June 16

This Day in Humor with Mike Durrett

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Born 1890: Stan Laurel, music hall and vaudeville comedian, film actor, writer, director, and, certainly, comic genius. Making his way from England, he performed on stage (including a stint as understudy for rising talent, Charlie Chaplin). He first appeared in Hollywood films in 1917, but it wasn't until a decade later he teamed with Oliver Hardy -- a fact made more interesting since the pair had often worked together, but no one saw foresaw their intertwined electricity until director Leo McCarey did the mating. Together they became the most beloved comedy team of all time through two decades filled with more than 100 silent and talking comedy short subjects and features. A few Laurel and Hardy titles among numerous bests: "The Music Box" (Academy Award winner), "Sons of the Desert," "Way Out West," "Block-Heads," and "The Flying Deuces." Died 1965.

Born 1907: Jack Albertson, vaudeville, Oscar-Tony-Emmy awards-winning actor, "The Thin Man" TV series (1957-59), "Mr. Ed" (1961-63), "Ensign O'Toole," "Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," "Chico and the Man." Died 1981.

1952: Gale Storm premiered as "My Little Margie" on CBS-TV.

Born 1955: Laurie Metcalf, actress, "Roseanne," "Uncle Buck," voice of Andy's Mom in the "Toy Story" movies, "The Norm Show."

Opening in movie theatres: Walt Disney's "Lady and the Tramp" (1955) ... Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" ... Jake and Elwood's "The Blues Brothers."

Copyright ©2003 Mike Durrett. All rights reserved.