Way Out West - About the Cast...

Cast & Production Credits

Starring
Stan Laurel..................................Stan
Oliver Hardy................................Ollie
James Finlayson.......................Mickey Finn
Sharon Lynne..........................Lola Marcel
Rosina Lawrence......................Mary Roberts
Stanley Fields............................Sheriff
Featuring
Vivien Oakland.....................Sheriff's wife
Harry Bernard..........................Man at Bar
Mary Gordon & May Wallace...................Cooks
Jack Hill.........................Finn's Employee
Sam Lufkin.............................Baggageman
Tex Driscoll................................Miner
Flora Finch..........................Miner's wife
Fred Toones...............................Janitor
 
The Avalon Boys Quartet were:

Chill Wills, Art Green, Walter Trask, and Don Brookins

Produced by Stan Laurel for Hal Roach

Directed by James W. Horne

Screenplay by Charles Rogers, Felix Adler, and James Parrott,
based on an original story by Jack Jevne and Charles Rogers

Photographed by Art Lloyd and Walter Lundin

Special Effects by Roy Seawright

Edited by Bert Jordan

Musical Direction by T. Marvin Hatley

Cast Biographies

Stan Laurel - When one thinks of westerns, this lad from Ulverston, England is not the first actor to come to mind. Yet Stan Laurel starred in several western films during his career. Back in his solo days, his most notable work in this genre included the satirical "Should Tall Men Marry?" and "The Soilers."

But these early roles cannot compete with his performance in Way Out West. From his flaming finger to his smashed toe, Stan manages to work more memorable site gags into this film than just about any other feature. Only Stan could eat Ollie's hat and find it to be quite tasty. Only Stan would play the odds with a slot machine, while trying to sneak into a building!

Stan Laurel also served as the producer of some real westerns during the '30s, although he did not actually appear on screen.

Oliver Hardy - Babe Hardy was accustomed to playing the heavy in many of his early films. In 1927, Hal Roach released a film called No Man's Law. Babe appeared as the villainous Sharkey Nye, who is on the run from the law and after another man's gold. Coincidentally, that man was played by none other than James Finlayson .

Ten years later the roles would be reversed. Now Finlayson was out to steal the gold and Ollie was determined to get it back. Babe also has his own notable sight gags, such as his own flaming finger and his stretching neck. But it is his graceful song and dance that is often remembered from this film.

In the 1949, Babe gave one of his finest solo performances in another western, The Fighting Kentuckian. Co-staring with John Wayne, he was not simply there to provide comic relief; he was given the opportunity to show his versatility with dramatic scenes.

James Finlayson - At one time, Hal Roach was positioning Finlayson to be his next big star. But the popularity of Laurel and Hardy as a team put a stop to that. He appeared in a total of 33 films with the boys, and Way Out West ranks among the finest.

By the time he made Way Out West, Finlayson had already established some characteristics that audiences had come to expect. He is sure to react to Stan's unusual behavior with a squint of the eye, a thrust of his head, and a simple utterance of "Doh!". Fin is also expected to subject Ollie to some sort of physical abuse. What better actor to play the crooked saloon owner in a comedic spoof of a western?

In the 1923 film "The Soilers," Finlayson appears with Stan Laurel under circumstances somewhat similar to those found in Way Out West. Stan is the owner of a gold mine and Fin is an unscrupulous businessman who tries to steal the mine.

In a recent survey, Finlayson was voted the most popular villain that L&H had ever encountered. Now, Fin has his own web site at http://www.wayoutwest.org/finlayson/

Sharon Lynne - Before her role in Way Out West, Sharon Lynne was a nightclub singer and stage actress. Maybe this is what made her so perfect for the role of Lola Marcel.

She was fortunate to share one of Stan Laurel's most memorable scenes. This, of course, is the "tickling" scene, where Lola traps Stan in the bedroom and tries to get the deed to the gold mine back by tickling him. She plays a perfect accomplice to Fin, as they plan to steal poor Mary's inheritance.

In addition to singing and acting, she also composed songs.

Rosina Lawrence - Hal Roach cast Rosina Lawrence along side his best talent; Patsy Kelly, Charley Chase, and of course Laurel & Hardy. When the Our Gang kids needed a new on screen teacher, she won the part. As Miss Lawrence, Rosina appeared in the only Our Gang short to win an Academy Award, as well as the only feature length Our Gang film (if you don't include that film they made a few years ago ... and we don't).

The part of Mary Roberts was originally intended for Jacqueline Wells (also known as Julie Bishop), who appeared in The Bohemian Girl and "Any Old Port." But before shooting began, Hal Roach cast Rosina Lawrence ... whom he was grooming to be one of his next big stars. She proved to be an excellent choice for the sweet and naive victim of the unscrupulous Mickey Finn.

In 1987, Rosina married John McCabe ... L&H author and founder of the Sons of the Desert. This site is dedicated to Rosina Lawrence Marchisio McCabe. A longer profile of her can be found here.

Stanley Fields - Once a prizefighter, Stanley Fields found his way to the stage and eventually to the big screen. He received his only job with Laurel and Hardy quite suddenly, and for reasons unknown today.

The role of the Sheriff had originally gone to Stanley "Tiny" Sanford. But for an unknown reason, the role was recast even though filming had already started. All of the previously shot scenes featuring the Sheriff had to be redone, this time with Stanley Fields. Stills, as well as some of this footage, survives today to document this perplexing change.

	Stan Laurel - When one thinks of westerns, this lad from Ulverston, England is not the first actor to come to mind. Yet Stan Laurel starred in several western films during his career. Back in his solo days, his most notable work in this genre included the satirical "Should Tall Men Marry?" and "The Soilers." But these early roles cannot compete with his performance in Way Out West. From his flaming finger to his smashed toe, Stan manages to work more memorable site gags into this film than just about any other feature. Only Stan could eat Ollie's hat and find it to be quite tasty. Only Stan would play the odds with a slot machine, while trying to sneak into a building! Stan Laurel also served as the producer of some real westerns during the '30s, although he did not actually appear on screen.
	Oliver Hardy - Babe Hardy was accustomed to playing the heavy in many of his early films. In 1927, Hal Roach released a film called No Man's Law. Babe appeared as the villainous Sharkey Nye, who is on the run from the law and after another man's gold. Coincidentally, that man was played by none other than James Finlayson . Ten years later the roles would be reversed. Now Finlayson was out to steal the gold and Ollie was determined to get it back. Babe also has his own notable sight gags, such as his own flaming finger and his stretching neck. But it is his graceful song and dance that is often remembered from this film. In the 1949, Babe gave one of his finest solo performances in another western, The Fighting Kentuckian. Co-staring with John Wayne, he was not simply there to provide comic relief; he was given the opportunity to show his versatility with dramatic scenes.
	James Finlayson - At one time, Hal Roach was positioning Finlayson to be his next big star. But the popularity of Laurel and Hardy as a team put a stop to that. He appeared in a total of 33 films with the boys, and Way Out West ranks among the finest. By the time he made Way Out West, Finlayson had already established some characteristics that audiences had come to expect. He is sure to react to Stan's unusual behavior with a squint of the eye, a thrust of his head, and a simple utterance of "Doh!". Fin is also expected to subject Ollie to some sort of physical abuse. What better actor to play the crooked saloon owner in a comedic spoof of a western? In the 1923 film "The Soilers," Finlayson appears with Stan Laurel under circumstances somewhat similar to those found in Way Out West. Stan is the owner of a gold mine and Fin is an unscrupulous businessman who tries to steal the mine. In a recent survey, Finlayson was voted the most popular villain that L&H had ever encountered. Now, Fin has his own web site at http://www.wayoutwest.org/finlayson/
	Sharon Lynne - Before her role in Way Out West, Sharon Lynne was a nightclub singer and stage actress. Maybe this is what made her so perfect for the role of Lola Marcel. She was fortunate to share one of Stan Laurel's most memorable scenes. This, of course, is the "tickling" scene, where Lola traps Stan in the bedroom and tries to get the deed to the gold mine back by tickling him. She plays a perfect accomplice to Fin, as they plan to steal poor Mary's inheritance. In addition to singing and acting, she also composed songs.
	Rosina Lawrence - Hal Roach cast Rosina Lawrence along side his best talent; Patsy Kelly, Charley Chase, and of course Laurel & Hardy. When the Our Gang kids needed a new on screen teacher, she won the part. As Miss Lawrence, Rosina appeared in the only Our Gang short to win an Academy Award, as well as the only feature length Our Gang film (if you don't include that film they made a few years ago ... and we don't). The part of Mary Roberts was originally intended for Jacqueline Wells (also known as Julie Bishop), who appeared in The Bohemian Girl and "Any Old Port." But before shooting began, Hal Roach cast Rosina Lawrence ... whom he was grooming to be one of his next big stars. She proved to be an excellent choice for the sweet and naive victim of the unscrupulous Mickey Finn. In 1987, Rosina married John McCabe ... L&H author and founder of the Sons of the Desert. This site is dedicated to Rosina Lawrence Marchisio McCabe. A longer profile of her can be found here.
	Stanley Fields - Once a prizefighter, Stanley Fields found his way to the stage and eventually to the big screen. He received his only job with Laurel and Hardy quite suddenly, and for reasons unknown today. The role of the Sheriff had originally gone to Stanley "Tiny" Sanford. But for an unknown reason, the role was recast even though filming had already started. All of the previously shot scenes featuring the Sheriff had to be redone, this time with Stanley Fields. Stills, as well as some of this footage, survives today to document this perplexing change.