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Hal Roach (at age 90) on Letterman (1982)

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Offline Samurai

I'm fairly certain many here have seen this, but for those who haven't...enjoy.  [cool]



Offline NoahYoung

He certainly got a lot of mileage out of that false story about BIG BUSINESS.

There's a taped phone conversation with Stan Laurel that refutes it. He says something about Roach like: "What did he think we were nuts!?"

Since Stan died in 1965, that gives you a rough idea of how long Roach was telling that story. You have to take everything Roach says with a grain of salt because of that.

BTW, Roach seems to know as much about L&H before their Roach days as Jerry Lewis does!!!

That was a generous clip from SCHOOL'S OUT that they showed. Of course, it is PD so no wonder they chose that one. Not sure why they showed the girls on the stage giving the title, though. You would think they did that so Letterman could ask a question about it, but he didn't.

Also interesting that L&H were mentioned way down the line during Letterman's intro. Our Gang was mentioned first, which is fine, but L&H should have been mentioned second. In 1982, and probably today, both Our Gang and L&H are probably the most known of the Roach Stars. In 1982, Will Rogers was mostly known for those annoying ads in movie theaters for the Will Rogers Institute, after which they came around with a tin can to put coins in as a donation. You heard very few clinks when that happened, I might add!

Burt Lancaster was too short!
- The Birdman of Alcatraz


Offline Samurai

He certainly got a lot of mileage out of that false story about BIG BUSINESS.
That wrong house bit did seem a bit of a stretch.

Dave is a connoisseur of old movies, but I suspect his knowledge of comedy silents/early talkies may be comparatively limited. He just didn't seem completely comfortable with HR, and never got into 'Dave' mode.

I also wonder if Roach (or his people) wrote the intro. I highly doubt a show staffer would have listed L&H after Lloyd and Will Rogers.

Regardless, I enjoyed watching this as I missed it when it originally aired. Either I had an exam the next day, or it was 1/2 price beer night.  :o


Offline NoahYoung

Roach did that stupid "dance" shortly before he died on Leno, too.

Any interview with Roach seems like a rehash of others he did. I never believe what comes out of his mouth knowing that he lied about BIG BUSINESS.

There are 3 sides to every story, but I generally take Stan's side and have never been a big fan of Hal Roach "the person."

That interview is over 40 years old, so if Letterman at that time didn't know much about classic comedy that would be weird.

Those types of interviews are always so light-weight. I would have asked Roach things like, "Tell me more about ur fights with Stan on BABES IN TOYLAND" and "SWISS MISS." But then the audience would have been puzzled.





Burt Lancaster was too short!
- The Birdman of Alcatraz