James Parrott

Born: 1897-08-01

From Wikipedia James Parrott (August 2, 1897 – May 10, 1939) was an American actor and film director; and the younger brother of film comedian Charley Chase. James Gibbons Parrott was born in Baltimore, Maryland, to Charles and Blanche Thompson Parrott. In 1903, his father died from a heart attack, leaving the family in bad financial shape, which forced them to move in with a relative. Charley Jr. quit school, so he could go to work, in order to support his mother and brother. Eventually the call of the stage beckoned him, and Charley Jr. left home at age 16 to travel the vaudeville circuit as a singer and comedic performer. By the time James had reached his teens, he too, had quit school, and became involved with the street gangs of Baltimore. Later, Charley's connections in the film industry helped get his younger brother established in movies, and he would appear during the 1920s in a series of relatively successful comedies for producer Hal Roach. He was billed first as "Paul Parrott," then "Jimmie Parrott." Approximately 75 comedies were produced from 1921 to 1923, with titles continuing to be released through Pathé until 1926. Frequent co-stars included Marie Mosquini, Jobyna Ralston, Eddie Baker, and Sunshine Sammy. Parrott is probably best known as a comedy director. As "James Parrott," he specialized in the two-reel misadventures of Laurel and Hardy, including the Oscar-winning classic The Music Box, and Helpmates. During the 1930s Parrott had acquired serious drinking and drug problems (his diet medications were really addictive amphetamines) and although still able to direct quality shorts, he had developed a reputation as unreliable. By the mid-1930s his work was spotty: Stan Laurel used him sporadically to contribute gags to the Laurel and Hardy features, and he would direct an Our Gang short in 1934, plus several acceptable entries in Thelma Todd-Patsy Kelly series. By 1937, Parrott was accepting any jobs that came his way. He could no longer be counted on to direct or write, and relied on his brother to support him financially. There was a brief marriage to Ruby Ellen McCoy in 1937, but as his various addictions worsened, so did his state of mind. Parrott died at the age of 41 of heart failure. His brother Charley was devastated, and died 13 months later.


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Young Mr. Jazz

as (uncredited)
Released: 1919-04-20

While running away from his girl's father, Harold's car breaks down in front of a dance hall run...

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Just Rambling Along

as Waiter / chef assistant
Released: 1918-11-03

A nervy young man follows a pretty lady into a diner to flirt with her, but winds up getting...

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Look Pleasant, Please

as Drunken Swell (uncredited)
Released: 1918-03-10

A photo studio operator seems only interested in flirting with women. Hilarity ensues.

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A Sammy in Siberia

as (uncredited)
Released: 1919-04-06

A bumbling American soldier saves a girl from a bunch of Cossacks.

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Don't Shove

as Party Guest
Released: 1919-08-31

Harold and his rival fight over Bebe on her birthday, first at her home and then at a nearby...

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Hit Him Again

as uncredited
Released: 1918-02-17

A short film starring Harold Lloyd.

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The Caretaker's Daughter

as The Caretaker (as Jimmie Parrott)
Released: 1925-10-10

The two-reel silent film comedy The Caretaker's Daughter was distributed by Pathe in 1925....

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Shine 'Em Up

as Paul, the Hustler
Released: 1922-11-04

Paul's career as a shoeshine man is interrupted when he is mistaken for an escaped convict, but...

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The King

as Minor Role (uncredited)
Released: 1930-06-14

The king is a juvenile dolt who tries the patience of the shrewish queen. While she's in the...

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Fireman Save My Child

as uncredited
Released: 1918-05-25

In this popular two reeler where Harold runs to the rescue of a woman on a fire engine, he is...

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Sittin' Pretty

as Bearded Lunatic
Released: 1924-09-27

Charley Chase comedy.

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Hey There

as uncredited
Released: 1918-04-28

In this early short Harold Lloyd sneaks into a movie studio in order to locate an attractive...

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Don't Park Here

as A Car Owner
Released: 1920-05-19

Not one but two of Charlie Chaplin impersonators, Harry Mann and Monty Banks, a film directed by...

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An Ozark Romance

as uncredited
Released: 1918-07-06

Harold visits the Ozarks, where he has some funny experiences with a mountain girl and her...

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Do You Love Your Wife?

as uncredited
Released: 1919-01-05

Stan plays a janitor at a hotel dropping letters and trying to retrieve them with a vacuum,...

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Post No Bills

as The Bill Poster
Released: 1923-08-05

Paul Parrott plays an obsessive-compulsive bill poster in this thoroughly average Hal Roach...

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Hustling for Health

as Man missing his train
Released: 1919-02-02

Stan Laurel is picked up at the train depot and brought back by the husband to the family home...

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Count Your Change

as uncredited
Released: 1919-08-10

Harold becomes the victim of a clever bulldog pup who chases him in and out of various places.

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Bride and Gloom

as uncredited
Released: 1918-08-18

A short film starring Harold Lloyd.

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Shoot Straight

as uncredited
Released: 1923-03-10

SHOOT STRAIGHT - starring Paul Parrott, with Jobyna Ralston, Eddie Baker and George Rowe. A...

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The House of Flickers

as uncredited
Released: 1925-03-15

The troubles of a movie projectionist in a newly-purchased theater are chronicled in this...

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Join the Circus

as Trainer
Released: 1923-12-02

'Snub' Pollard wants to hang himself but figures joining the circus was better idea.

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Are Parents Pickles?

as Fire Salesman
Released: 1925-11-08

James Parrott joins every lodge in town to get in good with people as he tries to sell his fire...

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