In case the L & H movies are released on Blu-Ray or again on DVD, have you ever considered (or already been invited to) record audio commentaries forany of them? Do you have any memory of Leo McCarey, or do you remember any impression of him from L & H? As far as I know he not only directed some of the best shorts but also rose to a high rank at the Hal Roach studio. Now let me ask you a couple of questions: Hollywood 'dinosaurs' such as George Stevens (director of Shane and Giant) and Leo McCarey, my favorite director of all time (The Awful Truth, Going My Way, An Affair to Remember), worked on Laurel & Hardy shorts in the beginning of their careers.
I also was dumbfounded when I discovered that How stunning it is to realize that those movies invented a lot of cinematic tricks and gags that are actively used by movies and television even now.
Since I discovered the Laurel & Hardy shorts, I've been admiring not only the comedic talent of the two stars and the wonderful supporting actors such as James Finlayson, but also some less mentioned elements such as the ingenious use of sound effects and the delightful music of Leroy Shield not to mention the cinematic talent employed in their making. I wish you a Merry Christmas and also to let you know how happy I was to finally discover this website.
