Dynamic duo’s unforgettable day they docked in Cobh

It is almost impossible for us to conceive of just how famous Laurel and Hardy were in their prime. As they wound up their screen career, the duo concentrated on stage shows, doing tours of England, Ireland and Scotland. When their boat arrived in Cork on September 9, 1953, Laurel said of their reception: ‘The love and affection we found that day at Cobh was simply unbelievable. There were hundreds of boats blowing whistles and mobs and mobs of people screaming on the docks. We just couldn’t understand what it was all about. And then something happened that I can never forget. All the church bells in Cobh started to ring out our theme song Dance Of The Cuckoos and Babe (Oliver Hardy) looked at me and we cried. I’ll never forget that day. Never.’

Unlike later duos who became estranged over money, Laurel and Hardy only grew fonder of each other as the years went by. Stan Laurel would outlive Oliver Hardy by eight years but he never worked again after his partner died. During their incredible career, Laurel came up with most of the gags and stories, and the two men would bring them to life.

Hardy was the better actor: his previous work as a projectionist had taught him that even the smallest of gestures would appear huge onscreen. Laurel, with his theatrical background, had to learn this subtlety but there was no bitterness between them. They never argued over money, screen time or women. In fact they hardly ever argued at all.