International
Convention
2026
San Diego, California
June 21-25
Mike Jones reports
After a loooong flight it was great to arrive at the Legacy Resort in San Diego for what we knew would be a very special few days. I was greeted personally by my friends David Webb and Dave Greim from the host tent, Saps at Sea, which was a nice touch. I, along with Paul Pattison, was quickly persuaded to join the team that would be helping pull together the final items that are needed to put on a large event like this. I’d planned this anyway so the following day we got together to transport much paraphernalia from cars to storage (‘the Daves’ rooms!) and rooms to halls and back again and we put together goodie bags – which was er, great fun…
On Saturday many of us took a pre-convention tour to the fabulous Hotel del Coronado which is better known perhaps as the ‘Some Like it Hot’ hotel where the wonderful Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon cavorted for that famous 1959 Billy Wilder picture. The wonderful Marsha Opal helped me recreate a Tony Curtis scene from the film.
The convention proper began on Sunday 21st June with registration followed by presentation by Randy Skretvedt with some of his audio file interviews of Roach alumni ‘who were there’ including Bert Jordan, Anita Garvin and the boss, Hal Roach, which was fascinating.
This was followed by a special video presentation of the Laurel and Hardy filming locations by Chris Bungo. At the same time many Laurel and Hardy pictures were being screened in what had been christened the Irv Hyatt/Dave Wyatt screening room; try saying that when you’ve had a few! That evening we all met for the parade of tents and just mingled with our fellow sons from across the world, then more screenings in the Hyatt/Wyatt screening room took place that were very well attended. The bar stayed open until late.
On Monday the 22nd registration continued for the late arrivals and there was an amazing presentation by Bill Oates on Jimmie Finlayson in advance of his imminent and much-anticipated book – Making D’oh on Stage and Screen (which sadly didn’t make it in time for the event).
We then took a bus trip to San Diego Old Town where we saw a lot of Mexicali and original buildings that have been around for many years that are beautifully preserved. Later, we all headed off for a guided tour of the USS Midway aircraft carrier, which has been an ambition of mine for many years and that evening we had a dinner cruise around the Bay when there were video screenings and naturally an onboard bar.
Tuesday began in the dealer’s room, during which Liam and I teamed up to sell our books.
At the same time many screenings took place in the Hyatt/Wyatt cinema while simultaneously, fun outdoor activities, which included peewee, golf put and Me and My Pal puzzle making (with one missing piece of course). I’m very proud to say that honorary Chump, Chris Scheer from Texas won the pee wee contest with a remarkable hit of 70 feet! A couple of authors sessions then took place in the ‘Roach Backlot’ room; one of which included yours truly which made me feel very humble with company such as Randy, Bill Cassara and Jordan Young. I was very relieved to be joined on the session with Liam and John Ullah both of whom gave great presentations which resulted in lots of sales of their respective books Near Dublin - Laurel and Hardy in Ireland and This is More Than I Can Stand.
That evening we enjoyed a screening in the Legacy Theatre where silents Battle of the Century, We Faw Down and Liberty were splendidly accompanied on the organ by Russ Peck who is a longstanding San Diego Sap. Following an intermission, we then enjoyed The Music Box and Sons of the Desert.
During the break I was extremely happy to finally be able to meet Cassidy Cook, Stan’s great-granddaughter, who introduced me to her two lovely children.
The bar stayed open late again.
Wednesday began with the Grand Council meeting followed by the Rick Greene Trivia Quiz. This was entered by three teams, ours appropriately named the Hydrophosphates, of which I was proud to be a member with Chris’s Jaunsen and Scheer. We came third…
In our defence, we were asked questions on pretty much every telephone number that appears in a Laurel and Hardy and were given the third degree on a disproportionate number of forties films. Do you know who the aunts are in The Big Noise? Thought not.
A splendid documentary Ollie tribute by Marc de Connink followed alongside several Laurel and Hardy shorts, while concurrently Ken Mitchroney gave a fabulous presentation about Laurel and Hardy in comics and, of course, animated pictures. Ken was also the artist who created the fabulous convention logo. (I have several limited edition A3 prints of these for £2 plus p&p. Those not interested need not answer.) Shortly after Ken there was a fairly mundane presentation by yours truly where the subject matter was Laurel and Hardy in the North East of England. This did feature many new photographs and a couple of new discoveries, and it seemed, I felt, to go down very well.
In the evening we had the Grand Banquet and the fabulous Dean Mora and his orchestra played for us - including many Laurel and Hardy tunes such as Honolulu Baby.
All too soon the final day arrived with a farewell breakfast buffet when prizes were awarded, and the pineapple was passed from the San Diego Saps by Dave Greim to the Minnesota Block-Heads Tracy Tolzmann. I’ve always wondered what a Block-Heads convention would be like in Minnesota, and it seems I will find out in 2028.
A couple of post-convention tours then took place: a visit to the San Diego Zoo and travel to Los Angeles to see the Laurel and Hardy filming locations which from photographs that have appeared elsewhere were clearly very enjoyable experiences.
There were twelve of us Brits represented along with Anton from Amsterdam and Liam, which is a good showing from Europe, and we all had a swell time! Several excursions to ‘The Shakespeare’ English pub were undertaken when several libations were consumed too. Strangely, the San Diego heat was tolerable and outmatched by that back in the UK! We wonder what sort of temperatures we will have to endure in 2028? The last time the Block-Heads were hosts, there was a piano smashing competition in 103 F heat!
All attendees were photographed by Marcia Opal from a balcony in the Legacy resort
A Laurel and Hearty congratulations to all involved for the meticulous care with which they executed their finely formulated machinations in putting such a wonderful few days together.