Bonus 20: Laurel & Hardy: Silents - First Chapter Preview

In this bonus episode of the podcast, Patrick shares the entire first chapter from his upcoming book Laurel & Hardy: Silents As we enter the final few days of the Kickstarter campaign for Laurel & Hardy: Silents, Patrick thanks those who have supported the project so far and reminds anyone still to make their pledge that time is running out. The Kickstarter campaign closes on July 31st 2026. Any late pledges after this date will be charged at a higher rate, so don't miss the deadline and get your copy of this unique boxed set of books celebrating Laurel and Hardy's silent era at the discounted Kickstarter price.Visit the Kickstarter pledge page here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/laurelandhardybooks/laurel-and-hardy-silents?ref=user_menuOr visit the book's page on the Podcast's website: www.laurelandhardyfilms.com/books

On Saturday, May 16th, Patrons of The Laurel and Hardy Podcast gathered online for another meeting of our Fraternally Yours community to discuss the boys' classic short, The Hoose-Gow. It was another well-attended event, and our good friend and expert, Randy Skretvedt, joined us, too. In addition to discussing the film, Randy announced the imminent release of his next book, Laurel & Hardy: Movie Scripts, Volume Three. In addition, Patrick and Russ gave a short presentation, including a sneak peek at several chapters of their forthcoming book, Laurel & Hardy: Silents. Please note: the pre-launch page on Kickstarter for Laurel & Hardy: Silents is now live! Please follow the link to register your interest and be the first to secure your copy of this very exclusive and limited release. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/laurelandhardybooks/laurel-and-hardy-silents

In this second of two back-to-back episodes with Laurel and Hardy expert, Randy Sketvedt, Patrick takes a deep-dive into the fascinating production history of the boys' classic 1929 short, The Hoose-Gow. Among the many things discussed are the origin of the term Hoose-Gow and the Culver City speakeasy that may have inspired the film. For more information on Patrick's forthcoming book, Laurel & Hardy: Silents, visit: www.laurelandhardyfilms.com/booksTo become part of the Podcast Community, 'Fraternally Yours', the 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 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/2CgeCbK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This bonus episode finally lifts the lid on Patrick and Russ's long-awaited book project, Laurel & Hardy: Silents. Eight years in the making, this exclusive limited edition book(s) promises to be the definitive record of Stan and Ollie's silent era and will be the only book to publish every available production still for these classic, formative comedies. Patrick and Russ are joined by a friend of the podcast, Chris Seguin, as they discuss the genesis, the transformative production process and the final physical product. Also included in the conversation are details of how to order, the cost and the predicted timescale. In addition to all this, the tables are turned, as Patrick and Russ both face the Atoll Question! Visit the Laurel & Hardy: Silents Kickstarter page here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/laurelandhardybooks/laurel-and-hardy-silentsFor more information on Laurel & Hardy: Silents, to join the mailing list or watch the promotional videos, visit the boys' website at https://www.laurelandhardyfilms.com/books 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 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 YoursFacebook 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/2CgeCbK⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode 40 focuses on the fortieth film that Stan and Babe made together, namely, They Go Boom, which was filmed between June 26th and July 11th, 1929 and was released on September 21st, 1929.Patrick welcomes back prominent Laurel and Hardy expert Randy Skretvedt to discuss the fascinating production history of They Go Boom. During the conversation, we identify the difficulties encountered during filming and the reasons for the production delays, as well as the mysteries of mustard powder, poultices and chamber pots! We also hear from Laurel and Hardy's editors, Richard Currier and Bert Jordan. To become part of the Podcast Community, 'Fraternally Yours', the 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

These are the edited highlights of the second online meeting of the podcast's 'Fraternally Yours' discussion group. The group's main objective was to watch and discuss the boys' classic short, Men O'War, but during the session, we digressed and covered a lot of other ground as well - all Laurel & Hardy related, of course! There were a number of members present, from several countries, including the USA, the UK and Canada and as an added delight, we were also joined by Laurel and Hardy experts and friends of the Podcast, Randy Skretvedt and Glenn Mitchell. If you'd like to take part in the next online group session, and you're not already a member of the Plumtree Tier on my Patreon page, just follow the link below, sign up, and we look forward to welcoming you for the next meeting - and you never know which special guests may drop in for a chat too!Join us today on Patreon.com, simply click here: https://www.patreon.com/c/u88010194/membershipFor more information on The Laurel & Hardy Podcast and my forthcoming epic book, Laurel & Hardy: Silents, visit my website: www.laurelandhardyfilms.com

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

It's a great time to be a Laurel and Hardy fan, what with all the products and books published recently and still more in the pipeline. This bonus episode of the Podcast discusses Eureka Entertainment's release of their wonderful Blu-Ray, Laurel & Hardy: The Silent Years - 1928. Joining Patrick to discuss the set is returning guest and one of the producers of the discs, Chris Seguin.To purchase a copy of the region-free Blu-Ray, please consider using my affiliate links below:For 1928 Blu-Ray - https://amzn.to/3HDtYIuFor 1927 Blu-Ray - https://amzn.to/4kkz7DXwww.laurelandhardyfilms.com