CRUISE SHIP PRESENTATIONS

by author A.J Marriot

LAUREL and HARDY

The Last Stage

Stan & Ollie's 1953-54 Tour of British Theatres

.

You've seen the film "Stan & Ollie" now watch the account of
the true story of Laurel and Hardy's last British stage tour,
by the author of the book on which the film was based.
'LAUREL and HARDY - The British Tours' by "A.J" Marriot

The Laurels and the Hardys arriving
at Cobh, on board the SS America

Best of pals. Newcastle
Empire. November 1953

Christmas Day 1953
Bull Inn, Lincolnshire

THEY ALL BEGAN AT BUTLINS Stars of Stage, Screen, and TV Before They Were Famous

Most people of a certain age will be able to name at least some of the comedians above, who started out as Butlins Redcoats. But there are SCORES of other famous acts who served their showbusiness apprenticeship at Butlins. These include a further ten TV comedians; three groups who between them had in excess of fifty chart hits; Britain’s all-time No.1 recording artist; a member of the biggest pop group in history; two presenters of long-running TV shows; two top female pop singers; an actor who tried to kill James Bond; and a prolific English singer-songwriter who became the first Englishman to be inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The list goes on.

The documentary will be enhanced by colour footage, plus photographs obtained from private archives.

Audiences will have tremendous fun trying to guess the identity of the celebrities – Before They Were Famous.

CHARLIE CHAPLIN From Street Urchin to Screen Idol

A clog-dancer with the Lancashire Lads	as Billy in Sherlock Holmes	Playing multiple roles in CASEY'S CIRCUS	Sails for America as a Fred Karno Comedian	The pupil becomes bigger than the master.

A pictorial history of CHARLIE CHAPLIN, from his humblest of beginnings in a London suburb; through his days on the British stage; and on through his years in American Vaudeville, before making the transition into film in 1914. Includes extremely rare archive material of Chaplin's years traversing America and Canada.

[ based on the book 'CHAPLIN - Stage by Stage' by "A.J" Marriot]

THE GREAT BRITISH HOLIDAY CAMP The Golden Age of Butlins

Outdoor Pool	Redcoat Show	Radio Butlin	Beachcomber Bar

Holiday Princess	Best-dressed Lady	Children's competition	Sportsday

A lavishly illustrated account of holidaying at Butlins Holiday Camps in the 50s 60s and 70s, and with contemporary footage of holiday camp life, presented by "A.J" Marriot, who started off his comedy career with two seasons as a Butlins Redcoat.

STAN LAUREL From Lancashire to Los Angeles

From boy comedian in Britain, to ...	... Fred Karno comedian in Britain and America	... to double act in American Vaudeville ...	... into solo films with Hal Roach ...	... into finding the perfect partner.
Just how a did a young lad from a lowly town in Lancashire, scale to the heights of one of the greatest comedians in screen history? Audience members will follow the show business path the young Arthur Stanley Jefferson trod, starting with the British pantomimes and plays he appeared in as a youth; then travel with him to America with the Fred Karno Company where, between 1910 and 1914, he completes several tours in American Vaudeville. For the next eight yours we see him still learning his craft in Vaudeville, playing comedy sketches with various partners. 1922 to 1926 finds him making solo films, before finally meeting the legendary partner he is to work with for the next twenty eight years. This presentation is illustrated with scores of rare photos and theatre ephemera, plus newsreel footage and home movies. It finishes with a heart-touching montage of Stan Laurel's life from beginning to end. [ based on the book LAUREL - Stage by Stage by "A.J" Marriot]

LAUREL and HARDY on the EUROPEAN STAGE
.

LAUREL and HARDY in Denmark and Sweden

A right Royal welcome in Copenhagen. 1947	Waving to fans from their Copenhagen hotel. 1947	Clowning with two Swedish comics in Stockholm. 1947	Savouring some schnapps in Stockholm. 1947

In October 1947 Laurel and Hardy played tours throughout Denmark, and Sweden.

LAUREL and HARDY in France and Belgium (1947)

Tickling the fancy of a French starlet. Paris 1947	LAH with one of the acts at the Lido de Paris. 1947	Arriving at the Alhambra Theatre, Brussels. 1947	Rehearsing at the Alhambra, Brussels. 1947

From late 1947 to early 1948 Laurel and Hardy played tours throughout France and Belgium.

LAUREL and HARDY in France and Italy (1950)

Banner welcoming Laurel and Hardy to Paris. 1950	Locals greeting Stan and Ollie at San Remo Station. 1950	Arriving at Milan, with their wives. 1950	Celebrating Hardy's birthday Paris - 18 January 1951

Then, from June 1950 to the spring of 1951, they made personal appearances in Paris, Marseilles,
San Remo, Genoa, Milan, and Rome. This presentation is a Pictorial Journey through those tours.

[ based on the book 'LAUREL and HARDY The European Tours' by A.J Marriot]

For sailings around the USA, Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mexico:

LAUREL and HARDY on the AMERICAN STAGE

LAUREL and HARDY - The Wartime Shows in America

The Driver's Licence 1940 Tour	Dressed for the Minnesota v Nebraska game. 1940	Selling War Bonds in Cincinnati. Feb. 1942	Stealing a jeep in Washington. May 1942

The previously untold story of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy living a dual life on stage - performing shows across the USA, plus details and photographs from previously unknown personal appearances and performances at show business events, benefit shows, and award ceremonies.

LAUREL and HARDY - the USO Tour of the Caribbean

'The Flying Showboat' leaving New York.	Backstage at an Air Base in Puerto Rico. 1941	On an outdoor stage, at an Air Base on St. Croix	Performing to troops in an aircraft hangar.

In 1941, the USO asked for volunteers from among Hollywood stars to go and entertain the troops stationed on Caribbean islands. Laurel & Hardy headed the first ever company to do so, and overcame their fear of flying, to fly the 10,000 miles involved. The talk is rich in photos from those shows on all the islands and bases visited.

[ based on the book 'LAUREL and HARDY The US Tours' by A.J Marriot]

LAUREL and HARDY - The Atlantic Crossings

Stan and Babe relaxing on board the Aquitania. 1932	Queen Elizabeth Southampton. 1947	Queen Mary 1952 Leaving via Sun Deck	SS America 1953 En route for Ireland

This presentation travels with the two screen superstars, as they leave Hollywood and sail across the Atlantic numerous times to play shows in Great Britain, Ireland, and Europe, whilst simultaneously revealing the lavish style of the luxury liners of yesteryear.

Richly illustrated with rare photos and footage.

CHARLIE CHAPLIN and STAN LAUREL - The Fred Karno Years

1910. Karno Company en route to America	1911. Outside the stage door in Montana.	On board the Karno boxcar the Company toured in.	1912. Performing "A Night in a London Club"

A pictorial history of the years Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel spent in British Music Hall and
American Vaudeville with the Fred Karno Company of Comedians (1908 to 1914).

[ based on 'CHAPLIN - Stage by Stage' and LAUREL - Stage by Stage by "A.J" Marriot]

Other presentations, and derivatives available on request.

'A.J' Marriot is a recognised authority on the lives and careers of Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, and Butlins Holiday Camps. His lectures have been the highlight of many Literary-Luncheons, Film Festivals, theatre shows, and fan club Conventions all over the UK, and in Europe. His presentations are always punctuated by witty ad-libbing, observations, and inter-action with his audience.

What most people find remarkable is that he uses no notes - but catch him out if you can!

o-o-o-0-o-o-o