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Hal Roach
Producer 1892 - 1992

Hal Roach

Elmira, New York, USA

Harry Eugene Roach Sr. professionally known as Hal Roach, was an American film and television producer, director, and actor who was active from the 1910s to the 1990s. He is remembered today for producing a number of successes including the Laurel and Hardy franchise, the... Read full bio →

Filmography

Every title this person produced

76 titles
Topper Returns

Topper Returns

Roy Del Ruth 1941 1h 28m 6.5

A ghost with the help of Topper - the only one who can see her - try to find her murderer.

Road Show

Road Show

Hal Roach 1941 1h 27m 6.0

Rich playboy Drogo Gaines is in imminent danger of marrying a gold digger, and escapes by feigning insanity. The joke's on him when he wakes up in an asylum full of comical lunatics. There he befriends Colonel Carraway, and together they escape, catching a ride with a beautiful blonde who proves to be Penguin Moore, carnival owner.

One Million B.C.

One Million B.C.

Hal Roach, Jr., Hal Roach 1940 1h 20m 7.0

One Million B.C. is a 1940 American fantasy film produced by Hal Roach Studios and released by United Artists. It is also known by the titles Cave Man, Man and His Mate, and Tumak.

Swiss Miss

Swiss Miss

John G. Blystone 1938 1h 13m 6.6

Stan and Ollie are mousetrap salesmen hoping for better business in Switzerland, with Stan's theory that because there is more cheese in Switzerland, there should be more mice.

Block-Heads

Block-Heads

John G. Blystone 1938 57m 8.2

A reworking of elements from the Laurel and Hardy shorts We Faw Down (1928) and Unaccustomed As We Are (1929), Block-Heads was producer Hal Roach's final film for MGM, and was one of Laurel and Hardy's most successful films.

Way Out West

Way Out West

James W. Horne 1937 1h 4m 7.4

Stan and Ollie try to deliver the deed to a valuable gold mine to the daughter of a dead prospector. Unfortunately, the daughter's evil guardian is determined to have the gold mine for himself and his saloon-singer wife.

Topper

Topper

Norman Z. McLeod 1937 1h 37m 6.0

Madcap couple George and Marion Kerby are killed in an automobile accident. They return as ghosts to try and liven up the regimented lifestyle of their friend, bank president Cosmo Topper. When Topper starts to live it up, it strains relations with his stuffy wife.

Night 'n' Gales

Night 'n' Gales

Gordon Douglas 1937 11m 6.0

Because of a storm, the Gang has to stay overnight at Darla's house, and they drive her father crazy.

The Bohemian Girl

The Bohemian Girl

Charley Rogers, James W. Horne 1936 1h 11m 6.0

Film version of Michael William Balfe's opera. In addition to Laurel and Hardy, the film stars Thelma Todd in her last role.

Tit for Tat

Tit for Tat

Charley Rogers 1935 20m 7.0

Stan and Ollie have set up their own electrical appliance store but, unfortunately for them, the grocery right next door is run by the man and wife whom they encountered in "Them Thar Hills" (1935). Stan and Ollie go and visit to offer the hand of friendship, but the grocer again becomes convinced that Ollie and his wife are fooling around.

Thicker Than Water

Thicker Than Water

James W. Horne 1935 21m 7.3

After an endless cycle of dish washing, Ollie makes a withdrawal, ending up in the hospital after buying a grandfather clock. Only a generous blood transfusion can help him bounce back; however, is modern medicine prepared for the outcome?

Bonnie Scotland

Bonnie Scotland

James W. Horne 1935 1h 20m 6.0

Stan and Ollie stow away to Scotland expecting to inherit the MacLaurel estate. When things don't quite turn out that way, they unwittingly enlist in the Scottish army and are posted to India.

Washee Ironee

Washee Ironee

James Parrott 1934 20m 6.0

Rich boy Waldo gets his clothes dirty playing football with the gang just before he has to go to his mother's society party. The gang tries to help him clean up.

Them Thar Hills

Them Thar Hills

Charley Rogers 1934 20m 6.0

Stan and Ollie travel to the mountains for Ollie's health, and park their caravan near a well into which a gang of moonshiners have earlier dumped their moonshine; and the boys proceed to quench their thirst thinking that it is iron-rich mountain water.

Shrimps for a Day

Shrimps for a Day

Gus Meins 1934 20m 6.0

A magic lamp lets a young couple become kids again and exposes a mean old man who runs his orphanage like a prison.

Babes in Toyland

Babes in Toyland

Charley Rogers, Gus Meins 1934 1h 18m 5.8

Ollie Dee and Stannie Dum try to borrow money from their employer, the toymaker, to pay off the mortgage on Mother Peep's shoe and keep it and Little Bo Peep from the clutches of the evil Barnaby. When that fails, they trick Barnaby, enraging him.

Twice Two

Twice Two

James Parrott 1933 20m 7.0

Stan and Ollie, married to each other's sisters, plan a dinner party to celebrate their mutual anniversaries.

The Midnight Patrol

The Midnight Patrol

Lloyd French 1933 20m 7.0

Laurel and Hardy patrol the streets as the city's newest cops. This can't possibly end well--except for the criminals who can now safely commit crime.

The Devil's Brother

The Devil's Brother

Hal Roach 1933 1h 30m 8.0

Derubati dei loro averi, Stanlio e Ollio decidono di darsi al brigantaggio. Incontrano Fra' Diavolo, il peggior bandito di tutti i tempi, e rischiano di venire impiccati dal brigante.

Sons of the Desert

Sons of the Desert

William A. Seiter 1933 1h 5m 7.6

Ollie and Stan deceive their wives into thinking they are taking a medically necessary cruise when they are really going to a lodge convention.

Me and My Pal

Me and My Pal

Charley Rogers, Lloyd French 1933 20m 6.0

On the morning of his wedding to oil baron Peter Cucumber's daughter, Ollie receives a jigsaw puzzle from Stan as a wedding gift. The boys soon become absorbed in the puzzle. A taxi driver, butler, policeman and messenger boy join in as well.

Dirty Work

Dirty Work

Lloyd French 1933 19m 7.0

Stan and Ollie are chimney sweeps working at the home of mad scientist Professor Noodle.

Busy Bodies

Busy Bodies

Lloyd French 1933 19m 7.0

In this short film, Laurel and Hardy wage battle with inanimate objects, their co-workers, and the laws of physics during a routine work day at a sawmill.

Towed in a Hole

Towed in a Hole

George Marshall 1932 21m 7.0

Although they are successful fishmongers, Stan convinces Ollie that they should become fishermen too, but making a boat seaworthy isn't an easy task.

Their First Mistake

Their First Mistake

George Marshall 1932 21m 6.0

Mrs Hardy is annoyed that her husband Oliver seems to spend more time with his friend Stanley than with her. After a furious argument, Mrs Hardy says that she is through if Ollie goes out with Stan again. Stan suggests that Ollie adopts a baby, which he does.

The Music Box

The Music Box

James Parrott 1932 29m 6.8

The Laurel & Hardy Moving Co. have a challenging job on their hands (and backs): hauling a player piano up a monumental flight of stairs to Prof. von Schwarzenhoffen's house. Their task is complicated by a sassy nursemaid and, unbeknownst to them, the impatient Prof. von Schwarzenhoffen himself.

The Chimp

The Chimp

James Parrott 1932 25m

Stan and Ollie play bumbling circus performers who inadvertently drive the circus into bankruptcy. The circus can't pay them their wages so they are given a gorilla and a flea circus as payment. Bedlam ensues.

Scram!

Scram!

Ray McCarey 1932 20m 6.0

Ordered out of town by angry Judge Beaumont, vagrants Stanley and Oliver meet a congenial drunk who invites them to stay at his luxurious mansion. The drunk can't find his key, but the boys find a way in, sending the surprised woman inside into a faint.

Helpmates

Helpmates

James Parrott 1932 20m 6.0

Ollie's house is a mess after a wild party from the previous night. Ollie receives a telegram from his wife (who is on vacation in Chicago), which tells him that she is returning home in the afternoon. Fearing his wife's wrath he calls Stan over to help him clean up. Things go downhill and they make more mess not less.

County Hospital

County Hospital

James Parrott 1932 19m 5.0

Ollie is in the hospital with a broken leg. When Stan comes to visit him, total chaos ensues.

Choo-Choo!

Choo-Choo!

Robert F. McGowan 1932 20m 7.0

The gang trades places with a group of orphans about to take a train ride.

Politiquerías

Politiquerías

James W. Horne 1931 56m 6.0

A remake in Spanish of the Laurel and Hardy short Chickens Come Home (1931) , expanded into a feature by adding scenes of a magician and a regurgitator performing.

Pardon Us

Pardon Us

James Parrott 1931 1h 8m 7.7

It's Prohibition, and the boys wind up behind bars after Stan sells some of their home-brew beer to a policeman.

One Good Turn

One Good Turn

James W. Horne 1931 20m 6.3

A kindly old widow serves a free meal to the penniless boys but her greedy landlord wants to evict her for non payment of her mortgage, prompting the boys to come to her rescue.

Laughing Gravy

Laughing Gravy

James W. Horne 1931 30m

Stan and Ollie try to hide their pet dog Laughing Gravy from their exasperated, mean tempered landlord, who has a "No Pets" policy.

Come Clean

Come Clean

James W. Horne 1931 20m 6.0

The Hardys wish to have a quiet evening in their apartment, but are interrupted when the Laurels pay a visit. Stan and Ollie go out for ice cream, and manage to prevent a shrewish woman from committing suicide on the way back home. The woman is ungrateful and makes threats against the them unless they look after her.

Beau Hunks

Beau Hunks

James W. Horne 1931 37m 7.0

Stan and Ollie join the French Foreign Legion after Ollie's sweetheart rejects him.

Be Big!

Be Big!

James W. Horne 1931 28m

Stan and Ollie are on their way to Atlantic City with their wives, when Ollie gets a phone call from a lodge buddy telling him that a stag party is taking place that night in their honor. Ollie pretends to be sick and sends the wives on ahead, promising that he and Stan will meet them in the morning.

Hog Wild

Hog Wild

James Parrott 1930 19m 7.7

Ollie can't find his hat, much to the amusement of his wife and maid. Then Ollie and Stan attempt to install a rooftop radio antenna.

Brats

Brats

James Parrott 1930 21m 7.0

Stanley and Oliver are trying to spend a relaxing night at home playing checkers, but the antics of their mischievous sons keep interrupting their recreation.

Wrong Again

Wrong Again

Leo McCarey 1929 20m 6.0

Stable hands Stan and Ollie are tending a thoroughbred named "Blue Boy." But when they overhear two men talking about a $5000 reward for the return of the stolen "Blue Boy," they miss the part about it being the painting, not the horse. They take the horse to the owner's house to claim the reward.

Unaccustomed As We Are

Unaccustomed As We Are

Lewis R. Foster, Hal Roach 1929 21m 6.0

Laurel and Hardy try to entertain a female neighbor, unbeknown to Hardy’s wife.

Perfect Day

Perfect Day

James Parrott 1929 19m 6.0

Two families embark on a pleasant Sunday picnic but manage to run into a variety of issues with their temperamental automobile. Each incident requires repeated exits and reboardings by Laurel, Hardy, their wives and grouchy, gout-ridden Uncle Edgar.

Liberty

Liberty

Leo McCarey 1929 18m 7.0

While changing clothes in a getaway car, escaped convicts Stan and Ollie mistakenly put on each other's pants. They spend the rest of the film trying to exchange pants in various unlikely settings.

Big Business

Big Business

James W. Horne 1929 18m 7.0

Stan and Ollie play door-to-door Christmas tree salesmen in California. They end up getting into an escalating feud with grumpy would-be customer James Finlayson, with his home and their car being destroyed in the melee.

Berth Marks

Berth Marks

Lewis R. Foster 1929 19m 6.0

Stan and Ollie are musicians attempting to travel by train to Pottsville.

Bacon Grabbers

Bacon Grabbers

Lewis R. Foster 1929 19m 6.0

Two debt collectors try to repossess a console radio.

You're Darn Tootin'

You're Darn Tootin'

Edgar Kennedy 1928 21m 6.0

Members of a municipal band, Stanley and Oliver seem to be always following someone else's lead, rather than that of the temperamental conductor.

We Faw Down

We Faw Down

Leo McCarey 1928 20m

Stan & Ollie attempt to fool their wives by sneaking out to a poker game, but instead get involved with two flirty ladies, one of whom is the girlfriend of a jealous boxer.

Two Tars

Two Tars

James Parrott 1928 21m 6.0

Two sailors on shore leave rent a car and go on a drive with their dates, but soon get involved in a huge traffic jam with dozens of ill-tempered motorists. A minor collision sets off an escalating series of retaliations.

The Finishing Touch

The Finishing Touch

Clyde Bruckman 1928 21m

Stan and Ollie are hired to build a house in just one day. When they are done, a bird lands on the house and it collapses. Naturally, the owner wants his money back.

Should Married Men Go Home?

Should Married Men Go Home?

James Parrott 1928 20m 6.0

Mrs. Hardy throws Ollie and Stan out of the house. They try to impress two young ladies at a golf course and end up fighting with other golfers.

Pass the Gravy

Pass the Gravy

Leo McCarey, Fred Guiol 1928 23m

Schultz raises prize chickens and roosters that are always getting into neighbor Max Davidson's garden and eating the seeds, leading to constant feuding between the two men. When their children announce their engagement the two men decide to bury the hatchet and Davidson suggests a dinner at his house.

Leave 'em Laughing

Leave 'em Laughing

Clyde Bruckman 1928 22m 6.0

Stan complains of a toothache and he and Ollie visit the dentist. Ollie gets his teeth pulled by mistake. Under the influence of laughing gas, they leave and cause much commotion on the road annoying a traffic cop.

Habeas Corpus

Habeas Corpus

James Parrott 1928 20m 5.0

Loony scientist hires Laurel and Hardy to raid the cemetery to keep him supplied with dead bodies for his experiments.

From Soup to Nuts

From Soup to Nuts

Edgar Kennedy 1928 18m 6.0

Inexperienced waiters (Laurel & Hardy) are hired for a swank dinner party.

Flying Elephants

Flying Elephants

Frank Butler, Hal Roach 1928 17m

Cavemen Stan and Ollie vie for the affections of a stone-age beauty.

Early to Bed

Early to Bed

Emmett J. Flynn 1928 20m 5.0

Oliver inherits a fortune and hires Stan as his butler and proceeds to torment him. Stan finally rebels and goes on a rampage, destroying Oliver's fancy furnishings.

Why Girls Love Sailors

Why Girls Love Sailors

Fred Guiol 1927 20m 6.0

Stan is a sailor whose girl gets kidnapped by a rough sea captain. Stan dresses in drag and seduces the captain but the captain's wife catches him. Stan and his girl beat a hasty retreat as the captain's wife fires off a parting shot.

The Second 100 Years

The Second 100 Years

Fred Guiol 1927 23m 6.0

Laurel and Hardy are convicts making an escape from prison.

The Battle of the Century

The Battle of the Century

Clyde Bruckman 1927 19m 5.0

Fight manager takes out an insurance policy on his puny pugilist and then proceeds to try to arrange for an accident so that he can collect.

Sailors, Beware!

Sailors, Beware!

Hal Roach, Hal Yates 1927 20m 5.0

A con artist and a midget dressed as her infant son, are unmasked aboard a ship by a steward.

Putting Pants on Philip

Putting Pants on Philip

Clyde Bruckman 1927 19m 7.0

Pompous J. Piedmont Mumblethunder greets his nephew from Scotland who arrives in kilts. He is immediately taken to a tailor for a pair of proper pants.

Love 'Em and Weep

Love 'Em and Weep

Fred Guiol 1927 20m 5.0

Titus Tillsbury is a successful businessman who is visited by a blackmailing old flame. He enlists a friend to keep her away from his home and wife.

Duck Soup

Duck Soup

Fred Guiol 1927 17m 6.0

Fleeing a group of forest rangers, who are rounding up tramps to serve as firefighters, they take refuge in a mansion. The owner has gone on vacation and the servants are away, so Hardy pretends to be the owner and offers to rent the house to an English couple. Hardy gets Laurel to pose as the maid.

Do Detectives Think?

Do Detectives Think?

Fred Guiol 1927 19m 6.0

An escaped convict is out to kill the judge who sentenced him. Two inept detectives are hired to guard the judge.

Call of the Cuckoo

Call of the Cuckoo

Clyde Bruckman 1927 18m 6.0

Mishaps befall a new home owner located next door to an insane asylum.

Why Worry?

Why Worry?

Fred C. Newmeyer, Sam Taylor 1923 1h 3m 6.5

Harold Van Pelham (Lloyd) is a hypochondriac, rich businessman who sails to the tropics for his 'health.' Instead of the peace and seclusion he is seeking, he finds himself in the middle of a revolution. He is imprisoned where he befriends the friendly giant, Colosso (Aasen), and they engineer an escape. Together, they quell the revolution.

Safety Last!

Safety Last!

Fred C. Newmeyer, Sam Taylor 1923 1h 13m 7.6

When a store clerk organizes a contest to climb the outside of a tall building, circumstances force him to make the perilous climb himself.

Go West

Go West

Len Powers 1923 12m 7.0

Maw and Paw Monkey throw their boy out of the house after a long night of drinking. When he hitches a ride on a freight train to parts unknown, he arrives in a Wild West town full of gunslingers, giant police dogs, and steeds--billy goats--for the riding, as an unpaid tab leads to a rootin' tootin' chase from the town sheriff.

Grandma's Boy

Grandma's Boy

Fred C. Newmeyer 1922 1h 6.0

A meek young man must find the courage within when a rogue tramp menaces his hometown.

Dr. Jack

Dr. Jack

Sam Taylor, Fred C. Newmeyer 1922 1h 6.0

Country doctor Jack Jackson is called in to treat the Sick-Little-Well-Girl, who has been making Dr. Saulsbourg and his sanitarium very rich after years of unsuccessful treatment.

Never Weaken

Never Weaken

Fred C. Newmeyer 1921 29m 7.0

A young man schemes to drum up business for his girlfriend's employer but after seeing her being intimate with another man, he attempts to commit suicide.

A Sailor-Made Man

A Sailor-Made Man

Fred C. Newmeyer 1921 47m 6.0

An idle, wealthy playboy foolishly joins the Navy when the father of the girl he wants to marry tells him to get a job to prove himself worthy.

Haunted Spooks

Haunted Spooks

Alfred J. Goulding, Hal Roach 1920 25m 6.0

After numerous failed attempts to commit suicide, our hero (Lloyd) runs into a lawyer who is looking for a stooge to stand in as a groom in order to secure an inheritance for his client (Davis). The inheritance is a house, which her scheming uncle "haunts" so that he can scare them off and claim the property.

Luke's Movie Muddle

Luke's Movie Muddle

Hal Roach 1916 10m

Lonesome Luke has a movie theater and also works the box office and as an usher. He has to put up with, among other things, an incompetent projectionist who falls asleep all the time. Complications ensue.

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