The Battle of the Century
Encyclopedia
The Battle of the Century is a 1927 Hal Roach
two-reeler starring Stan Laurel
and Oliver Hardy
, who, although just teamed, had yet to take on their recognisable Stan and Ollie characters on a more or less permanent basis. A young Lou Costello
can be seen in an early scene as a member of the audience at the prize-fight mentioned in the film's title. The film is most noted for the final sequence - a meticulously choreographed custard pie fight - that utilized an entire day's output of the Los Angeles Pie Company.
For many years, footage from the famous climactic pie fight was known to be the only extant material from the film until the opening reel (featuring a boxing match) turned up in the 1970s. The sequence involving Eugene Pallette
is still lost, as is the very final gag where a cop gets a pie in his face and promptly chases Stan and Ollie down the street.
Hal Roach
Harold Eugene "Hal" Roach, Sr. was an American film and television producer and director, and from the 1910s to the 1990s.- Early life and career :Hal Roach was born in Elmira, New York...
two-reeler starring Stan Laurel
Stan Laurel
Arthur Stanley "Stan" Jefferson , better known as Stan Laurel, was an English comic actor, writer and film director, famous as the first half of the comedy team Laurel and Hardy. His film acting career stretched between 1917 and 1951 and included a starring role in the Academy Award winning film...
and Oliver Hardy
Oliver Hardy
Oliver Hardy was an American comic actor famous as one half of Laurel and Hardy, the classic double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted nearly 30 years, from 1927 to 1955.-Early life:...
, who, although just teamed, had yet to take on their recognisable Stan and Ollie characters on a more or less permanent basis. A young Lou Costello
Lou Costello
Louis Francis "Lou" Costello was an American actor and comedian best known as half of the comedy team of Abbott and Costello, with Bud Abbott...
can be seen in an early scene as a member of the audience at the prize-fight mentioned in the film's title. The film is most noted for the final sequence - a meticulously choreographed custard pie fight - that utilized an entire day's output of the Los Angeles Pie Company.
For many years, footage from the famous climactic pie fight was known to be the only extant material from the film until the opening reel (featuring a boxing match) turned up in the 1970s. The sequence involving Eugene Pallette
Eugene Pallette
Eugene William Pallette was an American actor. He appeared in over 240 silent era and sound era motion pictures between 1913 and 1946....
is still lost, as is the very final gag where a cop gets a pie in his face and promptly chases Stan and Ollie down the street.
Cast
- Jack AdamsJack Adams (actor)Jack Adams was an American silent film actor. Born in Hastings, Nebraska, he appeared in three films between 1925 and 1927.-Filmography:* The Gold Rush * Sugar Daddies...
- Ed BrandenburgEd BrandenburgEd Brandenburg , was an American actor. He appeared in 37 films between 1922 and 1938.He was born in Kentucky, USA and died in Temple City, California.-Selected filmography:* Block-Heads...
- Dorothy CoburnDorothy CoburnDorothy Coburn was a dark-haired actress, who appeared in a number of the early Laurel and Hardy silents. She was niece of author Walt Coburn, and granddaughter of Robert Coburn Sr., founder of the famous Circle C Ranch in Montana.Raised in Prescott, Arizona, Coburn was born to cowboy-poet and...
- George B. FrenchGeorge B. FrenchGeorge B. French was an American film actor. He appeared in 92 films between 1915 and 1943.He was born in Storm Lake, Iowa and died in Hollywood, California from a heart attack.-Selected filmography:...
- Anita GarvinAnita GarvinAnita Garvin was an American actress and comedienne who appeared in both silent and sound films. She is best known for her work with comedians Laurel and Hardy and Charley Chase....
- Dick GilbertDick GilbertDick Gilbert , was an American actor mainly associated with the Hal Roach Studios,where he appeared in numerous Our Gang and Laurel and Hardy comedies...
- Charlie Hall
- Jack HillJack Hill (actor)Jack Hill was an American actor, who appeared in scores of Laurel & Hardy comedies.-Filmography:* A Quiet Street * Stage Fright * Dogs of War * Back Stage...
- Ham KinseyHam KinseyHam Kinsey , was an American actor. He appeared in 39 films between 1926 and 1936 mostly at the Hal Roach Studios where he supported Our Gang and Laurel and Hardy.He died in Los Angeles, California, USA....
- Sam LufkinSam LufkinSamuel "Sam" William Lufkin was an American actor who usually appeared in small or bit roles in short comedy films.-Career:Born in Utah, Lufkin spent most of his career at the Hal Roach Studios where he made over 60 films...
- Gene MorganGene MorganGene Morgan , was an American actor. He appeared in 111 films between 1926 and 1941.He was born in Racine, Wisconsin, USA and died in Santa Monica, California.-External links:...
- Bob O'ConnorBob O'Connor (actor)Bob O'Connor , was an American actor. He appeared in 31 films between 1926 and 1948.-External links:...
- Eugene PalletteEugene PalletteEugene William Pallette was an American actor. He appeared in over 240 silent era and sound era motion pictures between 1913 and 1946....
- Bert RoachBert RoachBert Roach was an American film actor. He appeared in 327 films between 1914 and 1951.He was born in Washington, D.C., and died in Los Angeles, California.-Selected filmography:* Fatty's Magic Pants...
- Dick SutherlandDick SutherlandDick Sutherland was an American film actor of the silent era. He appeared in 76 films between 1921 and 1932. His crude threatening looking features were a result of acromegaly...
- Lyle TayoLyle TayoLyle Tayo was an American film actress who appeared in 59 films between 1921 and 1948. Tayo was born in Elmdale, Kansas and died in Hollywood, California. She is buried in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery....
- Ellinor VanderveerEllinor VanderveerEllinor Vanderveer , was an American actress who usually played dowagers, high class society matrons or party guests...
- Dorothea WolbertDorothea WolbertDorothea Wolbert was an American film actress. She appeared in 147 films between 1916 and 1957. She appeared on the television series "I Love Lucy" in episode #137- Ricky's European Booking .She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and died in Hollywood, California.-Selected filmography:*...
- Charley YoungCharley YoungCharles Lee Young is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at North Carolina State University and was drafted in the first round of the 1974 NFL Draft....
- Noah YoungNoah YoungNoah Young Jr. was a former champion weightlifter who joined the Hal Roach studios as an actor, mainly playing comic villains. He appeared in several Laurel and Hardy comedies but was more notable as a foil for Harold Lloyd, whom he supported in over 50 films...
- Lou CostelloLou CostelloLouis Francis "Lou" Costello was an American actor and comedian best known as half of the comedy team of Abbott and Costello, with Bud Abbott...
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