I'm going to go ahead and say this, "John C. Riley is an amazing character actor that does not get enough credit."

I really loved Steve Coogan and especially John C’Riley as Laurel and Hardy, along with the makeup job that was used to make them resemble them

This was one of my favorite movies of last year. The charisma between Coogan and Riley was just so downright sweet.

John C. Reilly was absolutely phenomenal, in my opinion.

And Ollie would never poke Stan in the eye for a laugh…that’s a Stan retaliation bit…and although they were distant friends and co workers in the beginning, they grew rather close in their senior years. I have noticed that their popularity may have peaked here in the USA by the 1970s, they are still revered and very much loved in Ireland, England and the UK…even today. L&H’s figurines and likeness’s can be found in many a pub and drinking establishment in Europe. ( also in my home )…Thanks Joe for keeping their memories alive…

I loved the picture despite the altered story for dramatic effect. Two stories about the duo. In 1947 my father saw them at Newcastle Empire. He said it was fantastic, Ollie came on to the stage gave that exasperated look turned to the wings and did that finger gesture to one side than Stan came on from the other side. Ten minutes of laughter. In 1960 we were in Los Angeles, only years later did we find out That Stan had his number in the phone book so fans could organize to go and see him.

Loved this! Your observations about the actors being tied down by having to perform famous routines instead of being given the leeway to interpret the stage-tour stuff are spot on. But biopics are notoriously risk-averse, and there was the matter of fan service to consider, I guess. On a side note, the way Coogan gets Laurel’s voice exactly right is almost spooky… I’m always expecting Alan Partridge’s adenoidal bray to come from that particular pie hole. A-haa!

I think this is how the Three Stooges biopic should have been like.

As a life long Laurel & Hardy fan I really enjoyed this movie over looking the liberties taken. I went to the theatre to see this with friends and we all really enjoyed this film.

John and Steve did a beautiful job. Quite amazing.

It was thanks to this channel that I became a fan of famous classical comedians. From Gene Wilder to John Candy, and from Chris Farley, to now Laurel & Hardy. God Bless you, Joe, for creating this beautiful content. Keep up the Great Work!!

With historical and biographical movies it really irks me when they take creative liberties, but with this movie, watching Reilly and Coogan more than makes up for it. The love that Laurel and Hardy had for each other shows in Reilly and Coogan.

Why don't they do the never made "Robin Hood" movie now, complete with 4 wall breaks, and show Laurel And Hardy in their prime, before all the health and age issues came about. I do wish they would show them that way, because then people would really understand how creative and inventive they were for their time.

I hope you do some videos about the Marx Brothers. They were a great comedy troupe and great group of brothers.

Biopics made about Comedy legends are always the ones that fascinate me the most .

Your Laurel & Hardy videos are some of the most caring and loving videos I’ve ever seen, you put so much attention and heartfelt care into them. If Stan and Oliver were alive to see this, it would fill their hearts with such pride and joy to see such admiration for their work. Thank you for sharing as always Joe, your videos got me interested into Laurel & Hardy, and I’ll always be grateful and laughing because of it, thank you.

Stan and Ollie need to be remembered as a couple of gentle guys who made us laugh, slapstick that was not made to be aggressive toward each other.

Agree completely. Life-long L&H aficionado here, and I also loved this movie despite the flaws you mentioned. Here are a few more: *Awful portrayal of Hal Roach as a 2-dimensional bully. *Awful casting of Harry Langdon cameo. *Implication that UK tours were sparsely attended, which is not true. *Implication that Stan considered and tried out Hardy replacements, which is also untrue. Along with the over-emphasis on petty squabbling and the inaccurate stage show recreations, these are significant flaws. But they’re more than made up for by the stellar performances of the two (really four) leads, who are nothing short of miraculous!

I remember when i saw the first trailer and felt like "Ok, i HAVE to see it" because the casting choice looked promising and it actually made you feel something which not many trailers really do. As soon as the Blu-ray was available i went for it. They did a great job. The film is touching, well made and a really wonderful tribute to Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy. The only thing i kinda disliked was the overall flat looking obvious digital cinematography so the video aesthetic kinda pulled you out a of it a bit. Other than that the film itself is great and definitely a must watch.

Love this movie we got it for my father last year in January. unfortunately he passed away at the end of that month but he loved this movie. Really happy I could find it.

John C. Riley hid so far in the make up I kept seeing Tom Wilkinson! LOL.

How about a 'Genius of James Finlayson' episode?

The manufactured drama in the movie of Stan getting pissy about Ollie doing a solo film reminds me of the manufactured drama in Bohemian Rhapsody where the rest of Queen got pissed at Freddie Mercury making a solo album, whereas in real life the rest of the band couldn't have cared less about Freddie's solo projects. It just takes you out of it ever so slightly.

The movie brought brought back so much nostalgia and feelings for me. I remember watching Laurel & Hardy when my father used to watch them. He passed away 4 years before this movie came out. I think he would have really liked it.

I really love this Biopic, I think it is really sweet and well acted, I liked the one they made in 2006 too, especially the ending where Stan figures out what Oliver is trying to say

You know John C Reilly & Steve Coogan did such a good job together that I would love to see a Comedy movie with them as a duo of new characters so that writers directors and two of them could have more freedom. Clearly the two have good chemistry together otherwise they wouldn’t of been able to make a convincing Laurel and Hardy

Steve Coogan should have won an Oscar for his role

It made me laugh, which means their comedy holds up.

Thanks for such a nuanced, loving but fair appraisal of a wonderful film. My own scarcely varies enough to warrant mentioning. My brother Rick Gardner and I grew up with the genius of Laurel and Hardy entertaining, teaching and nourishing us; they were our friends, and we loved them first because they exuded sweetness and warmth even in chaos, and second because they were so funny. We watched them endlessly, not caring how many times we had seen the films or how thoroughly we knew the dialogue and tiny details in the cutting. We cherished every moment either of them was on the screen, whether there was a laugh in it or not (there usually was); either way, our thrill was being in the company of those beautiful, magical guys. We played with Laurel and Hardy toys before we knew who they were. They were called “bendies,” poseable figures of rubber and wire, and we called them “fat guy and skinny guy.” We knew their names before we could tie our shoes, and soon others rolled off our tongues, like Charlie Hall, Mae Busch, James Finlayson, Tiny Sanford, Thelma Todd and Edgar Kennedy, thanks to our library’s copy of The Films of Laurel and Hardy by William K. Everton. I pretended I’d lost it and my parents paid the library for it. By the time they found it hidden in my room I had read it so often the binding was gone and pages were everywhere. Rick and I are 60 and 61 now, and our love for Laurel and Hardy is deeper, richer, coupled with gratitude and tinged with the bittersweet perspective of time. Last night we watched Below Zero, discussing Blanche Payson while she destroys Ollie’s double bass and Stan’s folding harpsichord. She essentially plays the same monster in Our Wife as Ben Turpin’s daughter and in Helpmates as the wife who sends Ollie home “sadder, wiser and dizzier” with a bent sword, which we giggled at as kids but howl at as men. Thank you, Stan and Ollie, for the laughs and for the love, wherever, whatever you are.

Thank you so much for bringing up the contract dispute. It’s such an annoying choice by the movie to pretend that Xenobia was a betrayal rather than something Hal Roach forced Ollie into under his contract. John C Reilly is stunning as Ollie. In the L&H biography his widow laid out what kind of actor she’d want to play him and it’s a perfect match. Steve Coogan does a good Stan Laurel impression although he sometimes sounds like he has a bad cold. (Fun fact: in that same biography Stan was asked the same question and said ‘if they did make a movie, and I hope they don’t, I’d want it to be Dick Van Dyke’)

Honestly I don’t have the time to watch any of Laurel and Hardy’s movies yet, but I do find these types of videos interesting keep them up Hats Off Entertainment!

Please do a video on Norm

I adored this movie, Laurel and Hardy were part of my childhood with the re-runs on morning tv. Coogan and Reilly were perfect and the story just moved me completely.

I do agree that it was dissapointing to not actually see the Driver's License sketch at least. The script exists, photos exist and audio recordings exist. They could have done that and I think should have tried for a real treat in the picture. The skit where they are at the train station and keep missing each other, though loosely based on the same situation in the 1929 film Berth Marks, is a different take on it and fun to see. I think the scenes where they showed the tension, especially in that after show party showed a stronger friendship. I do not agree with the contention that it showed a crack in their relationship. I think quite the contrary. It shows that the best of friends can sometimes be quite mean to each other and say things they do not really mean and their friendship was strong enough to take those moments. At least that is what I felt watching that scene. The animosity Stan felt for Zenobia being false had me a little bummed. Stan supported Ollie and Ollie supported Stan in so many ways that I totally believe Stan gave Ollie his blessing to do that film. Still, a very enjoyable film and also a lot of fun and emotions. I saw Stan also. It is also great. Try to find. and watch.

Rest In Peace Norm Macdonald….. OJ DID IT

I also love this film and how beautifully it's acted, but being a member of a UK branch of the Sons of the Desert there's so many things that the films gets factually wrong. For example, the film ends with Laurel and Hardy finishing up their British tour in Ireland, when it actuality that's where they *started* the tour. Throughout the film, you see British theatres empty, implying that no-one went to see them when they performed, which couldn't be further from the truth. My grandad and great-uncle both went with their parents to see them perform, and they said the queue was extraordinary - "Beatlemania before The Beatles" is how my uncle described it. Fortunately, they had booked tickets in advance and managed to see them! Another point is that Delfont, who they present as though they have never met him before, organised The Boys' tour in 1947 as well. There's a few other points too, but I think you get the picture. All in all though, it is a thoroughly enjoyable film, and the story is great and the casting couldn't be better - just keep in mind when you watch it that it has no basis in reality!

The movie may not be totally accurate but I feel liking it.

This film is how I was reintroduced to the duo, after my grandparents showed me some of the original films years ago. I appreciate it

I really liked this movie. Even if it’s inaccurate, which is the same for every historical film, I still really appreciate it as a movie, and even a great comedy. Seriously, it made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion while watching, a great choice to cast two great real comedians as Stan and Ollie. And honestly, the movie’s such a breeze. Like, it’s ninety minutes, but it feels so much shorter, at least to me. One thing that I feel it just barely avoided was the temptation to just recreate footage of them. A lot of entertainment biopics do fall into the trap of being a greatest hits collection and this film, I feel, only just barely missed that. I also like how the movie didn’t just go for the typical biopic and simply told one story in their lives rather than telling their full story. Though, I dislike how the movie manufactured drama like Bohemian Rhapsody.

A gorgeous piece, Joe. As always. I agree with your heartfelt and accurate criticisms about the central conflict, and would have loved to see some of the unfilmed material recreated here. I adore this flick. The final dance chokes me up every time. The hotel check-in scene slays me. Their conversation on the boat deck reminds me how noble small acts of friendship can be. My hat is indeed off to you.

They got the expressions and mannerisms so well!

Went to see this in the cinema in 2019...and kinda restored a hope that the art of cinema wasn't dead.

I’ve not seen this film, but I’ve heard the performances are good and it’s regarded as being very good. Thank you for making this video Joe, I always learn something from these videos. Keep up the great work!

I really enjoy watching a video from someone who admires Laurel and Hardy as much as I do. They hold a very special place in my heart and it's nice to see people sincerely talk about them.

I've seen this Movie STAN & OLLIE and I enjoyed it very much, I still love watching there original old Movies

I've bought all of Laurel and Hardy's films together on DVD and Blu-ray and a number of their solo movies. I got this on Blu-ray as well.

BROOKLYN NY, The Original Kings of Comedy, Rest in Paradise Gentlemen, Thanks for all the joy & Laughter u brought to us All

Part 3: No I think Stan respected Ollie enough not to call him a lazy ass to his face in front of a crowd but their dispositions and personalities were way off the spectrums from each other... Here I think they could have developed the conflict more... Stan was a A type personality and Ollie was a B they got it right when they were talking about Stan's dedication to his career work and films and Ollie's seemingly carefree attitude where he just wanted to play all the time that kind of rubs and A type personality under their skin...but you can't have a lot of drama with that so they just had to embellish some things but I agree they could have not harped so hard on the "Elephant film"...

Another error/'creative licence' that 'got' me was their apparent jealousy of Norman Wisdom. In reality they were both good friends with Norman - Stan even found an agent for him, and on one occasion offered to perform Norman's wallpaper sketch with him after Norman's partner broke his ankle (sadly theatre management vetoed it as they didn't want Stan breaking his ankle....). By and large, I think the film is well-acted, but I think the fictionalised animosity paints Stan and Ollie in an unfavourable light.

Yeah that line about Stan calling Ollie a lazy ass bothered me as well.

Part 2: I LOVE that cut away shot in Blotto where they both look like they are watching the movie saying..."What...?" Stan had great affection for Harry Langdon...and he did give Babe his blessings for doing this movie and Fighting K...he was sick at the time and I believe he knew Babe needed the work...there was no ill feelings... however I love what Babe said when he was asked to do more with John Wayne...he turned it down because he didn't want to work without his partner...that is loyalty and dedication to his teammate Stan remarked in his letters from time to time that Babe did make other pictures without him and he never did...I don't know if he was "saying" something there or not...but he supported Babe's decision more than the movie made it out to be The problem I think the writers had was trying to come up with some kind of conflict because these two men really didn't have any!! They had to think of something that would be dramatic and move the movie Forward and they thought that Ollie stepping out to make another movie without Stan was a betrayal and worked from there...

We need a Norm Macdonald video Joe! 🥲🥲

Steve Coogan should have won an Oscar for this film.

Im glad you brought up the BBC movie, I think it aired in parts on BBC, because I had a C band satellite dish and found it one night had to stay up real late to watch the rest of it on another night. I remember liking it and it taking years to find in the states.

I agree with you and I hate how bio-pics create fictional scenarios just to create drama. Just show us what really happened. Real life has drama enough. There is no need to add fiction to it.

I'm pretty sure the gig in Glasgow was a big success - Laurel and Hardy have a loyal following in Scotland, especially Glasgow (Stan Laurel attended school in the South of the city I believe).

Separate thought: I did enjoy the "Stan" movie as well...there was a lot of "supposing" in that movie too...but it rubbed me a little more wrong than "Stan & Ollie" did... however the parts where Stan felt helpless and afraid of watching his partner die (which didn't happen the way the film portrayed) was BELIEVABLE as someone who knows that they don't have much time left with someone they love and care about and their own mortality is realized...that's a story for another one of your documentaries... PLEASE 🙏🙏🙏

I've been waiting for a video like this, since I saw Stan and Ollie. Thank you!

I love your channel, because this is yet another video pushing me to look into things I haven't gotten around to. Several clips throughout this video alone made me tear up, and I'm absolutely going to acquaint myself with Laurel and Hardy's work now.

Understandably, a movie made now in days take certain liberties with what really happened. That being said, what I truly loved about this picture was that it was a Hollywood love story in the regards of how these two men formed a comedic partnership that made each one better from it. Add to that the performances of Reilly and Coogan, I left the theater feeling like Laurel and Hardy had managed to come back from the great beyond. It would be really cool if they would go back and film some of those bits from the tour to make as an added feature for a collectors edition of the film. I know I would pay good money for it.

I fully agree with the conclusions drawn in this video -- both regarding the accurancy and errors in "Stan and Ollie." As a longtime Son of the Desert, I was thrilled when the movie got things right (like the inside peek at the fabled "Lot of Fun" (the Hal Roach Studios) and cringed when the movre got things wrong (like the fake conflict between Laurel & Hardy). I would have preferred if the film had been a more encompassing biopic rather than one which focused almost entirely on the duo's sad decline. The re-creations of Stan and Ollie in "Stan and Ollie" were both very good, although the capture of Stan was a little bit off -- as was the "Stan" in "For Love or Mummy." In the latter film, Gailard Sartan absolutelty nailed Ollie. It's just unfortunate that Larry "Bozo" Harmon, who owns all rights to Stan and Ollie's characterss, had to insert himself -- and Bozo (!) -- into that film.

Saw this film when it came out ,well acted , deserved Oscar's.

Amazing work dude 😁 as always. You have a wonderful way to teach and entertain in such a streamlined way.

Seeing you talk about the Stan TV movie with Jim Norton even briefly makes me want to see you talk about Father Ted

It made me laugh, and it made me cry, which is a rare thing for a movie to do these days. And I dont mind some embellishment as long as they're keeping the spirit intact, which they do so wonderfully.

I love that film. Coogan and Riley were amazing

It felt like there was a weird cgi effect over the entire movie. It felt like I was watching original footage superimposed over this modern footage the actors were so spot on with the acting and the mannerisms while still allowing the performances to bring themselves into the roles.

What a great cast, and impressive makeup work. I must give this a watch.

You do such a good job with these videos, keep it up!

I'm still learning about Stan and Ollie, so I didn't know just how manufactured that drama was until after I finished the movie. Great film, though. I wish it had gotten more love. It's definitely one of my favorites, now

Your assessment is absolutely spot on. The few choices that annoyed you were exactly the same as the ones that bothered me, particularly the fabricated conflict over Zenobia and the missed opportunity to perform the skits they ACTUALLY did on stage. Well done, sir. You're obviously a real L&H fan.

Riley's and Coogan's verisimilitude is masterful

The same thing happened in "Chaplin", where events are either manufactured altogether, or sewn together - it's a major fault of Biopic move making always - other wise it's a fancy documentary. It's best to go into a film like this and enjoy the love and probably no one will ever do an L&H film again to this level, so love it for what it is. Hats off to C&R - I felt like I was watching L&H the whole time! Amazing work.

I love love love this film! And I do agree with you that the conflict feels a little forced just to have drama (and when I first watched it I didn't know how much the events were changed from real life). When I heard about the basic plot I was afraid they were going to be bickering with each other for most of the movie, but instead we spend much of the movie together getting back into the swing of their friendship. So most of the movie is a very positive and uplifting experience.

I’m so glad you made this video!

Came across this movie on a streaming channel, didn’t even know about it. Have to say, I was dumbfounded by the performances. Academy Award worthy!! And the production design was superior. Loved it!!

Been wanting you to cover this since I discovered the channel

The movie managed to make me cry. It was very good. The inaccuracies bugged me though.

I just wish I could have met both of them and let them know how much I, and so many people appreciate them both.

Back in college I took a Film History class and the Professor also taught it in the theme of genre when I took it it just happened to be comedy and I loved it. We got to see all these greats comedies.

Laurel & Hardy was going to be a tuff act to follow from the get go. The fact that it had a lot of heart, and the two wives helped a lot to get it pass it’s short comings.

Laurel & Hardy; the GREATEST comedy team ever!

I mean...look at the man's thumbnail. Did you really think he wouldn't cover Stan and Ollie?

Watching this wonderful film lead me here! Thanks so much for such wonderful mini docs!

Interesting tidbits to set straight some of the artistic license of the film. I really did enjoy this film myself. I remember reading a biography of Laurel and Hardy for a Film Comedy class I took in college. Then my final paper was on them. That biography was filled with sweet and wonderful moments involving the two of them so I have to side with you on replacing some of the confrontational scenes. For example in the book I read I cited that in some small towns they visited on tour all the bells in town rang to signal their arrival and people would come out in droves for a chance to welcome them. It was all about love and laughter.

Back in the late seventies I was driving cab in Rochester NY. I picked up an elderly man and somehow we got on these 2 comedic giants and he said he knew Ollie back before he was with Stanley. He said he was just a kid doing prat falls and skits for whoever was around. I really wish I could remember everything he told me but forty plus years is a long time ago, but I was in awe someone who actually knew one of the all time greatest

This came out in 2018, and for some reason this is the first time I've heard about their movie!! Thanks for the review! Now I'm going to have to watch it!

I loved this movie. And I'm grateful for your video essays on these biopics. I know you've covered a few, but I was wondering if you'd seen "Holy Flying Circus"? It's a docudrama surrounding "Monty Python's Life of Brian," and the resulting television debate.

Final thought:. They needed to make this movie to keep them alive and introduce a new generation to them... It was a love story and lovingly created for both of them and it gets people interested in wanting to study their lives further and to find out more truths on their own... It's like an opening door to their past and anybody who wants to cross over can find out a lot more about these two men than they ever thought they knew about them. They handle this movie in a very"seriously" humorous way... I would have really been disappointed if it turned out to be another "For Love or Mummy" movie... And as far as an effort for a biopic I think they did a fantastic job! You can tell Coogan and Riley respected both men tremendously! And everyone on the team and cast did as well and made a very, respectful film. I hope they decide to do more...and that would give them liberty into doing more speculation and supposings. Thank you for making this mini documentary! I hope more people watch the movie and the boy's work because of this!! I 💜 L&H!!

I only " got into" L &H a couple of years ago ( I know where have I been right?) And can honestly say im a little obssessed with them now. Truly were comedy geniuses and their films mostly 70 _80 years old still stands the tests of time. Loved this film thought it a great homage

Thank you for adding that clip from STAN. Just that short scene was well acted.

When the film came out, I was lucky to see it with some hard core L&H fan who are members of The Blockheads, a fan club in Minneapolis. The Blockheads loved it and laughed how the film added a different take on their routines. I loved the film and recommend it often.

Another great video. Would love if you did Walk Hard: the Dewey Cox Story. Good parody of musical biopics and has a great soundtrack

I’ve been looking forward to this video for a long time! Please watch this movie if you haven’t yet!

thanks for suggesting the BBC special "Stan" (2006) concerning Babe's death and Stan's decision to stay at his side despite his own illness. on KZfaq.

I was hoping you'd do this!!

I liked John C. Reilly's performance very much. Steve Coogan got the off-screen Stan right, but never nailed on-screen (or on-stage) Stan. (When he did the smile, he kept his eyes too wide, for one thing.) There was enough genuine drama in Stan and Babe's lives and careers in 1953 so that the fabricated drama was unnecessary. (Stan did not have a simmering resentment toward Babe for making "the elephant picture." Stan had been fired by Roach in August 1938, while Babe was still under contract to Roach. Stan understood the situation and was fully supportive of Babe in "Zenobia.") The actresses playing Ida and Lucille were a good physical match, but the way their relationship was depicted was incorrect. Lucille told me that they got along very well. Ida was not the icy creature that she seemed in "Stan & Ollie." I've never seen a photo of her where she isn't laughing uproariously or showing a radiant smile. Worst of all, Hal Roach was portrayed as a guy who cared only about money. He told me in 1981, "Never in my life was it, ‘Oh, my God, the money I’m going to lose on this,’ or ‘The money I’m going to make on that.’ The whole basis was either how good or how bad the picture was. That applies to everything I made. I never in my whole career paid any particular attention to the finances.”

Thanks for clearing that up. It always felt off in the movie.

It is a great movie, and it gave me a new respect for Laurel and Hardy.

Your video is really on point. I very much enjoyed Stan & Ollie, but I think it could have been a bit more. I didn't know there are scripts and such from the later tours. That in itself could make a great movie if they would ever do something like this again. Even if they give it kind of a Hollywood angle; they could make it that they are going to try a new production on the tour and the build up for that. Just have them show where the ideas might come from. Thanks for making this video (and all the other ones). It was really well made.