Laurel and Hardy Society Sons of the Desert Way Out West Tent Los Angeles
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The Brushwood Gulch Gazette is the newsletter of the Way Out West Tent. It is published six times a year, shortly before regular tent meetings. Members receive the complete printed edition in the mail. The online edition features most of the articles found in the printed version, minus photos.


Good Work Mr. Hatley! - A Tribute to the Man Behind L&H’s Music Aug 22

On Tuesday August 22nd, please join us in celebrating the life of Ku Ku Song composer T. Marvin Hatley. To help us will be historian, author, and all around good guy, Randy Skretvedt. His book, Laurel & Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies, is one of the best books ever written about L&H. As Stan Laurel would possibly say, “It has more information in it than I have in my little finger.” In addition to seeing Marvin’s work on screen, we will also hear some rare audio recordings and get a glimpse at Marvin’s own memorabilia.

Our film program will begin with Brats (1930), in which Stan and Babe have a lot of trouble getting their sons to go to bed. This print of Brats has a 1937 score arranged by Marvin. In Charley Chase’s Midsummer Mush (1933), Charley tries his luck at being a boy scout leader (with a cameo appearance by Marvin). Finally, the program finishes with Block-Heads (1938). Marvin received his second Oscar nomination for best musical score for this film.

The Mayflower Club will open at 6:30 p.m. and our meeting will start promptly at 7:15 p.m. “Fabulous Fisher Franks” will be on sale at the kitchen and drinks will be on sale from the bar. Cake will be served during the intermission. Hope to see all of you there on the evening of Tuesday, August 22nd!

Click here for a map to the Mayflower Club...


From the Grand Sheik

We had fourteen members go to the Augusta Convention last month. This was the second highest total from all the other tents attending the Convention! The July 2008 convention will be in Amsterdam. This will be a chance for another fun convention and a great European vacation.

Many thanks to Robert Jonietz who recently gave our tent many items from his Laurel and Hardy collection. His generosity will greatly improve our future raffles.

We will again stay after the August 22nd meeting to discuss the films that are shown that night. Everyone is invited to give their critiques and comments and ask any questions they have about the films.

Finally, anyone that wants to give a toast at the next meeting, please see me before the meeting starts. Toasts for Fin, Mae, and Marvin have already been filled. That leaves Stan, Babe, Charley, and Mr. Roach. Please be prepared and creative.

Thanks, Jimmy.


June Meeting Notes

After Grand Sheik Jimmy Wiley Jr. opened the June 13th meeting, he asked for volunteers to help give the toasts to the Boys and their supporting cast. Jimmy and Vice-Sheik Bob Duncan were joined by three volunteers: Joachim Tropper, Dan Arazi, and Stan “Jose Jimenez” Taffel. Thanks guys. After singing the Sons of the Desert Song, our celebration of Stan Laurel’s birthday began.

We first screened Perfect Day and then Frauds and Frenzies (Stan without Babe, but with Larry Semon). Then we showed Scram. As our second break began and before we cut Stan’s birthday cake, we were surprised by members, Brad Kay (piano) and John Reynolds (guitar), who gave us musical accompaniment for “The Happy Birthday Song.” Thanks again to Brad and John. After the break, we screened Blotto. About fifteen to twenty members stayed after the regular meeting ended to talk about the night’s films. Thanks to everyone for a fun meeting.


"Mama Hen" on the Mend

Our very own Lori “Mama Hen” McCaffery is recovering nicely from hip surgery. The doctors are very pleased with her progress and it looks as though she may be home earlier than expected. Knowing Lori, there is just no stopping her, and we are all so happy that she is doing so well. We hope to see her at the August 22nd meeting.


Hal Roach Son-In-Law

Dick Anderson, son-in-law of producer Hal Roach, passed away June 3, 2006. He was best known as a diving pioneer and for his technical skills in underwater movies. He is survived by his wife Bridget, three daughters two grandchildren and one brother.


New Web Sites

There are two new web sites for celebrity members of our tent. A site on Our Gang’s Mildred Kornman can be found at http://www.mildredkornman.com. Margaret Kerry (a.k.a. Peggy Lynch) was also in Our Gang and was the model for Disney’s Tinkerbell. Her web site is at http://www.tinkerbelltalks.com.


July 2006 International Convention News

The recent International Convention in Augusta, Georgia was attended by about 250 members of the Sons of the Desert from around the world. Delegates participated in a putting tournament, a pee-wee contest, and a pie fight. Other highlights included a L&H sing-a-long, a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater (with L&H as suspects), and a play about “The Boys” performed in Oliver Hardy’s hometown of Harlem, Georgia. For detailed information about the convention, visit our tent’s web site at: http://www.wayoutwest.org/archive/2006convention.html


New Books and DVDs

In April, two sets of Laurel & Hardy films were released on DVD. As mentioned in our January newsletter, TCM Archives: The Laurel and Hardy Collection includes The Devil's Brother and Bonnie Scotland, with commentary by Leonard Maltin and Richard W. Bann. Also new to stores is the Laurel and Hardy Giftset, which features Great Guns, Jitterbugs, and The Big Noise. Adding to these later Laurel & Hardy features is audio commentary by author Randy Skretvedt (Laurel & Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies).

Richard Lamparski, who authored the very popular Whatever Became of...? series of books that gave readers updates on former movie and television stars, has just released a new book. It is titled Hollywood Diary, and includes stories on Our Gang's Darla Hood and Laurel & Hardy costar Patsy Kelly.

Bill Cassara (Sheik of Police for Monterey's Midnight Patrol Tent) has also recently written a new book titled Edgar Kennedy: Master of the Slow Burn. Members of our tent know Edgar Kennedy well. His grandsons Glenn and Mark frequently attend our meetings, and in 1997 many of our members traveled to Monterey, California, for the first Edgar Kennedy Celebration. This book tells the full story of Kennedy's life and his vast film career. The new research includes many rare photos which have never been printed before.

Click here to order TCM Archives DVD from Amazon.com...

Click here to order L&H Giftset DVD from Amazon.com...

Click here to order Hollywood Diary book from Amazon.com...

Click here to order Edgar Kennedy book from Amazon.com...


2006 Membership Information

The Way Out West Tent will meet five times in 2006, not including the annual banquet in October. Members receive free admission to all regular meetings and discounted admission to our annual banquet.

Remaining Meeting Schedule

April 11, 2006...........................................Meeting
June 13, 2006............................................Meeting
August 22, 2006..........................................Meeting
October 21, 2006..................................Annual Banquet
December 12, 2006........................................Meeting

Annual Dues

Single..................................................$28/year
Couple..................................................$44/year
Family..................................................$48/year
Non-members..........................................$10/meeting

Membership is open to everyone; there are no special requirements (other than all members must live at the same address for the family rate). Dues are prorated quarterly when you join during the year and are primarily used to cover postage and to rent our meeting hall. All Way Out West Tent officers work strictly on a volunteer basis.


Birthdays

We will no longer be including celebrity birthdays in the online version of our newsletter. If you wish to see the full listing of celebrity birthdays, please visit our separate birthdays web page.

Click here to see our birthday listings