We should all cherish the fact that Ralph Edwards decided to profile Laurel and Hardy on his television program aired Dec. 1, 1954. This half-hour show was a rare glimpse of the boys, out of character to their famous "Stan & Ollie" personas.

The show was set up as a surprise to honor them. Lured to the Knickerbocker Hotel as a subterfuge for a business meeting with producer Bernard Delfont, the doors opened to their suite, flooding the room with light and the voice of Ralph Edwards. At first the boys reacted incredulously, like deer caught in headlights. They quickly recovered after realizing they'd been had.

From the moment the boys realized they're on camera, Stan smiles graciously, and did so all night. Babe comically drinks the rest of his beverage before hurriedly being ushered next door to the El Capitan Theatre.

The next 30 minutes, Stan and Babe were surprised with the likes of Leo McCarey, Vivien Blaine and Hal Roach Jr. In an obvious time crunch, the wives (Ida Laurel and Lucille Hardy) were introduced and shuttled through along with Stan's daughter, Lois Laurel Brooks (Hawes).

In keeping with the series, some of the mystery guests tried to fool the honored duo by an off camera voiced "clue." One such example befuddled Babe. A female claimed that "Oliver used to carry my books home from school." Ralph asked, "Do you remember the voice, Oliver?"

Babe answered in his characteristic Georgian accent; "My sis-ta?" Nope, it was Alice Miller Horne, an old school mate. I have often wished they did bring Babe's sister on the show. Would she have looked like "Fanny" in Twice Two?

Obviously, the producers of the show were limited in time, funding and logistics to invite anyone else for the telecast. And it could be argued that part of the charm of the show was that it briefly showcased non-show-biz people.

I love the format and the profiled guests filmed on that special night, however, viewing the show some 46 years later on video leaves me craving for more. There were many significant people to the careers of Laurel and Hardy who were still alive in 1954, it's a shame they weren't invited.

In my pipe-dream, I am the director with an unlimited budget. I persuade Ralph to make it an hour special program. After all, they were trying to honor two people instead of the customary one celebrity.

First of all, "The Boss" Hal Roach Sr. just has to be there instead of junior. How about Baldwin and Alice Cook who made up the Stanley Jefferson trio, back in Vaudeville. I'd have T. Marvin Hatley on camera to play the Ku Ku song and explain the origin of it. Billy Gilbert appears unannounced from the wings, proclaiming that "I hate and detest pianos." A cutaway is shown of Billy chopping up the piano in a scene from The Music Box.

Sadly, Mae Busch, Edgar Kennedy, James Finlayson, Thelma Todd and Charley Chase were already deceased by then. But, there were still a bevy of supporting actors and actresses that would be summoned for the show. Charlie Hall, "The Little Menace", would be there with clips from Them Thar Hills and Tit for Tat. The mammoth Tiny Sandford would be present in a cop uniform with clips from Big Business.

Vivien Oakland and Daphne Pollard each present the boys with a bouquet of flowers. Billy Gilbert promptly sneezes them off their stems. Thomas Benton Roberts is introduced holding a basket of tomatoes. A clip from Two Tars is featured, where Mr. Roberts gets a tomato rubbed in his face. Everyone laughs.

Pals Charlie Rodgers, Patsy Kelley and Babe London are introduced. Anita Garvin tells about working with the boys, setting up a clip from Hats Off.

Charlotte Henry, Felix Knight, Virginia Karns and Henry Brandon are introduced in costume from BABES IN TOYLAND. They reminisce about making the movie. Henry tells the audience how the script was sometimes scrapped, then improvised on the set by Stan.

Lois Brooks is introduced with clips of home movies with her dad and Babe. She is adoringly received and kissed by both. Lois is soon surrounded with graduate child actors from the Our Gang series. Stymie is wearing his frayed Stan Laurel bowler hat. Spanky tells how he incorporated some of Babe's mannerisms. Darla Hood tells about making THE BOHEMIAN GIRL with them. Alfalfa is there, minus his cowlick. Dorothy DeBorba (Little Echo) tells all what wonderful uncles they were to her.

Tommy "Butch" Bond appears wearing a leather football helmet as he did in BLOCK-HEADS. As Tommy demonstrates the scene he shared with them, he lays down a football only to be spontaneously kicked on each side of his rump by Laurel and Hardy. They each do a synchronized affirmative nod at him, then sit back down in their chairs of honor.

The minutes are winding down. Ralph decides to forgo the last commercial so he can introduce Stan's friends and contemporaries: Buster Keaton, Jimmy Durante, Harold Lloyd and even Jerry Lewis (playing it straight).

The last guest is preceded by his voice as a clue; "My children think you fellows are funnier than my pictures. They'd rather watch you than me!" The crowd is stunned, then Stan and Babe jump to their feet to acknowledge Charlie Chaplin, who explains he wouldn't miss this night for anything. Stan and Charlie embrace.

Taking a cue that the show is wrapping up, Marvin Hatley plays "Honolulu Baby" on his piano. "Hula Maids" Rosina Lawrence and Trudy Marshall enter dancing. Everyone joins in singing. Just as the song is finishing, Ralph Edwards thanks everyone for coming. Stan mischievously picks up one of the tomatoes from Thomas Benton Robert's basket and smears it onto the back of Ralph's neck. As the show fades out, tomatoes are flying and elicit howls of laughter. No one has ever been happier

Copyright © Bill Cassara, 2000. All Rights Reserved.

Bill Cassara is the founder of the "Midnight Patrol" tent in 1984. He now takes the honorary title of "Sheik of Police" which meets in the Monterey/San Jose area of California. He is a professional law enforcement officer and works as a Deputy Sheriff for Monterey County. He hosted the "Edgar Kennedy Celebration" in 1997 at Monterey and enjoys writing in his spare time. His articles have appeared in Classic Images, the I.T.J. and other professional journals. He can be reached at BCMPATROL@AOL.COM.