LAUREL AND HARDY DVDs The following DVD collections are all currently available online... Title: Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy: The Collection Region: Region 2 only Availability: sendit.com/amazon.co.uk The Basics: This has to be the ultimate Laurel and Hardy collection, a chic-looking boxset of 21 DVDs, including extended editions, foreign language versions, and colorised alternates. Okay, that last one isn't so much of a selling point, but you get the originals too, so there's no harm done. Unfortunately looking at the set further does incur problems... for one, while it looks definitive, there are a few works missing. While it makes no claim to be all-inclusive, it's a shame that what could have been a perfect Hal Roach boxset is missing Babes In Toyland, Bonnie Scotland or The Devil's Brother. Not only that, but it must be said that some of the material present isn't of a pristine quality and, while you would expect deterioration in archive material, I've seen better prints on terrestial television. Lastly, some claim the presentation - including an auto-looped dance from Way Out West on each disc, and an audio cue before loading the films (Example: Stan says "Don't go away, we've got something to show you") - are irritating. I was going to claim they didn't bother me personally, but after the first few times they are very irritating. Perhaps the strangest element is a sub-menu for films offering "play black and white version" when the black and white version is the only one available, or subtitles for the films... except for the foreign versions. The discs can be ordered separately, but you miss out on the bonus disc with the original Brats and a lacklustre documentary. Forget the moans, they're there for honesty... for the biggest Laurel and Hardy collection this is where you should start. Title: The Collection 2; The Lucky Dog Region: Region 2 only Availability: sendit.com The Basics: Here's the DVD to get for Laurel and Hardy's very first film, The Lucky Dog - also contains four solo Stan/Ollie shorts: Hustling For Health (1919), The Paper Hanger's Helper (1920), The Soilers (1923), and Roughest Africa (1923). Title: Laurel and Hardy Double Bill Region: Region 2 only Availability: sendit.com The Basics: A double disc set features Bogus Bandits (AKA The Devil's Brother) and March of the Wooden Soldiers (AKA Babes In Toyland) Title: Bonnie Scotland/The Devil's Brother Region: Region 1 only Availability: amazon.com The Basics: Getting this will unfortunately mean you've got two copies of Fra Diavalo in your collection, but it's surely worth it as the only current way to own Bonnie Scotland on disc? Title: The Flying Deuces Region: Regions 1 and 2 Availability: sendit.com (region 2)/amazon (region 1) The Basics: The Flying Deuces, Stan and Ollie's first non-Roach feature. Packaging will vary from that displayed depending on region. Title: A-Haunting We Will Go/The Dancing Masters/The Bullfighters Region: Region 1 only Availability: amazon.com The Basics: Half of the Fox features with Stan and Ollie (for the other three, see below), while your first thought might be 'why the Hell have I bought this?', they are quite nicely presented with trailers, and are reasonably presented prints. Buy 'em for completeness' sake. Title:Great Guns/Jitterbugs/The Big Noise Region: Region 1 only Availability: amazon.com The Basics: The other half of Laurel and Hardy's work with Fox, while these are far from their peak work, I got both box sets to complete my collection. Title:Air Raid Wardens/Nothing But Trouble Region: Region 1 only Availability: amazon.com The Basics: The two MGM films to complete any collection. Really not worth the bother though to be honest. Title: Utopia plus Laurel and Hardy Memories Region: Region 2 only Availability: sendit.com The Basics: Laurel and Hardy's final, much-maligned film appears on a disc with Laurel and Hardy Memories, which collects, amongst other things, The Tree in a Test Tube and their appearance on This Is Your Life. An Online Mess You've Got Me Into! is a non profit-making site. While we do receive a small referral fee from the links above, that fee is placed back into updating and maintaining the site, including domain registration and server hosting. Your support of this site and of Laurel and Hardy is appreciated.