James Parrott
Known For: Directing
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: August 1, 1897
Day of Death: May 10, 1939 (42 years old)
Place of Birth: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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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Actor Minor Role (uncredited)
The King
Director
Below Zero
Director
The Laurel-Hardy Murder Case
Director
Night Owls
Director
Brats
Director
Another Fine Mess
Director
Blotto
Director
Hog Wild
Director
Night of Goblins
Director
Shivering and Shaking
Director
Thieves
Director
The Night Life
Writer
Brats
Story
Hog Wild
Director
Radiomanía
1929
1928
1927
Director
Fluttering Hearts
Director
A One Mama Man
Director
Now I'll Tell One
Director
Forgotten Sweeties
Director
Many Scrappy Returns
Director
Are Brunettes Safe?
Director
The Lighter That Failed
Director
Never the Dames Shall Meet
Director
Us
Director
Assistant Wives
Director
The Sting of Stings
Director
Bigger and Better Blondes
Director
What Women Did for Me
1926
Actor In Trouble
Between Meals
Actor Willing
Soft Pedal
Actor
Pay the Cashier
Actor The Roustabout
Don't Butt In
Writer
Get 'Em Young
Writer
Wise Guys Prefer Brunettes
Writer
Along Came Auntie
Writer
Wandering Papas
Director
On the Front Page
Writer
On the Front Page
Director
There Ain't No Santa Claus
Writer
Say It with Babies
1925
1924
1923
Actor The Bill Poster
Post No Bills
Actor
Paste and Paper
Actor Bill Bunion
The Uncovered Wagon
Actor
Shoot Straight
Actor Lucian Dillgiggle
Dear Ol' Pal
Actor Paul (as Paul Parrott)
Jailed and Bailed
Actor
Watch Your Wife
Actor
No Pets
Actor The New Clerk
Tight Shoes
Actor Trainer
Join the Circus
Actor Iron-worker
Take the Air
Actor
The Smile Wins
