# Stan Laurel's connection to Naples **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 24, 2017, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759 "2017-10-24T21:19:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/1 "2017-10-24T21:19:25Z")
I’m currently in Naples and am seeing a lot of public artwork featuring Stan Laurel. For example, the underground train station Napoli Piazza Garibaldi has an enormous posterized mural depicting Laurel. (Unfortunately it was severely damaged by vandals in the last few hours.) Nearby in the city there’s a restaurant whose logo is a caricature of Laurel. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen his face elsewhere in the city. These images are made even more conspicuous by the complete absence of Oliver Hardy. Does Stan Laurel have some special connection to Naples? Did he work or study or live here? Why are there all these monuments to him alone and not to the Laurel and Hardy duo? ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2017, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/2 "2017-10-24T22:03:05Z")
I’ve asked my brother-in-law (a long-time Son Of The Desert) for any insights he may have. In the meantime, I found this which might lead to an answer. Yes, it’s SFW and etc. I’m TreacherousCretin and I approved this link. _[Naples Life,Death & Miracle](http://www.naplesldm.com/dub.php)_ ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/3 "2017-10-25T00:22:14Z")
I can’t find a connection, but Stan Laurel was such a beloved and well known comedy actor it wouldn’t surprise me to see his image posted just about anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/4 "2017-10-25T00:44:49Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > I can’t find a connection, but Stan Laurel was such a beloved and well known comedy actor it wouldn’t surprise me to see his image posted just about anywhere. I think **TreacherousCretin** pretty much nailed it with his link. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/5 "2017-10-25T06:25:27Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > I think **TreacherousCretin** pretty much nailed it with his link. How so? That article explains why the Laurel and Hardy duo are popular and memorable in Italy. It doesn’t explain why I’m seeing lots of monuments to Stan Laurel but none (so far, anyway) to Oliver Hardy. It also doesn’t explain the Neapolitan connection—neither of the two actors who did the Italian dubs were from Naples. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/6 "2017-10-25T08:15:51Z")
Is it possible it’s a [popular local character with some resemblance to Stan Laurel](http://www.italoamericano.org/story/2015-4-15/Tot%C3%B2)? ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/7 "2017-10-25T12:22:33Z")
> [@PatrickLondon](#): > > Is it possible it’s a [popular local character with some resemblance to Stan Laurel](http://www.italoamericano.org/story/2015-4-15/Tot%C3%B2)? I think you have nailed it. > **[Street Art a Napoli: Murales per Totò nella stazione della Circumvesuviana |...](https://www.napolidavivere.it/2017/08/28/street-art-napoli-murales-toto-nella-stazione-della-circumvesuviana/)** > > Nella stazione della Circumvesuviana di piazza Garibaldi è stato realizzato un bel murale dedicato a Totò dai azzurri molto vivaci. Si iniziano a vedere Google translation: At the Circumvesuviana station in Piazza Garibaldi there was a beautiful mural dedicated to Totò by very bright blues. Street art works also begin at Naples stations that are not part of Metro 1’s art stations . The beautiful murals were made by two artists named Orticanoodles, nicknamed the two Italians Alita and Wally, and is an opera called " I Need to See You ", and it is back to the title of a poem written by Totò himself. Like all travelers who, waiting for the train, look at it closely. The project was promoted by Eav who now manages the Circumvesuviana railway together with the Inward association and is part of aa larger street art project that will be made on ten stations and the next will be the one of San Giovanni in Teduccio. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/8 "2017-10-25T15:49:28Z")
Yep – **PatrickLondon** and **Colophon** have got it. [The popular Italian comedic actor Totò](https://www.google.com/search?q=Tot%C3%B2,+Napoli&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjFrNGHj4zXAhUKwVQKHaCtDaAQ_AUICigB&biw=1280&bih=606) seemed to have paid homage to Stan Laurel from time to time. The image of Totò with that “Stan Laurel hat” [seems to be fairly iconic](https://www.ilmattino.it/photos/HIGH/92/38/2249238_toto.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/9 "2017-10-25T16:02:44Z")
Moved to Cafe Society. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/10 "2017-10-25T16:12:28Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > How so? My cursory (and mistaken) glance at the website left me thinking it was Stan Laurel who was remembered as having delivered the memorable (in Italian) line “stuPIdo”. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/11 "2017-10-25T16:32:13Z")
SO! The city of Naples honors a FAUX Stan Laurel! You know this means war. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/12 "2017-10-25T18:13:42Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > I’m currently in Naples and am seeing a lot of public artwork featuring Stan Laurel. For example, the underground train station Napoli Piazza Garibaldi has an enormous posterized mural depicting Laurel. (Unfortunately it was severely damaged by vandals in the last few hours.) Nearby in the city there’s a restaurant whose logo is a caricature of Laurel. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen his face elsewhere in the city. These images are made even more conspicuous by the complete absence of Oliver Hardy. > Does Stan Laurel have some special connection to Naples? Did he work or study or live here? **Why are there all these monuments to him alone and not to the Laurel and Hardy duo?** > [@psychonaut](#): > > How so? That article explains why the Laurel and Hardy duo are popular and memorable in Italy. **It doesn’t explain why I’m seeing lots of monuments to Stan Laurel but none (so far, anyway) to Oliver Hardy.** It also doesn’t explain the Neapolitan connection—neither of the two actors who did the Italian dubs were from Naples. (Boldings mine) It may not explain, but suggests a possible connection. Also, your original premise may not be accurate, mentioning “all these monuments to Laurel alone” (you list exactly two, plus “pretty sure” there were more), and “the complete absence of Oliver Hardy” which is disproved by the only relevant photo on the website I linked- an Oliver Hardy statue (no Stan Laurel visible) in Naples. Still waiting to hear from my brother-in-law. ETA: I think the issue has been settled. Just saw the other link. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/13 "2017-10-25T19:20:57Z")
Regardless of the hat, Signore Toto looks more like Buster Keaton to me. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2017, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/14 "2017-10-25T21:17:36Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Regardless of the hat, Signore Toto looks more like Buster Keaton to me. Agreed. I don’t think I’d have mistaken him for Laurel, but of course that’s 20/20 hindsight. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/15 "2017-10-26T11:08:15Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > It may not explain, but suggests a possible connection. Also, your original premise may not be accurate, mentioning “all these monuments to Laurel alone” (you list exactly two, plus “pretty sure” there were more), and “the complete absence of Oliver Hardy” which is disproved by the only relevant photo on the website I linked- an Oliver Hardy statue (no Stan Laurel visible) in Naples. Well, I spent yesterday walking all over Naples. I counted about 20 instances of the “Laurel” figure (statues, figurines, photos, posters, murals, souvenir magnets, etc.) but only two of Hardy. Eventually I came to the same conclusion that was already posted upthread: most of the faces I saw were not Laurel but rather someone who looks remarkably like him. It turns out that the Neapolitan actor Totò has the same long, thin face, and often took to wearing a bowler. I had never heard of Totò before yesterday but noticed the name on some of the posters. ---
**Author:** ![psychonaut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/psychonaut/32/4655_2.png) [@psychonaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychonaut)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/16 "2017-10-26T11:11:43Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > Yep – **PatrickLondon** and **Colophon** have got it. [The popular Italian comedic actor Totò](https://www.google.com/search?q=Tot%C3%B2,+Napoli&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjFrNGHj4zXAhUKwVQKHaCtDaAQ_AUICigB&biw=1280&bih=606) seemed to have paid homage to Stan Laurel from time to time. The image of Totò with that “Stan Laurel hat” [seems to be fairly iconic](https://www.ilmattino.it/photos/HIGH/92/38/2249238_toto.jpg). Yes, it’s this image, and similar ones with him in the bowler and the silly expression, which are plastered all over Naples. I hope others here can now forgive me for mistakenly thinking that this was Stan Laurel. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/17 "2017-10-26T17:21:38Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > Yes, it’s this image, and similar ones with him in the bowler and the silly expression, which are plastered all over Naples. I hope others here can now forgive me for mistakenly thinking that this was Stan Laurel. Go in peace. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2017, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/18 "2017-10-26T19:08:38Z")
Came back to say that I think I may have sounded a little bit pissy in a couple of my posts upthread, and I’d like to apologize. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2017, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stan-laurels-connection-to-naples/799759/19 "2017-10-27T02:52:49Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > Yes, it’s this image, and similar ones with him in the bowler and the silly expression, which are plastered all over Naples. I hope others here can now forgive me for mistakenly thinking that this was Stan Laurel. Fear not, all is forgiven. :o