ONE of south Cumbria's most famous exports is to be portrayed on the big screen by popular actor, Steve Coogan.


File photo of comedian Steve Coogan  The Alan Partridge star will team up with John C Reilly to play much-loved double act Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.

Stan & Ollie will be written by Jeff Pope, who won a Bafta award for Philomena, which starred Dame Judi Dench alongside Coogan.

Jon Baird, who directed James McAvoy in Filth, is on board for the dramatisation, described as an "emotional tribute to two of the funniest men in movie history".

Stan & Ollie, developed by BBC Films, centres on the ageing duo's 1953 variety hall tour of Britain.

Ulverston-born Laurel (Coogan) and American Hardy (Reilly) have to deal with initially disappointing attendances and Hardy's failing health.

The problems threaten to overwhelm their partnership as the two men attempt to reconnect with each other, in addition to their fans.

The comedy giants also have to come to terms with the end of their careers.

Laurel and Hardy were one of the most critically acclaimed comedy teams of early American cinema.
File photo dated 10/2/1947 of Oliver Hardy scratching the head of Stan Laurel

Their films produced by Hal Roach during the 1920s and 1930s included classics such as The Music Box, Sons Of The Desert and Way Out West. Laurel died in 1965 aged 74.

Hardy had died eight years earlier aged 65. "Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are my heroes," said Pope. "When I watch their movies, in my head it is forever a Saturday morning and I am six years old watching the TV at home utterly spellbound."

Ulverston proudly declares itself to be the birthplace of Stan Laurel and there are reminders of the star's links to the town in many places, not least outside the Coronation Hall where a statue of the pair stands.

The Laurel and Hardy Museum is home to thousands of items of memorabilia to the pair, while it is possible to have a tipple at The Stan laurel pub.

Christine Langan, of BBC Films, said: "John C Reilly and Steve Coogan are dream casting for Stan & Ollie, bringing to life with uncanny accuracy and irresistible gusto the genius creative marriage that Jeff Pope's script explores so lovingly."

Production starts later this year.

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