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Laurel and Hardy. The most successful comic team in history Appeared in over 80 films together Both began careers in Burlesque and Vaudeville Both were talented pantomime actors- they began their film careers working in silent films
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Laurel and Hardy • The most successful comic team in history • Appeared in over 80 films together • Both began careers in Burlesque and Vaudeville • Both were talented pantomime actors- they began their film careers working in silent films • Both were obsessive about rehearsing and getting “things right”. • Comedy style is called “slapstick” an ancient form of highly physical comedy.
Oliver Hardy 1892-1957 • 6’2” 300+ lbs • Former Athlete as well as attorney • Greatly influenced by Southern Minstrel shows • Highly and broadly physical and exaggerated in reactions and facial expressions
Stan Laurel 1890-1965 • 5’9” 165 lbs • English Music Hall performer (English vaudeville) who came to America with Charlie Chaplin • Also highly physical with a “rubbery” face
“The Music Box” - 1932 • Won the Oscar for best short film • Concerns “the boys” trying to move a piano box up a flight of stairs. • Alluded to in countless other comedies • Watch for “Famous myth adapted for a different setting”
Things to watch for • DRAMATIC ACTION: provided by the script • objective • motivation • obstacle (actually many!) • tactics (tons!)
Acting Techniques • Telling the best possible story that serves the script. • They perfected all of this story-telling technique in burlesque and vaudeville! • Give and Take • Mirror • MOE (tons, tons, tons) • Moving at different speeds • Being a triple threat (actually they don’t sing in the film, but they DANCE!) • Proper pantomime technique