The Hardy Family Pilot

[Laughsmith]

It appears that Roach was not bluffing
when he announced plans to move Oliver
Hardy into a new comedy series with
Patsy Kelly and Spanky McFarland --

I have recently discovered a complete
original script for, believe it or not, the
unfilmed HARDY FAMILY pilot!

The script is quite detailed, the by-play
between Ollie and Spanky is hilarious,
and the plot is typical Roach fare.

I am preparing an article for The Laurel
and Hardy Magazine, will do my best to
make sure that the entire script is made
available there or through a similar venue.

This script is something every L&H fan
should see, I will do my best to make
it available to everyone.

-- Paul E. Gierucki

[Zeric Zerlin]

Laughsmith wrote:

} It appears that Roach was not bluffing
} when he announced plans to move Oliver
} Hardy into a new comedy series with
} Patsy Kelly and Spanky McFarland --
}
} I have recently discovered a complete
} original script for, believe it or not, the
} unfilmed HARDY FAMILY pilot!

I think a possible installment already was filmed and released!

It's not difficult to imagine the Our Gang film "Anniversary Trouble" with
Oliver Hardy in Johnny Arthur's role as Spanky's father. Johnny Arthur's
dialogue seems like it was written for Oliver Hardy: the pompousness, the
spouting of corny adages; it all seems very Hardy-esque.

[Eric Perlin]

Laughsmith wrote:

} It appears that Roach was not bluffing
} when he announced plans to move Oliver
} Hardy into a new comedy series with
} Patsy Kelly and Spanky McFarland --
}
} I have recently discovered a complete
} original script for, believe it or not, the
} unfilmed HARDY FAMILY pilot!

I think a possible installment already was filmed and released!

It's not difficult to imagine the Our Gang film "Anniversary Trouble" with
Oliver Hardy in Johnny Arthur's role as Spanky's father. Johnny Arthur's
dialogue seems like it was written for Oliver Hardy: the pompousness, the
spouting of corny adages; it all seems very Hardy-esque.

[Mister Levity]

Eric Perlin & Zeric Zerlin must be twins.

[j***@joelibby.net]

Paul, thanks for the info. This is a significant discovery!

It makes sense that Hal Roach would commission a script: in case the
contract negotiations between Roach and Laurel became protracted, Babe
Hardy could still earn his keep.

Joe L.

[Rollo]

A good bluff is to make the opponent think you are going all in.

I'm sure Roach did commission a script to make Stan think he
was serious about breaking the team up. But being a hardheaded
businessman he also wasn't about to lose his studio's biggest
moneymakers. He just didn't want to pay Stan's price.

Gary J.

[Paul Fitzpatrick]

Post by Laughsmith
I have recently discovered a complete
original script for, believe it or not, the
unfilmed HARDY FAMILY pilot!
I am preparing an article for The Laurel
and Hardy Magazine, will do my best to
make sure that the entire script is made
available there or through a similar venue.

Please write something for Intra-Tent Journal, too!!