Stan & Ollie: Who are Laurel and Hardy?

Laurel and Hardy riding a rocket.

A new film about the comedians Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy has become the must-watch film to see at the cinemas.

It's called Stan & Ollie and it's about the legendary pairs' final tour together in 1954.

Film experts are tipping it to be a big award winner this year.

But who exactly are Stan & Ollie and why has a film about them been made?

Who are Laurel and Hardy?Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel carry a piano over a bridge

Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel were a comedy duo known for their over-the-top slapstick comedy. Oliver was American and Stan was British.

They became Laurel and Hardy in 1927 and went on to appear in over 100 films together.

The duo became famous during the silent-film era so they had to be really visual with their comedy.

Laurel played the clumsy and innocent friend of the snobby Hardy, and their silly comedy saw them become two of the biggest stars in Hollywood.

Laurel and Hardy starring in the 1929 film, Liberty.
Image caption,
Laurel and Hardy starring in the 1929 Hollywood film, Liberty.

When their Hollywood career stalled in the early 1940s Laurel and Hardy started to tour regularly in Britain.

They called it quits in 1954 after an unsuccessful tour of Britain and Hardy died a few years later. His partner in crime, Laurel, never performed again after the death of his best friend.