Babe: The Life of Oliver Hardy [Paperback]

John McCabe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2004

In this affectionate biography, John McCabe traces the life and times of one of America’s best-loved comics. Oliver “Babe” Hardy had been destined for a legal career, but he was obsessed with the motion picture industry and eventually moved to Hollywood. By the mid-1920s, he was working as an all-purpose comic at the legendary Hal Roach studio. Laurel and Hardy’s partnership with the pioneer filmmaker and producer began in 1926. Within a year of their first appearance, they were being touted as the new comedy duo. After collaborating on a number of silent pictures, they seamlessly made the transition to talking films, building a reputation for a warm, charismatic, casual style of comedy. But Hardy’s life was not all laughter and fun. His performances were overshadowed by a depressing paradox: although he despised being overweight, his comic identity depended on it. In Babe: The Life of Oliver Hardy, John McCabe looks at the public triumphs and personal tribulations of this celebrated comic actor.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

In this affectionate biography, John McCabe traces the life and times of one of America’s best–loved comics. Oliver “Babe” Hardy had been destined for a legal career, but he was obsessed with the motion picture industry and eventually moved to Hollywood. By the mid–1920s, he was working as an all–purpose comic at the legendary Hal Roach studio. Laurel and Hardy’s partnership with the pioneer filmmaker and producer began in 1926. Within a year of their first appearance, they were being touted as the new comedy duo. After collaborating on a number of silent pictures, they seamlessly made the transition to talking films, building a reputation for a warm, charismatic, casual style of comedy. But Hardy’s life was not all laughter and fun. His performances were overshadowed by a depressing paradox: although he despised being overweight, his comic identity depended on it. In Babe: The Life of Oliver Hardy, John McCabe looks at the public triumphs and personal tribulations of this celebrated comic actor.

About the Author

John McCabe has been a professional actor since childhood, and is an established writer on cinema and theatre in America. He is the author of several books, including 'Mr Laurel and Mr Hardy', also published by Robson (1861056060).

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Anova Books (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861057814
• ISBN-13: 978-1861057815
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,964,626 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comedy Genius, October 26, 2005

By 

Phil S. (USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Babe: The Life of Oliver Hardy (Paperback)

Although Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy had solo careers prior to their teaming in the late '20s, the films were unremarkable. Something happened when they got together: they complemented each other perfectly on screen, visually, and by 1929, in sound talkies. Stan, ofcourse was the behind-the-scenes man; Ollie took direction but was brilliant improviser.

It's interesting that most folks do not seem to have a "favorite", though, I do not feel it would be difficult for them to admit that most of the laughs come from Hardy - his reactions, his mannerisms were priceless.

This book does not focus on his art, however, it is mainly a character study (of perhaps the greatest film comedy character of them all).

Of particular interest is the final decade, the '50s, when following many disheartening and depressing post-Half Roach B-movies and one amusing but disjointed effort made overseas, they discovered that they were as popular as ever: many European tours and televised two-reelers (generally more successful than their features) brought forth a new generation of fans. The terribly sad reality was that due to health problems they simply couldn't mount a real comeback.

This book describes how "the boys" delt with such issues; and more importantly, how Hardy ultimately reconciled a lifelong "image" conflict.

For fans and historians this is quite valuable. For anyone who just likes to read about and be reminded of joyous mayhem from two lost souls.

I'm reminded that a while back, at a well-known book chain, I inquired about this book. The person behind the counter broke into a smile and laughed; so did I.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid bio on the most elusive of Laurel & Hardy, February 10, 2002

By 

Joel L. Gandelman (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Babe-Life/Times O. Hardy (Hardcover)

Oliver "Babe" Hardy is something of a paradox: many comedians feel he is actually the funnier of the classic team of Laurel & Hardy. Yet, there is so little biographical material available on him. True, if you buy a book on the comedy team you'll find out the bare facts. But there's always a wealth on Stan Laurel...not Babe (as his friends called him). Why?

A key reason, as John McCabe's solid bio points out, is that Babe wanted it that way. He deferred all creative decisions and most press inquries to Stan. In a sense, McCabe faced a Herculean task: he wanted to write a bio about a comedian etched firmly in world film culture, yet actual sources of information (Hardy died August 6, 1957) were few. Could it be done?

Yes. Babe etches out Hardy's life. And we learn a few fascinating tidbits along the way: how throughout his life he always cringed at jokes about his weight (his weight always bothered him) but went along for the laughs (Jackie Gleason reportedly had the same attitude); how he developed his fuss-budget film-personna quirks from a relative; how he viewed himself more as an actor (or reactor) than a comedian; how his love for music pervaded his life (he does sing in some of his films). And a LOT more. The book also gives fascinating details about his sad final year where he lost a lot of weight and his health went into a downward tailspin.

This is a solid book that also recounts some of the team's best shorts, features, and details their famous tour of England. And McCabe JUST pulls off his feat. His source material on Hardy is largely culled from interviews with Stan Laurel and Hardy's last wife, Lucille. If there is a complaint it's that this is still not as well fleshed out as a typical show biz bio where more sources and information were available -- but there is enough detail to make this a solid book that'll delight Laurel & Hardy fans, show biz bio fans, and students of comedy of all ages. Babe would be pleased.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat Lacking Biography, February 20, 2010

By 

E. Borgman (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Babe: The Life of Oliver Hardy (Paperback)

Although, it is, I believe,the only stand alone biography of Oliver Hardy to date, the book is somewhat lacking. I wanted to learn more about Hardy than what this book told me. I'm assuming that the fact Hardy was long dead when this book was written is one of the reasons it is not as thorough as it otherwise might have been. First hand accounts, at the time of writing, must have been rather slim. It is an easy read and is always worth while for the avid Laurel and Hardy fan. Lets hope a more in-depth look at Hardy's life will be published soon. Although Hardy was less on the creative side on their films together, he was an excellent actor and comedian. You could never have had Laurel and Hardy without him!