Oliver Norvell Hardy was an American comic actor and one half of Laurel and Hardy, the double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted from 1926 to 1957. He appeared with his comedy partner Stan Laurel in 107 short films, feature films, and cameo roles. He was credited with his first film, Outwitting Dad, in 1914. In most of his silent films before joining producer Hal Roach, he was billed on screen as Babe Hardy.
Stan Laurel was an English comic actor, director and writer who was one half of the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. He appeared with his comedy partner Oliver Hardy in 107 short films, feature films and cameo roles.
Love 'em and Weep is a 1927 American silent comedy short film starring Mae Busch, Stan Laurel and James Finlayson, with Oliver Hardy featured in a small role. This is Mae Busch first of fifteen appearance with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.
James Henderson Finlayson was a Scottish actor who worked in both silent and sound comedies. Balding, with a fake moustache, he had many trademark comic mannerisms—including his squinting, outraged double-take reactions, and his characteristic exclamation: "D'ooooooh!" He is the best remembered comic foil of Laurel and Hardy.
Big Business is a 1929 silent Laurel and Hardy comedy short subject directed by James W. Horne and supervised by Leo McCarey from a McCarey (uncredited) and H. M. Walker script. The film, largely about tit-for-tat vandalism between Laurel and Hardy as Christmas tree salesmen and the man who rejects them, was deemed culturally significant and entered into the National Film Registry in 1992.
Call of the Cuckoo (1927) is a Hal Roach two reel silent film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film's principal star is comedian Max Davidson, though the film is just as well known for cameos from other Roach stars at the time. These cameos include renowned supporting player Jimmy Finlayson, the oft underrated/ignored Charley Chase, and a pre-teaming Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.
Should Married Men Go Home? is a silent short subject co-directed by Leo McCarey and James Parrott, starring comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. It was the first Hal Roach film to bill Laurel and Hardy as a team. Previous appearances together were billed under the Roach "All-Star Comedy" banner. It was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on September 8, 1928. McCarey is also one of the script writers for the film.
One Good Turn is a 1931 American Pre-Code short comedy film starring Laurel and Hardy. This film was the first Laurel and Hardy film to feature support from Billy Gilbert.
Billy West was a silent film actor, producer, and director. Active during the silent film era, he is best known as the premier Charlie Chaplin impersonator. He was a star in his own right, appearing in more than 100 films for nine different companies. Beyond acting, he also directed short comedies in the 1910s and '20s, and produced films. West retired as an actor in 1935, but remained in the employ of Columbia Pictures into the 1950s.
Good Cider is a lost 1914 American silent comedy film produced by the Lubin Manufacturing Company, featuring Jane Calhoun, Ben Walker, Billy Bowers, Oliver Hardy, and James Levering.
He Wanted Work is a lost 1914 American silent comedy film produced by the Lubin Manufacturing Company, featuring John Edwards, Mattie Edwards, Billy Bowers, and Oliver Hardy.
They Bought a Boat is a lost 1914 American silent comedy film produced by the Lubin Manufacturing Company, featuring Roy Byron, C. W. Ritchie, and Oliver Hardy.
Back to the Farm is a 1914 silent comedy short film produced by the Lubin Manufacturing Company and co-starring Oliver Hardy and Bert Tracy. It is the earliest Hardy film known to survive.
Madame Mystery is a 1926 American silent comedy film starring Theda Bara, Oliver Hardy, and James Finlayson, directed by Richard Wallace and Stan Laurel, co-written by Laurel, and produced by Hal Roach. Footage from this film was reused in the Hal Roach two-reeler 45 Minutes From Hollywood.
Thundering Fleas is a 1926 Our Gang film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 51st Our Gang short subject to be released.
No Man's Law is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Fred Jackman, starring Rex the King of Wild Horses, and featuring Oliver Hardy as a lustful villain.
What's the World Coming To? is a 1926 American silent comedy film directed by Richard Wallace and starring Clyde Cook. The film's working title was Furious Future. A restoration of the film was completed in September 2015 as a collaboration between Carleton University, New York University, and the San Francisco Silent Film Festival.
The Manicure Girl is a 1925 American silent romantic comedy drama film directed by Frank Tuttle and starring Bebe Daniels.
Wife Tamers is a 1926 American silent short comedy film directed by James W. Horne and produced by Hal Roach. It stars Lionel Barrymore, Clyde Cook, and Gertrude Astor. It was distributed by Pathé Exchange.
Wise Guys Prefer Brunettes is an American silent comedy film directed by F. Richard Jones and Stan Laurel, starring James Finlayson, Ted Healy, Charlotte Mineau, and Helene Chadwick. It was released by Pathé Exchange on October 3, 1926.
