Marvin Hatley

Born in April 3rd, 1905

From Reed, Oklahoma, USA

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.

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Marvin Hatley Movies

The Flying Deuces Poster
November 3, 1939
Topper Takes a Trip Poster
December 29, 1938
Block-Heads Poster
August 19, 1938
Merrily We Live Poster
March 4, 1938
Topper Poster
July 16, 1937
Way Out West Poster
April 16, 1937
Sons of the Desert Poster
December 29, 1933
Busy Bodies Poster
October 7, 1933

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