Main content
The genius of the Laurel and Hardy theme tune
Kate Romano and composer Marvin Hatley explore the history and genius of the Ku-Ku theme. Hatley dismissed it as a silly tune, having originally composed it as a radio time signal. But when Stan Laurel heard it he insisted on using it for their theme tune, hearing Stan and Ollie's characters represented by the two clarinet lines.
Hear a new Time Traveller feature every weekday on Essential Classics. Click through to the episode page or explore the Essential Classics clips page for more quirky slices of cultural history.
Duration:
More clips from Essential Classics
-
Try a relaxing guided meditation on live radio
Duration: 15:59
-
Danielle de Niese: Away in a Manger
Duration: 03:10
-
2019: Zosha Di Castri
Duration: 05:55
-
2018: Sheku Kanneh-Mason
Duration: 06:15