Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy both passed away in the 1950s, yet their films still have the power to make audiences young and old laugh uncontrollably. Until now, there has been no comprehensive account of their lives and work. The roots of their comedic brilliance lie in 19th-century variety theatre.

Born in Lancashire, Stan Laurel was immersed in the traditions of music hall entertainment and toured the USA in the 1910s as Charlie Chaplin's understudy. American Oliver Hardy had established himself as a 'fat funny man' by the time he and Laurel first teamed up in 1927. Laurel inspired Hardy to create their famous double act, in which Laurel played the eternal comedic fool and Hardy his temperamental master.

Both men were committed to their professional partnership, which outlasted multiple marriages. They considered themselves mere working comedians, but their outstanding work between 1927 and 1938 ensured that they remain recognizable in the farthest corners of the globe.

Stan and Ollie completes Louvish's trilogy of definitive biographies of the great screen comedy clowns, following his books on W. C. Fields and the Marx Brothers.

Pages: 544, Dimensions: 12.2x12.2cm