What an amazing find this casual studio photo was and I grabbed it fast, assuming this is most likely the same chow pictured below. The iconic vaudvillian comedians, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are relaxing in front of their Fun Factory Studio . I believe the woman is Ollie’s wife Lucille Hardy. I’m thinking this might be the Hardy’s Chow when you put two and two together from the photos. In the first image the chow seems to be “greeting” Stan Laurel with a handshake, in the second image Oliver Hardy is holding the chow in his lap
THE LAUREL AND HARDY FUN FACTORY 1940 – 1955
14227 MAGNOLIA BLVD – VAN NUYS PURCHASED BY OLIVER AND LUCILLE HARDY
In March 1940, the Hardy’s bought this three acre estate for $20,000. There was a swimming pool, guest houses and stables. He added a theater that he dubbed “The Laurel And Hardy Fun Factory”.
Laurel and Hardy were a comedy double act during the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema. The team was composed of thin Englishman, Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and heavyset American, Oliver Hardy (1892–1957). They became well known during the late 1920s through the mid-1940s for their slapstick comedy with Laurel playing the clumsy and childlike friend of the pompous Hardy.[1][2] The duo’s signature tune, which is known variously as “The Cuckoo Song”, “Ku-Ku” or “The Dance of the Cuckoos”, was played over the opening credits of their films and has become as emblematic of the duo as their bowler hats. SOURCE
Tim Bevan says
Laurel and Hardy were never in vaudeville.
Sandra Miller says
Hi Ted! From my research, they started in vaudeville theatre the first 10 years of their career . .
GW Smith says
You describe Oliver as “pompous”? I strongly disagree. He was very polite, well mannered, respectful, and anything but pompous. For someone to call him pompous leads me to believe they haven’t seen his films or else don’t own a dictionary.
Sandra Miller says
GW Smith , the SOURCE button after the description shows where the info was derived from . I have seen this description in other places and I always assumed they were speaking about his “character” acting pompous, and not describing the real person. I agree I don’t see the real Oliver as anything but a wonderful, friendly and talented man.
Mary Ann says
Loved Laurel and Hardy!!