116 years ago today in Ulverston, England, a couple named Arthur and Madge Jefferson celebrated the birth of their son, Arthur Stanley Jefferson. When he turned to performing, he became Stan Jefferson and later, Stan Laurel. When he teamed up with a man named Oliver Norvell Hardy, he became immortal.
As I've written many times on this site (here, for instance), there's really nothing I enjoy watching more than Laurel and Hardy in their natural state, which is on film. And I don't even like slapstick all that much. I just like watching them: The way they move, the way they gesture, the way they react, the way they talk (if they talk), everything about them. Their gag men, with Laurel as lead gag man, crafted brilliant jokes and situations for them…but Stan and Ollie are even fascinating to watch when they're standing still.
Nothing I'm writing in this item is new or unique or unusual. Audiences have loved Laurel and Hardy since they first teamed and people yet to be born will love their films well into the future. But I noticed today was Stan's birthday and I thought I'd note it here. Because even writing about these guys is fun.