Laurel & Hardy: The Definitive Restorations Volume 2 release date 11/11/2025

[Ed Watz]

Kit Parker presents eight restored classic short subjects with loads of extras, over six hours of laughs - with Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy like you’ve never seen them before!

LAUREL & HARDY: THE DEFINITIVE RESTORATIONS Volume 2 returns the beloved comedy duo to their full brilliance in this restored Blu-ray collection. Sourced from the original 35mm archival elements, this set offers fans an opportunity to see long unavailable original release versions and previously unseen materials - over six hours of timeless laughter! Included are eight of Laurel & Hardy's most celebrated short films: • Men O' War (1929) • Perfect Day (1929) • Blotto (1930) • Another Fine Mess (1930) • Dirty Work (1933) • Going Bye-Bye! (1934) • Them Thar Hills (1934) • Tit for Tat (1935) These restored gems showcase the comedic genius of the legendary pair, with enhanced picture and audio that make every gag feel fresh again.

BONUS MATERIALS
Previously lost SILENT VERSIONS of BRATS and BLOTTO with scores by Andrew Earle Simpson
The 1937 Reissue Version of PERFECT DAY
Alternate version of BLOTTO with VOICE & EFFECTS TRACK ONLY
Alternate version of ANOTHER FINE MESS with VOICE & EFFECTS TRACK ONLY
GALAXY OF STARS (1936) MGM Promotional Film
THERE GOES MY HEART (1938) Original Hal Roach Studios trailer and outtakes
Recently rediscovered SHIP’S REPORTER (1952) featuring both Laurel & Hardy
THIS IS YOUR LIFE: LAUREL & HARDY (1954) from 35mm kinescope negative
HAL ROACH BACKLOT INTERVIEW (1960s) Rare interview and footage of the studio backlot
Also includes ORIGINAL FEATURE FILM TRAILERS, ARCHIVAL MATERIAL GALLERIES, COMMENTARY TRACKS from authors Richard W. Bann and Randy Skretvedt, a full-color booklet with production information, rare photos, restoration notes, and more!

Whether you're a lifelong fan or discovering their brilliance for the first time, Volume 2 is a must-have addition to any film lover's library. Experience the laughter, fun, and legacy of Laurel & Hardy--restored like never before.

On 2 Blu-ray discs, 361 minutes
Street Date: 11/11/2025

[Ed Watz]

Sneak peek: "Laurel & Hardy: The Definitive Restorations"
https://youtu.be/62stP0AX3gw?si=LjWvb6EH_wOL5IX9

[Paul E. Gierucki]

Thanks for sharing, Ed!

[William Ferry]

It's on my backorder list, can't wait! I loved the first set, and this promises to be just as much fun. Generally, I avoid double-dipping (I have the Vivendi set), but this is worth making an exception! Thank you for all your hard work, it's really appreciated.

[Ed Watz]

I just submitted my Amazon review, which I hope they’ll post sooner than later. Well anyway, here it is:

Amazing Restorations, New Footage, and a must for all fans of Stan and Ollie

Five Stars

As a lifelong Laurel & Hardy fan I can honestly say this is the most incredible collection of restored rarities. It’s the first time I've watched films that I know so well -- but now with additional footage - or in some cases, new versions - that have NOT been seen in 95+ years. There have been earlier restorations of certain titles; but this set beats them all. A beautifully written 32-page mini-book is an added bonus, with essays by film preservationist Jeff Joseph, and L&H scholars Randy Skretvedt and Richard W. Bann. Kudos to Kit Parker Films, Jeff Joseph/Sabucat, Gierucki Studios LLC, MVD Entertainment and UCLA for bringing this all together, which had to be a prodigious task. I highly recommend this set for all those who love Laurel & Hardy, comedy buffs, and classic movie fans.

[William Ferry]

I'll add to the praise (and post an Amazon review as well). Heartiest of congratulations to all involved. The films look WONDERFUL! They put my Super 8 Blackhawks to shame. MEN O'WAR really does look as pristine as advertised. Even if there isn't a third volume in the pipeline, I'm grateful to have all these gems so painstakingly restored.

[Ed Watz]

I'll add to the praise (and post an Amazon review as well). Heartiest of congratulations to all involved. The films look WONDERFUL! They put my Super 8 Blackhawks to shame. MEN O'WAR really does look as pristine as advertised. Even if there isn't a third volume in the pipeline, I'm grateful to have all these gems so painstakingly restored.

Looking forward to your review, William! Our friend Scott MacGillivray also gave the set a 5-star review on Amazon, and it’s worth repeating here:

Wonderful Collection of Laurel & Hardy shorts, with many surprises for fans

"Kit Parker Films hits another one out of the park with this superior two-disc set of Laurel & Hardy subjects. Featured are new restorations of eight L & H shorts and featurettes: MEN O' WAR, PERFECT DAY, BLOTTO, ANOTHER FINE MESS, DIRTY WORK, GOING BYE-BYE!, THEM THAR HILLS, and TIT FOR TAT. This is a great sampling for casual fans, and a fine introduction for those who aren't familiar with Stan and Ollie.

Attention dyed-in-the-wool fans, who have loved the films for years and have seen them again and again: you have to see these new versions of old favorites. There are so many pleasant surprises. MEN O' WAR now has the vintage-1929 aspect ratio, and the climactic canoe fracas now has its original musical accompaniment, a brass-band rendition of "Stars and Stripes Forever"! ANOTHER FINE MESS looks and sounds better than ever. THEM THAR HILLS and TIT FOR TAT are seen exactly as released in 1934 and 1935, complete with the original NRA logos and Production Code slates. The soundtracks have been enhanced (by audio specialist Ray Faiola) so you can hear new subtleties in the background that weren't as audible in older versions.

Worth the purchase price alone is the host of special features, consisting mostly of alternate versions of familiar comedies. In 1930, the Hal Roach studio prepared silent versions of BRATS and BLOTTO for those silent-only theaters that had not yet converted to sound. These mute versions have been out of circulation for decades and they make fascinating viewing, with the Roach silent-styled title cards replacing or supplementing the dialogue. You'll also see BLOTTO and ANOTHER FINE MESS as they were originally recorded with ambient sound, and without the musical accompaniment.

There is also a selection of promotional shorts and trailers, new to video (including a deluxe British trailer for FRA DIAVOLO); a "Ship's Reporter" TV episode with Jack Mangan interviewing both Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy; the Ralph Edwards "This Is Your Life" tribute from 1954; and a 1960s visit to the Hal Roach studio.

If you like Laurel & Hardy, you'll love this set. If you know someone who likes Laurel & Hardy, this makes a great gift. It's very special indeed. Don't miss it."

[Ed Watz]

From Leonard Maltin’s Movie Crazy website, reviews don’t get much better than this:

"The fact that this Blu-ray disc exists at all would be reason enough to cheer. The Laurel and Hardy shorts made for producer Hal Roach have been mistreated (and in some cases left to rot) over the years. Now they look and sound better than ever. That’s a gift to lifelong fans of L&H like me. But never in my wildest dreams could I have anticipated seeing new L&H footage—that is, material that was new to me. Did you know there were silent versions of Brats and Blotto that were earmarked for theaters (mostly overseas) which hadn’t installed sound equipment yet? Here they are, with new piano scores by Andrew Simpson. Producer Jeff Joseph has found a Ship’s Reporter conversation with Stan and “Babe” from 1952 that provides a rare opportunity to see Stan and Babe out of character, and full of compliments for each other. There is even a short intended for European and African audiences in which the two comics tout the star lineup at MGM. In this surviving print they are dubbed in French!

As for the restorations of longtime favorites, I gasped at the picture quality of such early talkies as Men O’ War, which has been mangled badly in the years since it was made, and Perfect Day, which looks so vivid I felt as if I was standing right alongside the cameraman in Culver City. Commentaries by Richard W. Bann and Randy Skretvedt deliver welcome background information about all of the films and their variant editions. Kudos to all the individuals and institutions that have done right by Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy. It couldn’t have come at a better time."