Take a look at the new Laurel and Hardy official web site which has sprung up recently. Evidently, the German mega-media-conglomo Kirchgruppe purchased the distribution rights about 10 years ago. They have also purchased more of the Hal Roach – Universal cataloge as well (I.E. Fatty Arbuckle, Buster Keaton, The Little Rascals, etc…) since the Hal Roach Studios went bankrupt in 1960.
I must say that I’m rather pleased with the site. It’s more L+H info that has been available in recent years. One can see that they’ve put a quite a bit of cash into the project as well. Sadly, they have a terrible distribution channel for the U.S. I’d like to be able to at least buy a DVD re-mastered, re-whatevered version of the complete catalog. Oh well, soon maybe… at least there is new hope for the boys.
Interested parties might like to also take note of the dutch musical group The Beau Hunks whom have lovingly recreated the vast majority of the musical scores from these movies (1910-1959). The entire catalog is available online at Basta Studios as well as other places we won’t mention here.
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