Press Release Flicker Alley Press Release: Laurel & Hardy: Year Two (1928) (Blu-ray) (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

Following their initial pairing in early 1927, Laurel and Hardy ended their first year on top. Their success moving into 1928 galvanized the efforts of everyone at Hal Roach Studios (including famed director Leo McCarey), who proudly upped their game in support of the winning comedy duo. Whether wreaking accidental havoc as a two-man band, doing battle against one another as millionaire and butler, or even becoming grave robbers for a mad scientist, Laurel and Hardy prove in their second year that they have what it takes to not only win over audiences in the twilight of the silent era, but generate enough momentum to make a successful transition to "talkies" in 1929.

Although their names are synonymous with the very idea of comedy, few of the original negatives for Laurel and Hardy's early silent work survive, elements only available from scattered sources throughout the world, often in substantially less than pristine shape. It took the team at Blackhawk Films four years to gather all surviving film elements, to meticulously compare them shot by shot, and to complete the best digital restorations possible. Today, these beloved shorts look as new as they did nearly a century ago.

Featuring all new restorations sourced from best available materials contributed by archives and collectors around the world restored by Blackhawk Films® and FPA Classics, this comprehensive deluxe Blu-ray 2-Disc collection features their ten 1928 films as a team and additional films from the Hal Roach Studios that showcase their final solo short film appearances, as well as the shift from silent films to films featuring music and synchronized sound effects.

Shorts on the Laurel & Hardy: Year Two set include:

Leave 'em Laughing
The Finishing Touch
From Soup to Nuts
You're Darn Tootin'
Their Purple Moment
Should Married Men Go Home?
Early to Bed
Two Tars
Habeas Corpus
We Faw Down

Each film features a newly recorded score from some of the best silent film composers working today, including Neil Brand, Antonio Coppola, and Andrea Benz. The release is curated by film historians and Laurel and Hardy specialists; Randy Skretvedt, Dick Bann, Serge Bromberg, and Eric Lange.

Bonus materials currently announced (with others to potentially follow):

• Audio Commentary Tracks – For each film by historians and authors Randy Skretvedt and Richard Bann
• Exclusive, Rare Audio - Featuring Anita Garvin, Thomas Benton Roberts, and Hal Roach, from personal interviews conducted by historian Randy Skretvedt
• Additional Musical Scores – Alternate audio options, including fully restored original 1928 Vitaphone tracks on Habeas Corpus and We Faw Down
• Laurel & Hardy On-Location in Year Two – A video essay by historian John Bengtson on selected location exteriors
• Eve's Love Letters (1927) – One of Stan Laurel's final solo films, directed by Leo McCarey and written by Laurel himself, from rare 35mm elements
• Galloping Ghosts (1928) – Two surviving fragments of a rare solo Oliver Hardy comedy
• A Pair of Tights (1928) – A short starring Anita Garvin and Marion Byron, who were teamed to try and replicate the success of Laurel and Hardy
• George Mann's Home Movies – From behind the scenes of Hal Roach Studios, including the filming of Should Married Men Go Home?
• A Complete, 20-minute Interview – By Tony Thomas with Stan Laurel, recorded in January 1959, the year after Oliver Hardy's death
• Film Specific Image Galleries – Containing original publicity materials, press reviews, and rare production stills
• Souvenir Booklet – Containing a new collection introduction by Serge Bromberg and Eric Lange; A look at the supporting players and other creative personnel in the world of Hal Roach Studios by historian Sara Imogen Smith; A new essay exploring the development of the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system in 1928 by Randy Skredvedt; and comprehensive notes on each film
• English SDH Subtitles
• REGION-FREE

PREORDER LINK (Amazon link to follow)

Laurel & Hardy: Year Two

Flicker Alley and Blackhawk Films® present Laurel & Hardy: Year Two, The Newly Restored 1928 Silents, a deluxe Blu-ray 2-disc collection of ten newly restored films that showcase the evolving chemistry of the legendary comedy duo. Release Date: October 29, 2024

flickeralley.com

Amazon.com

 

[Robert Harris]

Great news!

 

[Peter Neski]

can't wait!!!!!

 

[mark brown]

What does Flicker Alley plan for the L&H sound films?

 

[dana martin]

This was pre-ordered as soon as I saw it show up in that year one thread.

And hopefully when Year Three -1929 is announced it will be both the silents and the two reel talkie shorts

 

[ahollis]

Ordered If only for “You’re Darn Tootin’”

 

[[email protected]]

Ordered If only for “You’re Darn Tootin’”

I love this short, although my shins always hurt after watching.

 

[Tony Bensley]

Can't wait to have this set for Christmas (Sooner would be better, though!)!!!

TWO TARS is my sentimental favorite among these stellar 1928 silent shorts, as I did first see it at our Public School on a Blackhawk Film print!

CHEERS!

 

[Tony Bensley]

This was pre-ordered as soon as I saw it show up in that year one thread.

And hopefully when Year Three -1929 is announced it will be both the silents and the two reel talkie shorts

I'm thinking Kit Parker has a lock on the Laurel & Hardy talkies, though I would love to be proven wrong!

CHEERS!

 

[Tony Bensley]

This was pre-ordered as soon as I saw it show up in that year one thread.

And hopefully when Year Three -1929 is announced it will be both the silents and the two reel talkie shorts

For Year Three, I'm hoping the theatrically issued silent version of UNACCUSTOMED AS WE ARE (Previously released in "The Lost Films of Laurel & Hardy" DVD series!), and also the theatrically issued silent version of BERTH MARKS (Never released on Disc or Videotape format, to my knowledge!), are included!

CHEERS!

 

[Mark Y]

For Year Three, I'm hoping the theatrically issued silent version of UNACCUSTOMED AS WE ARE (Previously released in "The Lost Films of Laurel & Hardy" DVD series!), and also the theatrically issued silent version of BERTH MARKS (Never released on Disc or Videotape format, to my knowledge!), are included!

CHEERS!

Do they exist still? I know Unaccustomed was part of the Lost Films series, and "Berth Marks" was used for the 1986 TV version, but are there film elements?

The silent version of "Perfect Day" was said to have been used for a home movie edition (Carnival Films?) 60+ years ago.

 

[Tony Bensley]

Do they exist still? I know Unaccustomed was part of the Lost Films series, and "Berth Marks" was used for the 1986 TV version, but are there film elements?

The silent version of "Perfect Day" was said to have been used for a home movie edition (Carnival Films?) 60+ years ago.

There is a rough looking 15 1/2 minute Blackhawk Films silent version (No soundtrack!) of BERTH MARKS (1929) currently on YouTube. Unlike the silent UNACCUSTOMED AS WE ARE (1929), BERTH MARKS has relatively few inter-title cards.

I have one question: Knowing that silent versions of early talkies were still being issued to theaters first run into early 1931 (IE. DRACULA), does anyone know how deep into the sound era silent versions of early L&H talkies were still being issued to theaters?

CHEERS!

 

[Mark Y]

There is a rough looking 15 1/2 minute Blackhawk Films silent version (No soundtrack!) of BERTH MARKS (1929) currently on YouTube. Unlike the silent UNACCUSTOMED AS WE ARE (1929), BERTH MARKS has relatively few inter-title cards.

I have one question: Knowing that silent versions of early talkies were still being issued to theaters first run into early 1931 (IE. DRACULA), does anyone know how deep into the sound era silent versions of early L&H talkies were still being issued to theaters?

CHEERS!

Off the top of my head I think Randy Skretvedt mentions a silent version of "Brats" still existing at the time of "The Magic Behind The Movies."

Thanks for the heads up about "Berth Marks!"

 

[Bryan^H]

I can't wait to see "Two Tars" again.

All the others will be new to me.

 

[Tony Bensley]

I can't wait to see "Two Tars" again.

All the others will be new to me.

You're in for a real treat, Bryan!

CHEERS!

 

[Bert Greene]

Really nice that they are adding "A Pair of Tights" as an extra. Wish I could see the other two Garvin-Byron shorts, which I never have. Looking forward also to Randy's commentaries, which in the first volume were just bursting at the seams with fascinating factoids, anecdotes and backstories. I loved that first release, but this one is the one that's going to be a really knockout with its lineup!

With Flicker Alley serving up these silent Laurel and Hardy shorts, and ClassicFlix soon to release its first silent Our Gang collection, and The Sprocket Vault coming out with a batch of 1927 Charley Chase comedies, we're really approaching a period of Hal Roach nirvana. And that makes me happy. This is great, cheery stuff.

 

[GeorgeJA]

Off the top of my head I think Randy Skretvedt mentions a silent version of "Brats" still existing at the time of "The Magic Behind The Movies."

I actually have a copy of this in Super 8 from Blackhawk films.

 

[Ronald Epstein]

Thank you for supporting HTF when you preorder using the link below. As an Amazon Associate HTF earns from qualifying purchases. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

Amazon.com

 

[Tony Bensley]

Flicker Alley's Updated Bonus Materials for this set now includes the rare one-reel fragment of the Charley Chase short NOW I'LL TELL ONE (1927), that features Laurel and Hardy!

This is HUGE news!!!!

CHEERS!