NEW BOOK FOR LAUREL & HARDY DEVOTEES! HOMETOWN TINSEL

[Rob Farr]

Although Virginia Karns' performing career has been primarily defined by her role as "Mother Goose'' in Laurel & Hardy's 1934 comic operetta BABES IN TOYLAND, this multifaceted entertainer's many other accomplishments have been little documented - at least until now! In a new biography of the singer-actress titled HOMETOWN TINSEL, film historian Jim Kerkhoff skillfully chronicles Virginia's fascinating life, career, and friendships with countless show business personalities - some of whom include fellow Hal Roach Studios performers like Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Billy Gilbert, Charley Chase, and Betty Mack.

HOMETOWN TINSEL is written not only from the perspective of a film historian but also from the personal insight of a close friend having access to Virginia's scrapbook. Bolstered by in-depth research that provides details about her intriguing life, HOMETOWN TINSEL is an excellent follow-up to Randy Skretvedt's recent book profiling the making of BABES IN TOYLAND and includes many additional details about her involvement in its filming. In fact, Randy has been kind enough to write the foreword for HOMETOWN TINSEL.

A new KICKSTARTER campaign has now been launched by Split Reel LLC to get Virginia's book into print and you can obtain an advanced copy by becoming a backer! Not only that, but all proceeds received by the author from this campaign and future royalties will be donated to the NORMAN STUDIOS SILENT FILM MUSEUM in Jacksonville, Florida, in honor of Oliver "Babe" Hardy - a personal friend of Virginia's who began his film career in that great city some 110 years ago! Jim Kerkhoff is on the museum's board of directors and very much dedicated to helping to preserve Jacksonville's silent film legacy!

To learn more about our new KICKSTARTER campaign be sure to go to https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/split-reel/new-book-on-hal-roach-studios-actress-virginia-karns. to make a pledge!

[Ed Watz]

I’ve already made my pledge for this book, which sounds like another first-rate gem from Split-Reel. I was especially pleased when Thomas Reeder’s latest excellent book on the Neufeld Brothers arrived here swiftly via FedEx.

Perhaps the word needs to be stressed to the Laurel & Hardy community that Split-Reel once again ships worldwide. A number of comedy buffs on this side of the pond are still under the impression that Split-Reel does not ship overseas due to whatever issues surrounded the Grover Jones book’s publication. Just a thought that might be worth addressing.