Marvin Hatley

Marvin Hatley

Born: April 3, 1905
Died: August 23, 1986
in Reed, Oklahoma, USA
Thomas Marvin Hatley professionally known simply as Marvin Hatley, was an American film composer and musical director, best known for his work for the Hal Roach studio from 1929 until 1940.

Hatley wrote many of the musical cues appearing in the Our Gang, Laurel and Hardy, and Charley Chase films. His most memorable composition is "Dance of the Cuckoos"(also known as "Ku-Ku", or "The Cookoo Song"), which serves as Laurel and Hardy's theme song. He was also the "player piano" (performing off-screen) in The Music Box (1932). His work in Laurel and Hardy's films Way Out West and Block-Heads earned him nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Score.

In 1939, Hatley was fired from the Roach studio. At the insistence of Stan Laurel, however, he did return to score one final Laurel & Hardy film, Saps at Sea. Hatley went on to become a lounge pianist, and often remarked that he earned more money in that career than during his days at the Roach studio.

Marvin Hatley was a native of Reed, Oklahoma. He died on August 23, 1986 in Hollywood, California.

Movies for Marvin Hatley...

Omnibus - Cuckoo: A Celebration of Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy
Title: Omnibus - Cuckoo: A Celebration of Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy
Character: Himself
Released: December 21, 1974
Type: Movie
Narrated by Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise, this documentary about "Laurel and Hardy", one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedy double acts of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema. It features interviews with Jerry Lewis, Dick Van Dyke, Babe London, Marcel Marceau, Lucille Hardy (Ollie's wife), Bob Monkhouse, Hal Roach, Marvin T Hatley, Jack McCabe and many more.
bee
Uncle Joe
Title: Uncle Joe
Character: Bandleader
Released: October 18, 1941
Type: Movie
A pretty Chicago teenager (Gale Storm), who's being courted by an older man, is sent by her worried parents to live with her uncle on his Iowa farm.
bee
Sherman Said It
Title: Sherman Said It
Character: Soldier
Released: September 2, 1933
Type: Movie
Although the war is over, Charley still can't seem to find his way out of France.
bee
Midsummer Mush
Title: Midsummer Mush
Character: Member of Camping Trio
Released: August 20, 1933
Type: Movie
Charley falls in love with Betty on a camping trip.
bee
Arabian Tights
Title: Arabian Tights
Character: Musician - The Ranch Boys (uncredited)
Released: June 2, 1933
Type: Movie
Charley and his buddies are captured and imprisoned by an Arabian sultan.
bee
Maids a la Mode
Title: Maids a la Mode
Character: Pianist (uncredited)
Released: March 4, 1933
Type: Movie
Instead of delivering some fancy dresses to a customer, the girls wear them to a party.
bee
The Tabasco Kid
Title: The Tabasco Kid
Character: Cowboy
Released: January 30, 1932
Type: Movie
A timid accountant for a California cattle ranch and a lookalike dashing bandit become rivals for the beautiful daughter of a wealthy rancher.
bee
Rough Seas
Title: Rough Seas
Character: Pvt. Marvin Hatley
Released: April 24, 1931
Type: Movie
On his way home following World War I, Charley smuggles his French sweetheart aboard ship and gets into all kinds of trouble.
bee
Shivering Shakespeare
Title: Shivering Shakespeare
Character: Musician (uncredited)
Released: January 25, 1930
Type: Movie
The gang is participating in a program sponsored by the Golden Age Dramatic League. They present their own fractured version of Quo Vadis. Things go from bad to worse when the neighborhood tough kids disrupt the show. The pie fight is given a new twist by use of some slow motion sequences.