With Charles Murray, Ford Sterling, ‘Baldy’ Belmont and Harriet Hammond. Mack Sennett comedy two-reeler. Directed by Mal St. Claire. Distributed by Paramount. Released 5 Sep 1920. Source: Motion Picture News, 4 Sep 1920, p. 1941.
Before The Public Starring Snub Pollard. James appears in a minor role as both projectionist and sound effects operator. Hal Roach comedy two-reeler. Directed by Charles Parrott. Distributed by Pathé. Released 4 Mar 1923. Sources: Exhibitors Trade Review, vol. 13, no. 14, 3 Mar 1923; ‘Hal Roach Comedies’, Motion Picture News Booking Guide, Oct 1923, p. 67.
The Noon Whistle With Stan Laurel. One-reeler, the first Hal Roach film to feature Stan Laurel as a star. Directed by George Jeske. Distributed by Pathé. Released 29 Apr 1923.
White Wings Cameo role where James has his tooth pulled out by Stan Laurel. Hal Roach one-reeler. Directed by George Jeske. Distributed by Pathé. Released 13 May 1923.
Pick and Shovel With Stan Laurel. Hal Roach one-reeler. Directed by George Jeske. Distributed by Pathé. Released 17 Jun 1923.
The Courtship Of Miles Sandwich With Snub Pollard and Marie Mosquini. Hal Roach comedy two-reeler. Directed by Charles Parrott. Distributed by Pathé. Released 23 Jun 1923. A parody of THE COURTSHIP OF MILES STANDISH (1923). Sources: ‘Short Subjects’, The Film Daily, 24 Jun 1923, p. 11; ‘Hal Roach Comedies’, Motion Picture News Booking Guide, Oct 1923, p. 67.
Hollywood Cameo role. James was listed by Motion Picture News as one of the “fifty film celebrities in the cast”. Eight-reeler comedy-drama produced by Famous Players-Lasky Corp. Directed by James Cruze. Distributed by Paramount. Released 11 Aug 1923. Sources: Motion Picture News, 2 Jun 1923; HOLLYWOOD, American Film Institute Catalog.
Mother’s Joy With Stan Laurel. Directed by Ralph Ceder. Released 23 Dec 1923.
1924
Source: Exhibitors Trade Review, 12 Jan 1924, p. 25
Mr Roach, in the short-subject comedy department, has just launched a new producing unit in which James Finlayson, who has been appearing in important roles in the Stan Laurel comedies, will be prominently cast.
Smithy With Stan Laurel. Hal Roach comedy two-reeler. Distributed by Pathé. Released Jan 1924.
Source: Motion Picture News, 19 Jan 1924, p. 278
Postage Due With Stan Laurel. Directed by George Jeske. Distributed by Pathé. Released 17 Feb 1924.
Zeb vs. Paprika With Stan Laurel. Directed by Ralph Ceder. Distributed by Pathé. Released 16 Mar 1924. The film is a parody of the classic horse racing event on 20 October 1923, between American Kentucky Derby winner Zev and British Derby winner Papyrus, which attracted a crowd estimated at close to 50,000 people. Sources: “Zeb vs. Paprika” Heads Pathe March 16 Bill, Motion Picture News, 15 March 1924; Motion Picture News Vol. XXX No. 17 Booking Guide Section, 25 Oct 1924, p. 69.
The Sky Plumber With Arthur Stone. A Hal Roach comedy two-reeler. Directed by James Davis. Distributed by Pathé. Released 26 Oct 1924. Source: Moving Picture World, 25 Oct 1924, p. 673.
Sure-Mike! With Martha Sleeper. Also featured fellow Scot William Gillespie. Pathé comedy one-reeler. Directed by Fred Guiol. Source: Motion Picture News, 23 May 1925, p. 2554.
In the Grease Starring role (billed as Jimmy Finlayson). Pathé comedy one-reeler. Source: The Film Daily, 21 Jun 1925.
Thundering Landlords With Glen Tryon and Fay Wray. Roach-Pathé comedy two-reeler. Source: The Film Daily, 14 Jun 1925.
Innocent Husbands With Charley Chase and Katherine Grant. Also featured fellow Scot William Gillespie. Hal Roach comedy two-reeler. Distributed by Pathé. Source: Moving Picture World, 1 Aug 1925, p. 575.
What’s the World Coming To? Supporting role. With Clyde Cook and Katherine Grant. Hal Roach comedy two-reeler distributed by Pathé. Directed by Richard Wallace. Released 17 Jan 1926. Source: Motion Picture News, 2 Jan 1926, p. 480.
Dizzy Daddies With Tyler Brooke and Gertrude Astor. Comedy two-reeler directed by Richard Wallace and distributed by Pathé. Released 20 Mar 1926.
Madame Mystery Joint starring role with Theda Bara. Also featuring Tyler Brooke and Oliver Hardy. Comedy two-reeler distributed by Pathé. Released 17 Apr 1926.
Don Key With Stuart Holmes and Vivien Oakland. Hal Roach comedy two-reeler distributed by Pathé. Directed by Grover Jones and Hal Yates. Source: Moving Picture World, 22 May 1926.
Exhibitors Herald, 22 May 1926
Never Too Old With Claude Gillingwater and Vivien Oakland. Hal Roach comedy two-reeler distributed by Pathé. Source: Moving Picture World, 26 Jun 1926.
Love ‘Em and Weep With Mae Busch and Stan Laurel (and Oliver Hardy in a minor role). Hal Roach comedy two-reeler. Directed by Fred Guiol. Later remade as CHICKENS COME HOME (1931). Source: Neibaur, James L., Movie Comedians – The Complete Guide, McFarland, 1986.
With Love and Hisses With Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Hal Roach comedy two-reeler. Directed by Fred Guiol. Source: Neibaur, James L., Movie Comedians – The Complete Guide, McFarland, 1986.
Sugar Daddies With Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Hal Roach comedy two-reeler. Directed by Fred Guiol. Released 10 Sep 1927. Source: Neibaur, James L., Movie Comedians – The Complete Guide, McFarland, 1986.
Flying Elephants With Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Hal Roach comedy two-reeler. Directed by Fred Butler. Source: Neibaur, James L., Movie Comedians – The Complete Guide, McFarland, 1986.
Source: The Film Daily, 4 Oct 1927, p. 3.
1928
Should Tall Men Marry? With Stan Laurel and Martha Sleeper. Directed by Clyde Bruckman. Produced by Hal Roach.
Ladies’ Night in a Turkish Bath With Dorothy Mackaill and Jack Mulhall. First National comedy drama. Released 1 Apr 1928. Source: Motion Picture News, 14 Apr 1928, p. 1213.
Show Girl Supporting role in First National Pathe comedy drama starring Alice White. Directed by Alfred Santell. Released 23 Sep 1928 (USA), 7 Oct 1929 (UK). Sources: Motion Picture News, 11 May 1929; The Bioscope, 9 Jan 1929, pp. 57-58.
Liberty With Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Leo McCarey, Lloyd French and James Horne. Distributed by MGM. Filmed between 1 Oct and 19 Nov 1928. Released 26 Jan 1929. Source: Skretvedt, Randy, Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies, p. 136.
Big Business With Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Produced by Hal Roach. Directed by James W. Horne. Distributed by MGM. Filmed 19-26 Dec 1928. Released 20 Apr 1929. Source: Skretvedt, Randy, Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies, p. 144.
Men O’War With Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Produced by Hal Roach. Directed by Lewis R. Foster. Distributed by MGM. Filmed circa 11-18 May 1929. Released 29 Jun 1929. Source: Skretvedt, Randy, Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies, p. 166.
The House-gow With Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Produced by Hal Roach. Directed by James Parrott. Distributed by MGM. Filmed between 30 Aug and 14 Sep 1929. Released 16 Nov 1929. Source: Skretvedt, Randy, Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies, p. 177.
Night Owls With Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Produced by Hal Roach. Directed by James Parrott. Distributed by MGM. Filmed between mid Oct and early Nov 1929. Released 4 Jan 1930. Source: Skretvedt, Randy, Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies, p. 183.
For The Defense Supporting role. Pre-Code crime drama starring William Powell. Directed by John Cromwell. Released 26 July 1930. Sources: OCTAGON’S NEXT CHANGE, Evening Star, 14 July 1931; FOR THE DEFENSE (1930), AFI Catalog of Feature Films.
Dollar Dizzy With Charley Chase, Thelma Todd and Edgar Kennedy. Hal Roach comedy three-reeler. Directed by James Horne. Source: Neibaur, James L., Movie Comedians – The Complete Guide, McFarland, 1986.
Another Fine Mess With Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Produced by Hal Roach. Directed by James Parrott. Distributed by MGM. Filmed between late Sep and early Oct 1930. Released 29 Nov 1930. Source: Skretvedt, Randy, Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies, p. 206.
1931
Chickens Come Home With Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Comedy three-reeler produced by Hal Roach. Directed by James W. Horne. Distributed by MGM. Filmed early-mid Jan 1931. Released 21 Feb 1931. Source: Skretvedt, Randy, Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies, p. 210.
Second Hand Kisses With Louise Fazenda. Directed by Lewis R. Foster. Produced by Lawrence J. Darmour.
Our Wife With Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Comedy two-reeler produced by Hal Roach. Directed by James W. Horne. Distributed by MGM. Filmed early-mid Mar 1931. Released 16 May 1931. Source: Skretvedt, Randy, Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies, p. 215.
One of the Smiths With Charley Chase. Hal Roach comedy two-reeler. Directed by James Parrott. Distributed by MGM. Released 23 May 1931. Source: Neibaur, James L., Movie Comedians – The Complete Guide, McFarland, 1986.
Pardon Us With Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Produced by Hal Roach. Directed by James Parrott. Distributed by MGM. Filmed between 24 Jun and 1 Dec 1930. Released 15 Aug 1931. Source: Skretvedt, Randy, Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies, p. 200.
Beach Pajamas Part of the Travelling Man series featuring Louis John Bartels. With Vernon Dent. RKO comedy two-reeler. Directed by Roscoe (Fatty) Arbuckle. Distributed by Pathé. Released 21 Sep 1931. Sources: LA Evening Express, 26 May 1931, p. 13; LA Times, 26 Jul 1931, p. 95.
One Good Turn With Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Comedy two-reeler produced by Hal Roach. Directed by James W. Horne. Distributed by MGM. Filmed mid-late Jun 1931. Released 31 Oct 1931. Source: Skretvedt, Randy, Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies, p. 219.
Pack Up Your Troubles Played the part of The General. With Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Hal Roach comedy. Directed by George Marshall and Ray McCarey. Distributed by MGM. Released 17 Sep 1932. Sources: Photoplay, vol. XLII, no. 4, Sep 1932, p. 122; AFI Catalog.
So This Is Harris Cameo role as a golf pro. Three reel RKO Radio musical comedy starring Phil Harris. Produced by Lou Brock. Directed by Mark Sandrich. Released 28 March 1933. The film won Best Short Subject Comedy at 6th Annual Academy Awards. Source: Motion Picture Herald, vol. III, no. 8, 20 May 1933, p. 42.
Strictly in Confidence (aka Confidential Ladies) Played the role of Mac. Directed by Clyde Cook. A Warner Brothers First National production. Released 1933. Source: British Film Institute.
1934
Oh, No, Doctor Played the role of a manservant called Axminster [a type of carpet] alongside Jack Hobbs. Directed by George King. A George King Productions production. Released 6 Feb 1934. Source: British Film Institute.
Trouble in Store With Jack Hobbs. British comedy. Sources: Portsmouth Evening News, 2 June 1934, p.3; Bucks Herald, 6 Jul 1934, p. 9; Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, 22 Sep 1934, p. 3; British Film Institute.
Big Business Played the role of a police constable. Directed by Cyril Gardner. A Warner Brothers First National production. Released 4 Mar 1934. Source: British Film Institute.
Dick Turpin Highwayman Played the role of Jeremy with Victor McLaglen as Dick Turpin. Directed by W. Victor Hanbury and John Stafford. A John Stafford Productions Ltd production. Released 21 May 1934. Source: British Film Institute.
Nine Forty-Five (aka 9.45) Played the role of police constable Doyle. Starring Binnie Barnes. Directed by George King. A Warner Brothers First National production. Released 3 Sep 1934. Source: British Film Institute.
1935
Father and Son Played the role of Bidad. Directed by Monty Banks. A Warner Brothers First National production. Released 7 Jan 1935. Source: British Film Institute.
What Happened to Harkness With Robert Hale. British comedy. Directed by Milton Rosmer. A Warner Brothers First National production. Released 11 Feb 1935. Sources: The Kinematograph YearBook, 1935, p. 81; Berks and Oxon Advertiser, 16 Aug 1935, p. 8; British Film Institute.
Dandy Dick British International Pictures comedy starring Will Hay. Directed by William Beaudine. Released 22 Jul 1935. James Finlayson’s scenes from the initial trade showing on 11 Feb 1935 appear to have been cut from the final release. Source: ‘FIVE FROM B.I.P.’, The Era, 6 Feb 1935, p. 20.
Who’s Your Father With Lupino Lane and Nita Harvey. Directed by Lupino Lane as ‘Henry William George’ [his actual Christian names]. A Lupino Lane Productions / St. George’s Productions production. Released 22 Jul 1935. Source: British Film Institute.
Handle With Care (aka Look Out, Mr. Haggis) Played the role of Jimmy. With Jack Hobbs and Molly Lamont. Directed by Redd Davis. An Embassy Film Company production. Released 2 Sep 1935. Source: British Film Institute.
Manhattan Monkey Business With Charley Chase and Joyce Compton. Hal Roach comedy two-reeler. Directed by Charley Chase and Harold Law. Source: Neibaur, James L., Movie Comedians – The Complete Guide, McFarland, 1986.
1936
Life Hesitates at 40 With Charley Chase and Joyce Compton. Hal Roach comedy two-reeler. Directed by Charley Chase and Harold Law. Source: Neibaur, James L., Movie Comedians – The Complete Guide, McFarland, 1986.
Source: Radio Mirror, vol. 8, no. 6, p. 97, Oct 1937.
Played the role of a policeman. Starring Charles Rogers and Betty Grable and featuring Fibber McGee and Molly. Directed by Robert Florey. Distributed by Paramount. Released 7 Oct 1937.
Previewed at the Pantages Theatre, Hollywood, to an audience that howled.
Played the part of the jailer. Borris Morris produced Laurel and Hardy comedy. Directed by A. Edward Sutherland. Distributed by RKO. Released 3 Nov 1939. Sources: Motion Picture Herald, 14 Oct 1939, pp. 38 and 42.
Yanks Ahoy With William Tracy and Joe Sawyer. Hal Roach Streamliner comedy. Produced by Fred Guiol. Directed by Kurt Neumann. Running time 55 mins. Distributed by United Artists. Source:The Film Daily, 29 Jun 1943, p. 7.
Down Memory Lane Features two scenes of James, with Ben Turpin and Charles Murray respectively, culled from HOME TALENT (1921). Eagle Lion comedy. Running time 72 mins. Source: Showmen’s Trade Review, 10 Sep 1949, p. 35.
1951
Royal Wedding Played the part of a cabdriver. MGM musical comedy starring Fred Astaire and Jane Powell. Directed by Stanley Donen. Running time 93 mins. Released as ‘Wedding Bells’ in the UK. Sources: Film Bulletin, vol. 19, no. 5,26 Feb 1951, p. 11; ROYAL WEDDING (1951), AFI Catalog of Feature Films.
I’ve only just discovered this blog site and I’m thrilled that you’re aiming to publish the mighy Fin’s biography. It’s very long overdue. It’s so difficult to find any information on his life beyond his work, but his career achievements were monumental and it is great to see all this information gathered together in one place.
Thank you for your painstaking work on pulling these obscure fragments together
I’ve only just discovered this blog site and I’m thrilled that you’re aiming to publish the mighy Fin’s biography. It’s very long overdue. It’s so difficult to find any information on his life beyond his work, but his career achievements were monumental and it is great to see all this information gathered together in one place.
Thank you for your painstaking work on pulling these obscure fragments together
Pete, Fin Fan
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