Complex sentence: A year later, he starred in Disney's version of Victor Herbert's operetta "Babes in Toyland" as a speechless Roderigo opposed to Stan Laurel in the 1934 black-and-white film.
Split into simpler sentences: A year later, he starred in Disney's version of Victor Herbert's operetta "Babes in Toyland" as a speechless Roderigo. The role had been played by Stan Laurel in the 1934 black-and-white film.