A DOCUMENTARY film maker has appealed to Bolton people for their memories of Britain's greatest clown when he visited the town 50 years ago.

Yorkshire-based Videos Unlimited are making a major documentary on comedy screen giant Stan Laurel to celebrate Laurel and Hardy's adventures in Britain. In 1947 the Hollywood stars began a series of very successful variety tours of Britain during which they visited Bolton.

Filming has already started on the programme which will feature never-before-seen film footage and photographs from private collections. Contributions have already been obtained from a host of celebrities including the American film director, John Landis.

The Bolton Lido on Bradshawgate was a favourite venue for Lancashire-born Stan having played the English music halls as early as 1908 as part of Fred Karno's "Barmy Army" of wordless comedians.

At this time, Stan was busy learning his trade and was acting as an understudy for another promising young clown - Charlie Chaplin.

Eventually, Stan teamed up with rolly-polly actor Oliver Hardy and 24 feature films, 81 shorts and two Oscars followed. By the mid 1940s their movie careers came to an end and Bernard Delfont gave Stan the opportunity to return to the English stage with his screen buddy.

It was a desperate gamble for the elderly comedians but they took the risk which revitalised the legend.

Russell Wall, of Videos Unlimited said: "We are looking for people who either attended Stan and Ollie's shows or met them as they toured the Bolton area.

Russell can be reached at Videos Unlimited, 25, Helmton Drive, Woodseats, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, S8 8QN.

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