Great Lives - Stan Laurel

Stan Laurel

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Ken Dodd explains to Matthew Parris why movie legend Stan Laurel inspired him to get into comedy.

Born Stan Jefferson into a theatrical family, in Lancashire, he later moved to the United States, where talent and a leg of lamb helped forge the Laurel & Hardy partnership.

They became the last big comedy sensation of the silent era but took to talkies like "ducks to water" and were mobbed by fans and reporters everywhere they went.

Features archive clips, including their memorable performance of The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine.

With comedy historian, Glenn Mitchell.

Producer: Toby Field

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2012.

Published on Tuesday, 4th September 2012.

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