Yesterday was Oliver Hardy’s birthday (it would’ve been his 118th). And the only way I can work Ollie into this blog — while actually sticking to its theme — is via The Fighting Kentuckian (1949).
This Republic picture has one of the greatest casts I can think of: John Wayne, Oliver Hardy and Marie Windsor. How do you add to that? By stirring in Grant Withers and Hank Worden. (Sorry about the sub-standard photo — it was the only one I could track down with the three of them in it.)
They say Hardy was hesitant to take the part when Wayne offered it. Stan Laurel convinced him to do it. Incidentally, Wayne and Hardy had worked together before, in a benefit stage version of What Price Glory?, directed by John Ford.
I wish Oliver Hardy would have done more supporting work like this. He is wonderful in this movie and in his small role in RIDING HIGH, the Frank Capra/Bing Crosby remake of “Broadway Bill”
Me, too! Fighting Kentuckian really benefits from him being in it. (So does Riding High.) It really shows his talent that you quickly get past the fact that Stan’s not around. And he and Wayne play off each other quite well.
Fighting Kentuckian is one of the pictures I wish had come a year later, falling within the confines of my book. It’s not all that great in a lot of ways, but it’s wonderful in others.