Express and Star: That's another fine tribute club

[Bruce Calvert]

http://www.expressandstar.com/2008/05/31/thats-another-fine-tribute-club/

That's another fine tribute club

A Laurel and Hardy fan is to set up his own branch of the duo's
international appreciation society in the Black Country.

Phil Ruston, aged 50, has been a member of the official Laurel and Hardy
appreciation society, 'Sons of the Desert', for 20 years and is planning to
set up a new group.

Mr Ruston, who has been a fan of the duo since he was a small boy, took over
the Royal Oak pub in Newton Street, West Bromwich, with wife Josie on
November.

He had run branches of the group in other Black Country pubs over the years,
but had struggled to set up a group at the Royal Oak, as the pub did not
have a projector.

Fortunately one of the locals has helped out and now he is ready to get the
society running with monthly films shows.

[sir m]

http://www.expressandstar.com/2008/05/31/thats-another-fine-tribute-c...
That's another fine tribute club
A Laurel and Hardy fan is to set up his own branch of the duo's
international appreciation society in the Black Country.
Phil Ruston, aged 50, has been a member of the official Laurel and Hardy
appreciation society, 'Sons of the Desert', for 20 years and is planning to
set up a new group.
Mr Ruston, who has been a fan of the duo since he was a small boy, took over
the Royal Oak pub in Newton Street, West Bromwich, with wife Josie on
November.
He had run branches of the group in other Black Country pubs over the years,
but had struggled to set up a group at the Royal Oak, as the pub did not
have a projector.
Fortunately one of the locals has helped out and now he is ready to get the
society running with monthly films shows.
--
Bruce Calvert
--
Visit the Silent Film Still Archivehttp://www.silentfilmstillarchive.com

Laurel and Hardy films with beer at Royal Oak pub equals an enjoyable
night.

[Curly]

Post by sir m
Laurel and Hardy films with beer at Royal Oak pub equals an enjoyable
night.

Do you know the Royal Oak? Is it a good pub? I live in the Midlands and
might give it a go.

Curly

[sir m]

Post by Curly

Post by sir m
Laurel and Hardy films with beer at Royal Oak pub equals an enjoyable
night.

Do you know the Royal Oak? Is it a good pub? I live in the Midlands and
might give it a go.
Curly

No. I live in Adelaide, Australia but I wish we has a similar pub.

[Bruce Calvert]

http://www.birminghammail.net/2008/06/04/laurel-and-hardy-tribute-club-to-open-in-west-brom-97319-21023229/

Laurel and Hardy tribute club to open in West Brom
Jun 4 2008 By Steve Johnson

THAT's another fine tribute club in West Bromwich - Laurel and Hardy
superfan Phil Ruston is ready for curtain up to the legendary comic duo at
his new pub.
Phil, a member of the Sons Of The Desert Laurel and Hardy Appreciation
Society, is to show the peerless pair's films at his pub, starting tonight.

Phil, aged 50, took over the Royal Oak, in Newton Street, West Bromwich, in
November with his wife Josie.

A lifelong Laurel and Hardy fan, Phil cemented his allegiance to the duo
about 20 years ago when he joined the Sons Of The Desert.

He is off to a society convention in Amsterdam next month but before then he
wants to bring the joy of the duo's work to the people of the Black Country.

Phil said the inaugural film show would begin at 8 o'clock tonight and films
would be shown on the first Thursday of every month.

"There has been a lot of interest in the film club and we are hoping for a
good turnout for our first meeting tomorrow night.

"We'll have a pile of films to choose from and the customers can take their
pick.

"What could be better than having a good laugh at Laurel and Hardy films
while enjoying a pint ? It should be great fun," added Phil.

Phil used to run a Laurel and Hardy film club at The Wheatsheaf, in Carters
Green, West Bromwich, a couple of years ago before taking his film club to
The Comedian pub in Tipton.

Now he is hoping fans of Stan and Ollie will follow him to the Royal Oak.
Everyone is welcome. Laurel and Hardy became an official team in 1927 and
between then and by 1940 they starred in 62 shorts and 13 feature films, all
considered comedy classics.

The appreciation society is named after their 1933 film Sons Of The Desert.