Latest on The Box Mimo has an update on his short silent film The Box, which we mentioned a few months ago. He says, "I've been asked to send a DVD of the recut film to the organisers of Le Giornate del Cinema Muto (or the Pordenone Silent Film Festival in English!) in Italy, which is supposed to be the largest silent film festival in the world. If they like what they see then it might be included in their 2012 line-up." |
The Rogue Song
Having read the piece on The Rogue Song in this year's Spring edition of the Intra-Tent Journal, I thought I'd have a look through my vast collection of film books to see what I could find on it, which wasn't much. But I did find some other information.
The MGM Story (Octopus 1975): The Rogue Song was the first all Technicolor, all talkie and Lionel Barrymore's fourth and last directing job at his home studio. It was also the successful film debut of opera star Lawrence Tibbett, who combined a splendid baritone with an ebullient personality. Vaguely based on the Franz Lehar operetta Gypsy Love, it was highly praised for everything except a strangely hit-less musical score. Supporting Tibbett were Judith Vosselli, Catherine Dale Owen (both in a photo with Tibbett) Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Nance O'Neil, Ulrich Haupt, Florence Lake, Lionel Barrymore, Kate Price. Script Frances Marion and John Colton.
Of all the books on musicals, the only mention, albeit very briefly, is in Gotta Sing Gotta Dance by John Kobal (Hamlyn 1971): Lawrence Tibbett's film debut in The Rogue Song was sensational. Of the many debuts of stage and opera stars few received the acclaim that Tibbett had from the critics and public. When his subsequent films, including New Moon (30) co-starring Grace Moore (then stout and dull) and Cuban Love Song (31), failed to live up to his initial promise, he returned to the Metropolitan.
The World Film Encyclopedia (Amalgamated Press (1933): Tibbett, Lawrence b Bakersfield, Cal, Son of William E Tibbett, Sheriff of Kern County, Cal, who was killed in capturing the notorious bandit McKinney. Dark hair, blue eyes. Ht 6ft 1in, Wt 13st 5lb. Ed Los Angeles schools. M (1) Grace Mackey Smith 1919 div Sept 1931, twin sons Lawrence and Richard (2) Mrs J. M. A. Burgard 1931.
Won fame with his remarkable voice while still a schoolboy. Studied singing in New York and eventually won recognition as one of the greatest operatic baritones in the world. Best known for his roles in Rigoletto, La Tosca, La Forze Del Destino and La Bohem. One of the first Grand Opera stars to be heard in talking pictures, his first film was The Rogue Song (MGM 1930). Also played in New Moon (MGM), The Prodigal (MGM), Cuban Love Song (MGM).
Tony Hillman