Alfred Giebler

full name: Alfred Henry Giebler
nickname: Al
born October 17, 1872, in Missouri
died December 12, 1950, in Los Angeles, CA

Al Giebler has a pretty spotty filmography, but it fills out pretty well in spots. As a writer, his credits were at the mercy of whichever studio he worked for, since films didn't always carry writing credits. This was somewhat rectified during his years as a title writer, since this credit normally appeared onscreen. It was in this capacity that he was involved in "The Buccaneers" (no. 24). He was also briefly a gag man for the series a few months later. Fifteen years later, he crossed paths with the series again, writing the screenplay for "Dog Daze" (no. 182). Luckily, the Copyright Catalog reveals a few additional titles, but he was probably involved in a lot more films than those listed below. Most of his IMDb credits list him as Al Giebler, so it should be assumed that all of the below credits list him this way unless otherwise noted.

1912

By the end of this year, Giebler was employed at the Edison studio as a writer.

1913

Giebler seems to have left Edison at some point during this year, moving on to at least a couple of other studios before falling off our radar screens for the better part of a decade.

A Serenade By Proxy (story): Jan. 29, 1913 - Edison/General - 1 reel; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Jan. 16, 1913.
The Ranch Owner's Love-Making (writer): Feb. 25, 1913 - Edison/General - 1 reel; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Feb. 7, 1913.
Two Little Kittens (writer): June 10, 1913 - Edison/General - 1 reel; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©May 21, 1913.
Mrs. Carter's Campaign (story): Sep. 25, 1913 - American/Mutual - 2 reels; Given author credit as A. H. Giebler in copyright deposit. ©Oct. 23, 1913.

1914

Pat Flannigan's Family (writer): c. 1914 - Reliance/Majestic; Referenced in a published item from Feb. 1, 1914. Directed by Eddie Dillon.
The Little Hobo (author): July 4, 1914 - Selig/General - 1 reel; ©June 11, 1914. Given author credit as Alfred H. Giebler in copyright deposit. Drama

1922

During this period, Giebler was writing scenarios for the Plum Center Comedies produced by William A. Howell for the San Francisco-based Paul Gerson Pictures Corporation and released by Film Booking Offices of America.

Pop Tuttle's One Horse Play (story): c. 1922 - Gerson/FBO - 2 reels - Pop Tuttle series; ©Aug. 1, 1922. Credited as A. H. Giebler.
Pop Tuttle's Movie Queen (story): Sep. 10, 1922 - Gerson/FBO - 2 reels - Pop Tuttle series; ©Sep. 10, 1922. Credited as A. H. Giebler.
Pop Tuttle's Clever Catch (story): Oct. 8, 1922 - Gerson/FBO - 2 reels - Pop Tuttle series; ©Oct. 8, 1922. Credited as A. H. Giebler.
The Fire Chief (story): Nov. 5, 1922 - Gerson/FBO - 2 reels - Pop Tuttle series; ©Nov. 15, 1922 as Pop Tuttle, Fire Chief. Credited as A. H. Giebler.
Pop Tuttle's Grass Widow (story): Dec. 3, 1922 - Gerson/FBO - 2 reels - Pop Tuttle series; ©Dec. 3, 1922. Credited as A. H. Giebler.
Pop Tuttle, Deteckative (story): Dec. 31, 1922 - Gerson/FBO - 2 reels - Pop Tuttle series; ©Dec. 31, 1922. Credited as A. H. Giebler.

1923

The Sep. 1, 1923, issue of Saturday Evening Post included a poem written by Giebler entitled "East Versus West." The Oct. 6th edition of Motion Picture News reported that Giebler had been signed by Hal Roach to write film comedies, primarily for the Will Rogers series.

Pop Tuttle's Long Shot (story): Jan. 28, 1923 - Gerson/FBO - 2 reels - Pop Tuttle series; ©Dec. 26, 1922. Credited as A. H. Giebler.
Pop Tuttle's Pole Cat Plot (story): Feb. 25, 1923 - Gerson/FBO - 2 reels - Pop Tuttle series; ©Feb. 13, 1923. Credited as A. H. Giebler.
Pop Tuttle's Lost Control (story): Mar. 25, 1923 - Gerson/FBO - 2 reels - Pop Tuttle series; ©Feb. 25, 1923. Credited as A. H. Giebler.
Pop Tuttle's Lost Nerve (story): Apr. 22, 1923 - Gerson/FBO - 2 reels - Pop Tuttle series; ©Mar. 8, 1923. Credited as A. H. Giebler.
Pop Tuttle's Russian Rumors (story): May 2, 1923 - Gerson/FBO - 2 reels - Pop Tuttle series; ©May 1, 1923. Credited as A. H. Giebler.
Pop Tuttle's Tac Tics (story): July 15, 1923 - Gerson/FBO - 2 reels - Pop Tuttle series; ©Aug. 1, 1922. Credited as A. H. Giebler.

1924

Apparently, Roach title writer H. M. Walker went on vacation around January or February, since Giebler filled in for him on at least two films, one of which was the Our Gang short "The Buccaneers." Giebler's name turns up in the studio payroll summaries as an Our Gang gag writer beginning the week ending May 10th. This gave him more than enough time to contribute gags to "Every Man For Himself" and "Fast Company," and perhaps "The Mysterious Mystery!" (no. 33). By the latter part of the year, he had left Roach and become a title writer for the Mack Sennett studio.

24. The Buccaneers (co-titles): Mar. 9, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-24 - Our Gang series; Filmed Sep. 28 to Oct. 24, and Oct. 28, 1923. ©Feb. 20, 1924. Giebler received sole onscreen credit for this film (as A. H. Giebler), but Maltin & Bann credit H. M. Walker instead.
Zeb Vs. Paprika (titles): Mar. 16, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. L-7 - Stan Laurel series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. According to Rob Stone's list, this was filmed Oct. 23 to Nov. 5, 1923. According to his book, filming continued until the 6th. ©Jan. 26, 1924.
Brothers Under The Chin (co-writer): Apr. 13, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. L-9 - Stan Laurel series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. According to Rob Stone's list, this was filmed Nov. 19 to 28, and Dec. 3, 1923. In his book, he revises it to Nov. 15 to Dec. 3, 1923. ©Apr. 18, 1924.
32. Every Man For Himself (gag man): Oct. 19, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-32 - Our Gang series; Filmed June 2 to 12, 1924. ©Oct. 2, 1924. This credit derives from Giebler's status as an Our Gang gag man during this period.
16. Fast Company (gag man): Nov. 16, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-16 - Our Gang series; Filmed Mar. 5 to 15, 1923, with retakes June 13 to 21, 1924. ©Oct. 2, 1924. This credit derives from Giebler's status as an Our Gang gag man during the period of the 1924 retakes.

1925

The Wild Goose Chaser (co-titles): Jan. 18, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Ben Turpin series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Dec. 11, 1924.
The Beloved Bozo (co-titles): Feb. 8, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Ralph Graves series; ©Jan. 19, 1925.
His Marriage Wow (titles): Mar. 1, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Harry Langdon series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Dec. 26, 1924. Premiered Jan. 26, 1925.
A Raspberry Romance (co-titles): Mar. 1, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Ben Turpin series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Feb. 13, 1925.
Bashful Jim (co-titles): Mar. 8, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Ralph Graves series; ©Feb. 13, 1925.
Giddap (co-story): Mar. 22, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Billy Bevan series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Dec. 31, 1924.
Plain Clothes (titles): Mar. 29, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Harry Langdon series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Feb. 13, 1925.
The Marriage Circus (co-titles): Apr. 12, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Ben Turpin series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Feb. 13, 1925.
The Lion's Whiskers (co-titles): Apr. 19, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Billy Bevan series; ©Dec. 26, 1924.
Remember When? (titles): Apr. 26, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Harry Langdon series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Feb. 13, 1925. Premiered Apr. 14, 1925.
The Iron Nag (co-titles): Aug. 9, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Billy Bevan series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Apr. 2, 1925.
Lucky Stars (titles): Aug. 16, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Harry Langdon series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©July 20, 1925.
Cold Turkey (co-titles): Aug. 30, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Alice Day series; ©Apr. 2, 1925.
Hurry, Doctor! (titles): Sep. 20, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Ralph Graves series; ©Aug. 28, 1925.
Love And Kisses (co-titles): Sep. 27, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Alice Day series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Apr. 2, 1925.
Dangerous Curves Behind (co-titles): Nov. 1, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels; ©June 23, 1925.
Isn't Love Cuckoo? (co-titles): Nov. 22, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels; ©July 6, 1925.
The Window Dummy (titles): Dec. 13, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Dec. 30, 1925.
From Rags To Britches (co-titles): Dec. 13, 1925 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Billy Bevan series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©July 20, 1925.

1926

Whispering Whiskers (co-titles): Jan. 24, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Billy Bevan & Andy Clyde series; ©Jan. 23, 1926.
Saturday Afternoon (titles): Jan. 31, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 3 reels - Harry Langdon series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Jan. 23, 1926.
Trimmed In Gold (co-titles): Feb. 14, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Billy Bevan & Andy Clyde series; ©Jan. 23, 1926.
Circus Today (titles): Mar. 7, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Billy Bevan & Andy Clyde series; ©Feb. 6, 1926.
Spanking Breezes (title designer): Mar. 14, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Alice Day series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Jan. 23, 1926.
Wandering Willies (titles): Mar. 28, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Billy Bevan & Andy Clyde series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Mar. 15, 1926.
Soldier Man (titles): May 1, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 3 reels - Harry Langdon series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Apr. 28, 1926.
Fight Night (titles): May 9, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Billy Bevan & Andy Clyde series; ©Jan. 23, 1926.
Ice Cold Cocos (titles): June 20, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Billy Bevan & Andy Clyde series; ©Apr. 28, 1926.
Alice Be Good (titles): Aug. 1, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Alice Day series; ©Apr. 28, 1926.
When A Man's A Prince (co-titles): Aug. 15, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Ben Turpin series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Apr. 28, 1926.
Smith's Landlord (titles): Sep. 19, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - The Smith Family series; ©May 26, 1926.
Masked Mamas (titles): Oct. 31, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Billy Bevan series; ©Sep. 17, 1926.
The Divorce Dodger (titles): Nov. 28, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Billy Bevan series; ©Dec. 13, 1926.
Smith's Picnic (co-titles): Dec. 12, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - The Smith Family series; ©Dec. 31, 1926.
Kitty From Killarney (titles): Dec. 19, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels; ©July 26, 1926.
Flirty Four-Flushers (co-titles): Dec. 26, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels; ©Dec. 13, 1926.
A Hollywood Hero (co-titles): Dec. 30, 1926 - Sennett/Pathe - 2 reels - Ben Turpin series; Credited as A. H. Giebler.

1927

Catalina, Here I Come (co-titles): Apr. 17, 1927 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels; ©Apr. 11, 1927.
Broke In China (co-titles): Apr. 24, 1927 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Ben Turpin series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Apr. 11, 1927.
His First Flame (titles): May 3, 1927 - Sennett/Pathé - 6 reels - Harry Langdon feature; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Feb. 6, 1926.
The Pride Of Pikeville (titles): June 5, 1927 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Ben Turpin series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©July 19, 1927.
Cured In The Excitement (co-titles): June 12, 1927 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Billy Bevan series; ©Jan. 17, 1927.
Love's Languid Lure (co-titles): Aug. 28, 1927 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Ben Turpin series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©July 22, 1927.
Daddyboy (co-titles): Oct. 23, 1927 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Ben Turpin series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©July 22, 1927.
The Bull Fighter (titles): Nov. 27, 1927 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©May 12, 1927.

1928

With the coming of sound to the Sennett studio near the end of this year, Giebler's title-writing days were numbered, and he found himself doing a lot of scenario writing from now on. This resulted in far fewer known credits for the next several years.

The Beach Club (titles): Jan. 22, 1928 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Billy Bevan series; ©Feb. 27, 1928.
The Chaser (titles): Feb. 12, 1928 - Langdon/First National - 6 reels - Harry Langdon feature; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©Jan. 23, 1928.
Souvenirs (writer): Feb. 15, 1928 - Vitaphone/Colorart/Tiffany-Stahl - 1 reel; ©Feb. 17, 1928 as Sarah Padden In Souvenirs. Credited as A. H. Giebler.
The Best Man (co-writer): Feb. 19, 1928 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Billy Bevan series; ©Feb. 6, 1928.
Smith's Restaurant (co-story): Aug. 19, 1928 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - The Smith Family series; Credited as A. H. Giebler. ©July 7, 1928.
The Lion's Roar (scenario): Dec. 9, 1928 - Sennett/Educational - talkie - 2 reels; ©Dec. 9, 1928. This was the first talkie produced by Sennett.

1930

The Chumps (co-writer): July 16, 1930 - Sennett/Educational - 2 reels; ©July 6, 1930.

1932

This was the final year in which we can verify Giebler's continued employment at the Sennett studio. The next three years are a mystery at this time.

Hypnotized (co-writer): Dec. 25, 1932 - Sono Art/World Wide - 8 reels; Produced by Mack Sennett. ©Dec. 25, 1932.

1935

By the early part of this year, Giebler was employed by the short subject department of Columbia Pictures. He was to work with that company off and on well into the forties.

The Leather Necker (co-writer): May 9, 1935 - Columbia - 2 reels - Harry Langdon series; ©May 15, 1935.

1936

Ants In The Pantry (story and screenplay): Feb. 6, 1936 - Columbia - 2 reels - The Three Stooges series; ©Feb. 6, 1936.

1937

The Copyright Catalog reveals an Al Giebler who narrated a one reel film for Paramount entitled "The Killer Of The Tonto," which was released on Aug. 13th. It isn't clear if this is the same Giebler, especially since he was consistently involved in Columbia projects during this period.

Knee Action (story/co-screenplay): Jan. 9, 1937 - Columbia - 2 reels - Andy Clyde series; ©Dec. 28, 1936.
New News (co-writer): Apr. 1, 1937 - Columbia - 2 reels - Monte Collins & Tom Kennedy series; ©Mar. 22, 1937.
The Grand Hooter (co-screenplay): May 7, 1937 - Columbia - 2 reels - Charley Chase series; Filmed around Feb. 18 to 22, 1937. ©Apr. 19, 1937.
The Wrong Miss Wright (co-story and screenplay): June 18, 1937 - Columbia - 2 reels - Charley Chase series; Filmed around Apr. 8, to 12, 1937. ©June 1, 1937.
Calling All Doctors (co-story and screenplay): July 22, 1937 - Columbia - 2 reels - Charley Chase series; Filmed around June 2 to 6, 1937. ©July 14, 1937.
The Big Squirt (co-story and screenplay): Sep. 17, 1937 - Columbia - 2 reels - Charley Chase series; Filmed around July 16 to 20, 1937. ©Aug. 30, 1937.
Calling All Curtains (co-story and screenplay): Oct. 1, 1937 - Columbia - 2 reels; ©Sep. 27, 1937.
Playing The Ponies (co-screenplay): Oct. 15, 1937 - Columbia - 2 reels - The Three Stooges series; ©Oct. 4, 1937.
Gracie At The Bat (co-screenplay): Oct. 29, 1937 - Columbia - 2 reels - Andy Clyde series; Filmed Aug. 25 to 28, 1937. ©Oct. 4, 1937.
Oh, What A Knight! (co-story and screenplay): Nov. 22, 1937 - Columbia - 2 reels; Starring Herman Bing. Filmed around Aug. 31 to Sep. 3, 1937. ©Oct. 29, 1937.
Man Bites Love Bug (co-story and screenplay): Dec. 24, 1937 - Columbia - 2 reels - Charley Chase series; Filmed around Sep. 20 to 24, 1937. ©Nov. 15, 1937.

1938

Termites Of 1938 (co-story and screenplay): Jan. 7, 1938 - Columbia - 2 reels - The Three Stooges series; Filmed Oct. 19 to 23, 1937. ©Dec. 27, 1937.
The Mind Needer (co-story and screenplay): Apr. 29, 1938 - Columbia - 2 reels - Charley Chase series; Filmed around Jan. 19 to 22, 1938. ©Mar. 11, 1938.
Tassels In The Air (co-story and screenplay): Apr. 1, 1938 - Columbia - 2 reels - The Three Stooges series; Filmed around Nov. 26 to Dec. 1, 1937. ©Feb. 18, 1938.
Halfway To Hollywood (co-story and screenplay): July 1, 1938 - Columbia - 2 reels; Filmed around Feb. 9 to 12, 1938. ©Apr. 13, 1938.
Violent Is The Word For Curly (co-story and screenplay): Sep. 2, 1938 - Columbia - 2 reels - The Three Stooges series; Also listed for July 2, 1938. Filmed Mar. 14 to 17, 1938. ©Aug. 23, 1938.
Mutts To You (co-story and screenplay): Oct. 14, 1938 - Columbia - 2 reels - The Three Stooges series; Filmed around Mar. 30 to Apr. 2, 1938. ©Sep. 28, 1938.
The Nightshirt Bandit (co-screenplay): Oct. 28, 1938 - Columbia - 2 reels - Charley Chase series; Filmed around Apr. 25 to 28, 1938. ©Sep. 28, 1938.
A Doggone Mixup (co-story and screenplay): Dec. 4, 1938 - Columbia - 2 reels - Harry Langdon series; ©Jan. 10, 1938.

1939

IMDb lists a separate Alfred Giebler who worked for MGM in early 1939, giving him only two credits. The birthdates given match those for Alfred H. Giebler, so it seems likely that they are one and the same. This means that Giebler touched base with Our Gang for a second time, after a gap of fifteen years.

The Sap Takes The Wrap (co-story): Mar. 10, 1939 - Columbia - 2 reels - Charley Chase series; Filmed Aug. 24 to 27, 1938. ©Feb. 7, 1939.
The Greener Hills (original story and screenplay): May 27, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - MGM Miniature series; ©May 25, 1939. Credited as Alfred Giebler.
182. Dog Daze (original story and screenplay): July 1, 1939 - MGM - 1 reel - Our Gang series; Filmed May 1 to 5, 1939. ©July 13, 1939. Credited as Alfred Giebler.

1941

By this time Giebler was back with Columbia, but it seems likely that he left that company during this year, and perhaps even retired. His credits are very sparse during the forties, and two of them are for films that were remakes of Columbia shorts made during the thirties.

Sweet Spirits Of Nighter (co-story and screenplay): Dec. 25, 1941 - Columbia - 2 reels - El Brendel & Tom Kennedy series; ©Dec. 11, 1941.

1942

A Study In Socks (co-story and screenplay): May 21, 1942 - Columbia - 2 reels - The Glove Slingers series; ©May 11, 1942.

1943

Socks Appeal (co-original screenplay): Feb. 19, 1943 - Columbia - 2 reels - The Glove Slingers series; ©Feb. 19, 1943.

1946

Society Mugs (story and screenplay): Sep. 19, 1946 - Columbia - 2 reels - All-Star series featuring Shemp Howard & Tom Kennedy; ©Nov. 21, 1946. This was a remake of "Termites Of 1938." Giebler's credit in this later film may simply be a result of this.

1947

The Good Bad Egg (co-story): Mar. 20, 1947 - Columbia - 2 reels - All-Star series featuring Joe DeRita; ©Mar. 20, 1947. This was a remake of the 1937 film "Knee Action," for which IMDb gives no writing credit. It seems likely that Giebler wrote the earlier film, which resulted in this later credit.

1960

Stop! Look! And Laugh! (archival): July 1, 1960 - Romm/Columbia - 78 min. - compilation feature; ©July 1, 1960. Contains footage from Three Stooges shorts, including "Violent Is The Word For Curly."

See anything that needs changing? Contact me at BtheW@aol.com.

My thanks to the following people for assisting with this page:
Rob Stone (for providing production numbers and shooting dates)
Brent Walker, Ian Elliott, Steve Massa and 'Mr. Bertie Wooster' (for additional information about Giebler)
Andrew Reichel (for providing information about Giebler's Saturday Evening Post poem)