What is the "Sons
of the Desert" ?
"The Sons
of the Desert" is the official international Laurel and
Hardy appreciation society.
It’s
beginnings go back to a meeting which took place in Birmingham,
England in late 1953 between Laurel and Hardy and a young
American student, John McCabe. Following a stage performance at
the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre, Mr. McCabe decided to go to
the stage door of the theatre in order, if possible, to meet the
two comedians.
From that
meeting, a friendship began which led to further meeting when all
parties returned to the United States. John McCabe made the
suggestion to Stan Laurel that an organisation should be
established to promote the study and showing of the work of
‘The Boys’. Mr. McCabe draw up a tongue - in - cheek
constitution which satirised regular fraternal organisations (as
did the film ‘The Sons of the Desert’ from which the
organisation takes its name).
Stan Laurel
himself contributed to the constitution and gave his approval to
the embryo society. Stan was keen however that the society should
have "half assed dignity", focusing on the work of the
team rather than being just a regular fan club.
In the spirit
of the constitution, Al Kilgore, an American cartoonist produced
a crest for the new organisation. The escutcheon, of quasi –
British heraldic style, bears words suggested by Stan Laurel
"Two minds without a single thought", translated into
Latin script.
The first
meeting of the Sons of the Desert took place in New York City on
the 14th. May 1965. The founding members being: John
McCabe, Chuck McCann, Orson Bean and John Municino. John McCabe
was elected "Grand Sheik" (chairman).
With the
passing of time, more "Tents" (or chapters) of the
organisation were established across the US. Each
"Tent" took its name from the title of one of the
team’s films. In addition it was given an "Oasis"
number which corresponds to the order in which they were admitted
to the organisation
The New York
City Tent being known as "The Sons of the Desert Tent –
Oasis #1, (also known as the Founding Tent). As the number of
tents grew John McCabe became "Exhausted Ruler" of
"Sons" everywhere.
Today, there
are almost 220 Tents world-wide, bringing together people from
all walks of life to celebrate the lives and work of the greatest
of all film comedy teams. In addition to their local activities,
the organisation holds regular national gatherings. In addition,
there is an annual European Convention and a bi-annual
International Convention. In 1998, the Laughing Gravy Tent (#167)
in Birmingham, England hosted the International Convention.
Click on 'Back'
to return