Golden Age Hollywood comedy geniuses Laurel & Hardy made 32 silent shorts, 40 sound shorts, and 23 feature films. They entertained millions of fans for generations on film, on radio, and live on stage. Their multi-decade careers inspired lots of Laurel & Hardy collectables and merchandise, but there have never been 1:12 scale articulated action figures of Stan & Ollie, until now! Wandering Planet Toys has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the first officially licensed 6-inch Laurel & Hardy figures.
The Beat had a chance to interview Wandering Planet Toys founders Chris “Doc” Wyatt and Gavin Hignight over email about their latest Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign celebrating the legendary comedic duo.
Taimur Dar: Expect the unexpected is a phrase that describes the licensed toy properties for Wandering Planet Toys. I don’t think anyone could have foreseen Laurel & Hardy action figures would be your next licensed property. The obvious question is how you hit upon the iconic comedy duo for your next Kickstarter crowdfunding project and how you got the license?
Chris “Doc” Wyatt: When we did The Prisoner figures, everyone assumed our next figure would be something else from British TV, and they were surprised when it was Nancy Drew. After Nancy everyone assumed it would be something else from literature, or some other detective, but it’s Laurel & Hardy. We like that idea of being unpredictable and surprising people.
Gavin Hignight: Ultimately we pursued Laurel & Hardy because we are big fans. I’m a lifelong fan of the duo, I have vivid memories of trying to chase down all their shorts on VHS compilations as a kid. And all these years late, their work is as funny and clever to me as it was then, maybe even more clever than I once realized. Wandering Planet Toys really is a way for us to pay tribute to films, TV, books, artists and musicians we love. So far with every project we’ve approached, it was with a little faith that there are other fans out there who would like these figures the way we envision them, the way we’d like them to be part of our own collections,and early response seems to suggest. And I’m happy to say, there are many Laurel & Hardy fans out there like us, who are ready to celebrate Stan and Ollie in action figure form. We reached out to Larry Harmon Pictures Corp, who maintains the license for Laurel & Hardy and pitched what we wanted to do. They have been amazing to work with, great, supportive partners in this endeavor, really helping us bring the line to the next level.
Dar It goes without saying you’re both Laurel & Hardy fans. If so, what’s your personal fan history with them? Favorite Laurel & Hardy film or work?
Hignight: I could go on and on… honestly I don’t remember just how I discovered the duo, but as a tween I was obsessed, and I had a buddy who was equally obsessed. We both searched high and low for the films, and we read books, and tried to get merch when and if we could find it. As for favorite films, Below Zero always comes to the top of my mind, Blotto is amazing and contains one of the funniest sequences in the history of cinema. The Live Ghost and Night Owls, Be Big. I could keep going. Pardon Us is probably my favorite longer “feature” length film.
Wyatt: I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know who Laurel & Hardy were. From childhood on, I just knew them. My dad was a fan, and they played on the UHF station where I grew up. Way Out West is my fave. And Music Box, but that’s everybody’s favorite. County Hospital of course.
Dar: Have to ask, is one of you the Laurel and the other the Hardy?
Hignight: We’re probably lucky to keep the lights on at the Wandering Planet as I fear you’re dealing with two Stan Laurel’s. We probably need an Ollie to come around and straighten us out.
Wyatt: I don’t know, I might be the Ollie. In terms of physical build, I am; plus I’m always yelling about something, and bossing people around.
Dar:There’s this great bio film, Stan & Ollie, starring Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly chronicling the duo’s final years together during their European tour. Would love to know if you’ve seen the film or were aware of the ups and downs of their professional and personal relationship?
Wyatt: I haven’t seen it, but there’s a book called Another Nice Mess: The Laurel & Hardy Story by Raymond Valinoti that covered those years pretty well.
Hignight: I must confess I never saw the film, although I’ve heard it’s great. From what I understand they maintained an amazing friendship and partnership throughout their lives and careers. Love that.
Dar: Is it safe to assume that the Laurel & Hardy estates and families were involved and/or approved everything? Did they have any particular notes or requests before or during design?
Hignight: The official license for Laurel & Hardy is via Larry Harmon Pictures Corp. That’s who we’ve worked with on these figures and as mentioned we’ve been thrilled with the relationship and what we’ve created together. As fans, who are creating these figures out of our love for the duo, we worked very hard to get the details right, and to pay tribute to their legacy and work.
Dar: Looking to the future, do you already have your next crowdfunding project lined up? Don’t suppose you can give a tease?
Hignight: We know exactly who/what is coming next! And we can’t really tease it… but I will say it’s another exploration in the 1/12 scale. And for those who are enjoying our 1/18 scale retro… never fear, more are being developed. Since we’re a small team, we really have to laser focus, so for now, all our bandwidth is focused on The Prisoner wave No2 manufacturing and the launch of Laurel & Hardy. But after that… once again, you will be surprised.
Wyatt: Expect to be surprised.
Laurel & Hardy Collectable Action Figures 1:12 Scale Kickstarter is live now.
