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Bacon Grabbers host “Law and Disorder” Night on Saturday, April 21

One this is for sure—you won’t have the right to remain silent, but you will have the chance to be a captive audience during the Chicago Bacon Grabbers’ “Law and Disorder” Night on Saturday, April 21.

The gathering will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Addison Village Hall Board Room, One Friendship Plaza, near the intersection of Lake Street and Kennedy Drive in Addison.

Special thanks to the Bacon Grabbers tent’s Keeper of the Celluloid Mike Tynus for coordinating the meeting and the film program, which includes:

• Cellbound (1955) – This Tex Avery cartoon focuses on Spike who has just finished the 20-year process of digging a tunnel from his prison cell—unfortunately, he picks the wrong place to hide.

• The Second Hundred Years (1927) – Laurel & Hardy, James Finlayson, Tiny Sandford, Ellinor Vanderveer, Dorothy Coburn – A silent film with Stan and Ollie as convicts who escape from prison and pass themselves off as visiting French dignitaries.

• The Count Takes a Count (1936) – Charley Chase, Antoinette Lees, Kewpie Morgan, Harry Bowen, Ben Taggart, Dorothy Granger, Harry Holman, Edgar Dearing, Alan Bride – Charley, an insurance salesman, has to make sure that a young heiress goes through with her marriage to a count.

• Jack Benny’s Maxwell is Stolen (1956) – In this episode of The Jack Benny Show, Jack panics when Rochester informs him that bhis Maxwell automobile has been stolen.

• Roamin’ Holiday (1937) – Our Gang (Spanky, Alfalfa, Darla, Buckwheat, Porky), May Wallace, Fred Holmes  – The gang runs away from home, but they learn a lesson from two kindly old folks.

• The Hoose-Gow (1929) – Laurel & Hardy, James Finlayson, Tiny Sandford, Leo Willis, Dick Sutherland, Ellinor Vanderveer, Retta Palmer – This early talkie short captures Stan and Ollie’s “adventures” at a roadside prison camp.

• The Midnight Patrol (1933) – Laurel & Hardy, Nate Clifford, Frank Brownlee, Charlie Hall, Bob Kortman, Harry Bernard  – Stan and Ollie, new to the force, contribute nothing to law and order.   

·        Pardon Us (1931) – Laurel & Hardy, Walter Long, Wilfred Lucas, James Finlayson, Charlie Hall, June Marlowe – Stan and Ollie’s first full-length movie is a parody of M-G-M’s The Big House (1930).  The pair land in prison after Stan sells some of their home brew to a policeman during Prohibition.

Bonus Track:  “Laurel and Hardy” – This rarely-heard song was recorded by Davy Jones (of Monkees fame) with Jan and Dean.  Bacon Grabbers Grand Sheik Mark Yurkiw is presenting the song for the first time at a tent meeting, as a tribute to Jones who passed away in February.

As always, there will also be some surprises during the evening, so it would be criminal to miss this opportunity to break out some laughs.

 

Laurel & Hardy at Chicago’s Music Box Theatre

On Saturday, April 14, at noon, the Music Box Theatre’s Second Saturday Silent Cinema series will present “How Not to Build a House.”  The titles to be shown include Buster Keaton’s One Week (1920) and Laurel & Hardy’s The Finishing Touch (1928) and Liberty (1929).  According to the theatre, the films “are shown authentically in 35mm at proper silent film speed and aspect ratio” with live accompaniment by Dennis Scott at the Music Box theatre organ. 

The Music Box is located at 3733 N. Southport Ave., in Chicago (773-871-6607).

 

 

Bacon Grabbers Holiday Party is Sunday, December 11

This year’s Chicago Bacon Grabbers holiday party/dinner will be held on Sunday, December 11, in the VIP Room at the Villa Nova Restaurant, 237 W. St. Charles Road, Villa Park.  (This is the same location as last year’s holiday party.)

The cost per person is $20. To take full advantage of everything you get for that price, be sure to be at the restaurant promptly at 4 p.m.

From 4:15 – 4:45 p.m., we will enjoy delicious, all-you-can-eat appetizers including chicken drummettes, potato skins, breaded mushrooms and cheese sticks. This will be followed (from 4:45 to 6:45 p.m.) by all-you-can-eat pizza. In addition, there will be coffee and unlimited soft drinks from 4 – 8 p.m.

Be sure to fill out the handy holiday-party reservation form that was sent out with the December edition of the Frying Pan.  Your reservation must be received by Monday, December 5, so the restaurant can arrange the final set-up for our exclusive dining room.

The film program for the evening includes holiday favorites:

• Peace on Earth (1939) – This Hugh Harman MGM cartoon is the only animated film ever nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

• Hardrock, Coco and Joe (1951), Suzie Snowflake (1951) and Frosty the Snowman (1954) – This classic trio of holiday favorites—beloved by Chicago-area Baby Boomers—has become a tradition at our tent’s holiday party.

• Snowtime Serenade (1941) – Castle Films’ abridgement of the Universal Pictures musical short subject Jingle Belles, features the talents of actress/singer Gloria Jean.

• Reunion in Rhythm (1937) – Our Gang, Rosina Lawrence – The Gang stages a musical show for some of the former Gang kids.

• They Go Boom (1929) – Laurel & Hardy, Charlie Hall – Stan plays nursemaid when Ollie catches a cold.

• Laughing Gravy (1931) – Laurel & Hardy, Charlie Hall, Harry Bernard – The boys try to keep a dog in their apartment, over the protests of their landlord.

• Block-Heads (1938) – Laurel & Hardy, Billy Gilbert, Patricia Ellis, Minna Gombell, James Finlayson, Tommy (Butch) Bond – Ollie welcomes returning World War I hero Stan with an invitation to the Hardy residence for a home-cooked meal.

 

As always, there will also be some surprises, so come and enjoy the good cheer and seasonal film selections!

 

TCM Silent Sunday Nights with Laurel & Hardy

Laurel & Hardy silent films are being featured on TCM’s Silent Sunday Nights. If you happened to catch the selections on November 6, you would have noticed that the quality of the prints is excellent—they were from 35mm materials. But the real surprise is that the shorts featured new full orchestra scores. Turner Classic Movies paid for the new scores, so the films are expected to be broadcast again on the channel. (The films already shown were You’re Darn Tootin, Two Tars, Do Detectives Think? and Putting Pants on Philip.)  These will be followed on November 12 – 13 by Habeas Corpus (11 p.m.), Big Business (11:30 a.m.), Double Whoopee (midnight) and Angora Love (12:30 a.m.)  Double check the listings!

 

Don’t miss “Halloween Monkey Shines” on October 22

The Chicago Bacon Grabbers meeting on Saturday, October 22, will be a real scream with a film program spotlighting “Halloween Monkey Shines.”  Every movie/TV clip will feature the appearance of a monkey/ape/gorilla. Tent members will even have a photo opportunity in line with the focus of the evening.

The meeting will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Addison Village Hall Board Room, One Friendship Plaza, near the intersection of Lake Street and Kennedy Drive in Addison. 

An additional treat will be the appearance of Bob Opal, who will accompany one of the films and perform some oldies but goodies.

The film program includes the following (but not necessarily in this order):

• The Island Fling (1946) – This is among the rarest of the Popeye the Sailor cartoons. Shipwrecked Popeye and Olive Oyl arrive at Bluto’s Robinson Crusoe Island.

• Monkies is the Cwaziest People – A Fox Movietone comic short subject featuring chimps performing human activities.

• Chatter’s World (1960) – This WBKB Chicago-produced TV show features the antics of Chatter the Chimp. (“Chatter! What’s the matter with you?”)  Thanks to Gary Cohen for providing this seldom-seen clip.

• Nairobi Trio – A classic Ernie Kovacs skit that depicts a live-action animatronics wind-up music box.

 

• Habeas Corpus (1928) – Laurel & Hardy, Richard Carle, Charles Rogers – The only “apeless” movie on our bill, though Stan and Ollie get into plenty of monkey business when they’re hired as body snatchers, a job that requires them to climb into a graveyard at the dead of night. The silent film will have live piano accompaniment provided by Bob Opal.

• Divot Diggers (1936) – Our Gang comedy in which the youngsters (and a chimp) volunteer to work as caddies for a golfing foursome.

• Nature in the Wrong (1933) – Charley Chase, Muriel Evans, Carlton Griffin, Nora Cecil, Mary Gordon – Charley discovers he is a direct descendant of Tarzan of the Apes.

• Dirty Work (1933) – Laurel & Hardy, Lucien Littlefield, Sam Adams – Chimney sweeps Stan and Ollie work for a mad scientist.

• The Chimp (1932) – Laurel & Hardy, Billy Gilbert, James Finlayson, Tiny Sandford, Bobby Burns, Martha Sleeper, Charles Gemora (title role) – A circus folds, and Stan and Ollie’s severance pay is a chimp.

• Swiss Miss (1938) – Laurel & Hardy, Charles Gemora (repeating his ape imitation) – A clip from this feature film shows Ollie and a drunken Stan encountering a gorilla (it could happen) as they transport a piano across a rickety rope bridge.

 

And yes, there will be some surprises and Halloween treats, too! You’ll go ape over this very special Bacon Grabbers gathering. Bring your friends!

 

 

Laurel & Hardy (and Amigos) Film Fiesta on September 24

It’s fiesta time! The Chicago Bacon Grabbers will host a very special evening on Saturday, September 24, featuring a fiesta theme centered on unusual film selections and tasty treats.

The gathering will be held Saturday, September 24, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Addison Village Hall Board Room, One Friendship Plaza, near the intersection of Lake Street and Kennedy Drive in Addison. 

In keeping with the fiesta spirit, Bacon Grabber Gary Cohen will serve his famous “Gary’s homemade, just made, fresh-as-can-be” tortilla chips.

Featured films include:

• The Bear and the Bean (1948) – An MGM cartoon starring Barney the Bear who gets a package from Mexico containing a pesky jumping bean.

• The Grand Hooter (1937) – Charley Chase, Peggy Stratford, Nina Quartero. Charley’s wife accuses him of preferring his Hoot Owl Lodge over her.

• Laurel & Hardy in Spanish – A clip from the Spanish version of Laurel & Hardy’s Laughing Gravy (1931). Early foreign-language versions were not dubbed—separate editions were shot with the stars speaking their dialogue parrot-fashion, aided by language coaches and off-screen prompting boards.

• Lucy and the Dummy (1955) – To celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the comedienne’s birth, this episode from the I Love Lucy television series features the wacky redhead at an MGM studio party dancing with a life-size dummy of Ricky (Desi Arnaz), hoping her talent will finally be discovered.

• The Bullfighters (1945) – Laurel & Hardy, Ralph Sanford, Margo Woode, Richard Lane, Diosa Costello, Carol Andrews, Rory Calhoun – Private investigators Stan and Ollie travel to Mexico City while tracking “Larceny Nell” (Andrews). Stan turns out to be a dead ringer for famous Spanish bullfighter Don Sebastian, which results in role-switching and mistaken identity scenarios. Laurel & Hardy’s final American film is arguably their best post-Hal Roach effort, highlighted by comedy sequences personally directed by Stan.

As always, there will also be some surprises during the evening, so come and enjoy the fiesta!

 

Laurel & Hardy on Turner Classic Movies

Here are some TCM listings for upcoming Laurel & Hardy broadcasts (but be sure to double-check the schedule—it’s subject to change without notice):

September 17, 8 a.m.: Tit For Tat (1935)

September 24, 8 a.m.: The Fixer Uppers (1935)

September 24, 10:30 a.m.; Hollywood Party (1934)

September 29, 9:15 a.m.: Towed in a Hole (1932)

October 20, 5:45 a.m.: Way Out West (1937) (UCLA restoration)

November 6 and 7, 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.: “Sunday Night Shorts” including Do Detectives Think? (1927), Putting Pants on Phillip (1927), You’re Darn Tootin’ (1928) and Two Tars (1928).

 

 

Laurel & Hardy: The Essential Collection DVD set available in October

It’s finally here (well, almost)! The majority of Laurel & Hardy’s sound films produced by Hal Roach during the ’20s and ’30s will be available—for the first time in U.S. markets—in one 10-disc collection. The set also includes the extended version of the 1931 feature Pardon Us, Spanish versions of several early-talkie shorts with Stan and Ollie phonetically reciting their dialogue, and a number of extras such as “A Tribute to Laurel & Hardy, “On Location with the Boys” (a tour of set locations with an interactive map), Laurel & Hardy guest appearances and theatrical trailers.  (The team’s silent two-reelers are not part of this collection; in the U.S., the DVD distribution rights are controlled by a separate entity. Likewise, a handful of ’30s-era feature films such as The Devil’s Brother and Bonnie Scotland are not included for this reason.)

According to Scott MacGillivray (author of Laurel & Hardy: From the Forties Forward), “The wonderful news about this set is that the DVDs have been remastered in high definition from the original surviving 35mm film elements. The DVD producers went back to the source materials, meaning that the vintage Laurel & Hardy comedies have never looked or sounded better. The DVD producers have taken some pains with the restoration: the picture and sound have been cleaned up digitally; most of the subjects feature the attractive seldom-seen original titles; and even individual shots cut short in current prints have been restored to their original lengths.”

The DVD set lists for $99.98, but can be pre-ordered through Amazon for $65.99. The release date is October 25, 2011. (In time for Christmas!)

‘April Showers Bring Mae Busch’ meeting on April 30

The Chicago Bacon Grabbers will be in for a special treat when they meet on Saturday, April 30—the focus of the films for that evening will be ‘April showers bring Mae Busch.’  Thanks to tent member David Maska for the idea of honoring the ‘eternally ever-popular’ actress and comic foil of 13 Laurel & Hardy movies.

The gathering will be held the last Saturday of this month from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Addison Village Hall Board Room, One Friendship Plaza, near the intersection of Lake Street and Kennedy Drive in Addison. 

The film program will include:

• Love ‘Em and Weep (1927) – Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Mae Busch, Jimmy Finlayson, Charlotte Mineau, Vivien Oakland, Gale Henry, Charlie Hall – This 1927 silent film marked Mae’s first appearance with Stan and Ollie, although the Laurel & Hardy pair still wasn’t “teamed” at this point. This film was remade in 1931 as “Chickens Come Home” with many of the same actors. In this version, however, it is Finlayson in Hardy’s role, with Ollie portraying a dinner guest; Stan and Mae retain the same roles in both films.

• Unaccustomed As We Are (1929) – Laurel & Hardy, Mae Busch, Thelma Todd, Edgar Kennedy – The boys have an innocent encounter with the wife of a jealous neighbor. This was Stan and Ollie’s first “talkie,” and the first time Mae is heard interacting with the team.

• Fly My Kite (1931) – Our Gang, Margaret Mann, James Mason, Mae Busch, Broderick O’Farrell – A despicable man tries to put his mother-in-law in an old folks’ home until he discovers she has a fortune in stock.

• Going Bye-Bye! (1934) – Laurel & Hardy, Mae Busch, Walter Long – Having testified against a killer, the boys decide to leave town. A bouquet of flowers has a featured role in this film—note that once it appears, it never leaves either Stan’s or Ollie’s hands during the rest of the film.

• Them Thar Hills (1934) – Laurel & Hardy, Mae Busch, Charlie Hall, Billy Gilbert – The boys go the mountains for Ollie’s health.

• Tit for Tat (1935) – Laurel & Hardy, Mae Busch, Charlie Hall, James C. Morton, Bobby Dunn – A sequel to “Them Thar Hills,” with Charlie Hall and the boys as neighboring storekeepers. This short was nominated for an Academy Award.

• Vacation with Play (1951) – Popeye (voice by Jack Mercer) and Olive Oyl (voice by Mae Questel) are on vacation at Lake Narrowhead.

 

There “Mae” be a few other film selections and audiovisual surprises presented by Bacon Grabber Mike Tynus, our "Keeper of the Celluloid." Don’t miss any of the fun—and bring your friends!

 

Bacon Grabbers 2011 season begins with films featuring hare-brained schemes

Based on the Chinese Zodiac, 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit—which is the perfect excuse for the Chicago Bacon Grabbers to present an evening of films focusing on hare-brained schemes.

The tent will gather on Saturday, February 12, from 6 to 9 p.m. (note the earlier time) at the Addison Village Hall Board Room, One Friendship Plaza, near the intersection of Lake Street and Kennedy Drive in Addison. 

The film program will feature:

• The Big Snooze (1946) – This Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon stars Bugs Bunny (our first “hare” of the evening) and Elmer Fudd. Elmer is so frustrated that the writers never let him catch the rabbit “in every one of these cartoons,” that he tears up his Warner contract and walks off the set to devote his life to fishing.

• Blotto (1930) – Laurel & Hardy, Anita Garvin, Frank Holliday, Tiny Sandford, Charlie Hall. Stan lies to his wife so he can sneak off to a nightclub with Ollie, but Mrs. Laurel is wise to their scheme.

• Be Big (1930) – Laurel & Hardy, Isabelle Keith, Anita Garvin, Charlie Hall. The boys want to sneak away from their wives to attend a lodge meeting, but have trouble getting into their special outfits.

• One Good Turn (1931) – Laurel & Hardy, Mary Carr, Jimmy Finlayson, Billy Gilbert, Snub Pollard. The boys try to save a sweet old lady from eviction.

• Their First Mistake (1932) – Laurel & Hardy, Mae Busch, Billy Gilbert, George Marshall. To smooth over marital discord, Ollie adopts a baby.

• Towed in a Hole (1932) – Laurel & Hardy, Billy Gilbert. Fish peddlers Stan and Ollie decide to renovate an old boat so they can catch their own merchandise.

 

There also will be a few rarities shown on February 12:

• Another Fine Mess – In 1972, a comedy film written and directed by Bob Einstein (Super Dave Osborne, Curb Your Enthusiasm), a former writer for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, starred Rich Little as Richard Nixon and Herb Voland as Spiro Agnew. In the ultimate hare-brained scheme, the film (produced by Tommy Smothers) is presented in the style of a Laurel and Hardy comedy with Nixon in the Hardy role and Agnew in the Laurel role. Actual footage of Stan and Ollie from Air Raid Wardens (1943) and Nothing But Trouble (1944) is also utilized. We will show a brief clip from the film in which the lead characters recreate Laurel & Hardy’s famous dance scene from the 1937 movie Way Out West.

• The Ida May Tour – Gary Cohen (of the Bacon Grabbers and Call of the Cuckoos tents) recently had a private tour of the Ida May, a 50-foot classic wooden sportfisher yacht that was owned by Stan Laurel from 1935 to 1938. A short film created by Gary capturing highlights from the tour will be shown. Check out www.idamay.org to see a collection of photos of Stan and the yacht, and also the painstaking renovation of this historic vessel. 

 

Holiday party is Sunday, December 5

Time to make a list and check it twice.  The Chicago Bacon Grabbers will gather for the tent’s annual holiday party at: 1) a new location; 2) an earlier time, and 3) on a Sunday.

The holiday party/dinner will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, December 5, in the VIP Room at the Villa Nova Restaurant, 237 W. St. Charles Road, Villa Park.

The cost per person is $19. To take full advantage of everything you get for that price, be sure to be at the restaurant promptly at 4 p.m.

From 4:15 to 4:45 p.m., we will enjoy all-you-can-eat appetizers including chicken drummettes, potato skins, breaded mushrooms and cheese sticks. This will be followed (from 4:45 to 6:45 p.m.) by all-you-can-eat pizza. In addition, there will be unlimited soft drinks from 4 to 8 p.m.

Reservations must be received by Monday, November 29, so the restaurant can arrange the final set-up for our exclusive dining room.

The film program for the evening includes holiday favorites:

• Hardrock, Coco & Joe (1951), Suzie Snowflake (1951) and Frosty the Snowman (1954) – This classic trio of holiday favorites – which are very familiar to Chicago-area “baby boomers” – has become a tradition at our tent’s holiday party.

• Big Business (1929) – Laurel & Hardy, James Finlayson, Lyle Tao. This silent film features Stan and Ollie as door-to-door Christmas tree salesmen.

• Below Zero (1930) – Laurel & Hardy, Charlie Hall, Frank Holliday, Tiny Sandford, Leo Willis, Kay Deslys, Bobby Burns. Sidewalk musicians Stan and Ollie find a wallet full of money.

• Our Gang Follies of 1938 (1938) – Our Gang, Henry Brandon, Doodles Weaver. Alfalfa spoils the Gang’s revue when he tells Spanky he’d rather sing opera than croon.

• Babes in Toyland/March of the Wooden Soldiers (1934) – Laurel & Hardy, Charlotte Henry, Felix Knight, Henry (Kleinbach) Brandon, Virginia Karns, Florence Roberts, William Burress. As Stannie Dum and Ollie Dee, Laurel & Hardy appear as toymakers in Santa’s workshop who take on “the meanest man in Toyland”—Silas Barnaby. (Although appearing considerably older, Henry Brandon was only 21 years old when he portrayed the evil Barnaby in this film.)   

A new location and a great selection of seasonal films—see you there!

 

Disguises, ‘Wild Posers’ on October 23

The Chicago Bacon Grabbers tent has scared up an appropriate selection of films for is Halloween meeting that includes mystery, monsters, murder, mayhem and a clever ‘Wild Posers’ montage of well-known celebrities disguised as Laurel and Hardy.

This screamingly funny gathering will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, October 23, at the Addison Village Hall Board Room.

The village hall is located at One Friendship Plaza, near the intersection of Lake Street and Kennedy Drive in Addison.  Thanks to Bacon Grabber Mike Tynus, film collector and media production coordinator for the Village of Addison, who will be our host and coordinated the program with Bacon Grabbers David Maska, Ted Okuda and Grand Sheik Mark Yurkiw.

The film program will include:

• Soda Squirt (1933)

"Tell Me That Again..." 
The actual literal translation of the Latin Sons Of the Desert motto is "Two slates on which nothing is written!"

Chicago Bacon Grabbers Constitution 

ARTICLE I
Bacon Grabbers, the Chicago area tent of the international Sons Of The Desert, is an organization of Laurel and Hardy buffs, sprinkled with scholarly overtones and heavy social undertones, devoted to the loving study of the persons and films of the late Stan and Ollie.

ARTICLE II
Bacon Grabbers shall have the following officers, who shall be elected once a year during a regular meeting: Grand Sheik, Vice Sheik, Sub-Vice Vizier (Treasurer), and Board Members-at-Large. The latter shall consist of any member of Bacon Grabbers who does not hold one of the three aforementioned offices, and the number of Board members shall not exceed 1000, which shall be total membership limit, excluding Officers.

ARTICLE III
All officers of Bacon Grabbers shall have no authority whatever, except that designated by the membership, who also shall have no authority.

ARTICLE IV
The reading of Kafka and the playing of Mozart shall be expressly prohibited at all functions of Bacon Grabbers. The reading of papers on Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, James Finlayson, Billy Gilbert, Edgar Kennedy, Charlie Hall, and the ever popular Mae Busch (and the toasting thereto), and the playing of the Cuckoo Theme shall be accepted by the members with gusto, relish, and overwhelming enthusiasm.

ARTICLE V
Bacon Grabbers shall adhere to the international Sons of the Desert Constitution, except when it chooses not to, which may be quite often.

ARTICLE VI
To hell with Article VI.

ARTICLE VII
The present members of Bacon Grabbers, whoever they may be, shall vote on the acceptance of new members, except where such members become automatic members, whenever that may be.

ARTICLE VIII
A gold star and plastic derby shall be awarded to the person who can explain Article VII.

ARTICLE IX
All meetings and transactions shall be conducted with a "half-assed dignity," and shall be held once a month (or thereabouts) at a time and place decided by the members. Meetings shall consist of Laurel & Hardy film showings, other films of note, lively discussion, and drink. All members shall take an active part in the activities of the Tent, and contibute time and talent as the occasion arises.

ARTICLE X
Annual dues in Bacon Grabbers shall be $15.00 a year per couple, single person or family. Dues include subscription to newsletter, The Frying Pan, a quarterly document published for the membership, which is invited to contribute material, said material to have a "half-assed dignity," and a subscription to Intra-Tent Journal, the quarterly newsletter of the International Sons of the Desert organization.

FINI

Chicago Tribune Magazine

...ran a feature story on the Chicago Bacon Grabbers tent in its July 10, 2005 issue. Read it here.