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.
Filmography
Cast Credits
Omnibus - Cuckoo: A Celebration of Mr. Laurel and Mr. Hardy
Character: Himself
MOVIE • 1974
Uncle Joe
Character: Bandleader
MOVIE • 1941
The Pinch Singer
Character: Conductor
MOVIE • 1936
Sherman Said It
Character: Soldier
MOVIE • 1933
Midsummer Mush
Character: Member of Camping Trio
MOVIE • 1933
Arabian Tights
Character: Musician - The Ranch Boys (uncredited)
MOVIE • 1933
Maids a la Mode
Character: Pianist (uncredited)
MOVIE • 1933
The Tabasco Kid
Character: Cowboy
MOVIE • 1932
Rough Seas
Character: Pvt. Marvin Hatley
MOVIE • 1931
Shivering Shakespeare
Character: Musician (uncredited)
MOVIE • 1930
Crew
Crew Credits
Hollywood and Vine
Role: Original Music Composer
MOVIE • 1945
Captain Fury
Role: Original Music Composer
MOVIE • 1939
Topper Takes a Trip
Role: Music Supervisor
MOVIE • 1938
There Goes My Heart
Role: Original Music Composer
MOVIE • 1938
Block-Heads
Role: Music Director
MOVIE • 1938
Block-Heads
Role: Original Music Composer
MOVIE • 1938
Merrily We Live
Role: Original Music Composer
MOVIE • 1938
Merrily We Live
Role: Music Director
MOVIE • 1938
Our Gang Follies of 1938
Role: Music Director
MOVIE • 1937
Topper
Role: Original Music Composer
MOVIE • 1937
Pick a Star
Role: Music
MOVIE • 1937
Nobody's Baby
Role: Music
MOVIE • 1937
Way Out West
Role: Original Music Composer
MOVIE • 1937
General Spanky
Role: Original Music Composer
MOVIE • 1936
Kelly the Second
Role: Music
MOVIE • 1936
Arbor Day
Role: Music
MOVIE • 1936
Sons of the Desert
Role: Music
MOVIE • 1933
Busy Bodies
Role: Music
MOVIE • 1933
The Midnight Patrol
Role: Music
MOVIE • 1933
Me and My Pal
Role: Music
MOVIE • 1933