Marvin Hatley
Personal Info
Known for
Sound
Gender
Male
Birthday
1905-04-03
Day of Death
1986-08-23 (81 years old)
Place of Birth
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.
Acting
(1974)
(1941)
Uncle Joe
as Bandleader
(1936)
The Pinch Singer
as Conductor
(1933)
Midsummer Mush
as Member of Camping Trio
(1933)
Maids a la Mode
as Pianist (uncredited)
(1933)
Arabian Tights
as Musician - The Ranch Boys (uncredited)
(1933)
Sherman Said It
as Soldier
(1932)
The Tabasco Kid
as Cowboy
(1931)
Rough Seas
as Pvt. Marvin Hatley
(1930)
Shivering Shakespeare
as Musician (uncredited)
Crew
(1945)
Hollywood and Vine
Original Music Composer
(1939)
Captain Fury
Original Music Composer
(1938)
Topper Takes a Trip
Music Supervisor
(1938)
Merrily We Live
Original Music Composer, Music Director
(1938)
Block-Heads
Music Director, Original Music Composer
(1938)
There Goes My Heart
Original Music Composer
(1937)
Nobody's Baby
Music
(1937)
Topper
Original Music Composer
(1937)
Way Out West
Original Music Composer
(1937)
Our Gang Follies of 1938
Music Director
(1937)
Pick a Star
Music
(1936)
Kelly the Second
Music
(1936)
Arbor Day
Music
(1936)
General Spanky
Original Music Composer
(1933)
Twice Two
Music
(1933)
Me and My Pal
Music
(1933)
The Midnight Patrol
Music
(1933)
Busy Bodies
Music
(1933)
Sons of the Desert
Music
(1932)
(1932)
Helpmates
Original Music Composer
(1932)
The Chimp
Music
(1932)
Towed in a Hole
Music
(1932)
Scram!
Music
(1932)
Their First Mistake
Music
(1932)
County Hospital
Music
(1932)
The Music Box
Original Music Composer
(1931)
One Good Turn
Original Music Composer
(1931)
Come Clean
Original Music Composer
(1931)
Our Wife
Music
(1931)
Pardon Us
Music
(1930)
Hog Wild
Music
(1930)
Brats
Original Music Composer
(1930)
Another Fine Mess
Original Music Composer
(1930)
Teacher's Pet
Music Director