Bert Jordan

1921

Jordan joined the Hal Roach company in 1921 as a cutter. Reportedly, he was hired by Richard Currier, who was the supervising editor. However, it stands to reason that Thomas J. Crizer was the supervising editor during this early period, and that Currier was probably another cutter until 1925 when Crizer left and Currier got his job. It isn't known which films Jordan worked on as a cutter, other than a few random examples, but he almost certainly worked on scores of Roach films, and could have potentially cut dozens of the Our Gang films prior to his first screen credits in 1933.

1927

This year, Laurel & Hardy officially became a team. At some point, Laurel decided that only Jordan was fit to cut their films, but it isn't known when this condition arose. It's safe to say that Jordan worked on at least most of the Laurel & Hardy films made at Roach, which may have kept him from being involved in many of the other Roach films of the late silent and early talkie eras.

1931

The Pip From Pittsburg (uncredited editor)

Mar. 21, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. C-37-E - Charley Chase series

Filmed Nov. 20 to 28, 1930. ©Feb. 2, 1931. Also filmed in Spanish Dec. 2 to 6, 1930, as La Senorita de Chicago, which was prod. C-37-S. This version was three reels in length, and released in San José, Costa Rica, on Mar. 22, 1931, and in Barcelona, Spain, on Apr. 27, 1931. In their book Smile When The Raindrops Fall, Brian Anthony and Andy Edmonds credit Richard Currier with editing this film, which is how the credit appears in the film. But in the text portion of their book, they indicate that Jordan edited it.

1932

County Hospital (co-editor)

June 25, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. L-8 - Laurel & Hardy series

Filmed Feb. 15 to 25, 1932. ©May 31, 1932.

Scram! (uncredited co-editor)

Sep. 10, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. L-9 - Laurel & Hardy series

Filmed June 14 to 23, 1932, with retakes July 4 to 9, 1932. ©Sep. 12, 1932. This credit appears in IMDb.

1933

It appears that supervising editor Richard Currier departed the studio in February of this year, at which point the various cutters working under him began to receive onscreen credits as editors, including Jordan. As evidenced by his credits, Jordan continued to be Stan Laurel's editor-of-choice. Jordan was credited with editing seven Our Gang films between 1933 and 1937.

Twice Two (uncredited editor)

Feb. 25, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. L-12 - Laurel & Hardy series

Filmed Dec. 8 to 15, 1932. Randy Skretvedt indicates that filming didn't begin until the 9th. ©Feb. 20, 1933.

122. The Kid From Borneo (editor)

Apr. 15, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-15 - Our Gang series

Filmed Jan. 9 to 16, 1933. ©Mar. 13, 1933.

Me And My Pal (uncredited editor)

Apr. 22, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. L-13 - Laurel & Hardy series

Filmed mid to late March 1933. ©May 10, 1933.

The Devil's Brother (co-editor)

May 5, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 9 reels - prod. F-3 - Laurel & Hardy feature

Previewed as Fra Diavolo, which was the name used for foreign release. Re-released Feb. 1, 1954. US reissue titles include Bogus Bandits and Virtuous Tramps. Filmed Feb. 4 to Mar. 4, 1933. ©May 4, 1933. This film was reissued in the early '50s as four separate short subjects. Jordan edited the comedy scenes, while William Terhune edited the musical and dramatic scenes.

The Midnight Patrol (editor)

Aug. 3, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. L-14 - Laurel & Hardy series

Filmed around June 24 to July 6, 1933. ©Aug. 3, 1933.

Crook's Tour (editor)

Sep. 23, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. B-2 - All Star series

©Nov. 7, 1933.

Busy Bodies (editor)

Oct. 7, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. L-15 - Laurel & Hardy series

Filmed around July 15 to 25, 1933. ©Sep. 16, 1933.

Dirty Work (editor)

Nov. 25, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. L-16 - Laurel & Hardy series

Filmed around Aug. 7 to 19, 1933. ©Oct. 24, 1933.

Air Fright (editor)

Dec. 23, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. A-19 - Thelma Todd & Patsy Kelly series

©Dec. 22, 1933.

Sons Of The Desert (editor)

Dec. 29, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 7 reels - 68 min. - prod. F-4 - Laurel & Hardy feature

Filmed Oct. 2 to 23, 1933. ©Dec. 27, 1933. UK title: Fraternally Yours. This film was reissued in the early '50s as a two-reeler entitled "Fun On The Run."

1934

Oliver The Eighth (editor)

Jan. 13, 1934 - Roach/MGM - 3 reels - prod. L-17 - Laurel & Hardy series

Also listed for Feb. 13, 1934. Filmed Dec. 15 to 20, 1933, and Jan. 8 to mid Jan. 1934. ©Feb. 13, 1934. UK title: The Private Life Of Oliver The Eighth.

The Caretaker's Daughter (editor)

Mar. 10, 1934 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. B-6 - All Star series

Filmed in Jan. 1934. ©Mar. 13, 1934.

Mrs. Barnacle Bill (editor)

Apr. 21, 1934 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. B-7 - All Star series

Filmed in Feb. 1934. ©Apr. 17, 1934.

129. Honky-Donkey (editor)

June 2, 1934 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-22 - Our Gang series

Filmed Apr. 2 to 7, 1934. ©May 25, 1934.

Going Bye-Bye! (editor)

June 23, 1934 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. L-18 - Laurel & Hardy series

Filmed around May 21 to 26, 1934. ©June 20, 1934.

Them Thar Hills (editor)

July 21, 1934 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. L-19 - Laurel & Hardy series

Filmed June 11 to 20, 1934. ©July 18, 1934.

One Horse Farmers (editor)

Sep. 1, 1934 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. A-26 - Thelma Todd & Patsy Kelly series

©Sep. 1, 1934.

Babes In Toyland (co-editor)

Nov. 30, 1934 - Roach/MGM - 9 reels - prod. F-5 - Laurel & Hardy feature

Also listed for Dec. 14, 1934. Filmed Aug. 6 to 16, Aug. 27 and 28, and Sep. 24 to Oct. 17, 1934. ©Nov. 28, 1934. US reissue title: March Of The Wooden Soldiers.

1935

132. Mama's Little Pirate (editor)

©Jan. 5, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-25 - Our Gang series

Also listed for Nov. 3, 1934. Filmed Nov. 15 to 24, 1934.

Tit For Tat (editor)

Jan. 5, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. L-21 - Laurel & Hardy series

Filmed Dec. 10 to 20, 1934. ©Jan. 29, 1935. Oscar nominee.

Okay Toots! (editor)

Feb. 2, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. C-29 - Charley Chase series

©May 2, 1935.

The Fixer-Uppers (editor)

Feb. 9, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. L-22 - Laurel & Hardy series

Filmed around Jan. 11 to 19, 1935. ©Feb. 26, 1935.

134. Anniversary Trouble (editor)

©Mar. 13, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-27 - Our Gang series

Also listed for Jan. 1, 1935, and Jan. 19, 1935. Filmed Jan. 25 to Feb. 1, 1935.

Bonnie Scotland (editor)

Aug. 23, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 8 reels - prod. F-7 - Laurel & Hardy feature

Filmed May 1 to June 15, 1935, with reshots in late July 1935. ©Aug. 20, 1935. Re-released Feb. 1, 1954, as Heroes Of The Regiment. This film was reissued in the early '50s as three separate short subjects.

141. Our Gang Follies Of 1936 (editor)

prem. Nov. 27, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-34 - Our Gang series

Filmed Sep. 9 to 14, and Sep. 23 to 28, 1935. ©Oct. 29, 1935. Released Nov. 30, 1935.

1936

The Bohemian Girl (co-editor)

Feb. 14, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 7 reels - prod. F-8 - Laurel & Hardy feature

Filmed Oct. 9 to around Nov. 30, 1935, with retakes Dec. 31, 1935, to Jan. 6, 1936. ©Feb. 12, 1936.

145. Arbor Day (editor)

May 2, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-38 - Our Gang series

Filmed Feb. 12 to 18, 1936. ©Apr. 9, 1936.

Our Relations (editor)

Oct. 30, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 6 reels - prod. F-11 - Laurel & Hardy feature

Filmed around Mar. 12 to May 4, 1936. ©Sep. 29, 1936. Re-released in Jan. 1948. US cut version titled Sailors' Downfall.

1937

153. Hearts Are Thumps (editor)

Apr. 3, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 1 reel - prod. K-7 - Our Gang series

Filmed Feb. 2 to 10, 1937. ©Mar. 24, 1937.

Way Out West (editor)

Apr. 16, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 6 reels - prod. F-14 - Laurel & Hardy feature

Filmed Aug. 27 to early Nov. 1936. ©Apr. 9, 1937. This film was reissued in the early '50s as a two-reeler entitled The Whacky West.

1938

That's That (film editor)

1938 - 1 reel

Unreleased. Jordan assembled a series of outtakes from various Roach productions as a birthday present for Stan Laurel, who turned 48 on June 16th. Clips include Laurel & Hardy and Charley Chase.

Tarzan's Revenge (uncredited co-editor)

Jan. 7, 1938 - Principal/20th-Fox - 7 reels - Tarzan feature

©Jan. 7, 1938.

Hawaiian Buckaroo (film editor)

Jan. 14, 1938 - Principal/20th-Fox - 7 reels

©Jan. 14, 1938.

Swiss Miss (editor)

May 20, 1938 - Roach/MGM - 7 reels - prod. F-20 - Laurel & Hardy feature

Filmed Dec. 28, 1937 to Feb. 26, 1938, with added scenes Apr. 1, and retakes Apr. 21, 1938. ©May 3, 1938.

Block-Heads (editor)

Aug. 19, 1938 - Roach/MGM - 5 reels - prod. F-22 - Laurel & Hardy feature

Filmed June 1 to July 1, 1938, with added scenes July 27 and 28, 1938. ©Aug. 17, 1938. This film was reissued in the early '50s as a two-reeler entitled Better Now.

1939

Zenobia (editor)

Apr. 21, 1939 - Roach/UA - 8 reels - prod. F-23 - feature

Also listed for May 1939. ©Apr. 11, 1939. Featuring Oliver Hardy, Harry Langdon. Previewed as It's Spring Again. UK title: Elephants Never Forget.

Of Mice And Men (editor)

prem. Dec. 30, 1939 - Roach/UA - 11 reels - prod. F-28 - feature

Initially previewed Nov. 1, 1939. Released Feb. 2, 1940. Filmed Aug. 14 to Nov. 1939. ©Feb. 2, 1940. Featuring Burgess Meredith, Lon Chaney, Jr.

1940

A Chump At Oxford (editor)

Feb. 16, 1940 - Roach/UA - 6 reels - prod. F-26 - Laurel & Hardy feature

Filmed June 1939 as a 4-reeler, and originally released that way in the US. Additional scenes were shot in Sep. 1939 for the European 6-reeler, and Roach decided to release it domestically in this expanded form in early 1941. ©Jan. 19, 1940.

Turnabout (editor)

May 17, 1940 - Roach/UA - 9 reels - prod. F-31 - feature

©May 21, 1940. Filming began Feb. 19, 1940. Starring John Hubbard, Carole Landis.

1941

Road Show (film editor)

Jan. 9, 1941 - Roach/UA - 9 reels - prod. F-33 - feature

The premiere of this film has been listed for Feb. 18, 1941. Filmed July 1940. ©Jan. 9, 1941. Starring John Hubbard, Carole Landis, Margaret Roach.

Broadway Limited (film editor)

June 13, 1941 - Roach/UA - 8 reels - prod. F-34 - feature

©June 4, 1941. Starring Marjorie Woodworth, Leonid Kinsky. UK title: The Baby Vanishes.

Niagara Falls (film editor)

Oct. 17, 1941 - Roach/UA - 5 reels - prod. F-36 - streamliner

©Oct. 3, 1941. Starring ZaSu Pitts, Slim Summerville.

Fiesta (film editor)

Nov. 28, 1941 - Roach/UA - 5 reels - Technicolor - prod. F-40 - streamliner

©Dec. 31, 1941. Starring Ann Ayara, George Negrete. Reissued as Gaiety.

1942

Dudes Are Pretty People (film editor)

Mar. 13, 1942 - Roach/UA - 5 reels - prod. F-42 - streamliner

©Apr. 20, 1942. Starring Noah Beery, Jr., Jimmy Rogers

About Face (film editor)

Apr. 17, 1942 - Roach/UA - 5 reels - prod. F-44 - streamliner

Also listed for Apr. 16, 1942. ©May 11, 1942. Starring William Tracy, Joe Sawyer.

The Devil With Hitler (film editor)

Nov. 20, 1942 - Roach/UA - 5 reels - prod. F-46 - streamliner

Also listed for Oct. 22, 1942. ©Aug. 6, 1942. Premiered Oct. 18, 1942. Starring Bobby Watson, Alan Mowbray.

The McGuerins From Brooklyn (co-film editor)

Dec. 31, 1942 - Roach/UA - 5 reels - prod. F-47 - streamliner

©Sep. 29, 1942. Starring William Bendix, Grace Bradley. Re-released in Jan. 1948.

1943

Calaboose (film editor)

Jan. 29, 1943 - Roach/UA - 5 reels - prod. F-48 - streamliner

©Sep. 24, 1942. Starring Noah Beery, Jr.

Air Raid Wardens (uncredited editing consultant)

Apr. 30, 1943 - MGM - 7 reels - Laurel & Hardy feature

Filmed Dec. 1, 1942, to early Jan. 1943. ©Mar. 17, 1943. Editor Irvine Warburton visited the Roach studio, where he screened a copy of the film with Jordan, who gave advice on how Laurel would want the film edited.

Prairie Chickens (film editor)

May 21, 1943 - Roach/UA - 5 reels - prod. F-52 - streamliner

©Oct. 13, 1942. Starring Noah Beery, Jr., Jimmy Rogers

Nazty Nuisance (film editor)

Aug. 6, 1943 - Roach/UA - 5 reels - prod. F-50 - streamliner

Also listed for Aug. 8, 1943. ©Dec. 9, 1942. Premiered May 28, 1943. Starring Bobby Watson, Joe Devlin.

1947

Hal Roach Comedy Carnival (film editor)

part 1: Curley

part 2: The Fabulous Joe

Aug. 23, 1947 - Roach/UA - 112 min. - Cinecolor - prod. F-54/56 - streamliner package

©Aug. 29, 1947. Starring Frances Rafferty, Larry Olsen, Walter Abel, Margot Grahame. Part 1 went into production on Apr. 11, 1946, and is 6 reels. The two halves were subsequently released separately. "Curly" was combined with "Who Killed Doc Robbin" in the '80s to create two new films: The Adventures Of Curly And His Gang and Curley And His Gang In The Haunted Mansion.

1948

By this time, Jordan was working for Frank Seltzer Productions, Inc., which was also known as Essaness Productions.

Let's Live Again (film editor)

prem. Feb. 27, 1948 - Seltzer/20th-Fox - 8 reels - John Emery feature

©Feb. 19, 1948.

The Gay Intruders (film editor)

Sep. 2, 1948 - Seltzer/20th-Fox - 8 reels - John Emery feature

©Sep. 1, 1948.

Jungle Patrol (film editor)

1948 - Seltzer/20th-Fox - 71 min.

©Nov. 2, 1948.

1949

Botsford's Beanery episode: Botsford Wakes Up (editor)

unaired - Roach - 30 min. - TV pilot

Produced in 1949. This was described as a slapstick comedy. Starring Don Barclay, Ann Triola and Candy Candido. Later aired as an episode of Hal Roach Studios Presents.

1950

711 Ocean Drive (film editor)

July 1, 1950 - Essaness/Columbia - 102 min.

©July 20, 1950.

1954

By this time, Jordan had entered the field of television. Presumably, his credits numbered more than what's shown in IMDb.

Rocky Jones, Space Ranger episode: The Cold Sun: Chapter III (film editor)

fall 1954 - Reed/Official - 26 min. - syndicated TV episode

1956

Among Jordan's TV credits were some episodes made by a revitalized Hal Roach Studios. His credits dry up after 1957.

Screen Directors Playhouse episode: Prima Donna (film editor)

Feb. 1, 1956 - Roach/NBC - prod. 9652 - 30 min. - TV episode

©Feb. 1, 1956.

Have Camera Will Travel (film editor)

1956 - Roach/NBC - 25 min.

It appears that this was probably the pilot for an unsold series.

The Cold Sun (archival)

1956 - Reed/Official - 78 min. - TV movie

This TV movie is made up of three episodes of "Rocky Jones, Space Ranger" edited together.

1957

Code 3 episode: The Sniper (film editor)

Aug. 20, 1957 - Roach - 30 min. - syndicated TV episode

Produced in 1956.

1978

Rascal Dazzle (archival)

1978 - King World/Picture Scores - 93 min. - documentary feature

©1978. Seems to have debuted on TV, followed by a theatrical release in late 1979. Includes footage from "Honky-Donkey," "Mama's Little Pirate," "Anniversary Trouble" "Our Gang Follies Of 1936" and "Hearts Are Thumps."

1982

Hollywood: The Gift Of Laughter (archival)

May 16, 1982 - Wolper/Haley/MPA/ABC - 135 min. - TV movie

Includes footage from "Going Bye-Bye!" and "Hearts Are Thumps."

1984

Our Gang: Inside The Clubhouse (archival)

May 8, 1984 - Lang/Camellia City Telecasters - 93 mins. - TV documentary

Includes footage from "Honky-Donkey," "Mama's Little Pirate," "Anniversary Trouble," "Our Gang Follies Of 1936" and "Hearts Are Thumps."

1994

Hal Roach: Hollywood's King Of Laughter (archival)

Apr. 7, 1994 - RHI/Disney Channel - 49 min. - TV documentary

Includes footage from "The Pip From Pittsburg," "County Hospital," "Me And My Pal," "The Midnight Patrol," "Busy Bodies," "Air Fright," "Oliver The Eighth," "Them Thar Hills," "Tit For Tat," "The Fixer-Uppers," "The Bohemian Girl," "Our Relations," "Hearts Are Thumps," "Way Out West," "Block-Heads," "Of Mice And Men," "Turnabout," "Road Show," "Broadway Limited," "Niagara Falls" and "About Face."

The Our Gang Story (archival)

1994 - Film Shows/GoodTimes - 120 min. - video documentary

Includes footage from "The Kid From Borneo."

1998

Hal Roach: The Lot Of Fun (archival)

June 27, 1998 - Film Preservation Associates/Kino Lorber - 133 min. - video documentary

Released on "Slapstick Encyclopedia Vol. 6."

1999

Laugh? I Thought I'd Die! (archival)

1999 - Reader's Digest - 112 min. - video

Includes footage from "Hearts Are Thumps."

2002

Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story (appearance)

Feb. 5, 2002 - Jones/TCM - 89 min. - TV documentary

Includes footage from "The Pip From Pittsburg."

2014

Hollywoods Spaßfabrik - Als die Bilder Lachen lernten (archival)

May 29, 2014 - Exit Film-und Fernsehproduktion-ZDF/ARTE - 90 min. - TV documentary

Also released in English as Hal Roach - The Lot Of Fun: Where The Movies Learned To Laugh. Includes footage from "County Hospital," "Me And My Pal," "Busy Bodies," "Dirty Work," "Sons Of The Desert," "Going Bye-Bye," "The Bohemian Girl," "Our Relations," "Way Out West," "Swiss Miss," "Block-Heads," "A Chump At Oxford" and "The Devil With Hitler."

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

© Robert Demoss.