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A Hal Roach Silent Sampler

Among Those Present (1921)
March 22, 2009 - 7:00 pm

Any discussion of early comedy will inevitably include Hal Roach. Whether directing, writing or producing, Roach enjoyed success with a number of leading comedians, such as Charley Chase. But for every household name, there were other less well-known players whose appeal also contributed to Roach's success. Chase's brother, James Parrott, for instance, starred in a number of Roach shorts, while names such as Glenn Tryon, Arthur Stone and Eddie Boland are overlooked because of the difficulty of seeing their films on screen. Accordingly, this program features the work of those unsung Roach comedians who deserve a second, if not a first, look.

Total running time: approx. 136 min.

Live musical accompaniment by Cliff Retallick.

Preservation funded by The Stanford Theatre Foundation

Among Those Present (1921)

Directed by Fred C. Newmeyer

Lloyd's familiar glasses character is found telling tall stories, and riding even taller in the saddle.

Hal Roach Studios. Producer: Hal Roach. Screenplay: Hal Roach, Sam Taylor. Cast: Harold Lloyd, Mildred Davis, James Kelly.

35mm, approx. 30 min.

Preservation funded by The Stanford Theatre Foundation

The Boy Friend (1928)

Directed by Fred Guiol

Max Davidson's crazy behavior fails to scare away a potential suitor for his daughter but manages to open the floodgates for all to join him.

Hal Roach Studios. Producer: Hal Roach. Screenplay: Leo McCarey. Cinematographer: Len Powers. Editor: Richard Currier. Cast: Max Davidson, Bill Elliot, Marion Byron, Edgar Kennedy.

35mm, approx. 20 min.

Preserved by The Stanford Theatre Foundation and UCLA Film & Television Archive

Charley My Boy (1926)

Directed by Leo McCarey

Charley Chase was one of the bigger stars for Roach, and continued making shorts like this one into the sound years.

Hal Roach Studios. Producer: Hal Roach. Cinematographer: Harry Gersted. Editor: Richard Currier. Cast: Charley Chase, Katherine Grant.

35mm, approx. 25 min.

Funding provided by the American Film Institute/National Endowment for the Arts Film Preservation Grants Program

Jailed and Bailed (1923)

Directed by J.A. Howe

For those who may have forgotten, the brother of Charley Chase (known here as James Parrott) also starred in comedic shorts before permanently adopting the director's role.

Hal Roach Studios. Producer: Hal Roach. Cast: James Parrott, Jobyna Ralston, George Rowe.

35mm, approx. 11 min.

Preserved by The Stanford Theatre Foundation and UCLA Film & Television Archive

Just a Good Guy (1924)

Directed by Hampton Del Ruth

Known primarily as a western sidekick in the sound years, Arthur Stone delivers a quintessential Roach performance which will remind modern audiences of Pee Wee Herman.

Hal Roach Studios. Producer: Hal Roach. Cinematographer: Frank Young. Editor: T. J. Crizer. Cast: Arthur Stone, Olive Borden, Fay Wray, Kewpie Morgan.

35mm, approx. 25 min.

Preservation funded by The Packard Humanities Institute and The Stanford Theatre Foundation

Long Pants (1926)

Directed by Fred Guiol

Like James Parrott, Glenn Tryon would go on to direct in later years after serving his time in Hal Roach shorts.

Hal Roach Studios. Producer: Hal Roach. Cast: Glenn Tryon, Blanche Mehaffey.

35mm, approx. 25 min.