Jay Leno chats to 100 year old Laurel & Hardy Producer Hal Roach - 1992

[@aft2749]

*Wow... 100 years old and as sharp as someone in their 60s or 70s. Rest in peace, Mr. Roach! Thank you for creating the Laurel and Hardy duo.*

[@retroguy9494]

Hal Roach treated them like CRAP. He was a major league jerk in his younger days. They were way underpaid and denied raises. He played one against the other. Paid Laurel a lot more than Hardy and kept their contract expiration dates staggered so they could not leave and go to another studio or out on their own. L&H were treated as bad by Roach as the Three Stooges were by Harry Cohn at Columbia.

[@davidwesley2525]

@@retroguy9494 Hal Roach Produced a lot Quality , Wholesome Kid Films " Our Gang , The Little Rascals ". His Films are Way Better than any of the CRAP Today. 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@retroguy9494]

@@davidwesley2525 I couldn't agree with you more! In fact, my father used to go to the movie house on Saturday afternoon when he was a boy and watch the Our Gang shorts (as well as the Three Stooges). He told me it cost him a dime for the newsreel, short and movie! LOL However, Hal Roach's excellence as a studio head really has nothing to do with him being a horrible boss who mistreated his stars.

[@Johnniebhoy83]

​@@retroguy9494It's very true he was a brutal director. No changing the facts

[@retroguy9494]

@@Johnniebhoy83 Very true...facts are facts and cannot be changed.

[@rush211251]

I sent him a bithday card for his 100th , and he replied with an autograph , which i still have to this day .

[@jakehughes1311]

Mark Jeffrey wow I'm actually really jealous I'm not being sarcastic u r really lucky

[@the4seasons4ever]

I am happy and jealous!

[@Ghostmanriding]

Wow,wonderful!

[@siy8230]

Mark Jeffrey nice. Here in the UK people who reach 100 get a signed card from the Queen. She's not far off 100 herself tho so she'll be sending herself one soon enough haha

[@Ghostmanriding]

Si Y Here in Canada,100 year olds also get the Queens letter. I have my grandmothers.She lived 102 years,born in 1899, lived until 2001, lived in three centuries :)

[@normanhowe4938]

Poor guy out lived three of his children, Laurel and hardy,and most of our gang. He did help alot of people with their careers. God bless him.

[@slimpickins1469]

he was a slime ball

[@wetarez]

@@slimpickins1469 everyone who worked with him loved him.

[@zedwpd]

@@slimpickins1469 says someone who had never met him

[@zedwpd]

Sometimes the Green Mile seems so long.

[@FabianAndra-pd6ks]

​@@wetarez thats certainly not true. In the end Stan Laurel somehow hated him. But Laurel and Hardy would probably never have gotten together if Roach would have not existed.

[@krrraaab]

Mr. Roach still had his faculties. He was lucid and spontaneously witty. He was the last link....shed a nostalgic tear.

[@MrChunky37]

He looked absolutely wonderful for a dear old fella of 100 ! Amazing ! His legacy is superb, great old silent and comedy classics.

[@peterlewis3540]

Just imagine all the enjoyment and clean entertainment Mr Roach has given us, over the decades. The man who brought Laurel & Hardy together. Thank You Sir.

[@edwardanthony7283]

Man he was in great shape for 100. God blessed him big time!

[@Impalaman1968]

How did I miss this back then? This man was truly a legend! He was the progenitor of all of the great comedies that I grew up watching on Sunday mornings! 26 years later. ...I just stumbled upon this clip, glad I found this! R.I.P. Mr. Roach.....there will never be another like you!

[@Nummymuffincocobutter]

back when they had legends and talent on tv..now we have reality stars.....

[@keithforsay4204]

Reality Tv-Stars Dont' Have A Lick Of Talent! RIP Mr Roach.

[@shadmehr99]

Above all, we have Kim Kardashian, Tailor Swift, and Beyonce...how lucky we are!!!

[@richardrodriguez1742]

My Grandpa worked with Hal Roach on 1000 years BC as set directer. I saw the move in the early 40s, always watched Laurel & hardy after we got TV in 1949.

[@wayne9782]

Every 1000 years a man with his vision comes along and leaves something priceless. Thanks for the big belly laughs. RIP Mr. Roach.

[@vikings844]

This man was a comic genius !! Our gang and Laural and Hardy!! are you kidding me, pure genius !

[@torstenscholz6243]

And Harold Lloyd and Charley Chase!

[@Oheao]

@@torstenscholz6243 I think the Hal Roach studio is my favorite comedy studio in history: Laurel and Hardy, Our Gang, Charley Chase, Harold Lloyd and the Thelma Todd pairings.

[@Mynamesalexa]

Charley Chase

[@manofthehour6856]

Amazing that not only is he a hundred here, but not at a time when "100 is the new 90". I remember watching this originally, and having been an avid Laurel and Hardy fan, it was a veritable treat to see Hal Roach interviewed in my lifetime. Thank you, Mt. Roach, for your contribution to motion pictures!

[@MilesBellas]

3:45 Ernest Fredric Morrison (December 20, 1912 - July 24, 1989) was an American child actor, comedian, vaudevillian and dancer who also performed under the stage name Sunshine Sammy Morrison and was the only black member of the East Side Kids, and also was an original performer in the Our Gang short film series franchise (the 1920s silent film series). A sidekick to Harold Lloyd and Snub Pollard.

[@mecruzn]

What a legend! So true about living through the depression and how it affects one’s view about money. My dad was 7 years old when the depression hit and it was frugal and believed in saving.

[@jozefserf2024]

It's interesting that no one ever claimed to be better than Stan and Ollie, but then again it's only been some 90 years or so.

[@avtm06]

Gotta respect that man for being that youthful for his age. Never seen a centenarian like that. For example my great grandma, who was 101, almost 102 when she died, had to go to hospital for the rest of her life when she wasn't even 90, and then somehow reached that age. This man is amazing.

[@Brace67]

The Hal Roach studios were located in Culver City, CA. Only a plaque remains today of that famous facility where so many of the iconic Laurel and Hardy films were made. It was Hal Roach who first teamed L&H together even before “talkies” replaced silent movies. He created the greatest comedy duo in history and lived to see the outcome even after both the boys were long gone.

[@MissRailfan]

My hometown same as Hal have him buried there. He left home n came back forever.

[@scvandy3129]

""Brace65," And the long run of "Our Gang" surpassed that of Laurel & Hardy at 'The Lot of Fun,' formally known as Hal E. Roach Studios; 1922 - 1944. There IS a plaque in East Hollywood at street level of THE steps where 'delivery men' Laurel & Hardy carry the piano up flights of stairs to the residence of its buyer in the iconic "The Music Box."

[@Brace67]

@ Yes, I have visited the stairs where the “Music Box” was filmed and walked up them. I have viewed it and all their films produced at Hal Roach many times and never tire of watching them again, They are timeless.

[@vikingshelm]

He was such a character, with a great sense of humor.

[@mustangtony2933]

Amazing man. A great contribution to mankind.

[@billtaylor4224]

You are so right. He made the world a better place.

[@glennvieregge934]

He died the same year. Such talent. Rip..

[@nazarenewyckoff8883]

He look great for a 100 years old.

[@myahollandia3552]

He looks 73

[@sannechristinadezeeu]

Humor best medicine

[@jakehughes1311]

Nazarene Wyckoff ikr

[@fastfootedone]

I know a guy in his late 40s who looks older than him, although he moves a little better

[@markcadieux3445]

This might've been Hal Roach Jr. Hal Sr was still living at Stan Laurel's funeral in 1965. Hal Sr was grey haired at that time.

[@TheSweetone-nr9pp]

we all love you mr. roach and laurel and hardy

[@mattnbc00]

Being a huge Laurel and Hardy Fan, This is incredible.

[@DonCarlosHormozi]

He looks fabulous for 100!!!!!

[@stormhawk3319]

100 years old and still walking, talking, listening and not even wearing eye glasses. Great set of genes he possessed.

[@hell0hkitty]

what a glorious man. this is history!!!!!!!! my father worked for consolidated films and often went to hal roach studios. what a time in history!

[@daviddavids5088]

I remember this when it was first on TV Hal roach was a legend his films were Brilliant I still watch Hal roach films

[@leigheastham493]

He looks like he's in his 70s!

[@andyelliott8027]

+Leigh Eastham This was on January 21st,he died on November 2nd.

[@GladysAlicea]

Absolutely! He looks fantastic...nowhere near 100. Sadly, he died same year he was on Leno. I read his bio; what a story and life this man had. Wish they'd make a movie about him, but who would play Harold Lloyd, (one of my most favorites besides Chaplin)? Tough movie to make, but it'd be a great bird's-eye view into one of the greatest.

[@mnd1955]

Indeed. What a life he had. He brought laughter to countless people and his pictures are as funny today as they were when they were first shown. Class never goes out of style.

[@charlespatrick1784]

Leigh Eastham

[@parksyist]

In the face not in body

[@IsaacWale2004]

He was excellent... he made so many comedy legends big... so glad he made 100...

[@johnnytheyoungmaestro]

It's incredible that he lived so long. The silent era of films was where the prime of comedy was. Laurel and Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Milton Berle, etc... Bravo, Mr. Roach!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@thewordkeeper]

Wow! Hal Roach! So many comedies I've seen with that name blazen across the screen. He was the man.

[@crispincain5373]

This war aired on Jan 21, 1992, Hal Roach passed away later that same year on Nov 2nd 1992. RIP

[@JSB1882]

Hal Roach was really an inovator in film. I wish there were more interviews with him.

[@the4seasons4ever]

Roach Had Stan And Oliver Under Separate Contracts,they were not underpaid, bbut when they visited England for the first time in ,I believe 1932,Stan to see his Dad,Oliver to play golf.they realized that they had become a worldwide thing loved by all.on that first visit,they were practically swallowed up alive by the crowds. and so it would be every time they returned after that.God Bless Stan and Babe!

[@chadbrick67]

The Four Seasons never be forgotten simply the best ever

[@the4seasons4ever]

none better in my humble opinion.Phillip

[@diamondgeezertunes]

He was a money grabbing sod , not paying the right dues to the greatest duo in Stan & Ollie ...

[@MyLateralThawts]

kiaser Sozez I don’t think too highly of Hal Roach as far as his contracts stiffed the two. I will give him credit for letting Stan essentially do as he pleased regarding creative control. By and large, the movies Stan and Ollie made after they left Hal Roach were disappointing.

[@RedBud315]

However, he also had those contracts overlapping so they never expired at the same time so that neither one of them would not re-sign or the act would break up.

[@LEERILEY33]

"Roach outlived three of his children by more than 20 years: Hal Jr. (died in 1972), Margaret (died in 1964), and Elizabeth (died in 1946). He also outlived many of the children who starred in his films"

[@michaelwray1034]

I cant think of anything worse than outlivinh my kids.

[@ALANRLEAKE]

There have even been Presidents who have outlived their children. In my lifetime, Presidents Kennedy and George H W Bush come to mind.

[@badreality2]

@@ALANRLEAKE Kennedy? kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJ_QeIZup7uof68

[@pattysherwood7091]

Michael Wray you got that right.

[@MissRailfan]

Hal jr is buried in Cali and hal is buried in mine and hals hometown elmira

[@MoiAussi18]

I just watched Hal Roach being interviewed by Letterman. Night and day difference. God alone knows why Leno was so successful.

[@michellepost2986]

Imagine all the changes he saw in the movie world. I never knew he lived to 100.

[@ms.sonshine8878]

Wow, so sharp & alert. Brought us so much fun.

[@RUHGOOD]

I'm from the state of Saudi Arabia and loved representatives Laurel & Hardy

[@the4seasons4ever]

عبدالله الشهري they are loved the world over,and your post proves that,my friend!

[@Cjnw]

ALLAH-HU-AKBAR

[@johnbanks4761]

this is great, 100 years old ? wow..someone from the golden age of Hollywood is always wonderfull to watch and listen to. Thanks for posting

[@vantheman1234]

Amazing to see Hal Roach. The man looks good. Incredibly bright. Love this video

[@aureofernandes8241]

Those who aspire to be 100 or more should take the hint that a sense of humour is a must to be happy. I remember the advice given me by a friend who died aged 102. "Take life seriously but not too seriously."

[@PinkLaffs]

Roach outlived Laurel, Hardy, and most of the children from Our Gang.

[@stevemaclaine4547]

how good does he look ,100 years old and still got all his marbles, respect to this man ,brilliant.

[@silicononsapphire5102]

You can't beat the old boys. They don't owe nobody nuthin.

[@cubey]

Except, you know.... they voted for FDR who enacted a 90% top tax rate and created Social Security.

[@adamandrews8534]

cubey, nobody is perfect!

[@cubey]

@Natural Man You're preaching to the choir.

[@IsaacWale2004]

Still looks 80... what an amazing man

[@danielnegus4667]

youngest looking 100 year old i've ever seen

[@ACNC1]

+Daniel Negus Agreed....He looks more with it than Kirk Douglas who is now 99. Maybe he is an imposter who replaced the real Hal when he died back in the 70s. Just to keep on collecting the retirement checks.

[@mtl9732]

+ACNC1 Humm, Douglas had a stroke several years ago. Anyway Roach was pretty spry here. Maybe laughter is the best medicine

[@jaggass]

+Daniel Negus He only looks like he was in his early 70's

[@jakehughes1311]

Daniel Negus ikr he looks in his 70's

[@PAULLONDEN]

"Daniel Negus" __ Looks deceive....The man died a few months later....

[@variniathomas6378]

RIP Hal. You are a great, true, legend and thank you so much for giving us Laurel and Hardy. God bless you forever. Love from Vinnyxxx😊❤

[@steviejacko]

hal roach what a fantastic person you was, sure do miss you my friend

[@RonRicho]

I know its a cliche but I'll say it anyway. Hal Roach: They don't make 'em like him anymore.

[@robertgerber2533]

I'm really starting to feel old seeing Jay Leno look young

[@DavidJ-UK]

wow what a treat - Thank u!

[@shawnmcculley2995]

I saw him on another show the same year. What a wonderful guy!!!!!

[@glennjohnson8170]

Glenn Johnson How wonderful to see this footage!First time!Many thanks.

[@rj4954]

Let's Hear It For Mr. Hal Roach Everybody !!!!!!!! "A Sainted Man Of Comedy"... Indeed !!! God Rest His Lovely Soul...(RJ) In Thailand

[@declanmcdermott]

Just joined this channel today, thankyou for the wonderful uploads, These guys were the first comedians to make me cry as a child and even to this day, nobody will ever take their place

[@JL0ndon]

For 100 he looks 70-80 at the oldest! He was probably quite popular amongst the ladies at the senior center!

[@jaggass]

Check out Connie Sawyer she's 104 and still works. She only looks in her early 80's.

[@ToddLongwell]

I attended his 100th birthday party at the Motion Picture and Television Fund Country House in Woodland Hills, but he didn't live there. He lived at his house in Bel Air.

[@SpicyHobbit03]

@@ToddLongwell Woah

[@waynej2608]

That 'hula dance', prolly worked like a charm.

[@bryanmiller6046]

A comedy genius who outlived everyone.

[@ezsteev63]

He has outlived all the people that has worked for him.

[@pipmcg1]

The gorgeous and funny anita garvin lived up until 1994.

[@ezsteev63]

@@pipmcg1 thanks 👍 for telling me that

[@pipmcg1]

@s Blake No sweat. I've been reading up on laurel and hardy co stars during lockdown and surprised myself how long she lived. I'll shut up now ha.👍

[@jaggass]

For 100yrs old he was still sharp.

[@cdream5414]

I've never seen a 100 year old person so lively. People 100 and older can't even move their heads.

[@barbarariley3488]

I worked in Health.care.there are a few out there doing ok.

[@Mephitinae]

Prince Philip was still driving until last year. Now he's 98. Staying active is the key.

[@56cadd]

Probably a virgo.

[@wpbrealtorkim]

Pure happiness and respect......luv their history! Such an alert and lucid gift to Hollywood......RESPECT ppl...this is an icon!!!!

[@frannielocks]

Omg the “Old Man’s Hula Dance” 🤣🤣🤣 that’s so funny and cute! It’s genius!!!

[@Peter-pv8xx]

Before kids needed some device to stare at all day for entertainment they found so many imaginative ways to have fun, I can remember the excitement when we found someone had gotten a new refrigerator and threw out the box, it was a race to see wh9 would get it first, we couldn't wait to drag it home and crawl inside then make openings for windows, the simpler times were the best in my opinion.

[@georgiethumbs2438]

One of the few bonafide geniuses from the early 20th century

[@juanmonge8]

The Broadway producer George Abbott lived to be 106. He continued to work til the end. I believe that on his 100th year they did a special Tony tribute. He walked on a gave a wonderful speech. Roach deserves every accolade there is.

[@aldenbarlow3158]

The guy is a legend. RIP now. THANX 4 Laurel & Hardy ya beaut.

[@TheMarkanthony5]

I can't believe how young this man looks more like 75 to 80

[@Sandlot1992]

I'm glad Hal Roach lived to be a Hundred and good thing he was in good health!

[@jasongb5666]

Jay's mother was Scottish, and Laurel lived in Scotland, and his first performance was in Glasgow.

[@EndingSummerwithRalph]

Awesome recommend to me by YT. Guess because I've watched so many Laurel and Hardy films here. So funny to see Jay put Hal on the spot about his drivers license! I've never met anyone in person that old but he looks much better then most that I've seen on TV. Awesome, thanks Hal!

[@victoriajarvis2260]

I wish he had said more about Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

[@jbradbury2]

Yes...out of respect as they made him really famous, if it were not for l&h I wouldnt have ever known him

[@kevinmullins3442]

I think the "Our Gang shorts were some of the funniest scenes ever filmed!

[@torstenscholz6243]

Laurel & Hardy, Harold Lloyd, Our Gang, Charley Chase - the Roach studios were probably the greatest concentration of comedic talent ever.

[@scotnick59]

I agree 100%: they still make me laugh a lot!

[@scvandy3129]

@@torstenscholz6243 Plus the leading ladies Thelma Todd, Zasu Pitts, Patsy Kelly -- where Hal Roach tried his hardest to duplicate the enormous success of the Laurel & Hardy teaming with a female duo, but it wasn't meant to be -- and those perennial supporting players Billy Gilbert, Mae Busch, Anita Garvin and Franklin Pangborn among others. In reference books discussing that era in Hollywood, Hal's production and corporate base -- Hal E. Roach Studios in Culver city -- was known by those who worked there as 'The Lot of Fun.'

[@nick56677]

"Laurel and Hardy, u put them together right?" Hal Roach: "Oh yes!" 😂

[@heliotropezzz333]

He died aged 100 years and 10 months. He seemed keen on getting actors cheap or free. No wonder Stan Laurel argued with him for a raise.

[@stewartkee6115]

Sources? Because Stan Laurel said Hall Roach treated him well.

[@duckman531]

The amazing thing about Roach was that even in the silent days, he included such great roles for African Americans. Roach seemed to have little regard for racial differences.

[@PeterSmith-ls7ut]

@Puppy 1975 people get scared lol

[@rickrick5041]

Puppy 1975 Not allowed. I think you’re a racist

[@PeterSmith-ls7ut]

@@rickrick5041 Lol

[@rickrick5041]

Puppy 1975 Calling people the b word (black). You’re a racist and a bigot

[@PeterSmith-ls7ut]

@@rickrick5041 There's some nice trams to watch on , Helen's crowd and loud... No Black cards to play, nothing like that.

[@toddblakeharris9937]

Amazing Man...Amazing Genes !!

[@Christbepraised]

Amazing man. So many many laughs that came from this man and his bunch.

[@umyes5246]

One of his most important guests.

[@chrisbungostudios]

Priceless!

[@johnkoziol4321]

Working with kids and comics had to have been what kept Mr. Roach looking so good.

[@TakersMissy]

That's an excellent point! The world will always be indebted to Hal Roach for working to bring such joy and laughter into our lives. :-)

[@RjBenjamin353]

John Koziol- No it was a known fact that Roach loved to go down on young young girls because he believed that by eating young pussy he would stay young.

[@garryjohnston7777]

@@RjBenjamin353 you are a complete and utter cretin.

[@robertmiller1270]

A genius. The architect of 100 L&H movies. Also, I've heard he drank and smoked all his life. What a great character.

[@daleschroeder5582]

thank god for hal roach hes awesome

[@osocool1too]

Great clip of a great man...👍🏼🤗

[@MARKMANIATT]

There is a man right there born the same year as Oliver Hardy.Its almost beyond belief!!

[@margot9230]

If I make it to 100 ...I hope I look as good as he does....

[@MrDanamp]

HAHAHAHAAA!!! That ending is HILARIOUS!! Jay Leno seemed to be giddy with happiness during this interview - I would be, too!

[@richdisilvio4591]

WOW! What an amazing man....100 and he looks and speaks lucidly, and had such a magnificent career. I loved the hula dance too. LOL Truly the last man standing of a distant era, one he enriched all of our lives with good clean humor, even though living through the Depression and World Wars. What a noble legacy. RIP Hal!

[@vikingshelm]

And very patriotic

[@jamesten]

"Big Business" (1929) was the movie with the wrecked house, and no - the right one was wrecked, the owner was present, as were Laurel & Hardy. Roach, himself, was out of town. All of this is per Mr. Laurel via interview - 30 years after the fact. Hollywood is still a land of glorious fabrication.

[@MrTomb789]

Perhaps he said it for comic effect, you remember comedy right?.....

[@mrsbrownandhercat]

Yes, he was just kidding. Stan did a lot of the physical film editing with the official film editors and William Terhune agreed a deal to lend his house, much as Roach described. But he attended the shooting every day and there was no question which house it was. The props and effects guys had been doctoring it before filming, and Terhune got new windows, doors and landscaped garden out of it, in addition to a paid vacation and a facility fee. Everyone knew which house it was, not least the neighbours and the police.

[@Bravie2001]

@@mrsbrownandhercat A moment's thought will show that it can't have been the wrong house. If it was, how did Fin get inside?

[@Bobbnoxious]

9:36 - The "Old Man's Hula". Hal Roach was a great showman to the very end.

[@robertmac7833]

What a legacy! He could honestly say his legacy was that he left behind millions of laughs! (If you add ‘em all up!)

[@starbuono3333]

May he rest in peace !!!

[@MilesBellas]

8:40 Beau Hunks is a 1931 American Pre-Code Laurel and Hardy film, directed by James W. Horne. The title is a reference to the novel Beau Geste (1924), and to the common ethnic slur of the time, "bohunk". At 37 minutes, it is the longest L&H short. The French Foreign Legion scenario was remade as The Flying Deuces with Charles B. Middleton again playing their commanding officer.

[@martymcfly5842]

This episode aired January 21, 1992.

[@Sandlot1992]

+Marty McFly no way! really?

[@antonnym214]

Wow! He looked great for 100.

[@mikewrasman5103]

100 years of age and Mr. Roach was as sharp as a tack! Beyond amazing!

[@gianca60]

From Italy. Hal Roach was a great guy and a personal friend of the Italian ruler in the 1930's. Actually he had an autographed pic of him in his home.

[@johnkoziol4321]

Wow! Did Hal Roach really, and I mean REALLY look really and do I EVER mean REALLY good for the age he was in this video!!! Sharp as a tack too! That's why I find it SO surprising that he passed away just a few months after his being on this episode of the "Tonight Show" aired. Rest in peace Mr. Roach and thanks for all the great comedy you produced! (I'm a HUGE fan of both Laurel and Hardy and "Our Gang", also known as "The Little Rascals"!!!)

[@vantheman1234]

John Koziol Hal died of pneumonia on November 2 1992.

[@christypatton6572]

What a pleasure to see this!