RICHARD W. BANN ESSAY COLLECTION
For the first time, one of the foremost authorities on Laurel and Hardy opens their unique archive to bring us incredible insights into the comedy world of Stan and Ollie.
IN PRODUCTION 2 NEW BOOKS AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 2025
“Well, can you beat that?!”
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For decades, Richard W. Bann has been regarded as one of the world’s foremost experts on Laurel and Hardy and the Hal Roach Studios. His research led him to meet, befriend and interview over one hundred Hal Roach Studio alumni, gaining priceless first-hand accounts of what it was really like to work with Stan and Babe at the Lot of Fun.
Here, for the first time, Richard delves deep into his lifetime’s worth of research and shares some of the treasures.
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“Isn’t that swell?!”
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We are immensely honoured to have this opportunity to publish and present Richard’s incredible work. Illustrated with many rare images from his own extensive collection, these volumes are essential for any fan of Laurel and Hardy, Hal Roach Studios and classic comedy in general.
"Just playing together​"
“Can’t you grasp the situation?!“
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What began as a simple 2,000-word essay for The Laurel & Hardy Magazine on the production history of Men O’ War quickly grew to an extensive study running to over 100,000 words, with a scope that ranges far, far wider!
Many fans worldwide have been waiting decades for Richard to write and publish a book about the Hal Roach Studios and here, for the first time, and almost by accident, is just such a book. Drawing on hundreds of meetings and interviews with Hal Roach Studios alumni, Richard uses the topic of a single Laurel and Hardy short to discuss a colourful and fascinating plethora of subjects relating to Stan and Babe, the HRS production crew, filming locations and many never-before published stories, straight from the mouths of people who worked at the famous Culver City studio.
This is a project that we are incredibly proud of and excited about, and it has grown far, far larger than we could ever have anticipated.
Fraternally Yours​
“Every man should be the king in his own castle!“
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Sons of the Desert is universally hailed as one of the greatest comedies of all time. Often described as ‘a perfect film’, the 1933 Laurel and Hardy feature-length comedy has legendary status among fans, movie buffs and critics alike. In this stand-alone volume, Richard W. Bann once again draws upon his extensive archive of interviews with countless Hal Roach Studio employees, the people who were actually there when the cameras were rolling, and brings us the most complete and in-depth look at the film’s production history ever written. This is one book you won’t want to miss – no matter what the Exhausted Ruler may.
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