I wrote this piece 3 years ago, but it was never published anywhere. I showed it to Tony Hawes (Stan's son-in-law) after I wrote it, and he told me "I'd rather read things like this rather than opinions about their films." I wasn't quite sure what to do with this, because I wrote it originally for personal reasons. Now that Tony has died, I took a second look at it, and maybe he's right. It should be shared.

     My daughter Diana is a life long (4 1/2 years) Laurel and Hardy admirer, (Over 5 years if you count the attendance of various tent meetings while in my wife's womb). Before she could actually say "Laurel and Hardy," she referred to them as "THE BAD BOYS" after watching a video version of "Brats" where L&H portray themselves as their own children.

     Diana watches L&H because "They're funny." Her laughter is pure, instantaneous and infectious. She has innately carried on a family tradition that began when I used to watch L&H on television with my father when I was my daughter's age. I'll never forget how good I felt when I heard my father laugh, without inhibitions at the antics of Stan and Ollie. It was a bonding that will last a lifetime.

     To say my daughter loves L&H is no exaggeration. She frequently asks me to watch L&H so we can sit on the couch and laugh together. Earlier in the year, we were graced with a visit to the house by Lois Laurel Hawes and her husband, Tony. While in the living room enjoying a lively discussion, little Diana decided to go out to my storage room and retrieve my life size cardboard cutout of the boys. As someone was speaking, Diana announced to our guests, "These are my daddy's friends."

     Lois addressed her by saying, "Did you know that one (Pointing at Stan) is my daddy?". This was met with an incredulous look of a 4 year old not able to comprehend the situation.

     Recently, my daughter asked me a question that I was ill prepared for and was caught off guard to answer; "Daddy, where do Laurel and Hardy live?" I suppose that I could have taken the opportunity to let her know that Stan and Ollie lived a long time ago, have since died and gone to Heaven. Unfortunately, Diana's grandparents on my wife's side recently passed away. She is not consoled by the explanation of death and that "Nanna and Grandpa" are unobtainable in Heaven.

     Why should I break her heart again with reality? For Pete's sake, she believes that Santa Claus brings presents for Christmas, that Mickey Mouse lives in Disneyland, and believes in the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy. In other words, a typical 4 year old who is on her own pace to discover life in her optimistic way.

     The answer to her question was swift, and I hope assuring. I told her that Laurel and Hardy live in Toyland and help Santa Claus make toys. When she asked if we could go visit them, she accepted my explanation that it was too far away.

     This was followed by her request to view the film "Babes in Toyland," probably my 500th viewing and Diana's 10th. As what frequently happens while watching a L&H movie after numerous times, one can sometimes spot things never noticed before. Diana pointed out individual images of background characters that look similar to her Nana and Grandpa. Maybe she thinks that Toyland and Heaven are synonymous. And perhaps, just perhaps, she is right.

Copyright © Bill Cassara, 2000. All Rights Reserved.

Bill Cassara is the founder of the Midnight Patrol tent (San Jose, Ca.), and current Sheik of Police. Bill Cassara is a Deputy sheriff for Monterey County the last 20 years. You may reach him at bcmpatrol@aol.com