While the author does not claim to have listed every film that James Parrott took part in creating, this is the most complete filmography available at this time. Information on Parrott’s motion picture career has been sporadic and the titles here have been compiled from several different sources. James Parrott worked behind the scenes as a writer, co-director, and bit player in scores of comedy shorts throughout the late teens until the end of his career towards the close of the 1930s. Information is particularly scarce on the series of shorts produced for Reelcraft comedies during the late teens, so several titles have no doubt been overlooked. This filmography does attempt to provide an overview of Parrot’s career and should hopefully prove helpful to collectors, fans, archivists, and historians alike.
The Paul Parrott series of one reel comedies were produced from 1921 until 1923, with titles continuing to be released through Pathe until 1926. Shorts released during the 1925/1926 season were credited to Jimmie Parrott. Frequent directors for the series include Ralph Cedar, James A. Howe, Raymond Gray, Gilbert Pratt, George Jeske, and James Parrott. Frequent costars included Marie Mosquini, Jobyna Ralston, Eddie Baker, George Rowe, Marc Jones, Noah Young, and “Sunshine Sammy” Ernest Morrison. Approximately 75 shorts were released in the Parrott series. In 1926, many of these shorts were among the first to be released by Pathex for the 9.5mm home movie market, some under different titles. This has caused much confusion for film historians and fans alike. Likewise, home movie distributors Pathegrams, Kodascope, and several others put out their own versions of the Parrott films, again with different titles. Several companies re-released these one reelers as Charley Chase shorts to capitalize on the elder Parrotts' greater success, furthering the confusion about these films. All tampering aside, we should be grateful to these early home distributors for unknowingly preserving these films onto safety stock. Little survives in 35mm of the Parrott series (those nitrate prints that have survived have been preserved and are stored in Munich, LOC, among others) and without the small gauge releases, we would have precious few examples of the comedic work and legacy of James "Paul" Parrott.
1. Try Try Again
2. Loose Change
3. Rich Man, Poor Man
4. Stand Pat
5. Friday the Thirteenth
6. A Bed of Roses
7. The Sleuth
8. The Bride to Be
9. Busy Bees
10.Take the Next Car
11. Touch All Bases
12. The Truth Juggler
13. Rough on Romeo
14. Wet Weather
15. The Landlubber
16. Bone Dry
17. Soak the Sheik
18. Face the Camera
19. The Uppercut
20. Out on Bail
21. The Golf Bug
22. Shine ‘em Up
23.Washed Ashore
24. Harvest Hands
25. The Flivver
26. Blaze Away
27. I’ll Take Vanilla
28. Fire Week
29. A White Blacksmith
30. Fire the Fireman
31. Step on it
32. Shiver and Shake
33. Watch your Wife
34. Paste and Paper
35. Mr. Hyppo
36. Don’t Say Die
37. Once Over
38. Jailed and Bailed
39. A Loose Tightwad
40. Tight Shoes
41. Do your Stuff
42. Shoot Straight
43. For Safe Keeping
44. Bowled Over
45. Get your Man
46. The Smile Wins
47. Good Riddance
48. Speed the Swede
49. Sunny Spain
50. For Art’s Sake
51. Fresh Eggs
52. For Guests Only
53. Post No Bills
54. Live Wires
55. Take the Air (Aka: The Iron Worker)
56. Fingerprints
57. No Pets
58. Winner Take All
59. Fair Week
60. Price of Progress
61. Jack Frost
62. Pain as you Enter
63. The Uncovered Wagon
64. A Deep Sea Panic
65. Her Ball and Chain
66. The Masked Marvel
67. Are Parents Pickles?
68. Whistling Lions
69. Between Meals
70. Don’t Butt in
71. Soft Pedal (AKA: Leave it to Me)
72. Pay the Cashier
73. The Old Warhorse
74. The Only Son
75. Hired and Fired
Includes bit parts, cameos, and co-starring roles.
1. Here Comes the Girls (1918, Rolin) Dir. Hal Roach; Cast: Harold Loyd.
2. Just Rambling Along (1918, Rolin) Dir. Hal Roach; Cast: Stan Laurel
3. No Place Like Jail (1918, Rolin) Dir. Frank Terry; Cast: Stan Laurel
4. [An Actors’ Nightmare], Circa 1917-1921. Cast: Vernon Dent. No details available.
5. Don’t Shove (1919, Rolin) Dir. Hal Roach; Cast: Harold Loyd, Bebe Daniels.
6. One Night Only (1919, Bulls-Eye) Cast: Leo White, Monty Banks.
7. An Auto Nut (1919, Reelcraft) Cast: James Parrott, Syd Smith.
8. Don’t Park Here (1919, Bulls-Eye) Dir. Charles Parrott; Cast: Hank Mann, Monty Banks.
9. Hoot Mon (1919, Rolin) Dir. Hal Roach; Cast: Stan Laurel.
10. Hustling for Health (1919, Rolin) Dir. Frank Terry; Cast: Stan Laurel.
11. Do you Love your Wife? (1919, Rolin) Dir. Hal Roach; Cast: Stan Laurel
12. Cut your Cards (1920, Roach) Cast: Snub Pollard
13. Way Out West (1920, Schlank Prod.) Hank Mann Comedies.
14. His First Flat Tire (1920, Reelcraft) Dir. Robert Kerr; Cast: James Parrott, Sid Smith.
15. Big Town Ideas (1921, Fox) Dir. Carl Harbaugh. Cast: Eileen Percy, Kenneth Gibson.
16. Dear Ol’ Pal (1923, Roach) Cast: Snub Pollard, Jimmie Parrott.
17. Get Busy (1924, Roach) Cast: Snub Pollard, Jimmie Parrott.
18. Join the Circus (1924, Roach) Dir. George Jeske; Cast: Snub Pollard, Jimmie Parrott, George Rowe.
19. Sweet Papa (1924, Fox) Dir. Henry Lehrman; Cast: Kalla Pasha.
20. Hearts and Posies (1924, Imperial) Dir. Robert Kerr; Cast: James Parrott, Sid Smith. Later release of the Parrott / Smith Reelcraft series.
21. The Fall Guy (1924, Imperial) Dir. Robert Kerr; Cast: James Parrott, Sid Smith. Later release of the Parrott / Smith Reelcraft series.
22. The Caretaker’s Daughter (1924, Roach) Dir. Leo McCarey; Cast: Charley Chase.
23. The King (1930, Roach) Dir. James W Horne; Cast: Harry Langdon, Thelma Todd.
24. Pardon Us (1931, Roach) Dir. James Parrott; Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy. (Uncredited cameo)
25. Washee Ironee (1934, Roach) Dir. James Parrott; Cast: Our Gang. (Uncredited cameo).
26. Four Parts (1934, Roach) Dir. Charley Chase; Cast: Charley Chase. Note: Parrott has been credited as a stand in for Charley Chase, but this is doubtful and unverified.
1. The Pickininny (1921, Roach) Cast: Ernie “Sunshine Sammy” Morrison.
2. Mixed Nuts (1922, Samuel Bischoff Prod.) Cast: Stan Laurel
3. Jus Passin’ Through (1923, Roach) Cast: Will Rogers
4. Powder and Smoke (1924, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
5. Just a Minute (1924, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
6. Hard Knocks (1924, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
7. A Perfect Lady (1924, Roach) Cast: Charley chase.
8. Loves Detour (1924, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
9. Don’t Forget (1924, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
10. Fraidy Cat (1924, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
11. Should Sailors Marry? (1925, Roach) Cast: Clyde Cook.
12. On the Front Page (1926, Roach) Hal Roach All Star Comedies.
13. There Ain’t no Santa Claus (1926, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
14. Many Scrappy Returns (1927, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
15. One Mama Man (1927, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
16. Way of All Pants (1927, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
17. Forgotten Sweeties (1927, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
18. Are Brunettes Safe? (1927, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
19. Fluttering Hearts (1927, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
20. The Sting of Stings (1927, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase. (aka: Treat for the Boys).
21. The Lighter that Failed (1927, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
22. Now I’ll Tell One (1927, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
23. Assistant Wives (1927, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
24. Never the Dames Shall Meet (1927, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
25. Bigger and Better Blondes (1927, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
26. What Women Did for Me (1927, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
27. US (1927, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
28. Galloping Ghosts (1928, Roach) Hal Roach All Star Comedies.
29. All For Nothing (1928, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
30. Chasing Husbands (1928, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
31. Their Purple Moment (1928, Roach) Cast: Stan laurel, Oliver Hardy.
32. Should Married Men Go Home? (1928, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
33. Two Tars (1928, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
34. Habeas Corpus (1928, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
35. Ruby Lips (1929, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
36. Perfect Day (1929, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Edgar Kennedy.
37. They go Boom (1929, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
38. The Hoosegow (1929, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
39. Lesson Number One (1929, Fox) Cast: Robert Benchley.
40. Stewed, Fried, and Boiled. (1929, Fox) Cast: Robert Benchley..
41. Happy Birthday (1929, Fox) Cast: Franklin Pangborn.
42. Furnace Trouble (1929, Fox) Cast: Robert Benchley.
43. Night Owls (1930, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
44. Blotto (1930, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
45. Brats (1930, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
46. Below Zero (1930, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
47. Hog Wild (1930, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver hardy.
48. Laurel and Hardy Murder Case (1930, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
49. Another Fine Mess (1930, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
50. Be Big (1931, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
51. Pip from Pittsburgh (1931, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
52. Rough Seas (1931, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
53. One of the Smiths (1931, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
54. Pardon Us (1931, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
55. The Panic is On (1931, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
56. Skip the Maloo (1931, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
57. What a Bozo (1931, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
58. Helpmates (1932, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
59. The Music Box (1932, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Billy Gilbert.
60. The Chimp (1932, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
61. County Hospital (1932, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
62. Young Ironsides (1932, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
63. Girl Grief (1932, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
64. Now I’ll Tell One (1932, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
65. Mr. Bride (1932, Roach) Cast: Charley Chase.
66. Twice Two (1933, Roach) Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
67. Twin Screws (1933, MGM) Cast: Douglas Wakefield, Billy Nelson, Billy Barty.
68. Mixed Nuts (1934, MGM) Cast: Douglas Wakefield, Billy Nelson, Billy Barty.
69. Duke for a Day (1934, Roach) Cast: Eddie Foy Jr.
70. Benny from Panama (1934, Roach) Cast: Eddie Foy Jr.
71. Washee Ironee (1934, Roach) Cast: Our Gang.
72. Opened by Mistake (1934, Roach) Cast: Thelma Todd, Patsy Kelly.
73. Treasure Blues (1935, Roach) Cast: Thelma Todd, Patsy Kelly.
74. Sing Sister Sing (1935, Roach) Cast: Thelma Todd, Patsy Kelly.
75. The Tin Man (1935, Roach) Cast: Thelma Todd, Patsy Kelly.
76. The Misses Stooge (1935, Roach) Cast: Thelma Todd, Patsy Kelly.
77. Do Your Stuff (1935, Columbia) Radio Rouges series.
James Parrott directed several foreign language films for the Hal Roach studios. These versions included Spanish, Italian, German, and French versions of the Laurel and Hardy and Charley Chase series. The dialogue for these versions had to be phonetically learned on the set and proved time consuming, so was shortly discontinued. Surviving prints of these films have sequences not included in their American release counterparts.
1. Vida nocturna, La (1930, Roach) Spanish version of “Blotto”. Stan Laurel , Oliver Hardy.
2. Une nuit extravagante (1930, Roach) French version of“Blotto”. Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
3. Tiembla y Titubea (1930, Roach).
4. Spuk um Mitternacht, Der (1930, Roach) German Laurel and Hardy release.
5. Radiomania (1930, Roach) Spanish version of “Hog Wild”. Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
6. Noche de duendes (1930, Roach) Spanish Laurel and Hardy release.
7. Ladrones (1930, Roach) Spanish Laurel and Hardy release.
8. Feu mon oncle (1930, Roach) French Laurel and Hardy release.
9. Monerias (1931, Roach) Spanish Charley Chase release.
10. La Senorita de Chicago (1931, Roach) Spanish Charley Chase release.
11. Presidarios, Los (1931, Roach) Spanish version of “Pardon Us”. Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
12. Muraglie (1931, Roach) Italian version of “Pardon Us”. Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
13. Hinter Schloss und Riegel (1931, Roach) German version of “Pardon Us. Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
The following list is considered incomplete, as Parrott contributed gags uncredited to scores of film releases, including his own series, and the films of other comedians.
1. Unfriendly Enemies (1925, Roach) Dir. Stan Laurel; Cast: James Finlayson.
2. Chasing the Chaser (1925, Roach) Dir. Stan Laurel; Cast: James Finlayson.
3. Laughing Ladies (1925, Roach) Dir. James van Horne; Hal Roach All Stars.
4. Get ‘em Young (1926, Roach) Dir. Fred Guiol: Cast: Stan Laurel.
5. Should Husbands Pay? (1926, Roach) Dir. Stan Laurel: Cast: James Finlayson.
6. Say it with Babies (1926, Roach) Dir. Fred Guiol; Cast: Glenn Tryon.
7. Wandering Papas (1926, Roach) Dir. Stan Laurel; Cast: Clyde Cook.
8. Your Husbands Past (1926, Roach) Dir. Fred Guiol; Cast: Hal Roach All Stars.
9. Never too Old (1926, Roach) Dir. Richard Wallace; Cast: Hal Roach All Stars.
10. Along came Auntie (1926, Roach) Dir. Fred Guiol; Cast: Hal Roach All Stars.
11. Wise Guys Prefer Brunettes (1926, Roach) Dir. Stan Laurel; Cast: Hal Roach All Stars.
12. On the Front Page (1926, Roach) Dir. James Parrott; Cast: Hal Roach All Stars.
13. Galloping Ghosts (1928, Roach) Dir. James Parrott; Cast: Hal Roach All Stars.
14. Should Married Men go Home? (1928, Roach) Dir. Leo McCarey; Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
15. Curly Top (1934, Fox) Dir. Irv Cummings; Cast: Shirley Temple.
16. Manhattan Monkey Business (1935, Roach) Dir. Charley Chase; Cast: Charley Chase.
17. Bohemian Girl (1936, Roach) Dir. James W. Horne; Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
18. All Over Town (1937, Republic) Dir. James W Horne; Cast: Olsen and Johnson.
19. Way out West (1937, Roach) Dir. James Van Horne; Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
20. Swiss Miss (1938, Roach) Dir. John Blystone; Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
21. Blockheads (1938, Roach) Dir. John Blystone; Cast: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy.
Researchers and silent film buffs may have trouble trying to find most of Parrotts’ work. All of his directorial efforts for Laurel and Hardy are available and very easy to find, as well as the Our Gang, Kelly/Todd series, and most of the Chase comedies. However, much of Parrotts’ work, either as actor or director, is missing, lost, unavailable, or hard to find. Those wishing to obtain video copies of the Parrott one reelers may contact Grapevine video, A-1 Video, and Videobrary for examples of the Paul Parrott series. Kino has a few examples of Parrotts’ early work as an extra in the “Slapstick Encyclopedia” series. Those wishing to explore further can easily obtain 8mm or 16mm Blackhawk prints of several Parrott one reelers. 35mm, 16mm, and 9.5 Parrott titles can be found at various US archives, including the George Eastman House, Library of Congress, and UCLA. Many more hard to find one reelers are floating about amongst collectors in extremely low quality VHS dupes from old 16mm Pathegrams prints.
I would like to thank many people for sharing their time, patience, and information with me while putting this article/filmography together...
Shawn Reeves, Chad Hunter, Dwight Swanson, Jennifer Ormson, Brian Anthony, Rob Farr, Dave Glass, Richard M. Roberts, Joe Moore, Karen Owen, Larry Smith, George Willeman, Sam Gill, Richard Bann, Scott MacGillivray, and a HUGE gracias to Cole Johnson for providing videotapes of many hard to find Parrott shorts.