SONS OF THE DESERT 24th INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

 

The 24th Sons of the Desert International Convention was held from June 2oth to June 25th, 2026 at the Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa in San Diego, California.

It was a memorable experience for me since it had been 44 years since I attended my last SOD Convention which was in 1982 at Detroit MI!

 

With Cassidy Cook, granddaughter of Lois Laurel and Great Granddaughter of Stan Laurel.

Marcia Opal from the Chicago Bacon Grabbers, a dear friend from way back!

Kevin Mulligan, another dear friend from many Conventions ago!

Mr. Jamie McKenna and Mr. Bill Leavy, excellent Laurel and Hardy impersonators

 added a fun touch to the proceedings

With Bob Satterfield and Marcia Opal having lunch at San Diego's Rudford's restaurant. 

We hadn't seen each other since 1982!

Gary Cohen caught me doing my editorial cartoon for the day at the Convention Dinner Cruise

 with City Experiences (formerly The Hornblower).

   

 

With Tracy Tolzmann from the Block-Heads Oasis #3 of St. Paul, Minnesota, recreating our pose from the 1980 Hollywood Convention!

The next convention will be held in Minnesota hosted by the Minnesota Block-Heads headed by

 Tracy Tolzmann in 2028.

And hopefully, I'll be able to make it there too!

ON MY WAY TO THE 2026 SAN DIEGO CONVENTION!

 

The 24th International Sons of the Desert Convention runs from June 21–25, 2026. It is hosted by the Saps at Sea San Diego Tent at the Legacy Resort Hotel & Spa in San Diego, California. The theme for the convention will be the Centennial of Stan and Babe working as a team at Hal Roach Studios (1926–2026).

Stan Laurel's Birthday Remembered!

Stan Laurel, born Arthur Stanley Jefferson on 16 June 1890, was an English actor, comedian, director and writer who's better known as one half of  the classic comedy team Laurel and Hardy.  He appeared with his comedy partner Oliver Hardy in 107 short films, feature films and  several cameo roles. He has been my idol since my very early years when I watched the Laurel and Hardy comedies on television and from then on, I've been one his most ardent admirers. He was a genius of visual gags and the art of pantomime. Never forgotten, I tip my hat to Stan on his birthday every June 16 and he will always be my number one comedian.  God Bless Stanley Laurel!

Remembering STAN LAUREL (1890-1965)

Remembering Stan Laurel who went bye bye on February 23rd, 1965 at age 74! Never forgotten, always in our hearts!

            

Laurel died on 23 February 1965, aged 74, in his flat, four days following a heart attack. He told his nurse that he would not mind going skiing, and she replied that she was not aware that he was a skier. "I'm not," said Laurel, "I'd rather be doing that than getting all these needles stuck in me!" A few minutes later he died quietly in his armchair. Stan Laurel had a net worth of $50 thousand at the time of his death in 1965. Unfortunately, Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel never benefited financially in a meaningful way from their massive success.

OLIVER HARDY'S BIRTHDATE REMEMBERED

 

         Oliver Norvell Hardy (born Norvell Hardy; January 18, 1892 – August 7, 1957) was an American comic actor and one half of Laurel and Hardy, the double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted from 1926 to 1957. He appeared with his comedy partner Stan Laurel in 107 short films, feature films, and cameo roles. He was credited with his first film, Outwitting Dad, in 1914. In most of his silent films before joining producer Hal Roach, he was billed on screen as Babe Hardy. (WIKIPEDIA)

Hallelujah! Christmas Time is Here!

  MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE!

 The saying "laughter is the best medicine" suggests that laughter has a positive impact on overall well-being, similar to how medicine alleviates illness. It implies that laughter can help people cope with stress, improve mood, and potentially even promote physical health. This is according to an article in Wikipedia. I can't assert laughter is really the best medicine but in my case...it definitely is and these cartoon characters and  comedians are an essential part of my well being, so here's a small celebration of those comedians and cartoon characters that have made my life brighter and joyful!

STAN LAUREL & OLIVER HARDY

HARRY LANGDON.                                      BUSTER KEATON

CHARLES CHAPLIN                                           HAROLD LLOYD

BEN TURPIN

MOE HOWARD, LARRY FINE AND CURLY HOWARD

BUD ABBOTT AND LOU COSTELLO

                             DON ADAMS, BARBARA FELDON & EDWARD PLATT

INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU.                                           MR. BEAN

MISTER MAGOO.                             NICK MURDOCK

BORN ON THIS DAY: OLIVER HARDY (1892-1957)

Oliver Norvell Hardy was an American comic actor and one half of Laurel and Hardy, the double act that began in the era of silent films and lasted from 1926 to 1957. He appeared with his comedy partner Stan Laurel in 107 short films, feature films, and cameo roles.  He was born January 18, 1892 in Harlem Georgia. Today, we remember his wonderful legacy.

A LAUREL & HARDY CHRISTMAS GIFT!

CHRISTMAS WISHES FROM LAUREL & HARDY

THE NEW LAUREL & HARDY BLU-RAY!

FROM AMAZON:

A world premiere for all the Laurel and Hardy fans!

Deluxe 2-disc Blu-ray Edition

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy first appeared on film together in 1921, after an initial period in their careers spent apart. The two would formally team up in 1927 and found success by following a simple comic formula that displayed the hilariously ambitious and anarchic qualities of their joint personality. Laurel & Hardy: Year One, The Newly Restored 1927 Silents, as proudly presented by Flicker Alley and Blackhawk Films, offers fans new and old the rare opportunity to observe the evolving partnership of the slapstick comedy team that would reach enormous popularity. Featuring all new restorations sourced from

best available materials contributed by archives and collectors around the world restored by Blackhawk Films and Lobster Films in Paris, this comprehensive deluxe Blu-ray 2-disc collection features thirteen extant films produced in 1927 and two additional films from before they were officially a team.

It includes new scores from some of the best silent film composers working today, such as Neil Brand, Antonio Coppola, Eric le Guen, and Donald Sosin. Arthur Stanley Jefferson for a time understudied Chaplin in England and the US, meanwhile Oliver Norvell Hardy was a talented actor in comedies and melodramas, yet neither had reached the status of movie star.

It became clear upon their merging together that their contradictory physiques and personalities complimented each other perfectly. The team would go on to produce numerous projects together that reached wide acclaim, eventually becoming nearly unanimously considered by film critics, scholars, and movie fans alike, the funniest comedy duo in film history.

Happy Fourth of July!

Stan Laurel - Born on this day, 133 years ago.