The Laurel & Hardy Encyclopedia [Paperback]

Glenn Mitchell (Author), John McCabe (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2008

Reissued in a more accessible format, this thorough reference includes synopses and critiques of all Laurel & Hardy films as well as comprehensive biographical information on both funny men. It also covers their influences, from Valentino to music hall; details of the duo's solo film careers; stage, radio, and television appearances; and the co-stars, directors, and gagmen behind the partnership. Illustrated with stills and promotional artwork, more than 600 entries provide the opportunity for endless browsing and the chance to discover a new slant on cinema's best-loved comedy duo.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Glenn Mitchell is a historian of silent cinema and the early talkies, and the author of A–Z of Silent Film Comedy, The Chaplin Encyclopedia, and The Marx Brothers Encyclopedia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 492 pages
• Publisher: Reynolds & Hearn; 2nd edition (December 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1905287712
• ISBN-13: 978-1905287710
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,089,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars L&H Encyclopedia a must-own, April 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Laurel & Hardy Encyclopedia (Paperback)

This is a gold mine of information, much of which is not going to be found elsewhere easily, if at all. Glenn Mitchell has done a thorough job of researching his subjects, and it shows. Clearly, he enjoys The Boys as well, since a noticeable amount of wit and humor add to the fun of reading the book. Incidentally, it's virtually im possible ("I have just two words...") to read the book in sequence; the cross references just go on and on. All in all, it's a most worthy companion to Randy Skretvedt's "Laurel and Hardy: the Magic Behind the Movies".

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you wanted to know about The Boys...and then some, February 14, 2005

By 

Robert Badgley (St Thomas,Ontario,Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Laurel & Hardy Encyclopedia (Paperback)

This book is chock full of essential and not so essential minutae on the careers,lives,films,you-name-it of the worlds greatest film comedy duo of all time,Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.
That it is entitled an "encyclopedia" is no idle boast.There isn't too much that I can find that Mr.Mitchell didn't include.All is in alphabetical order and every topic you can think of from individual films,actors directly and indirectly associated with the Boys,explanations of for example reciprocal destruction,authors of other books,et al,are included in this unique volume.
At the end of each defined topic are cross references to other topics associated in some way with the one you just read which leads you hopping from one place to another.If you're not sure exactly what it is you're looking for you are eventually sure to run into something related to your field of interest as each topic is not exactly specific in nature such as "doors" or "locations" or "trains".
This is a book you don't read from cover to cover because it is like an encyclopedia but tons more fun!It's also full of illustrations and photos.
One entertaining and essential book on Laurel and Hardy that I recommend you add to your collection.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have For Any L&H Fan, March 16, 2007

By 

John Profetto (Hamilton, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Laurel & Hardy Encyclopedia (Paperback)

One of the best books,if not THE BEST book,on Laurel & Hardy.Everything you want to know is right here.Every single L&H film ever made so fully detailed.Plus details on every actor and actress the boys had worked with.Information on video and DVD releases and computer colourization.

A book I highly recommend.