Laurel and Hardy 1929
- Thread starter updraught
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Marshall V. Daut
Well-known member
I began collecting 8mm L & H movies in 1962 or 1963 when I first visited Blackhawk Films (Eastin-Phelan Corp.) here in Davenport. $7.77 as I recall for a two-reel L & H standard 8mm film. I STILL have them! When the Blackhawk's 20-minute films went to Super 8mm, the price rose a little, but tolerable, although still without a sound track. Move up to Super 8mm magnetic sound and the price jumped up considerably for a teenager like me with a $5.00 per week allowance. It pinched my financial situation at those prices, but by cutting neighbors' lawns, saving my weekly allowance like a miser, taking back empty pop bottles and begging shamelessly for cash from my grandparents, I continued to add L & H movies to my collection. And I still have all of THOSE movies!!! Thank you, Grandpa and Gramma Daut, my cash cows!
Although most L & H movies predominately used Model T's in their films and usually with a destructive end of their existence, I can only think of one of their films that featured a Model A, albeit briefly, and it was pulling a trailer behind it ("The Dancing Masters" during the nadir of L & H's stint under MGM's mismanagement of their careers). Much as I loved L & H and their interaction with Model T's, it's a wonder that I migrated towards Model A's when I reached the post-puberty stage and lusted after Model A's instead. My first true car was a 1931 Standard Coupe, most definitely NOT a Model T!
The recommended film by "updraught" ("A Perfect Day") has the most footage in any L & H movie singularly dedicated to a Model T and its demise. "Big Business" and "Two Tars" also feature Model T's and their destruction, but for the most bang per buck step-by-step demolition of a Model T, "A Perfect Day" wins hands down. Being Model A lovers on this website, we should be thankful that all this violence and demolition was NOT directed towards our favorite era Ford. For sheer laugh content during L & H's silent era, I would rank "A Perfect Day" slightly behind "Two Tars" (An absolute MUST for car destruction, shown in reel two, but no Model A's) and "Big Business". If you ever groused about why there is a dearth of Model T parts available today, you can trace it directly back to what Hal Roach (L & H's studio) and Mack Sennett did to those $15 Fords! It could bring tears to the most dedicated antique Ford enthusiast, who would exclaim: "Why? Why?".
Marshall
Although most L & H movies predominately used Model T's in their films and usually with a destructive end of their existence, I can only think of one of their films that featured a Model A, albeit briefly, and it was pulling a trailer behind it ("The Dancing Masters" during the nadir of L & H's stint under MGM's mismanagement of their careers). Much as I loved L & H and their interaction with Model T's, it's a wonder that I migrated towards Model A's when I reached the post-puberty stage and lusted after Model A's instead. My first true car was a 1931 Standard Coupe, most definitely NOT a Model T!
The recommended film by "updraught" ("A Perfect Day") has the most footage in any L & H movie singularly dedicated to a Model T and its demise. "Big Business" and "Two Tars" also feature Model T's and their destruction, but for the most bang per buck step-by-step demolition of a Model T, "A Perfect Day" wins hands down. Being Model A lovers on this website, we should be thankful that all this violence and demolition was NOT directed towards our favorite era Ford. For sheer laugh content during L & H's silent era, I would rank "A Perfect Day" slightly behind "Two Tars" (An absolute MUST for car destruction, shown in reel two, but no Model A's) and "Big Business". If you ever groused about why there is a dearth of Model T parts available today, you can trace it directly back to what Hal Roach (L & H's studio) and Mack Sennett did to those $15 Fords! It could bring tears to the most dedicated antique Ford enthusiast, who would exclaim: "Why? Why?".
Marshall
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