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

Acting

1933

Midsummer Mush

as

Member of Camping Trio

1941

Uncle Joe

as

Bandleader

1931

Rough Seas

as

Pvt. Marvin Hatley

1933

Maids a la Mode

as

Pianist (uncredited)

1930

Shivering Shakespeare

as

Musician (uncredited)

1933

Arabian Tights

as

Musician - The Ranch Boys (uncredited)

1932

The Tabasco Kid

as

Cowboy

1974

Omnibus - Cuckoo: A Celebration of Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy

as

Himself

1933

Sherman Said It

as

Soldier

1936

The Pinch Singer

as

Conductor

Production

Crew

Directing