‘Amazing’ archives will keep duo’s legacy alive
Stan Laurel’s great-granddaughter Cassidy Cook is in charge of 70 boxes of the comic’s papers and archives – and says the material is priceless.
Cassidy cared for her gran Lois, Stan’s daughter, for 15 years, but it was only when she passed away that Cassidy discovered the extent of the Laurel and Hardy archives that were stored in their house. Now she is planning a biography of the comedy pioneers.
“I’ve been finding journals, scripts, notes, audio tapes with their wives talking about their lives – it’s amazing,” Cassidy said.
“Stan had passed all of it on to my gran for her to write a book. I think she intended to put it together, but maybe she didn’t have the wherewithal to do so and she also led a busy life.
“We moved in together 17 years ago and I can remember wondering what was in all of these boxes. All she said to me was ‘One day you will know’.
“It was only when she passed and I was moving house that I began to go through these 60 or 70 boxes of treasure.
“At the same time, the movie came along and I just heard my gran’s voice saying ‘ You know what to do now’.”
She added: “My gran spent her life trying to promote their legacy on her own dime, going along to the Sons of the Desert fan club events, and she did so because she thought it was important to keep their legacy alive.”.