Sherborne Shourds

full name: Walter Sherborne Shourds, Jr.
nickname: Sherry
born Mar. 17, 1906, in Philadelphia, PA
died Feb. 13, 1991, in Burbank, CA

There's been some confusion about the name of this individual. In Rob Stone's list, he's referred to as 'Shourds,' but in Stone's Laurel Or Hardy book, he's identified as 'Sherbourne Shields.' Shourds' involvement with Our Gang comes from Stone's sources (available production documentation), but isn't corroborated by the payroll ledgers or the payroll summaries. If he was involved, it appears that "Love My Dog" (no. 59) was the extent of this involvement.

1923

Our earliest reference to Shourds is from the latter part of this year, when he appears to have become a regular propman with the Stan Laurel series. This situation seems to have lasted until the end of the year.

1924

Shourds' filmography becomes sparse during this year, perhaps an indication of his involvement in some of the less researched Roach series. The payroll ledger indicates that somebody listed as S. Shourd did one day's worth of extra work during the week ending Apr. 26th.

Smithy (co-props)

Jan. 20. 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. L-6 - Stan Laurel series

Filmed Oct. 11 to 20, 1923. ©Jan. 9, 1924. UK title: The Home Wrecker.

Postage Due (co-props)

Feb. 17, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. L-8 - Stan Laurel series

Filmed Nov. 5 to 14, 1923. ©Jan. 26, 1924.

Zeb Vs. Paprika (co-props)

Mar. 16, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. L-7 - Stan Laurel series

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-props)

Apr. 13, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. L-9 - Stan Laurel series

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.

Near Dublin (co-props)

May 11, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. L-5 - Stan Laurel series

Filmed Sep. 26 to Oct. 9, 1923, with added scenes Dec. 16 to 17, 1923. ©Feb. 20, 1924.

Rupert Of Hee Haw (co-props)

June 8, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. L-11 - Stan Laurel series

Also listed for June 24, 1924. Filmed Dec. 20 to 26, 1923, and Jan. 2 to 12, 1924. ©May 12, 1924.

Wide Open Spaces (co-props)

July 6, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. L-10 - Stan Laurel series

Also listed for July 16, 1924. Filmed Dec. 5 to 15, 1923. ©June 30, 1924. Previewed as Wild Bill Hiccough.

1925

Shourds managed to get at least one writing credit during this year, and also began to serve as assistant director, in addition to continuing in the property department. The 1925 payroll ledger reveals that, during the weeks ending Dec. 5th through 19th, he was assistant director for the Glenn Tryon series.

Wild Papa (co-props)

May 17, 1925 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. F-24 - The Spat Family series

Filmed Jan. 27, and Feb. 2 to 12, 1925. ©May 4, 1925.

Should Sailors Marry? (props)

Nov. 8, 1925 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. C-2 - Clyde Cook series

Filmed Apr. 27 to May 8, 1925, with retakes June 2 to 8, 1925. Rob Stone's list also states that retakes started on June 6, but his Laurel Or Hardy book says the 2nd. ©Dec. 30, 1925.

Starvation Blues (co-writer)

Dec. 13, 1925 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. C-5 - Clyde Cook series

Filmed Sep. 14 to 29, 1925. ©Dec. 30, 1925.

1926

The payroll ledger for this year reveals Shourds to still be working as an assistant director.

Dizzy Daddies (co-assistant director)

Mar. 14, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. S-7 - All Star series

Filmed Nov. 5 to 19, 1925. ©Feb. 6, 1926.

Wife Tamers (co-assistant director)

Mar. 28, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. C-8 - Clyde Cook series

According to Rob Stone's list, this was filmed Dec. 2 to 10, 1925 with added scenes Jan. 4 and 6, 1926. In his book, he revises it to Dec. 2 to 9, 1925, without mentioning added scenes. ©Mar. 15, 1926. Also features Lionel Barrymore.

Madame Mystery (co-assistant director)

Apr. 18, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. S-8 - All Star series with Theda Bara

According to Rob Stone's list, this was filmed Dec. 1 to 24, 1925, but according to his book, filming began on the 10th. ©Mar. 15, 1926. Foreign version released in 5 reels.

Don Key (Son Of Burro) (co-assistant director/co-props)

May 23, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. S-1 - All Star series with Max Davidson

Filmed Mar. 2 to 19, 1925, with retakes Sep. 21 to Oct. 5, and Dec. 28 to 30, 1925. ©Mar. 15, 1926. Originally prod. F-25 and meant to feature Frank Butler.

He Forgot To Remember (assistant director)

June 6, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. C-1 - Clyde Cook series

Filmed Mar. 27 to Apr. 19, 1925, with retakes May 25 to 29, 1925, and Jan. 28 to 29, 1926. ©May 26, 1926.

The Cow's Kimono (co-assistant director)

June 20, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. H-7 - Glenn Tryon series

Filmed Mar. 2 to 19, 1926, with added scenes Apr. 5 and 18, 1926. ©July 26, 1926. Shields worked on this film on April 5th.

Never Too Old (assistant director)

June 27, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. S-9 - All Star series with Claude Gillingwater.

Filmed Jan. 11 to 27, 1926. ©Apr. 28, 1926.

The Merry Widower (co-assistant director)

Aug. 1, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. S-10 - All Star series with Ethel Clayton

Filmed Feb. 19 to Mar. 9, 1926. ©July 26, 1926. Originally written as prod. C-9 with Clyde Cook in the lead, but as of Feb. 18th, it became an All Star comedy.

Wise Guys Prefer Brunettes (assistant director)

Oct. 3, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. S-12 - All Star series

Filmed May 14 to June 2, 1926, with added scenes June 7, 1926. ©Sep. 17, 1926.

Get 'Em Young (co-assistant director/co-props)

Oct. 31, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. S-13 - All Star series with Harry Myers

Filmed June 19 to July 2, and Aug. 5, 1926. ©Oct. 26, 1926. At least one source credits Roach as co-director.

Raggedy Rose (assistant director)

Nov. 7, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 3 reels - prod. S-11 - Mabel Normand series

Filmed Mar. 15 to Apr. 2, 1926, with retakes Apr. 15 to 17, 1926. Originally production C-9. ©Oct. 26, 1926. Previewed as a 4-reeler, and released in five reels for foreign markets.

On The Front Page (co-props)

Nov. 28, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. S-15 - All Star series with Lillian Rich

Filmed Aug. 23 to Sep. 4, 1926. ©Oct. 26 and Nov. 11, 1926. Also featuring Tyler Brooke.

1927

The last Roach-era Shourds credit available is in reference to his only known Our Gang film, "Love My Dog," which finished filming in January of this year.

Should Men Walk Home? (co-props)

Feb. 6, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 3 reels - prod. H-15 - All Star series with Mabel Normand and Creighton Hale

Also listed as a two reeler, and also listed for Jan. 30, 1927. Filmed Oct. 25 to Nov. 11, 1926. ©Jan. 14, 1927.

Why Girls Say No (co-props)

Feb. 20, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. S-16 - All Star series with Marjorie Daw

Filmed Sep. 9 to 21, 1926, with retakes Sep. 25, 1926. ©Jan. 14, 1927. Also featuring Max Davidson.

59. Love My Dog (co-props)

Apr. 10, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-17 - Our Gang series

Also listed for Apr. 17, 1927. Filmed Dec. 21, 1926, to Jan. 4, 1927. ©Apr. 11, 1927.

Jewish Prudence (co-props)

May 8, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. H-16 - Max Davidson series

Also listed as a 3 reel All Star film. Filmed Dec. 9 to 17, 1926. ©Apr. 11, 1927.

1929

The Iron Mask (assistant director)

Feb. 21, 1929 - Elton/UA - 11 reels - Douglas Fairbanks feature

©Mar. 2, 1929.

1932

Queen Kelly (assistant director)

Oct. 1932 - Swanson - 11 reels - Gloria Swanson feature

Filmed late 1928 to mid-1929, with additional footage shot in Nov. 1931.

Cynara (assistant director)

Dec. 24, 1932 - Goldwyn/UA - 9 reels - Ronald Colman feature

©Dec. 21, 1932.

1934

By this time, Shourds was working regularly at Warner Brothers.

Dames (assitant director)

prem. Aug. 16, 1934 - Warner Bros. - 10 reels - feature

Released Sep. 1, 1934. ©Oct. 3, 1934. Starring Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Joan Blondell, ZaSu Pitts, Guy Kibbee and Hugh Herbert.

1935

Front Page Woman (assistant director)

prem. July 11, 1935 - Warner Bros. - 9 reels - Bette Davis feature

©July 16, 1935. Released July 20, 1935.

Little Big Shot (assistant director)

Sep. 7, 1935 - Warner Bros. - 8 reels - feature

©Aug. 28, 1935. Starring Sybil Jason, Glenda Farrell, Robert Armstrong and Edward Everett Horton.

A Midsummer Night's Dream (assistant director)

prem. Oct. 9, 1935 - Warner Bros. - 17 reels - feature

©Oct. 16, 1935. Released Oct. 30, 1935. Shourds received a write-in Oscar nomination for Best Assistant Director, losing to Clem Beauchamp and Paul Wing for "The Lives Of A Bengal Lancer."

Captain Blood (assistant director)

prem. Dec. 19, 1935 - Cosmopolitan/First National-Warner Bros. - 12 reels - Errol Flynn & Olivia de Havilland feature

Released Dec. 28, 1935. ©Dec. 31, 1935.

1936

The Green Pastures (assistant director)

prem. July 15, 1936 - Warner Bros. - 10 reels - feature

©July 15, 1936. Released Aug. 1, 1936.

Give Me Your Heart (assistant director)

prem. Sep. 8, 1936 - Cosmopolitan/Warner Bros. - 9 reels - Kay Francis feature

©Sep. 17, 1936.

1937

Stolen Holiday (assistant director)

Feb. 6, 1937 - Warner Bros. - 10 reels - Kay Francis feature

©Jan. 21, 1937.

Mountain Justice (assistant director)

Apr. 24, 1937 - Warner Bros. - 10 reels - Josephine Hutchinson & George Brent feature

©Nov. 6, 1936.

Dance Charlie Dance (assistant director)

prem. July 6, 1937 - First National/Warner Bros. - 8 reels - feature

©Aug. 2, 1937. Released Aug. 14, 1937. Starring Stuart Erwin, Jean Muir, Glenda Farrell and Allen Jenkins.

Confession (assistant director)

prem. Aug. 18, 1937 - Warner Bros. - 10 reels - Kay Francis feature

©July 30, 1937. Released Aug. 28, 1937.

The Great Garrick (assistant director)

prem. Oct. 24, 1937 - Warner Bros. - 10 reels - Brian Aherne & Olivia de Havilland feature

©Oct. 1, 1937. Released Oct. 30, 1937.

1938

Penrod And His Twin Brother (assistant director)

Feb. 26, 1938 - Warner Bros. - 7 reels - Mauch Twins feature

©Jan. 9, 1938.

Fools For Scandal (assistant director)

prem. Mar. 24, 1938 - Warner Bros. - 10 reels - Carole Lombard & Fernand Gravet feature

©Jan. 17, 1938. Released Apr. 16, 1938.

Four's A Crowd (assistant director)

prem. Aug. 4, 1938 - Warner Bros. - 10 reels - feature

©May 25, 1938. Released Sep. 3, 1938. Starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Rosalind Russell and Patric Knowles.

Four Daughters (assistant director)

prem. Aug. 8, 1938 - Warner Bros. - 9 reels - feature

©July 29, 1938. Released Aug. 9, 1938. Starring Priscilla Lane, Rosemary Lane, Lola Lane, Gale Page, Claude Rains, John Garfield, Jeffrey Lynn and Dick Foran.

Angels With Dirty Faces (assistant director)

Nov. 26, 1938 - First National/Warner Bros. - 10 reels - James Cagney & Pat O'Brien feature

©Sep. 14, 1938.

1939

Dodge City (assistant director)

prem. Apr. 1, 1939 - Warner Bros. - Technicolor - 11 reels - Errol Flynn feature

©Apr. 8, 1939. Released Apr. 8, 1939.

Daughters Courageous (assistant director)

prem. June 23, 1939 - Warner Bros. - 12 reels - feature

©July 22, 1939. Released July 22, 1939. Starring John Garfield, Priscilla Lane, Rosemary Lane, Lola Lane and Gale Page.

The Private Lives Of Elizabeth And Essex (assistant director)

prem. Sep. 27, 1939 - Warner Bros. - Technicolor - 12 reels - Bette Davis & Errol Flynn feature

©Nov. 11, 1939. Released Nov. 11, 1939.

Four Wives (assistant director)

prem. Dec. 22, 1939 - Warner Bros. - 12 reels - feature

Released Dec. 25, 1939. ©Jan. 3, 1940. Starring Priscilla Lane, Rosemary Lane, Lola Lane, Gale Page and Claude Rains.

1940

Virginia City (assistant director)

prem. Mar. 16, 1940 - Warner Bros. - 12 reels - Errol Flynn & Miriam Hopkins feature

©Mar. 23, 1940. Released Mar. 23, 1940.

All This, And Heaven Too (assistant director)

prem. July 4, 1940 - Warner Bros. - 15 reels - Bette Davis & Charles Boyer feature

©July 12, 1940. Released July 13, 1940.

City For Conquest (assistant director)

prem. Sep. 19, 1940 - Warner Bros. - 12 reels - James Cagney & Ann Sheridan feature

©Aug. 21, 1940. Released Sep. 21, 1940.

The Letter (assistant director)

prem. Nov. 14, 1940 - Warner Bros. - 11 reels - Bette Davis feature

©Nov. 16, 1940. Released Nov. 23, 1940.

1941

The Sea Wolf (assistant director)

Mar. 21, 1941 - Warner Bros. - 11 reels - feature

©Feb. 22, 1941. Starring Edward G. Robinson, Ida Lupino and John Garfield.

Dive Bomber (assistant director)

prem. Aug. 12, 1941 - Warner Bros. - Technicolor - 132 min. - Errol Flynn & Fred MacMurray feature

©Aug. 30, 1941. Released Aug. 30, 1941.

1942

Kings Row (assistant director)

prem. Feb. 2, 1942 - Warner Bros. - 127 min. - feature

©Apr. 18, 1942. Released Apr. 18, 1942. Starring Ann Sheridan, Robert Cummings, Ronald Reagan and Betty Field.

Now, Voyager (assistant director)

prem. Oct. 22, 1942 - Warner Bros. - 117 min. - Bette Davis & Paul Henreid feature

©Oct. 31, 1942. Released Oct. 31, 1942.

1943

Edge Of Darkness (assistant director)

prem. Apr. 9, 1943 - Warner Bros. - 120 min. - Errol Flynn & Ann Sheridan feature

©Apr. 24, 1943. Released Apr. 24, 1943.

Letter From A Friend (director)

1943 - First Motion Picture Unit/US Army - short

1947

Possessed (assistant director)

prem. May 29, 1947 - Warner Bros. - 108 min. - Joan Crawford & Van Heflin feature

©July 26, 1947. Released July 26, 1947.

1948

Winter Meeting (assistant director)

Apr. 7, 1948 - Warner Bros. - 104 min. - Bette Davis feature

©Apr. 24, 1948. Working title: Strange Meeting.

Wallflower (assistant director)

prem. June 11, 1948 - Warner Bros. - 77 min. - feature

©June 12, 1948. Released June 13, 1948. Starring Robert Hutton, Joyce Reynolds and Janis Paige

The Big Punch (director)

June 26, 1948 - Warner Bros. - 80 min. - feature

©June 19, 1948. Starring Wayne Morris, Lois Maxwell and Gordon MacRae.

June Bride (assistant director)

Oct. 29, 1948 - Warner Bros. - 97 min. - Bette Davis & Robert Montgomery feature

©Nov. 13, 1948.

1949

The Lady Takes A Sailor (assistant director)

prem. Dec. 16, 1949 - Warner Bros. - 99 min. - Jane Wyman & Dennis Morgan feature

©Dec. 29, 1949.

1950

Young Man With A Horn (assistant director)

prem. Feb. 9, 1950 - Warner Bros. - 113 min. - feature

©Apr. 30, 1950 (in notice: 1949). Released Mar. 1, 1950. Starring Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall and Doris Day.

Bright Leaf (assistant director)

prem. May 31, 1950 - Warner Bros. - 110 min. - feature

©June 16, 1950. Released July 2, 1950. Starring Gary Cooper, Lauren Bacall and Patricia Neal.

The Breaking Point (assistant director)

prem. Sep. 30, 1950 - Warner Bros. - 10 reels - John Garfield & Patricia Neal feature

©Sep. 15, 1950. Released Oct. 6, 1950.

1951

Tomorrow Is Another Day (assistant director)

prem. Aug. 8, 1951 - Warner Bros. - 90 min. - Ruth Roman & Steve Cochran feature

©Sep. 18, 1951. Released Sep. 22, 1951.

Force Of Arms (assistant director)

Aug. 13, 1951 - Warner Bros. - 11 reels - feature

©Sep. 18, 1951. Starring William Holden, Nancy Olson and Frank Lovejoy.

Jim Thorpe -- All-American (assistant director)

Aug. 24, 1951 - Warner Bros. - 107 min. - Burt Lancaster feature

©Aug. 21, 1951.

1952

Room For One More (assistant director)

prem. Jan. 15, 1952 - Warner Bros. - 98 min. - Cary Grant & Betsy Drake feature

Released Jan. 26, 1952. ©Mar. 26, 1952 (in notice: 1951).

1953

I Confess (production supervisor)

prem. Feb. 12, 1953 - Warner Bros. - 95 min. - Montgomery Clift & Anne Baxter feature

©Feb. 16, 1953. Released Feb. 18, 1953.

Chevron Theatre episode: The Chinese Stick (director)

May 12, 1953 - Revue/MCA - 3 reels - TV episode

©Dec. 31, 1953. Syndicated program.

1961

The Deputy episode: Lorinda Belle (director)

June 24, 1961 - Top Gun/NBC - 30 min. - TV episode

©June 24, 1961.

1966

Chamber Of Horrors (unit manager)

prem. Aug. 31, 1966 - Warner Bros. - Technicolor - 99 min. - feature

©July 15, 1966. Released Oct. 21, 1966. Starring Cesare Danova, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Laura Devon, Patrice Wymore, Suzy Parker and Patrick O'Neal.

An American Dream (assistant director)

prem. Aug. 31, 1966 - Conrad/Warner Bros. - Technicolor - 103 min. - Stuart Whitman & Janet Leigh feature

©Sep. 6, 1966.

1967

Bonanza episode: Dark Enough To See The Stars (assistant director)

Mar. 12, 1967 - NBC - 60 min. - TV episode

©Feb. 27, 1967.

Bonanza episode: A Man Without Land (assistant director)

Apr. 9, 1967 - NBC - 60 min. - TV episode

©Mar. 14, 1967.

The High Chaparral episode: The Filibusteros (assistant director)

Oct. 22, 1967 - Xanadu/NBC - 60 min. - TV episode

©Oct. 18, 1967.

The High Chaparral episode: Sudden Country (assistant director)

Nov. 5, 1967 - Xanadu/NBC - 60 min. - TV episode

©Nov. 1, 1967.

The High Chaparral episode: A Hanging Offense (assistant director)

Nov. 12, 1967 - Xanadu/NBC - 60 min. - TV episode

©Nov. 6, 1967.

The High Chaparral episode: The Widow From Red Rock (assistant director)

Nov. 26, 1967 - Xanadu/NBC - 60 min. - TV episode

©Nov. 15, 1967.

1968

The High Chaparral episode: Gold Is Where You Leave It

Jan. 21, 1968 - Xanadu/NBC - 60 min. - TV episode

©Dec. 28, 1967.

The High Chaparral episode: The Kinsman

Jan. 28, 1968 - Xanadu/NBC - 60 min. - TV episode

©Jan. 4, 1968.

Chubasco (unit manager)

prem. Apr. 14, 1968 - Conrad/Warner Bros. - Technicolor - Panavision - 100 min. - feature

©June 1, 1968 (in notice: 1967). Released June 5, 1968. Starring Richard Egan, Christopher Jones, Susan Strasberg and Ann Sothern.

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

© Robert Demoss.