Mack Sennett

Born: 17 January 1880, Richmond, Québec, Canada
Died: 5 November 1960, Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA

Mack Sennett was one of the most successful individuals of the silent and early sound era. He began his career in show business on the stage in New York as a chorus boy, but quickly became involved with the new medium of film and found himself being directed by D. W. Griffith and working with big name actresses such as Mabel Normand and Mary Pickford. By 1910, Sennett had directed his first film. Soon after he formed the Keystone Film Company and began producing, directing and starring in his own movies. Sennett went on to produce over 1000 films and directed over 300.

Faithful (1910) as Zeke (Faithful)

Florence Barker

Born: 22 November 1891, Los Angeles, California, USA
Died: 15 February 1913, Los Angeles, California, USA

Florence Barker was a stage and silent film actress. Her love of theatre led her to join an amateur theatre group in her early teens. By the age of eighteen Florence was playing lead roles at the Grand Theatre in Los Angeles. It was around this time that Florence started acting in films and it is known that she acted in at least 70 films before her untimely death of pneumonia at the age of just 21.

Faithful (1910) as John's Sweetheart

With Arthur V Johnson and Mack Sennett.

Arthur V. Johnson

Born: 2 February 1876, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Died: 17 January 1916, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Arthur V. Johnson was a prolific silent screen star who made over 300 films in his short career. Sadly, Johnson died of tuberculosis long before the advent of sound.

Faithful (1910) as John Dobbs (Adonese)

Alice Adair

Born: 8 November 1906, Davis, Oklahoma, USA
Died: 26 January 1996, Santa Barbara, California, USA

Alice Adair was an actress, dancer and beauty contest winner. She began her show business career in night clubs and as dancer with the Marion Morgan troupe. Her film career started at the end of the silent era in supporting roles but by the early 1930s Adair found herself in extra parts and small uncredited roles.

The Wild Party (1929) as Maisie (uncredited)

I Surrender Dear (1931) as Bing's Admirer (uncredited)

Alice Adair is seated in the foreground, with Jean Houghton.

















Pick-up (1933) as Sally (uncredited)

Alice Adair is in the back of the car. In the front is Lilian Bond, George Meeker and Dorothy Layton.

Joe Keaton

Born: 6 July 1867, Terre Haute, Indiana, USA
Died: 13 January 1946, Ventura County, California, USA

Joe Keaton was the father of Buster Keaton and he appeared in some of his films.

Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) as Barber (uncredited)

With Buster Keaton.

  

Palooka from Paducah (1935) as Pa Diltz

Max Schreck

Born: 6 September 1879, Berlin, Germany
Died: 20 February 1936, Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Nosferatu (1922) as Graf Orlok

Louise Keaton

Born: 30 October 1906, Maine, USA
Died: 18 February 1981, Van Nuys, California, USA

Louise was the sister of Buster Keaton and she appeared in some of his films

Palooka from Paducah (1935) as Sis Diltz

Myra Keaton

Born: 13 March 1877, Modale, Iowa, USA
Died: 21 July 1955, Los Angeles, California, USA

Myra Keaton was the mother of Buster Keaton and she appeared in some of his films

Palooka from Paducah (1935) as Ma Diltz

Mary Russell

Born: 22 April 1912, Oskaloosa, Iowa, USA
Died: 22 August 2005, San Rafael, California, USA

The Payoff (1935) as Secretary (uncredited)

Virginia Dabney

Born: 29 August 1907, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Died: 19 November 2000, California, USA

Virginia Dabney retired from films when she married director Robert Florey in 1939.

The Payoff (1935) as Marty's Blonde Girlfriend (uncredited)

With Alan Dinehart.

George Humbert

Born: 29 July 1880, Florence, Tuscany, Italy
Died: 8 May 1963, Los Angeles, California, USA

The Mayor of Hell (1933) as Mr. Carmonotti

The Payoff (1935) as Hotel Clerk

Patricia Ellis has her back to us.

Paul Porcasi

Born: 1 January 1879, Palermo, Sicily, Italy

Died: 8 August 1946, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

 

The Payoff (1935) as Nick

 

La Fiesta de Santa Barbara (1935) as Himself

May Clark

Born: 9 August 1889, Kent, England, UK
Died: 31 May 1984, Englewood, New Jersey, USA

May Clark was a film cutter, production secretary and actress for Hepworth Film Studios when she was cast as Alice in the first ever film version of 'Alice in Wonderland' in 1903.

How It Feels to Be Run Over (1900) as Passenger

Identification of May in this is based on other's research.

  

Alice in Wonderland (1903) as Alice

Douglas Fox

Born: unknown
Died: unknown

Douglas Fox was the fifth young actor to play the role of Stinky Davis in the 'Mickey McGuire' short comedies.  He was replaced by the end of 1933 by Douglas Scott.

Mickey's Wildcats (1931) as Stinky Davis

Jules Hanft

Born: 16 September 1859, Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
Died: 6 August 1936, Los Angeles, California, USA

Jules Hanft was a silent screen actor who appeared in 'The Kid (1921)' with Charlie Chaplin.

I Surrender Dear (1931) as Man in Hall (uncredited)

Jules Hanft is in the background. He is the older gentleman with the glasses. In the foreground from left to right is Marion Sayers, Luis Alberni, Arthur Stone and Julia Griffith. Thw man in the dark suit in the background might be Junior Fuller.

George Gray

Born: 30 October 1894, Oakland, California, USA

Died: 8 September 1967, Asheville, North Carolina, USA

 

George Gray mainly acted in short comedies. When his acting career ended he became a makeup artist for film and then television. 

 

Run, Girl, Run (1928) as Race Announcer (uncredited)

 

A silent Mack Sennett comedy short.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dance Hall Marge (1931) as Bartender (uncredited)

George Gray is on the right, without his fake moustache and very much a part of the background in this Sennett comedy short. Marjorie Beebe and Harry Gribbon are holding hands.

The Bride's Mistake (1931) as Armand the Barber

With Virginia Whiting, Marjorie Beebe and Maxine Cantway. Another Sennett comedy short.

 

Mickey's Wildcats (1931) as George Davis

 

A 'Mickey McGuire' comedy short.


















I Surrender Dear (1931) as Man in Hallway (uncredited)

George Gray is in the background of this picture, right in the centre of the screen. A Bing Crosby musical short for Mack Sennett.

The Great Pie Mystery (1931) as Farmer Bagwell - Homer's Father

A rather odd Mack Sennett comedy short.

Doubling in the Quickies (1932) as Chauffeur (uncredited)

A Mack Sennett comedy short.

Spencer Bell

Born: 25 September 1887, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
Died: 18 August 1935

Played the Cowardly Lion in the 1925 version of The Wizard of Oz.

Dance Hall Marge (1931) as Chauffeur (uncredited)

With Marjorie Beebe.

  

Mickey's Wildcats (1931) as Meadows

With Fern Emmett and Billy Barty.

I Surrender Dear (1931) as Porter (uncredited)

Luis Alberni is holding the dog.

Jean Houghton

Born: unknown
Died: unknown

Dance Hall Marge (1931) as Yacht Guest (uncredited)

Harry Gribbon and Marjorie Beebe argue while Jean Houghton looks on.

I Surrender Dear (1931) as Bing's Admirer (uncredited)

Jean Houghton is on the left. The other admirer is Alice Adair.


















False Impressions (1931) as Ethel - Fur Coat Saleslady (uncredited)

Not a great copy of this film. Jean helps Marjorie Beebe try on a fur coat.

Jean is on the right.

Earthbound (1940) as Yvonne, Ellen's Maid (uncredited)

Barney Hellum

Born: 1 December 1895, Stavanger, Norway
Died: 22 December 1935, Los Angeles, California, USA

Barney Hellum was a diminutive comedy actor from the silent era who also appeared in many short comedies of the early 1930s.

I Surrender Dear (1931) as Elevator Operator (uncredited)

Barney Hellum emerges from the elevator as Bing Crosby and Arthur Stone wait.

Julia Griffith

Born: 2 February 1880, Iowa, USA
Died: 21 November 1961, Pacific Palisades, California, USA

I Surrender Dear (1931) as Peggy's Mother

Julia Griffith is on the left, with Marion Sayers.

With Bing Crosby.

The Great Pie Mystery (1931) as Peaches Stone's Mother (uncredited)

With Harry Gribbon.

Marvin Loback

Born: 21 November 1896, Tacoma, Washington, USA
Died: 18 August 1938, Los Angeles, California, USA

Marvin Loback was a tall, fat, comedic supporting actor who began his film career in the mid-1910s.

Dance Hall Marge (1931) as Sailor

With Marjorie Beebe.

I Surrender Dear (1931) as Butler (uncredited)

Marvin Loback holds the phone for Luis Alberni.

The Great Pie Mystery (1931) as Farmhand (uncredited)

Marvin looks up to George Gray for once.