Smile when the Raindrops Fall: The Story of Charley ChaseAt the age of 10, Charley Chase was singing and dancing on the street corners of Baltimore. The coins that tenement dwellers tossed his way helped the young boy support his impoverished family. Charley eventually became a local vaudeville attraction, but Baltimore could not contain the ambitious young man. After a brief but memorable stint in New York, Chase landed in Los Angeles in 1912. His timely arrival coincided with the birth of the film industry, and Charley Chase became a major force in shaping the evolution of motion picture comedy. A human dynamo, Charley's talent and creativity seemed inexhaustible. As a writer-director-actor, Charley started out at Mack Sennett's Keystone Studios. Working with Fatty Arbuckle and Charlie Chaplin, Chase quickly became one of Sennett's top directors. Later, at other studios, he directed, then starred in, his own series of funny and inventive two-reelers. Behind the scenes, Charley Chase was instrumental in shaping the careers of both Laurel & Hardy and The Three Stooges. Writer, producer, director, and comedian, Charley Chase may have been the most versatile performer in the history of motion pictures. Smile When the Raindrops Fall examines the life and career of one of Hollywood's great comedy innovators. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 13
Page 37
... Billy West comedies . After Burton's departure , the unit made its way to Bayonne , New Jersey . It was there that West hired his next leading lady , Leatrice Joy , an actress who went on to enormous screen popularity in the twen- ties ...
... Billy West comedies . After Burton's departure , the unit made its way to Bayonne , New Jersey . It was there that West hired his next leading lady , Leatrice Joy , an actress who went on to enormous screen popularity in the twen- ties ...
Page 54
... Billy West series . They even costarred in one of the King Bee shorts in 1918 , Married to Order . Charley Parrott was responsible for bringing both Stan Lau- rel and Oliver Hardy to the Hal Roach Studios , and the world of film comedy ...
... Billy West series . They even costarred in one of the King Bee shorts in 1918 , Married to Order . Charley Parrott was responsible for bringing both Stan Lau- rel and Oliver Hardy to the Hal Roach Studios , and the world of film comedy ...
Page 198
... Billy West , Oliver Hardy , Leo White , Ethel Burton , Rosemary Theby , Myrtle Lind . Playmates ( 7/1/18 ) . King Bee . Dir . Charles Parrott . With Billy West , Oliver Hardy , Bud Ross , Fay Holderness , Ethel Burton , Myrtle Lind ...
... Billy West , Oliver Hardy , Leo White , Ethel Burton , Rosemary Theby , Myrtle Lind . Playmates ( 7/1/18 ) . King Bee . Dir . Charles Parrott . With Billy West , Oliver Hardy , Bud Ross , Fay Holderness , Ethel Burton , Myrtle Lind ...
Contents
On the Streets 723 | 17 |
Two Boys from Nutsville | 35 |
Do a Lighthouse | 49 |
Copyright | |
10 other sections not shown
Other editions - View all
Smile When the Raindrops Fall: The Story of Charley Chase Brian Anthony,Andy Edmonds Limited preview - 1997 |
Common terms and phrases
actors Angeles appeared asked BeBe became become believed Billy brother called Chaplin character Charles Parrott Charley Chase Charley's Columbia comedy considered continued dance directed director early Eddie Edgar Edited by Richard father Filmed gags Gertrude Astor girls going H. M. Walker Hal Roach Hardy Harry Harry Bernard Hollywood James Jimmy John June Kennedy later Laurel Leo McCarey Lloyd looked Love Mack months movie Music never NOTE Oliver once performed Photographed picture play Polly produced recalled Recording Engineer reels released returned Richard Currier Robert scene seemed Sennett sequence shooting short shot silent Snub Pollard Song sound stage Stan star Story studio success Supervised theater Thelma things Titles took turned two-reelers unit vaudeville wanted West White York Young