Volume 28, Number 4
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Volume 28, Number 4 Contents:
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This is an old issue of the Brushwood Gulch Gazette, which has been archived for reference purposes. Although some links have been updated, the text of this archived newsletter remains unchanged. Please keep in mind that these articles have NOT been updated to reflect changes that may have occurred since they were originally printed. Return to the index of archived issues. |
May is busting out all over, and if June doesn't like it, well, that's the way it goes. Speaking of May, why don't you bust out laughing with the Way Out West Tent on Tuesday evening, May 23, 1995. We'll be meeting again at the Mayflower Club, located at 11110 Victory Boulevard (west of Vineland Avenue), in North Hollywood. Once again, the Famous Fabulous Fisher Franks will be on the loose, looking to take up residency in your tummies. Also, the Marvelous Mayflower Bar will be launching liquid projectiles into your digestive space stations. The doors to the Mayflower open at 6:30 PM and the meeting will begin at 7:30 PM. We'll look forward to seeing you on Tuesday evening, May 23, 1995.
The meeting of April 18, 1995, began with the traditional singing of the Sons of the Desert song and the toasts to Stan, Ollie, and the gang. Joining us for the evening were Jay Dare, costumer for the boys at 20th Century Fox, Leonore Canon, whose father was Hollywood's first P.R. man and worked with film pioneer D.W. Griffith. Also, all the way from England, Harry and Ivy McCaffery took part in our evening. Harry and Ivy are the parents of W.O.W. member Colin McCaffery, who is the husband of "Mama Hen" Lori McCaffery. It was a pleasure to have all of our guests with us.
The film program began with Charley Chase in His Wooden Wedding. The boys followed in The Battle of the Century, A Day at the Studio (from Pick a Star), and Flying Elephants. The feature for the evening was The Big Noise.
On Wednesday evening, June 21, 1995, the Los Angeles Conservancy will be hosting the "Last Remaining Seats" program honoring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. The event will be held at the Los Angeles Theatre, located at 615 S. Broadway, between 5th and 7th in Los Angeles. Pre-theatre activities will feature a parade from Pershing Square to the Los Angeles Theatre ala "Sons of the Desert," complete with a marching band.
The theatre doors will open up between 7:15 PM and 7:30 PM, so you can find your seat and take in the movie palace from yesteryear. During this time, you will be entertained by Mora's Modern Rhythmists, as they play the music of LeRoy Shield, who wrote many of the tunes heard in the background of Laurel and Hardy's and other Hal Roach comedies. Gail Harris will sing a popular song from the era. Cheryl Chase (impersonating Helen Kane of Betty Boop fame) will also be singing a song. Next up will be Richard Halper singing "Honolulu Baby," in costume with dancing Hula girls, recreating the musical number from the Sons of the Desert. Chuck McCann and Jim MacGeorge will be up next, as Laurel and Hardy, to entertain us.
The film program will begin with a "Hearst Newsreel" from 1933, covering the Long Beach earthquake. A Technicolor short from 1934, La Cucaracha will be followed by a "Bouncing Ball" cartoon with the song "Dinah" sung by the Mills Brothers. Then the feature of the evening will be Laurel and Hardy in Sons of the Desert, from 1933. The cost for the evening is $15 per person.
Unfortunately, the previously announced free admission for parade marchers will not be available, due to circumstances beyond the control of the Way Out West Tent. If you have previously signed up to march and no longer wish to participate due to this change, we do understand and apologize for any inconvenience. The Sons will be offered a group discounted ticket at $10 per person. All Sons tickets will be $10 whether you march or not. If you choose to march in the parade, don't forget your fez or derby! Representatives from the Los Angeles Conservancy will be at our next W.O.W. meeting (May 23) with tickets for sale. This will be the only time that these tickets will be sold at the $10 price.
The evening promises to be worth the price of admission with live entertainment and films. Parking is available at the Pershing Square garage, on Olive Street, across from the Biltmore Hotel, between 5th and 6th. The parking charge is $3.00. The parade will begin at 7:00 PM and will be short. Marchers should line up for the parade at 6:30 PM.
*Laurel and Hardy Night is not a Way Out West Tent or Sons of the Desert sponsored event. All information provided in this segment was provided by representatives from the Los Angeles Conservancy.
Some of the W.O.W. board members recently went to a play, Lou's on First: the Life of Lou Costello from Vaudeville & Burlesque to the Silver Screen. It's a great play with many of Abbott and Costello's classic routines recreated. It is now playing at The Group Repertory Theatre, 10900 Burbank Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA. 91601 (818) 769 PLAY. Tickets are $15 per person, and well worth the price. The theatre is small and intimate, with good seats available. If interested, please call for ticket information at your earliest convenience. You won't want to miss this wonderfully funny and touching play.
Luncheon at Twelve
Released December 9, 1933. Starring Charley Chase, Billy Gilbert,
Betty Mack, Gale Henry, Rolfe Sedan, Charlie Hall, and Jack Barty.
After spending the morning trying to get his ashes picked up, Charley
winds up working with Billy Gilbert as a house painter. Most of the
paint winds up on Charley. L&H fans will recognize Billy Gilbert,
Charlie Hall, Rolfe Sedan (Double Whoopee), and Jack Barty (Oliver
the Eighth). L&H location note: the house seen in the background
of the taxicab sequence in Sons of the Desert is quite prominent in
this short.
The Stolen Jools
Released April 1931. Features an all-star cast with Stan Laurel and
Oliver Hardy making a cameo appearance as two of detective's Eddie
Kane's best men. Norma Shearer's "Jools" have been stolen and
everybody in Hollywood is suspect.
Chickens Come Home
Released February 21, 1931. Starring Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Mae
Busch, Thelma Todd, James Finlayson, and Norma Drew. Fertilizer
salesman Ollie is running for mayor. But a fling he had with Mae
years ago has come back to haunt him in person. While Ollie and his
wife are hosting a dinner party, Stan unsuccessfully tries to keep
Mae under control. When Mae shows up at the party, Ollie's happy
evening and political career come to an end. Chicken's Come Home is a
remake of the L&H silent short, Love 'Em and Weep.
Laurel and Hardy's Laughing 20's
Released 1965. Starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. This 90 minute
tribute to the boys was written and produced by Robert Youngson. It
shows the boys at their funniest in selected scenes from silent two
reelers such as Putting Pants on Philip, Liberty, Wrong Again, From
Soup to Nuts, The Battle of the Century, and others.
80 years ago
75 years ago
70 years ago
65 years ago
60 years ago
55 years ago
50 years ago
Sources for Looking Back are:
Laurel and Hardy-The Magic Behind the Movies, by Randy Skretvedt
The Little Rascals-The Life and Times of Our Gang, by Leonard Maltin
& Richard Bann
The Laurel and Hardy Book, edited by Leonard Maltin
May 4 Edgar Dearing Two Tars (cop) 5 June Lang Bonnie Scotland 7 Edmond McDonald Great Guns (Sgt. Hippo) 10 Johnny Arthur Our Gang, Pick a Star 11 Douglas Fowley The Big Noise 11 Peggy Lynch Our Gang 11 Doodles Weaver Swiss Miss 18 Frank Capra Our Gang-writer 20 Patricia Ellis Block-Heads 21 Ralph Sanford The Bullfighters 26 Dorothy Christy Sons of the Desert 26 Peter Cushing A Chump at Oxford 26 John Wayne The Fighting Kentuckian 27 Willie Best A Haunting We Will Go 28 Minna Gombell Block-Heads 29 Iris Adrian Our Relations 30 Virginia Karns Babes in Toyland 30 Stepin Fetchit Zenobia
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