Stan Laurel was born in Ulverston, Lancashire, son of major figure in music hall. He made his way up the entertainment ladder, like Charlie Chaplain touring the USA with the great circus entrepreneur Fred Karno: he stayed.
Both he and Oliver Hardy were established comic performers in movies when the producer Hal Roach brought them together. They became huge stars, and appeared together in over 100 movies. The era o talkies may have come, but in comedy at least it owed so much to the silents.
Here is their classic:
Mussolini was huge fan of Laurel and Hardy. Hal Roach can be seen here dancing with Vittorio Mussolini, the dictator’s daughter.
And their catchphrase:
RGS History 