TELL THE DAMN STORY, ep 340: What Can A 90 Year Old Holiday Film Teach Writers About Storytelling?

Yes, Creative Are Allowed To Nerd Out And Still be Professionals! Here's a special holiday episode from us to you. In this gathering of creatives, cohosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan explore the holiday classic "March of the Wooden Soldier," which has remained a Thanksgiving tradition for many. It's a 90-year-old film that found its intergenerational following, especially around the New York tri-state area. Joining us is our good friend, Caseen Gaines, a pop culture historian and author who brings his knowledge and unbridled enthusiasm. Together, we'll explore the timeless charm of "March of the Wooden Soldiers," starring the legendary comedic duo Laurel and Hardy, from their nuanced character portrayals to the film's comedic brilliance and heartwarming narrative.  We're unpacking how the film's commitment to character-driven storytelling has kept it fresh and beloved over the years. Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Then please leave them in the Comments Section. Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TellTheDamnStory.com www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ If you're enjoying these episodes, please take a moment to help wet our whistle by clicking on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠ link!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tellthedamnstory 00:00 Discussing "March of the Wooden Soldiers" Thanksgiving tradition. 10:06 Hal Roach produced Laurel and Hardy films. 16:04 Simple joy stories endure across generations. 18:40 Character comedy thrives on fully formed characters. 24:26 Abbott aggressive; Laurel & Hardy childlike friends. 30:17 SNL deviated from strong characters and narratives. 32:59 Performance is a master class in character understanding. 38:25 Leverage actors' strengths within the studio's universe. 43:26 Laurel and Hardy improvise to overcome challenges. 48:41 Trusting the audience's memory enhances storytelling impact. 55:39 Failure inspires action; comedy enhances story structure. 01:03:50 Costumes are flawed but still effectively scary. 01:08:17 Stan declined Disney's offer post-Ollie's death. 01:13:59 Proud of Cassin Gaines' professional achievements. 01:16:26 Transformative experience, thanks to Chris's influence.

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