Post by Angus McLaurel on Aug 27, 2008 17:29:46 GMT
Born `James Henderson Finlayson`
on August 27th 1887,
Falkirk, Scotland.
Probably the most recognised of the Laurel & Hardy co-stars, and more noticeably with his large moustache.`Fin`, has he was more commonly known, appeared in over 30 Laurel & Hardy films starting in their silent era of 1927 right through to the end of the Hal Roach era in 1940.
James Finlayson began his acting career by starring in plays in theatres around Scotland. He later served an apprenticeship in the British music halls, after which, his career really took off when he went across to America on tour as the star in the 1912 play, "Bunty Pulls the Strings". It was during this tour of this play which led to his ultimate stardom.
He started in movies for Ince film co., and in 1919 became a regular actor alongside Mack Sennett, in various films such as "Married Life" (1920) and "The Crossroads of New York". (1922)
It wasn`t until 1923, that he joined the Hal Roach crew and eventually in 1927, made his first appearance with Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy in the silent film "Love `Em and weep". He continued to work with Stan & Ollie in classic films such as "Liberty" (1928),"Bonnie Scotland" (1935) and finally with "Saps At Sea" (1940).
It was throughout these films that he developed the characteristics that we know and love. His classic `Double Takes` at Stan & Ollie`s outrageous behaviour, and in his temporary spells of being almost speechless, the classic `Doh!`.
Fin usually played the villain to Stan & Ollie`s innocent good guys. Although many of his appearances were usually brief, he always stood out has being a central character in any of the films he appeared. Fin did have the odd exception in which he did play a leading part of the film, especially in the classic 1928 silent, "Big Business", in which Stan, Ollie and Fin wrecked someome`s actual house contents and garden, all for the sake of a sale of a Christmas tree. In "Way Out West" (1937), Fin played the part of Mickey Finn, the scheming hotelier alongside Sharon Lynne in an attempt to con Stan & Ollie into giving him a deed to a goldmine, which did in fact belong to Fin`s general dog`sbody (slave), Mary Roberts.
All in all James Finlayson played an important and memorable part in all the films he appeared in with Laurel & Hardy, he truly was a great character and will always be remembered and acknowledged, especially in Sons Of The Desert meeting during `The Loyal Toast`. After a long career in film and entertainment, this sadly came to an end on October 9th 1953, as he suffered a heart-attack and died, but at least we were left with some memorable moments of his work.
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LAUREL & HARDY FILMOGRAPHY
Love `Em and Weep (1927)
James Finlayson plays the part of newly-wed Titus Tillsbury, who is threatened with blackmail by old flame (Mae Busch) As, apparantly, she has a picture of the pair of them in their swimwear (which must have been quite shocking in the 20`s!). As Mae is threatening Fin, his wife arrives and Mae his forced to hide in the bathroom until the coast is clear.
The film then breaks into a farce, with numerous attempts to hide Mae busch, with whom Fin gives the task to his butler (Stan Laurel), who also has a suspicious wife. The film concludes, after Mae is discovered and with all attempts to deny everything dried up, as the husbands (Fin & Stan) are beaten by their unforgiving wives.
With Love and Hisses (1927)
This, in fact is the first of Laurel & Hardy`s army films, in which James Finlayson plays Stan & Ollie`s superior officer, giving numerous order to Stan, who of course fouls up in only the way he can, leading the himself and Ollie in trouble with a very annoyed James Finlayson. This film also marks the start of the numerous Laurel & Hardy/ Fin battles still to come. There are even signs of Fin`s classic characteristics starting to develop.
Do Detectives Think? (1927)
Judge Foozle is the character James Finlayson plays in this film, who sentences the `Tipton Slasher` (Noah Young) to death, for the murder of two Chinese men. The Slasher escapes and vows his revenge on the judge. Fin contacts a detective agency and asks for their two best men. Stan & Ollie are appointed to the task of re-capturing The Slasher. Stan & Ollie also fall victim to The Slasher, as he takes a dislike to them and threatens to get them as well. The Slasher poses as Fin`s butler in order to pursue his revenge, but luckily for everyone, he is eventually recognised and caught.
Flying Elephants (1927)
This film is set in the Stone Age, in which both Stan & Ollie fall in love with the same girl, the daughter of James Finlayson. Orders from the King state that every bachelor must marry, therefore leading to the said storyline. James Finlayson`s appearance as the girl`s father is quite brief.
Sugar Daddies (1927)
Fin is a newly-rich oil tycoon who is dependant on the help of his Butler (Ollie) and his lawyer (Stan), after a wild party, in which Fin got himself married, and in the process, acquired his new found wife`s money grabbing daughter and a violently murderous son. Fin calls on the help of his lawyer Stan to help him out of the entanglement. The film then turns into routines of slapstick and chase routines, in which the film concludes with a cop chasing Stan and Fin through a theme park, in which they are dressed as a peculiar Mrs. Hardy (Stan is on Fin`s back and they are draped in a long cape.)
The Second Hundred Years (1927)
Call Of The Cuckoos (1927)
Hats Off (1927)
Liberty (1928)
Big Business (1928)
Men `O War (1929)
The Hoosegow (1929)
Night Owls (1930)
Another Fine Mess (1930)
Chickens Come Home (1930)
Pardon Us (1931)
One Good Turn (1931)
Our Wife (1931)
The Chimp (1932)
Pack Up Your Troubles (1932)
Fra Diavolo (The Devil`s Brother) (1933)
Me And My Pal (1933)
Bonnie Scotland (1935)
Thicker Than Water (1935)
The Bohemian Girl (1935)
Our Relations (1936)
Way Out west (1937)
Pick A Star (1937)
Blockheads (1938)
Flying Deuces (1939)
Saps At Sea (1940)
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