{"product_id":"charley-chase-rarities-silent","title":"Charley Chase Rarities (Silent)","description":"Charley Chase (1893-1940) is widely considered by film fans to be one of the geniuses of silent comedy. Born Charles Parrott in Baltimore, Maryland, a brief career in vaudeville led to bit parts at Keystone Films. Unhappy playing second fiddle to luminaries such as Chaplin and \"Fatty\" Arbuckle, Parrott famously approached Hal Roach, telling him, \u003ci\u003e\"I can play anything!\"\u003c\/i\u003e Rechristened Charley Chase, he was soon starring in his own series of two-reel comedies for Roach. In these films, Charley usually played a sophisticated young man (sometimes a harried husband, or an overworked businessman) plunged into an unfortunate succession of embarrassing incidents. Most of the Chase shorts were directed by Leo McCarey, later to be famous for the Marx Brothers' \u003ci\u003eDuck Soup\u003c\/i\u003e and an Academy Award winner for \u003ci\u003eThe Awful Truth\u003c\/i\u003e (1937) and \u003ci\u003eGoing My Way\u003c\/i\u003e (1944). When sound arrived, Charley's fine speaking (and singing) voice proved ideal for the talkies. He had a memorable role in Laurel and Hardy's \u003ci\u003eSons of the Desert\u003c\/i\u003e (1933). By this time, however, alcoholism and depression plagued the comedian, and he was unable to hold down work. Charley died of a heart attack in 1940 at the age of 46, but a revival of interest in his films beginning in the 1990s means that he will never be forgotten. \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePeanuts And Bullets\u003c\/i\u003e (1915): \u003c\/b\u003e Charley stars in one of his few solo comedies at Keystone billed as Charles Parrott. He plays a starving soul looking to steal a peanut vendor's wares -- and his girlfriend! \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Rent Jumpers\u003c\/i\u003e (1915): \u003c\/b\u003eIn another early Keystone short, Charley steals his best friend's wallet and takes sultry Mae Busch out for a night of dancing. Unfortunately, he doesn't realize his pal is just as broke as he is and the wallet is empty. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Poor Fish \u003c\/i\u003e(1924): \u003c\/b\u003eFor his first films at Roach, Charley played the role of \"Jimmie Jump\", a put-upon everyman. Here Jimmie decides to switch roles with his wife. While the little woman goes out to work, he does the cooking and cleaning. One burned-down house later, Jimmie is longing for his office cubicle. The first of three shorts in this compilation directed by Leo McCarey. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eIsn't Life Terrible?\u003c\/i\u003e (1925): \u003c\/b\u003eCharley is a door-to-door pen salesman. After selling more pens than anyone in America, he is rewarded with an ocean cruise. Unfortunately, he has to bring along his obnoxious brother-in-law, played by Oliver Hardy. A young Fay Wray has a cameo as one of Charley's prospective pen buyers. The title parodies D.W. Griffith's \u003ci\u003eIsn't Life Wonderful\u003c\/i\u003e (1924). \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDog Shy\u003c\/i\u003e (1926): \u003c\/b\u003ePretty Mildred June is being forced by her aristocratic parents to marry a no-good nobleman. Charley, her old college sweetheart, shows up to stop the wedding. But he has to get through the family's guard dog first...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirected by Leo McCarey, Frank Griffin, Nick Cogley.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBONUS: PAUL PARROTT: \u003c\/b\u003eDuring his time with Roach, Charley helped establish his brother James, a vaudeville performer with a turbulent personal life, in Hollywood. Changing his first name but not his last, \"Paul Parrott\" starred in his own short-lived series of one-reel comedies. Not as photogenic as his brother, Paul found more success behind the camera. He directed Laurel and Hardy's Oscar-winning short \u003ci\u003eThe Music Box\u003c\/i\u003e (1932). Sadly, Paul's demons eventually caught up with him, and he died of drug-related heart failure in 1939 at the age of 41. The loss of his brother contributed heavily to Charley's own depression and eventual death. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHis First Flat Tire\u003c\/i\u003e (1920): \u003c\/b\u003ePaul and his pal, chauffeur Sid Smith, prevent a bank robbery masterminded by a sexy vamp. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Sleuth\u003c\/i\u003e (1922): \u003c\/b\u003eCharley wrote this detective story spoof for his brother. Paul is a bellhop who must uncover which hotel guest stole some priceless jewels. Directed by Raymond Grey.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Alpha Video","offers":[{"title":"DVD","offer_id":45802723770518,"sku":"089218786296","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0703\/9621\/5446\/files\/089218786296.jpg?v=1762201735","url":"https:\/\/moviezyng.com\/products\/charley-chase-rarities-silent","provider":"Movie Zyng","version":"1.0","type":"link"}