Laurel and Hardy

* Hats off (specifically derbies) to muralist Francois Bardol (Sept. 11) for his brilliant, lifelike depiction of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. (In fact, as they were portrayed in overalls, I recognize the film that Bardol chose as his model--”The Music Box,” 1932, which won the award for best short subject that year. Surprisingly, it was the only award which a Laurel and Hardy film ever won.)

Laurel and Hardy were unique in that in addition to successfully making the transition from silent films to “talkies” (unlike so many others), they sustained a long partnership and friendship without a bitter dissolution. I treasure the memories of the three visits I had with Laurel at his Santa Monica apartment. The fact that their silent comedies are constantly shown at the Silent Movie Theater on North Fairfax and their sound films are very popular on video rental proves that the passing of time has not diminished the joy that these two comic geniuses are still giving to the world.

EDDIE CRESS

Los Angeles