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Marvin Hatley

Known For
Sound

Known Credits
10

Gender
Male

Birthday
April 3, 1905 (121 years old)

Place of Birth
Reed, Oklahoma, USA

Marvin Hatley

Biography

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.

Known For

Sound

1945Hollywood and Vine...Original Music Composer
1940A Chump at Oxford...Music
1939Captain Fury...Original Music Composer
1938Topper Takes a Trip...Music Supervisor
1938There Goes My Heart...Original Music Composer
1938Block-Heads...Original Music Composer
1938Block-Heads...Music Director
1938Merrily We Live...Original Music Composer
1938Merrily We Live...Music Director
1937Our Gang Follies of 1938...Music Director
1937Topper...Original Music Composer
1937Pick a Star...Music
1937Nobody's Baby...Music
1937Way Out West...Original Music Composer
1936General Spanky...Original Music Composer
1936Kelly the Second...Music
1936Arbor Day...Music
1935Bonnie Scotland...Music
1933Sons of the Desert...Music
1933Busy Bodies...Music
1933The Midnight Patrol...Music
1933Me and My Pal...Music
1933Twice Two...Music
1932Towed in a Hole...Music
1932Their First Mistake...Music
1932Pack Up Your Troubles...Music
1932Scram!...Music
1932County Hospital...Music
1932The Chimp...Music
1932The Music Box...Original Music Composer
1932Helpmates...Original Music Composer
1931One Good Turn...Original Music Composer
1931Come Clean...Original Music Composer
1931Pardon Us...Music
1931Our Wife...Music
1930Another Fine Mess...Original Music Composer
1930Teacher's Pet...Music Director
1930Hog Wild...Music
1930Brats...Original Music Composer

Acting

1974Omnibus - Cuckoo: A Celebration of Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardyas Self
1941Uncle Joeas Bandleader
1936The Pinch Singeras Conductor
1933Sherman Said Itas Soldier
1933Midsummer Mushas Member of Camping Trio
1933Arabian Tightsas Musician - The Ranch Boys (uncredited)
1933Maids a la Modeas Pianist (uncredited)
1932The Tabasco Kidas Cowboy
1931Rough Seasas Pvt. Marvin Hatley
1930Shivering Shakespeareas Musician (uncredited)