31. Big Business (1929) [Part Two] with Richard W. Bann

In this special bonus episode of The Laurel and Hardy Podcast, Patrick chats with actor Jeffrey Weissman about his love for Laurel and Hardy and his experiences playing Stan Laurel for Universal Studios for the best part of two decades. Included in the discussion, Jeffrey recalls how he first discovered the boys, how he met Anita Garvin, Dick Van Dyke and Buster's widow, Eleanor Keaton.  Jeffrey is perhaps best known for his role in Clint Eastwood's Pale Rider and also for stepping into the part of George McFly in both of the blockbuster sequels to Back to the Future.For more information on The Laurel & Hardy Podcast, visit: https://www.laurelandhardyfilms.com/For more information on Jeffrey Weissman visit: https://www.jeffreyweissman.com/

On 30th August 2025, the Fraternally Yours group held its inaugural online meeting. Initially focused on group discussions around the Laurel and Hardy short, Perfect Day, the conversation also drifted into other areas, including the 2018 Stan and Ollie movie.Hosted by Patrick Vasey, the group consisted of several of the podcast's patrons from the UK and North America, who are signed up to the Plumtree tier on Patreon.com. In addition, the session's special guests were Chris Seguin, a classic comedy aficionado from Canada, and Patrick's Laurel & Hardy business partner, Russ Babidge.To take part in the next meeting of the Fraternally Yours group meeting, simply become a 'Plumtree' level Patron of the podcast by clicking the link: https://patreon.com/u88010194?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink

On today’s show, we're journeying back to early June 1929 and the production of Stan and Babe’s fourth all-talking comedy, Perfect Day. To help Patrick discuss the history of this famous comedy is classic comedy aficionado Chris Seguin, linking up across the Atlantic from his home in Toronto, Canada.   In addition to discussing the production and merits of Perfect Day, Chris and Patrick discuss the signing of Harry Langdon to the Hal Roach Studio, which was happening around the time of the film's production. To become part of the new 'Fraternally Yours' online discussion group, and to access bonus Patron-only exclusive podcasts, just sign up to show your appreciation and support for the show and become a 'Plumtree Tier' Patron by clicking the link here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://patreon.com/user?u=88010194⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠For more information on The Laurel & Hardy Podcast and Patrick's forthcoming series of books starting with Laurel & Hardy: Silents, visit the website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.laurelandhardyfilms.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To contact Patrick, email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you'd like to leave feedback about the podcast, make a point, ask a question, or generally join in the discussions about the podcast and all other things Laurel and Hardy related, why not become part of the podcast community by joining the Fraternally Yours Facebook Group here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/2920310948018755⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To purchase CDs of the Beau Hunks Orchestra’s music contained in these podcasts, click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/2CgeCbK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To find the best Laurel and Hardy books and DVDs, and Blu-Rays, visit The Laurel & Hardy Podcast's Amazon storefront, click here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/laurelandhardyblog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode 31 completes our deep dive into Stan and Babe's 1929 masterpiece, Big Business. On the previous show, Episode 30, Randy Skretvedt and I discussed the film and also covered the mythology surrounding a couple of famous (or infamous) legends connected to the production - primarily Hal Roach's much-related tale that the wrong house was destroyed in error. Randy sided with Stan Laurel and thought that Hal's story was "a load of baloney". So, in this episode, I'm delighted to welcome back film historian and expert on the Hal Roach Studios, Richard W. Bann. Richard covers some little-known facts about Big Business, as well as laying out all the facts surrounding the 'wrong house' story. With both sides at our disposal, can we finally put this argument to bed once and for all?For more information concerning The Laurel & Hardy Podcast and Patrick's forthcoming series of books, starting with Laurel & Hardy: Silents, visit the website at www.laurelandhardyfilms.comTo contact Patrick, email [email protected] you'd like to make a point, ask a question, or generally join in the discussions about the podcast and all other things Laurel and Hardy related, why not join the 'Fraternally Yours' Facebook Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2920310948018755To purchase CDs of the Beau Hunks Orchestra’s music contained in these podcasts, click here: https://amzn.to/2CgeCbKFor more information about The Laurel & Hardy Podcast, click here https://laurel-and-hardy-blog.com/To find the best Laurel and Hardy books and DVDs and Blu-Rays, visit The Laurel & Hardy Podcast's Amazon storefront, click here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/laurelandhardyblog