The Final Film of Laurel and Hardy: A Study of the Chaotic Making and Marketing of Atoll K [Paperback]

Norbert Aping (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786433027 | ISBN-13: 978-0786433025 | Publication Date: July 23, 2008 | Edition: illustrated edition

The remarkable story behind the planning, development and marketing of Laurel and Hardy's ill-received final film, Atoll K, has been little explored. Details on the script development, cast, crew, locations, and even basic information on running times and release dates have been sketchy at best since the film's 1951 release. This work reconstructs the circumstances surrounding this unusual international co-production (Atoll K was a French-Italian film with English-speaking stars). Through lost documents detailing the film's production and funding, previously unreleased behind-the-scenes photos, and a rare interview with French movie star Suzy Delair, the author explores the continuous changes to the film's script during its chaotic production and the final marketing of the film's many different versions (Atoll K was also released as Robinson Crusoeland in the United Kingdom and as Utopia in the United States). Several appendices detail alternative sequences and cut scenes in various versions of the film and include French box-office reports from 1951 to 1952 as well as a complete filmography.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A wealth of photos and many interesting new facts...outstanding...very thorough...essential." --Rogue Cinema

May be the best researched film history book I've ever read." --National Board of Review

"Fascinating." --edgeboston.com

About the Author

Norbert Aping is a judge and district court director.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: McFarland; illustrated edition edition (July 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786433027
• ISBN-13: 978-0786433025
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,854,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Atoll K" Revisited, December 19, 2008

By 

Scott T. Rivers (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Final Film of Laurel and Hardy: A Study of the Chaotic Making and Marketing of Atoll K (Paperback)

Historian Norbert Aping does a fine job examining Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy's ill-fated "Atoll K" (1951). Despite the hefty price tag, "The Final Film of Laurel and Hardy" shows why the maligned French-Italian production is worth another look - particularly in regard to the now-available German version. If you have only seen the mutilated public-domain dupes of "Utopia" (the 1954 U.S. release), the 87-minute "Dick und Doof erben eine Insel" is quite a surprise in terms of its excellent print quality and the additional subplot with co-star Suzy Delair. Though somewhat marred by Stan and Ollie's declining health (which Aping chronicles in telling detail), the admirably offbeat "Atoll K" remains superior to the team's post-Hal Roach efforts of the 1940s. A must-read for any Laurel and Hardy fan.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A detailed look at Laurel and Hardy's last film., August 15, 2008

By 

Dean Wisland "Titanic buff" (Vernon Hills, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Final Film of Laurel and Hardy: A Study of the Chaotic Making and Marketing of Atoll K (Paperback)

When you bring up the subject of Laurel and Hardy's last film to Laurel and Hardy buffs, many may cringe. It was terrible, the boys were sick, it never should have been made etc. Many refuse to even watch the film, so bad is its repuatation. But author Norbert Aping makes the case that Atoll K, while not a great film, is NOT the abomination people believe it is. Aping writes about the film from its conception, the writing, the filming, the editing, and the many versions that were released in different areas of the world. He also details the health problems Laurel and Hardy dealt with during the filming. Aping includes rare photos taken on filming locations, sample pages from the script, and lobby cards and advertising from all over the world. Also included are details of scenes that were cut from the original version of the film, French box office reports, and a filmography of the verious versions of Atoll K. Atoll K is a Laurel and Hardy film that needs another look, and this book is a good start.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A L & H fan's dream-come-true, August 14, 2008

By 

Phil S. (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Final Film of Laurel and Hardy: A Study of the Chaotic Making and Marketing of Atoll K (Paperback)

This is the kind of "keeper" that fans and historians dream about. What is fascinating is to see rare behind the scenes photos, worldwide promotion, and read detailed analysis of a subject which I surmise many people thought ended with other fine books.
If you feel, as this reviewer does, that Atoll K was their best film since Hal Roach, then you will not know where the time goes as you enjoy this tome.
[Don't like the cover design altogether: "Laurel And Hardy" should be on one line, or covering three lines, as in their short subject opening titles: but, tut-tut-tut...it's not a deterrant!].