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Click on one of the subject titles below
or simply browse down the page to view all the
archived Laurel and Hardy news
(click on the bowler hats between each article of
news to return to the top of the page):
[Click here to return to
the Latest News]
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January 2007
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August
2006
July 2006
June
2006
May 2006
September 2005
July 2005
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2007 Meeting Dates
Announced (January 2007)
At
last we have been able to get
our meeting dates set up for the
new year ahead. The
first is coming rather soon than
expected...on
10
February.
So
get your pens out and rush
straight to your diaries and
calendars and circle the most
important date between now and
June...
Stan: "June who?"
Ollie: "Now you know June.
Don't you remember "Very,
very soon she'll belong to me"?"
Stan: "No she'll not
Ollie."
Ollie: "What do you mean
"No she'll not"?"
Stan: "Well, they've
abolished slavery!"
Enough of this frivolity...click
here for a schedule of our dates
for 2007. Come
along and join with us in
celebration of our comedy heroes
in what is a particularly
important year.
We
Thank You!
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Steve Brown (November
2006)
The Another Fine Mess Tent of Northern
Ireland is both shocked and saddened to learn of the death of
our friend Steve Brown, Grand Sheik of the Scram Tent of
Nashville, Tennessee, on Sunday 12 November 2006.
Members may recall that only a few months
ago Steve decided to sell off CDs and some of his collection in
order to raise money for medical treatment for his wife Mary
Robin.
Steve's good friend and fellow AFM Tent
member Gino Dercola notified us of Steve death today (14
November) and sent us the photo below. Gino had received the following notice:
______________________________________________________________________
On behalf of my dear friend, Mary Robin, I regret to inform
you that Steve passed away suddenly of
a massive coronary Sunday evening at approximately
5:45 pm. We would appreciate it if you would pass this
information onto fellow Sons. A
formal annoucement will be made soon.
Steve has been a wonderful friend for over five years and will
truly be missed. We have worked
together to make the Nashville Scram tent a success.
As you may recall, I helped out with the pre
and post events at the Nashville
convention.
I know how much Steve loved all the Sons and how much they meant
to him. The fellowship and joy
he brought to each of us at every meeting was
awe-inspiring. He always enjoyed sharing his vast
knowledge with dedication, commitment
and passion to Laurel and Hardy. I have proudly
served under him. Here's to Steve, our beloved Sheik, but
mostly Friend!
Salute!
Fraternally yours,
Cathleen Humphries
SubVice Vizier
______________________________________________________________________
The Another Fine Mess Tent of Northern
Ireland sends it condolences to Mary Robin and Steve's family
circle and to all of Steve's many friends both within and
without the Sons of the Desert. Steve was a true Son whom
Stan and Babe would have been proud to call their friend.
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Meeting with Jean Darling
(October 2006)
The Another Fine Mess Tent for Northern
Ireland was delighted to meet Ms Jean Darling when she attended
the tent's 8th meeting on Saturday 21st October 2006.
The actress who appeared alongside Stan
and Babe in the duo's 1934 operetta Babes In Toyland
regaled those present with tales of her time on the Hal Roach
lot and of the many things she has done since that appearance.
For a full account of our meeting with
Jean Darling please click here.
And the good news is that we have
decided to book our Christmas meeting, which will take place at
the Pavilion on 25 November 2006!
We apologise to all our members and
others who had made plans to be with us on the 30th September
but will promise to make up for that.
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Intra-Tent Journal now
online (September 2006)
The worldwide magazine that unites all
tents is now online. The site, which you can find at
http://www.intratentjournal.com, has been put together
by Ross Owen, Scotland's new dynamic Grand Sheik. The site
is in its early stages but under Ross Owen's guidance should
prove to be a worthy addition to the magazine about which our
late Exhausted Ruler said
"There
is one all-important connecting link between us all, The
Intra-Tent Journal.
Historically,
the Journal was the
coalescing factor for us all. It still is, giving the vital
news of our varying activities everywhere.
This
the Journal will continue to
do, just as it will
increasingly reflect not only our social activities but also —
so importantly — our growing research and archival work on
Laurel & Hardy.
In
effect The Intra-Tent Journal is the agent of our
mutuality, widely different as we all are, and it is for
that reason that I believe it absolutely vital that every member
of the Sons subscribes to the Journal, not only to bear
equally (as we all should)
the financial burden of the Journal, but also to keep
constantly aware of our essential coloration as a group.
We
can't do this unless we read the Journal.
It
is my deepest conviction that the ITJ should be supported
by all the Sons; or, put another way, I do not consider anyone a
Son who does not subscribe to the Journal (Cases of real
financial hardship excepted,
of course.)"
Well done Ross, and thank you for your
continuing efforts on behalf of all Sons across the globe! |
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Willie McIntyre honoured
(August 2006)
The great Willie McIntyre, Editor of
Bowler Dessert and founder member of the Bonnie Scotland tent
has been honoured by the tent. In recognition of his
continuing efforts in respect of the tent and his outstanding
commitment to the Sons of the Desert, Willie has been honoured
with a seat in the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT). The GFT
also screened a Laurel and Hardy double bill in Willie's honour
on 27th August. Willie works
tirelessly for the Sons of the Desert through his excellent
Bowler Dessert magazine, which deservedly has subscribers across
the globe, and has done so for well over 30 years now. He
is very much the 'glue' that unites all of the tents throughout
the British Isles. Willie, the
Another Fine Mess tent salutes you and thanks Grand Sheik,
Janice Hawton, for arranging the great honour that is so well
deserved! Many, many
congratulations! |
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International Convention Comes To Europe! (July 2006)
Following a vote at July 2006's International Convention in
Harlem, Georgia, USA, it has been decided that the next
International Convention will be held in Holland.
The Dutch have long been avid supporters of 'the boys' and
the decision to hold the International Convention there is
recognition for a job well done. There can be no doubt
that the 2008 International Convention will be one of the best
ever.
The Another Fine Mess tent congratulates the Dutch and hopes
to offer them significant support in terms of the number of
attendees (and in any other way we can!).
Well done Holland! |
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Laurel and Hardy on
Internet Radio (June 2006)
Terry and Tiffany DuFoe of
Hollywood, California's Way Out
West tent run the international
online radio station Cult Radio
A-Go-Go! (CRAGG), a 24 hour,
re-looping, non-stop free online
streaming radio network that, it
is claimed, brings listeners the
best in anything and everything.
In this case
the claim is certainly true...they are running a
tribute to their favourite
classic comedy team Laurel &
Hardy. Their tribute takes
the form of a 13 hour non-stop
Laurel and Hardy show that
boasts 324 separate items about
'the boys'. The list of
'goodies' includes
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The full
length 74 minute Stan Laurel
interview from late in
Stan's life.
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An
interview with both boys
about their "Robin Hood"
film, which sadly was never
made.
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A rare
ship to shore interview with
Ollie.
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An
interview with music man, T.
Marvin Hatley.
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The first
& only L&H radio show
episode entitled "Mr.
Slater's Poultry Market".
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The full
length radio comedy skit,
"The Marriage of Stan
Laurel".
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The boys
singing songs from their
films.
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T Marvin
Hatley sings!
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Music by
The Beau Hunks and Art Deco
& The Toe Tappers.
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Trailers
from the boys' films and
dialogue clips from their
funniest moments.
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Audio
from their rare appearance
on "You Bet Your Life".
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Audio
from live L&H stage
performances.
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Audio
from the boys' very last TV
performance ever on "This is
Music Hall" as they salute
the Grand Order of the Water
Rats.
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Clips
from members of the Way Out
West tent in Los Angeles
giving their favorite L&H
moment.
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Reviews
of the last L&H sets
released by Fox & TCM.
The station is completely free
and you can listen via Windows
Media Player, Real Player, Quicktime
or any other media player.
You will, however, require a
high-speed internet connection
(although some dial-up users
with a particularly good
connection may be able to access
the service).
For those
who missed the broadcast...
The station
reports that "Back due to
overwhelming popular demand, our
L&H tribute is remaining on the
air in a trimmed down 12 hour
form. It will remain on the air
through Feb at which time it
will be taken down.. so listen
now while you can!"
Podcast: If
you click on the following link
http://www.cultradioagogo.com/podcast3.html
you can download an
hour long podcast of the
highlights.
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Another Fine Venue! (May 2006)
The Another Fine Mess Tent
of Northern Ireland has found a new home! Meetings from
that in June 2006 will be held at the 'Maynard Sinclair
Pavilion' just off the Upper Newtownards Road, near Dundonald
House.
The venue is in a prestigious location, being close to the
very impressive 'Parliament Buildings', former home to Northern
Ireland's Government and now home to Northern Ireland's Assembly
Members.
The room in which future meetings will be held is comfortable
and spacious and has its own private bar with drinks at
subsidised club prices. One wall has floor to ceiling
windows one of which slides open to grant access to a large
first floor verandah that looks out over Stormont's
International cricket pitch.
 The
room also incorporates a large screen that drops from the
ceiling and, of course, a video projector.
We are confident that members will find our new home to be
very comfortable and practical for the purposes of watching Stan
and Babe on a large screen. Seating is around tables, and
we hope that this will encourage members to mingle and get to
know one another.
Following the ban on children below 14 at 'The Tudor' it was
necessary for us to find an alternative venue, and while the
'Pavilion' may not be quite as atmospheric as our old home it
should prove more suitable in other ways.
We hope, however, that Noel will permit us to host one over
14s meeting per year, which will be in addition to our quarterly
meetings in the Pavilion, at 'The Tudor' since the atmosphere is
so special. Details will be posted when arrangements have
been finalised.
If you would like to be part of our tent and receive
notification of meetings as well as our tent magazine etc.
please click on 'Membership' in the left column for full
details. |
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 The death of Dr.
John McCabe, Exhausted Ruler and founder of The Sons of the Desert
(September 2005)
It is with deep regret that
we announce the death of Dr. John McCabe,
Exhausted Ruler and founder of The Sons of the Desert. He was Stan
and Ollie's official biographer.
John's death was announced on 28 September
2005. The announcement to 'Sons' read as
follows:
"It is with deep sadness
that I tell you that Dr. John McCabe passed away in his sleep today
on Mackinac Island, Michigan. I have been informed of his death by
Mark McCabe. We are making plans for the ITJ to tell the entire Sons
family of his passing. I'll give you more information when I have
it. Please tell as many of the people who should know of his
passing."
The thoughts and prayers of all
at the Another Fine Mess Tent of Northern Ireland are with his family
and friends. He shall be sorely missed but his legacy shall live
on for many, many years to come.
In accordance with his wishes the position of
'Exhausted Ruler' will not be handed down.
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Laurel and Hardy Webring
(July 2005)
The Another Fine Mess Tent of Northern Ireland
has joined the Laurel and Hardy Webring. This allows those that
visit any one of the other sites within the group to quickly access our
fellow 'webringers' [if there be such a word — Ed.]
Why don't you give it a try and find out some
more about 'The Boys'.
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Another Fine Forum
(July 2005)
Another Fine Site now has its own forum. The
aptly entitled "Another
Fine Forum" is open to both members of the tent and non-members
alike, and everyone is urged to sign up and join in discussions with
like-minded folk about our heroes. Don't forget to let us know what
you think...and enjoy!
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