dbinia
James Parrott

James Parrott

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.

The King

1930

as Minor Role (uncredited)

Pay the Cashier

1926

Soft Pedal

1926

as Willing

Don't Butt In

1926

as The Roustabout

Between Meals

1926

as In Trouble

Are Parents Pickles?

1925

as Fire Salesman

The Caretaker's Daughter

1925

as The Caretaker (as Jimmie Parrott)

The House of Flickers

1925

A Deep Sea Panic

1924

Sittin' Pretty

1924

as Bearded Lunatic

Get Busy

1924

as Taller pal

Join the Circus

1923

as Trainer

Dear Ol' Pal

1923

as Lucian Dillgiggle

No Pets

1923

Take the Air

1923

as Iron-worker

Post No Bills

1923

as The Bill Poster

The Uncovered Wagon

1923

as Bill Bunion

The Smile Wins

1923

Shoot Straight

1923

Tight Shoes

1923

as The New Clerk

Jailed and Bailed

1923

as Paul (as Paul Parrott)

Paste and Paper

1923

Watch Your Wife

1923

Blaze Away

1922

Harvest Hands

1922

as The Son

Shine 'Em Up

1922

as Paul, the Hustler

The Golf Bug

1922

as Paul

Shiver and Shake

1922

as The Newlywed Husband

Face the Camera

1922

Bone Dry

1922

The Landlubber

1922

Touch all the Bases

1922

as Paul Parrott

Take Next Car

1922

as Chief Engineer

The Sleuth

1922

as Bellboy / the Sleuth

Big Town Ideas

1921

as Spick Spague

Don't Park Here

1920

as A Car Owner

His First Flat Tire

1920

Way Out West

1920

Don't Shove

1919

as Party Guest

Count Your Change

1919

Young Mr. Jazz

1919

as (uncredited)

A Sammy in Siberia

1919

as (uncredited)

Hustling for Health

1919

as Man missing his train

Do You Love Your Wife?

1919

An Auto Nut

1919

as The Auto Nut's Lawyer (as Paul Parrott)

Just Rambling Along

1918

as Waiter / chef assistant

Bride and Gloom

1918

An Ozark Romance

1918

Fireman Save My Child

1918

Hey There

1918

Look Pleasant, Please

1918

as Drunken Swell (uncredited)

Hit Him Again

1918