8mm Forum: Oliver Hardy Question

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Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on April 08, 2011, 02:32 PM:

Was Ollie's mustache real or was it makeup? It's called a toothbrush mustache and all I could find on the web were references made to how Chaplin, Ollie and Hitler all adopted the same look. Funny how Hardy chose to keep it during and after the war given the circumstances with Hitler and all. Possibly because he knew it was trademark for his screen persona and he may have felt shaving may have put the public off in some way.

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on April 08, 2011, 03:41 PM:

I've never seen a picture of him as an adult either in or out of character without it, so I would say is was the real deal.

-Ollie kept his 'stache, Adolphe Menjou kept his name! (-that must have been rough!)

One really sad story is a long time ago a childless man accepted an illegitmate son as his own despite the fact he really wasn't. He did this to perpetuate his family name. The name was Hitler, the son was Adolf's father.

-sounds like it worked too well!

Posted by Tony Stucchio (Member # 519) on April 08, 2011, 04:50 PM:

He didn't have the mustache in parts of BRATS and TWICE TWO.
I've seen many pictures of him off the set without it.
It might have been real -- probably only took a few days to grow for a film.

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on April 08, 2011, 10:46 PM:

Concerning Ollie's mustache. Don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against mustaches, nor would I not consider growing one myself. In fact I have been known to do just that, but it seems like every time I do, within a few days there is some one else growing one. I don't say that's wrong, but that person may think they can get me to grow mine longer by not shaving theirs.

This leads me to ask myself: is this other person growing his mustache just for himself to admire or is he(or she, don't want to insult any of the ladies here) growing it for the enjoyment of the community? Then I ponder, what drives a man(or woman) to grow a mustache? Now a person who grows a nice one is not bad. I'm not calling them a bum or a hobo because they are not! Many other reasons for growing a mustache probably exist, but I think it really focuses in on the two I mentioned. Personally, I would rather grow mine for the enjoyment of the community. [Eek!]

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on April 08, 2011, 10:52 PM:

Mine is growing grayer faster than my hair, so I may shave it off to look younger, which is the exact opposite of the reason I grew it in the first place!

Life is a strange comedy...and quite often the joke is on us!

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on April 08, 2011, 11:08 PM:

Steve, I get the feeling you are trying to make me grow my mustache longer. Is this just a self serving intent, or is it actually for the good of the community? Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that you are, or that you are not. But a mustache with a good moral fiber is something that everyone can enjoy! [Big Grin]

Posted by Brad Kimball (Member # 5) on April 09, 2011, 02:20 PM:

I have a picture in a book, "The Laurel & Hardy Book" by Leonard Maltin, with Ollie at a betting window (manned by Der Bingle) at Del Mar racetrack back in '35 and Ollie is completey clean shaven and wearing glasses.

Posted by Dan Lail (Member # 18) on April 09, 2011, 02:55 PM:

The next time I am at the Laurel & Hardy Museum in Harlem, Georgia, I will check out the numerous photos of Ollie just to see if they have one of him clean shaven. I can also inquire with the curator about this. I will let you know the results.

Posted by Pasquale DAlessio (Member # 2052) on April 09, 2011, 05:07 PM:

The technical term for growing a moustache is as follows: "An outward extension of inward mobilization". However, I think I like Dan's explanation better.

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