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.
Sound 37
1940s
- 1945
Hollywood and Vine
Original Music Composer
- 1940
1930s
- 1939
Captain Fury
Original Music Composer
- 1938
Topper Takes a Trip
Music Supervisor
There Goes My Heart
Original Music Composer
- 1937
Our Gang Follies of 1938
Music Director
Pick a Star
Music
Nobody's Baby
Music
- 1936
General Spanky
Original Music Composer
Kelly the Second
Music
Arbor Day
Music
- 1935
Bonnie Scotland
Music
- 1933
Busy Bodies
Music
The Midnight Patrol
Music
Me and My Pal
Music
Twice Two
Music
- 1932
Towed in a Hole
Music
Their First Mistake
Music
Scram!
Music
County Hospital
Music
The Chimp
Music
The Music Box
Original Music Composer
Helpmates
Original Music Composer
- 1931
One Good Turn
Original Music Composer
Come Clean
Original Music Composer
Pardon Us
Music
- 1930
Another Fine Mess
Original Music Composer
Teacher's Pet
Music Director
Hog Wild
Music
Brats
Original Music Composer
Acted in 9
1940s
- 1941
Uncle Joe
Bandleader
1930s
- 1936
The Pinch Singer
Conductor
- 1933
Sherman Said It
Soldier
Midsummer Mush
Member of Camping Trio
Arabian Tights
Musician - The Ranch Boys (uncredited)
Maids a la Mode
Pianist (uncredited)
- 1932
The Tabasco Kid
Cowboy
- 1931
Rough Seas
Pvt. Marvin Hatley
- 1930
Shivering Shakespeare
Musician (uncredited)