Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Stars hit red carpet
Superfan hosts cinema event
Some of Scotland’s best loved television stars received the red carpet treatment as they turned out for a special screening of movie Stan & Ollie at the Showcase Cinema in Bailleston.
The showing was organised by Airdrie man Ross Owen, a Laurel and Hardy superfan who acted as a consultant on the film.
Stan & Ollie hits cinemas across the UK this weekend and stars Steve Coogan and John C Reilly, respectively, as the legendary duo.
Ross is no stranger to mixing it up with celebrities, having interviewed film, television, comedy and sporting stars on his self-titled radio show, which is broadcast on Black Sky Radio in Kansas and streamed online.
But even for him, being introduced on stage by Steve Coogan in front of assembled television stars at the Stan & Ollie Showcase screening was a moment to remember.
Ross explained: “Steve [Coogan] recorded a video message which was shown on the big screen before the movie started and he introduced me up on to the stage.
“We had stars from TV shows Still Game, River City, Scot Squad and Band of Brothers attending the screening, including Sanjeev Kohli who has a role in Stan & Ollie.
“It was an absolutely brilliant night; we had a great turnout and there was a large media presence on hand.”
The Showcase screening came about due to Ross’ work on the movie which saw the 50-year-old work with Coogan and Reilly on set and advise director Jon S. Baird on all things Laurel and Hardy.
Ross said: “The team behind the film offered me the chance to hold a screening so I chose the Showcase as I have worked with the cinema many times, showing classic Laurel and Hardy movies on the big screen.
“The audience loved Stan & Ollie and gave the film a massive ovation during the closing credits.
“It’s a movie that appeals to all generations and I didn’t hear one bad word about it from anyone leaving the Showcase screening.”
Ross was also excited to hear Stan & Ollie’s UK-wide release this weekend will be followed by a global unveiling later this month.
He said: “The movie was only supposed to have a limited release but it’s opening across Britain this weekend and the interest in it has grown and grown.
“We’ve been contacted by countries as far afield as India, helped by the movie’s great reviews, and Stan & Ollie will now be getting a worldwide release on January 25.
“This is very exciting news and I’m so happy for everyone involved in the film as they deserve the global recognition and acclaim.” m.”
As the Advertiser reported in October, er, lifelong Laurel and Hardy fan Ross being ng head-hunted for his consultancy role on n Stan & Ollie was a dream come true for the he Whinhall friend to the stars.
He said: “I watched Laurel and Hardy y on TV with my mum and dad when I was s growing up.
“When I first started regularly using the e internet there was very little out there about t them so, in 2005, I decided to set up the e Laurel and Hardy Forum.
“It has grown to be the biggest Laurel l and Hardy online database with articles, facts and community posts; we’ve got half f a million Facebook users alone.
“I had built up a lot of knowledge on the duo and always wanted to see a biographical movie about them.
“I actually started writing one myself but then, two years ago, I opened up a paper and read that the Bafta awardwinning writer Jeff Pope was penning a film.
“Little did I know then that I would be involved in the production!
“The filmmakers contacted me and asked if I would be a consultant on the film – and I was delighted to accept their offer.”