Categories: TRAVEL

ANOTHER FINE MESS: LAUREL and HARDY in HARLEM, GEORGIA

On an ordinary day, the small town of Harlem, Georgia does not look like an international mecca.
But every October, throngs of international visitors, many dressed in bowler hats and
silly mustaches, descend upon the town, to laugh, dance, parade, and generally celebrate
one of America’s most loved comedy teams, Laurel and Hardy, and Harlem’s favorite native son, Oliver Hardy.

In 1895, no one in Harlem realized the town was about to be the site of an auspicious event which changed entertainment history. That event was the birth of Norvell Hardy, who, at age 18, would change his name to Oliver Hardy, after the father who died when he was just an infant
The move to movie history began when Norvell was 11, and his mother moved the family to Milledgeville, where she managed a boarding house. Norvell became fascinated by the theatrical troops who came in and out of his home. In 1910, at age 15, he became the manager and projectionist for Milledgeville’s first movie house, and often performed there as well. At 21, now known as Oliver, he left Georgia to work as a supporting actor in the brand new film industry, first in Florida and then in Hollywood. But it was in 1927 that he was accidentally partnered with a young Englishmen named Stan Laurel and formed a partnership and friendship that would last for the next thirty years, until Hardy’s death in 1957. They made 106 movies together, and in 1932, they won an Oscar for the music box. Oliver’s catchphrase, “This is another fine mess you’ve got us into,” made it into the world’s vocabulary.
And today, fifty years after Oliver Hardy’s death, Harlem and fans everywhere still remember Laurel and Hardy with love and affection.

To commemorate that love and affection, in 1989, Harlem began hosting a Laurel and Hardy festival. That first year, there were only thirty or forty vendors and the crowd was fairly small. Today, every year on the first weekend in October, fans from all over the world descend upon Harlem to celebrate Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel . In fact, while Harlem ordinarily boasts about 2,000 inhabitants, the population booms during the festival. Last year, 38,000 people and over 375 vendors found their way a few miles west of Augusta just off of I-20 to Harlem.

There is no charge for this event, not even for parking. The air reverberates with laughter. Visitors can participate in a raucous look-alike contest, cheer on a parade, view Laurel and Hardy movies, and much more. Laurel and Hardy fan clubs, called “tents,” come from around the globe. In addition to all the other frivolity, there are two stages of live entertainment and even a carnival, all for free and all dedicated to Harlem’s favorite son and his movie partner and lifelong friend.
And since 2002, the festival has not been the only attraction in Harlem for Laurel and Hardy fans. After the festival began to attract attention to Harlem in 1988, fans from all around the world began to write letters and send memorabilia to the town. A couple from Germany even showed up and got married in front of Oliver Hardy’s historic marker.

Many people in Harlem were also keeping their eyes open for memorabilia, and quite a lot of items had accrued.

So, on July 15, 2002, the city of Harlem took official notice of all this interest in their native son and purchased a former post office building and opened the Laurel and Hardy Museum to the public. Since then, townspeople and volunteer staff have collected and purchased even more items, so that the small building is stuffed with memorabilia.. . Shelves are crammed with priceless photos and biographical material, bowler hats, and movie scripts. Letters, dolls, posters, t-shirts, and movie props are everywhere. The whole place is a delightful labyrinth of comic paraphernalia.

When you visit the Laurel and Hardy museum, the friendly and gracious volunteers will happily show you around and tell you the history of the museum and all about Oliver Hardy and his partner Stan. You will have freedom to take as many pictures as you want, and you can watch many movie shorts, including “The Music Box,” and “Another Fine Mess,” in the onsite movie theater, “Babe’s Bijou.,’ christened after Oliver Hardy’s nickname, Babe.

Wander freely among the movie posters, props, biographies, pictures, hats, and other treasures. You will be truly amazing how many unique items can be packed into two small rooms.
I was told by one of the staff members that the town is about to embark on a project which will make Harlem appear exactly as it did in 1895, with gaslights and store facades to create the sensation of having stepped back in time. This will enhance even further the feeling that Laurel and Hardy are still right here, in Harlem, where Oliver’s life began.

The museum is a real treat, and it is all free. Donations are accepted and appreciated, and used to fund the museum. Souvenirs and t-shirts are available for sale as well. There are no paid employees of the museum; every staff member is a fan and a volunteer. Oliver Hardy has been very good for Harlem, and Harlem loves him and his partner for it.

So, if you find yourself in the Augusta area, seek out Harlem and the Laurel and Hardy museum. You will see the large sign at the turn-off from I-20. And remember the first weekend in October and come out and share some wacky, nostalgic fun with comedy lovers from all over the globe. It truly is “a fine mess.”

Museum:
250 North Louisville Street
Harlem, Georgia 30814
888-288-9108 or 706-556-0401
Tuesday – Saturday 10:00am – 4:00pm
Free; donations accepted

Festival:
Downtown Harlem
Take I-20 exit 183. You will see the signs for the Laurel and Hardy Museum at the exit.
After turning off of the interstate, follow signs into Harlem for about 5 miles.
Free; free parking