Marvin Hatley

Componist, Acteur

3 april 1905 — 23 augustus 1986 (81 years)
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.

Movies & Shows on Plex

  • Het verliefde spook
    Het verliefde spook1937
  • Boemelstudenten
    Boemelstudenten1940
  • Topper op stap
    Topper op stap1938
  • De millioenenbruid
    De millioenenbruid1938
  • Baby zonder vergunnung
    Baby zonder vergunnung1941
  • City of Missing Girls
    City of Missing Girls1941
  • Teacher's Pet
    Teacher's Pet1930
  • Shivering Shakespeare
    Shivering Shakespeare1930
  • Laurel & Hardy
    Laurel & Hardy

Known For

  • Een stad op stelten
    Een stad op stelten1937
  • Houten koppen
    Houten koppen1938
  • De millioenenbruid
    De millioenenbruid1938
  • Rough Seas
    Rough Seas1931

Cinematografie

1945
Hollywood and Vine · as Original Music Composer
1941
I'll Sell My Life · as Composer
1941
Broadway Limited · as ComposerOp Plex
1941
City of Missing Girls · as ComposerOp Plex
1940
Saps at Sea · as Composer
1940
A Chump at Oxford · as ComposerOp Plex
1939
Captain Fury · as Original Music Composer
1939
Zenobia · as Composer
1938
There Goes My Heart · as Original Music ComposerOp Plex
1938
Swiss Miss · as Composer
1938
Merrily We Live · as Original Music Composer
1937
Topper · as Original Music ComposerOp Plex
1937
1937
1937
Way Out West · as Original Music Composer
1936
General Spanky · as Original Music Composer
1936
Mister Cinderella · as Composer
1936
1933
1933
1933
1933
1933
1932
1932
1932
1932
1932
1932
1932
The Music Box · as Original Music Composer
1932
Helpmates · as Original Music Composer
1931
Beau Hunks · as Composer
1931
One Good Turn · as Original Music Composer
1931
Come Clean · as Original Music Composer
1931
1931
1930
Another Fine Mess · as Original Music Composer
1930
1930
Brats · as Original Music Composer
1930
Night Owls · as Composer