Laurel and Hardy's career certainly changed over the years, albeit in different stages. This is my take on it.
In silent comedy, the team established their on-screen chemistry, their natural ability to work together and proving they were so funny!
Then the team made the transition to talkie films a successful one. Both comedians were blessed with having a voice that suited their respective character. Plus, they adapted to the mechanics of talkie cinema and made adjustments to their comedy.
After making a cameo in the lost film The Rogue Song (1930), Stan and Ollie made their first feature-length comedy Pardon Us (1931). After a couple more films, the team hit their stride and made several classic features for producer Hal Roach.
Then their decline began in 1941, courtesy of the disappointing films for 20th Century Fox and MGM. Stan became angry at being denied any kind of creative control over the films. It aggrieved both men that they had to work with inferior dialogue and gags, whilst still under contract.
Then there was the team's final movie - Atoll K (1951). It was a nightmare production from beginning to end. Neither Stan or Ollie was in good physical health and they clearly struggled to find the stamina needed for the script. Speaking of which, the dialogue was amongst the worst ever written in the team's opinion. Securing a release or distribution deal for the film, proved next to impossible. No one wanted to see the final product. Even the name of Laurel and Hardy didn't attract much interest.
Finally, the UK tour of 1953 and into ‘54. The team worked a gruelling work schedule across Britain. Altogether, they played over a 100 dates within several months. Stan and Ollie needed the extra money. Their former boss Hal Roach had started showing the classic comedies on television and apparently hadn't paid the boys any residuals. The UK came to an abrupt halt, following Hardy suffering a mild heart attack. The partnership of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy was no more.
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