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.
Filmography
all 51
Movies 51
Director 4
self 2
Hollywood and Vine (1945)
Uncle Joe (1941)
Saps at Sea (1940)
A Chump at Oxford (1940)
Captain Fury (1939)
Zenobia (1939)
Topper Takes a Trip (1938)
There Goes My Heart (1938)
Block-Heads (1938)
Merrily We Live (1938)
Our Gang Follies of 1938 (1937)
Topper (1937)
Nobody's Baby (1937)
Way Out West (1937)
General Spanky (1936)
The Pinch Singer (1936)
Sherman Said It (1933)
Midsummer Mush (1933)
Arabian Tights (1933)
Maids a la Mode (1933)
Scram! (1932)
Wild Babies! (1932)
The Music Box (1932)
Helpmates (1932)
One Good Turn (1931)
Come Clean (1931)
Rough Seas (1931)
High C's (1930)
Another Fine Mess (1930)
Teacher's Pet (1930)
Brats (1930)
Shivering Shakespeare (1930)
Information
Known ForSound
GenderMale
Birthday1905-04-03
Deathday1986-08-23 (81 years old)
Birth PlaceReed, Oklahoma, USA
CitizenshipsUnited States
Also Known AsT. Marvin Hatley, The Ranch Boys
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