The Laurel & Hardy Encyclopedia

The genesis of this book is straightforward if protracted: as a lifelong aficionado of comedy and of Laurel & Hardy in particular, it occurred to me that a Laurel & Hardy book dealing entirely in facts and figures would be worthwhile, especially after being asked for the umpteenth time 'Which is the film in which they work in a sawmill?' (you'll find it under Sawmills, by the way). This seemed particularly necessary given the number of sometimes damaging untruths circulated about the pair (see Apocrypha for a brief round-up of same.) Laurel & Hardy are in any case considered one of the great Anglo-American partnerships. Their widespread exposure through television and video suggests a need for some sort of consumer guide to their work, presented here in a representative and, it is hoped, useful selection.