Clarence Morehouse

1922

The studio payroll summaries begin to list names associated with the various production units starting the week ending Aug. 5th. Morehouse is listed as the assistant director for the Our Gang unit, and continues to be listed this way for the rest of the year. It's possible that he had been assistant director from the very beginning of the series in January, but further evidence is needed to support this idea.

1923

Morehouse continued to be listed as the Our Gang assistant director until the week ending Dec. 15th. He also managed to direct for one day, handling retakes for "Sunday Calm" while Mark Goldaine directed the main unit in "The Buccaneers." After his departure from the Our Gang unit, information on Morehouse dries up for almost a year and a half.

9. The Champeen! (assistant director)

Jan. 28, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-9 - Our Gang series

Filmed late August/September, 1922. ©Dec. 16, 1922. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period.

8. The Cobbler (assistant director)

Feb. 18, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-8 - Our Gang series

Filmed late August, and perhaps September, 1922. ©Feb. 26, 1923. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period.

7. The Big Show! (assistant director)

Feb. 25, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-7 - Our Gang series

Filmed July 28 to Aug. 15, 1922, with added scenes Sep. 11 to 16, and Sep. 20 to 28, 1922, and retakes Jan. 10 to 11, 1923. ©Feb. 26, 1923. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director beginning the week ending Aug. 5th.

11. A Pleasant Journey (assistant director)

Mar. 18, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-11 - Our Gang series

Also listed for Mar. 25, 1923. Filmed Oct. 22 to 27, and Nov. 2 to 16, 1922. ©Feb. 26, 1923. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period.

10. Boys To Board (assistant director)

Apr. 8, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-10 - Our Gang series

Filmed Oct. 2 to Nov. 2, 1922. ©Mar. 30, 1923. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period.

12. Giants Vs. Yanks (assistant director)

May 13, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-12 - Our Gang series

Filmed Nov. 20 to Dec. 19, 1922, and Feb. 15, 1923. ©Apr. 27, 1923. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period.

13. Back Stage (assistant director)

June 3, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-13 - Our Gang series

Filmed Dec. 15, 1922, to Jan. 9, 1923. ©June 6, 1923. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period, as well as a credit in Camera magazine for the week starting Jan. 8th.

14. Dogs Of War! (assistant director)

July 1, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-14 - Our Gang series

Premiered June 10, 1923. Filmed Jan. 12 to Feb. 10, 1923, with retakes Feb. 20 to 23, and Apr. 11, 1923. ©July 19, 1923. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period. Camera magazine corroborates this for the weeks starting Jan. 8th and 15th.

15. Lodge Night (assistant director)

July 29, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-15 - Our Gang series

Filmed Feb. 12 to Mar. 3, 1923. ©Aug. 2, 1923. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period.

18. July Days (assistant director)

Aug. 26, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-18 - Our Gang series

Filmed Mar. 11, Apr. 12 to May 2, and May 31, 1923. ©Aug. 2, 1923. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period.

20. No Noise (assistant director)

Sep. 23, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-20 - Our Gang series

Filmed June 1 to 20, 1923. ©Sep. 24, 1923. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period.

17. Stage Fright (assistant director)

Oct. 21, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-17 - Our Gang series

Filmed Mar. 17 to Apr. 11, 1923, with retakes June 21 to July 2, 1923. ©Nov. 9, 1923. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period.

21. Derby Day (assistant director)

Nov. 18, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-21 - Our Gang series

Filmed July 18 to Aug. 13, 1923. ©Nov. 9, 1923. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period.

19. Sunday Calm (assistant director/uncredited co-director)

Dec. 16, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-19 - Our Gang series

Filmed May 4 to 29, 1923, with retakes July 2 to 14, and Oct. 2, 1923. ©Dec. 24, 1923. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period, and also his directorial credit in the studio datebook on Oct. 2nd.

1924

22. Tire Trouble (assistant director)

Jan. 13, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-22 - Our Gang series

Filmed Aug. 14 to Sep. 4, 1923. ©Dec. 24, 1923. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period.

23. Big Business (assistant director)

Feb. 10, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-23 - Our Gang series

Filmed Sep. 11 to 21, 1923. ©Jan. 26, 1924. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period.

24. The Buccaneers (assistant director)

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. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period.

25. Seein' Things (co-assistant director)

Apr. 6, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-25 - Our Gang series

Filmed Oct. 25 to Nov. 7, and Dec. 19, 1923, and Jan. 7, 1924. ©May 12, 1924. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director until the week ending Dec. 15th.

26. Commencement Day (co-assistant director)

May 4, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-26 - Our Gang series

Filmed Nov. 9 to Dec. 6, 1923, Jan. 7 to 11, and Jan. 26, 1924. ©May 12, 1924. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director until the week ending Dec. 15th.

27. It's A Bear (co-assistant director)

July 27, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-27 - Our Gang series

Filmed Dec. 10 to 26, 1923, Jan. 2 to 7, Jan. 12, and Mar. 7 to 12, 1924. ©June 30, 1924. This credit is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director until the week ending Dec. 15th.

16. Fast Company (co-assistant director)

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 is based on Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director until Dec. 1923.

1925

Morehouse's name pops up again during the spring of this year, again as an assistant director, but now with James Finlayson and Clyde Cook. During the latter part of this year, the name C. E. Morehouse appears in the copyright deposits for three films made by First Division Pictures, all of which were directed by former Our Gang writer/director Mark Goldaine. In this case, Goldaine is the director and Morehouse co-wrote the stories. Two of these films are from the Hey Fellas! series. It seems likely that this Morehouse is the same as the Our Gang Morehouse.

Chasing The Chaser (assistant director)

July 5, 1925 - Roach/Pathé - 1 reel - prod. D-88 - James Finlayson series

Filmed May 11 to 14, 1925. ©July 6, 1925.

What Price Orphans (co-story)

July 1925 - First Division/Davis - 2 reels - Hey Fellas! series

©Nov. 23, 1925. Credited as C. E. Morehouse.

Yes, Yes Nanette (assistant director)

July 19, 1925 - Roach/Pathé - 1 reel - prod. D-90 - James Finlayson series

Filmed May 28 to June 2, 1925. ©July 20, 1925.

Unfriendly Enemies (assistant director)

Sep. 13, 1925 - Roach/Pathé - 1 reel - prod. D-89 - James Finlayson series

Filmed May 19 to 23, 1925. ©Aug. 28, 1925.

Moonlight And Noses (co-assistant director)

Oct. 4, 1925 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. C-3 - Clyde Cook series

Filmed June 9 to 20, 1925, with retakes July 6, 1925. ©Aug. 20, 1925.

Peggy In A Pinch (co-story)

c. 1925 - First Division/Davis - 2 reels - Sheiks and Shebas series

©Nov. 23, 1925. Credited as C. E. Morehouse.

Peggy's Putters (co-story and scenario)

c. 1925 - First Division/Davis - 2 reels - Sheiks and Shebas series

©Nov. 23, 1925. Credited as C. E. Morehouse.

The Tin Hoss (co-story)

c. 1925 - First Division/Davis - 2 reels - Hey Fellas! series

©Dec. 4, 1925. Credited as C. E. Morehouse.

1926

Wandering Papas (co-assistant director)

Feb. 21, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. C-4 - Clyde Cook series

Also listed as Dec. 13, 1925. Filmed July 13 to Aug. 1, 1925, with retakes Sep. 5, 1925, and miniatures on various dates between July 17 and Aug. 14, 1925. In his book, Rob Stone revises the final date to Aug. 15th. ©Feb. 6, 1926. Title of UK abridged version: Enough To Do.

1984

Our Gang: Inside The Clubhouse (archival)

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

Includes footage from "The Champeen!" and "The Big Show."

1994

The Our Gang Story (archival)

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

Includes footage from "The Champeen!" "Giants Vs. Yanks" and "Dogs Of War!"

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."

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 "Yes, Yes, Nanette."

Rob Stone's list spells Morehouse's last name as Moorehouse, which brings us to an actor named Clarence Moorehouse, who seems to have been African-American, judging by some of his film roles. There is a remote possibility that they are the same person, though this would mean a level of racial harmony unheard of even for the Roach studio. The acting Clarence Moorehouse is known to have appeared in the 1928 Frankie Darro feature "The Circus Kid," a 1930 Louise Fazenda two-reeler called "Pure And Simple," a 1933 Wheeler & Woolsey feature called "So This Is Africa," a 1935 Charley Chase two-reeler called "Southern Exposure," and a 1941 feature called "Mr. Washington Goes To Town." This Clarence Moorehouse is listed separately in IMDb.

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© Robert Demoss.