Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and Oliver Norvell Hardy (1892–1957) formed the greatest comedy duo in the history of Hollywood

(see entry under 1930s—Film and Theater in volume 2). Englishman Laurel (real name: Stan Jefferson) understudied for Charlie Chaplin (see entry under 1910s—Film and Theater in volume 1) on tour with Karno's London Comedians. American Hardy came from Harlem, Georgia, and began his show business career working in a movie theater. Beginning in the silent era, they became masters of pie-throwing and furniture-breaking. They even won an Oscar for smashing a piano in The Music Box (1932).

Like Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy prospered with the arrival of sound in the movies and began to make feature-length films. They play well-meaning fools forever caught up in "another fine mess." Over their careers, they appeared...