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Another Nice Mess - The Laurel & Hardy Story (Paperback) - Common
Arguably the greatest comedy duo in show business history, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy delighted filmgoers and theatregoers for over thirty years. The public not only found Laurel's serene simpleton and Hardy's pompous buffoon hilarious, but they also thought of them as friends. Laurel and Hardy may have been nitwits, but they were loveable nitwits. Another Nice The Laurel and Hardy Story explores the lives and careers of Laurel and Hardy. The book examines how the comedians teamed up and it explains why, nearly half a century after their deaths, their films continue to enchant people all over the world.
- GenresNonfiction
128 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 21, 2019
interesting detailed book about the career of comedies great couple which I did enjoy
August 28, 2019
Enjoyed reading this book; Laurel and Hardy have been heroes of mine since seeing their films on as Saturday morning as a child.
This book explores their individual careers separately at first and then chronicles their time together. Lots of interesting insights and information about their career. Felt the book could have been longer in that, although short and concise (never a bad thing!) there was probably more scope to delve more deeply into their career together and the making of their great films. Also would have been nice to include some more photos. Comprehensive list of their films is included at the back of the book.
This book explores their individual careers separately at first and then chronicles their time together. Lots of interesting insights and information about their career. Felt the book could have been longer in that, although short and concise (never a bad thing!) there was probably more scope to delve more deeply into their career together and the making of their great films. Also would have been nice to include some more photos. Comprehensive list of their films is included at the back of the book.
May 15, 2020
Loved it!Narration by Jack de Golla was great!I was given this book free by the author,narrator or publisher.
May 1, 2021
Thinking back to my youth, I fondly recall watching black and white movies (re-runs) of the lovable goofballs known as Laurel and Hardy. This famous comedy team had remarkable chemistry and were great fun to watch. Their relationship is probably best summed up in the final paragraph of ANOTHER NICE MESS by Raymond Valinoti, Jr. where it states, "As much as we were are amused by their incompetence, we are touched by their sweetness and mutual devotion. Because we love their characters, we never tire of them. It is their essential humanity that makes Laurel and Hardy great."
This short and informative biography recounts the personal lives and careers of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. The first half of the book covers the (quite different) upbringings of Lauren and Hardy and their separate careers as individual performers before becoming the famous comedy duo in 1927 (when both men where in their mid-30s). The later half details the many films and other professional endeavors that they accomplished during their career. The second half of the book focused primarily on their professional work and did not share much about their personal lives other than an account of their (many) failed marriages and their retirement years when their health declined.
My only (minor) complaints are that I wish it was longer, included more pictures, and contained more anecdotes and stories about their personal lives. Overall, I enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it to all Lauren and Hardy fans.
This short and informative biography recounts the personal lives and careers of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. The first half of the book covers the (quite different) upbringings of Lauren and Hardy and their separate careers as individual performers before becoming the famous comedy duo in 1927 (when both men where in their mid-30s). The later half details the many films and other professional endeavors that they accomplished during their career. The second half of the book focused primarily on their professional work and did not share much about their personal lives other than an account of their (many) failed marriages and their retirement years when their health declined.
My only (minor) complaints are that I wish it was longer, included more pictures, and contained more anecdotes and stories about their personal lives. Overall, I enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it to all Lauren and Hardy fans.
October 29, 2020
A fairly basic but well written book on the famous comedy duo. Unlike a lot of biographies it doesn't try to be too clever and sticks to a strict chronological format. The book starts with biographies of both stars before they teamed up, then continues with the stories of their most famous works before their inevitable end. There is a useful film list and bibliography, and a few photos.
I good book that people wanting to learn more about Laurel & Hardy would appreciate, but probably would add little to fans of their work.
I good book that people wanting to learn more about Laurel & Hardy would appreciate, but probably would add little to fans of their work.
January 6, 2021
For any fan of this brilliant comedy duo.
This book was excellent i loved it.I would recommend this biography to any fans of this brilliant comedy duo laurel and hardy will really enjoy it.And it a really page turner.
This book was excellent i loved it.I would recommend this biography to any fans of this brilliant comedy duo laurel and hardy will really enjoy it.And it a really page turner.
July 17, 2021
What great guys!
I loved them when I was a child and I love them even more now that I was able to read their biography.
We miss them but thanks to the movies we can enjoy them again and laugh with them as we used to.
Thank you Mr.Valinoti for making them real again.
S
I loved them when I was a child and I love them even more now that I was able to read their biography.
We miss them but thanks to the movies we can enjoy them again and laugh with them as we used to.
Thank you Mr.Valinoti for making them real again.
S
January 7, 2022
We have jokes we have marriage we have divorce we had all sorts I will definitely re read again love the film's they made together tbh
1 sentence
Even though I am not a millionaire I still got Ida Stan is a sweetheart and so is Ollie I will recommend this to everyone
1 sentence
Even though I am not a millionaire I still got Ida Stan is a sweetheart and so is Ollie I will recommend this to everyone
February 18, 2018
Very thorough as well as enjoyable!
It was very well researched and full of knowledge!! I highly recommend it!!! All fans should read this work! AAazaz
It was very well researched and full of knowledge!! I highly recommend it!!! All fans should read this work! AAazaz
September 23, 2020
A brief glimpse into a special friendship
A lovely book,sadness and humour what lives they lived, a timeless comedy duo sharing a lifetime of highs and lows
A lovely book,sadness and humour what lives they lived, a timeless comedy duo sharing a lifetime of highs and lows
December 25, 2021
A brief overview of the career of Laurel and Hardy which only suffers by not having enough detail.
March 1, 2022
Fascinating insight into a brilliant duo who still make me laugh.
October 14, 2022
Simply the best
I grew up watching these two. I now at 64 I know that this world will never find such a partnership again
I grew up watching these two. I now at 64 I know that this world will never find such a partnership again
January 25, 2024
Book 110 - Raymond Valinoti Jr - Another Nice Mess - The Laurel & Hardy Story
After watching the brilliant 2018 Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly movie ‘Stan & Ollie’ - a five tissue ending if ever there one - I knew I had to find a biography of the two of them. I grew up watching Laurel & Hardy…not in the 1920s and 30s you understand…but in the 70s and 80s…easily the best double act of all-time.
This short book gives us a brief but accurate telling of their separate lives growing up in England and the Southern United States respectively. We are told of their slow but determined progress to appear on stage and then in the movies…and then almost by chance their first appearance together…not with the familiar hats and clothes but as two very distinct and disparate characters. But the magic between the two was picked up on and the rest is indeed history.
Private lives are discussed and their career development into the ‘talkies’ is as smooth as any actors of the time. Their decline due to health…creative differences with the studios and the Second World War leads them to tour Europe and indeed to a very successful string of appearances in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
It is a wonderfully simple retelling of two very different men who clicked…they didn’t socialise much off screen but became closer than brothers.
I urge you to read this book…marvel at the recreations of the two comedy giants in the aforementioned ‘Stan & Ollie’ and if you feel so inclined…go watch a movie or three…comedy gold…still missed.
After watching the brilliant 2018 Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly movie ‘Stan & Ollie’ - a five tissue ending if ever there one - I knew I had to find a biography of the two of them. I grew up watching Laurel & Hardy…not in the 1920s and 30s you understand…but in the 70s and 80s…easily the best double act of all-time.
This short book gives us a brief but accurate telling of their separate lives growing up in England and the Southern United States respectively. We are told of their slow but determined progress to appear on stage and then in the movies…and then almost by chance their first appearance together…not with the familiar hats and clothes but as two very distinct and disparate characters. But the magic between the two was picked up on and the rest is indeed history.
Private lives are discussed and their career development into the ‘talkies’ is as smooth as any actors of the time. Their decline due to health…creative differences with the studios and the Second World War leads them to tour Europe and indeed to a very successful string of appearances in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
It is a wonderfully simple retelling of two very different men who clicked…they didn’t socialise much off screen but became closer than brothers.
I urge you to read this book…marvel at the recreations of the two comedy giants in the aforementioned ‘Stan & Ollie’ and if you feel so inclined…go watch a movie or three…comedy gold…still missed.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews