Jack Davis

This filmography was made in collaboration with Matthew Lydick.

name: John H. Davis
nicknames: Jack or Jackie
born Apr. 5, 1914, in Los Angeles, CA
died Nov. 3, 1992, in Santa Monica, CA, of respiratory failure

Special note: IMDb lists dozens of people named Jack Davis, and on the page for the Our Gang member, there are scores of films listed from over the decades. This filmography will omit pretty much everything subsequent to Jack's final Our Gang film, since everything I've read about him indicates that his acting career ended in 1924.

1922

It appears that Jack's first involvement with movie acting was with his entry into the Our Gang series in early April of this year. This was no doubt the result of his being the younger brother of Mildred Davis, leading lady and soon-to-be-wife of Harold Lloyd.
In mid-July, Jack was put under longterm contract at $40 a week.
In December, Jack took part in The Follies Of Culver City as a flower girl.

4. One Terrible Day (supporting role): Sep. 10, 1922 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-4 - Our Gang series; Filmed May 22 to June 10, 1922. ©Oct. 9, 1922.
The Golf Bug (undetermined role): Oct. 29, 1922 - Roach/Pathé - 1 reel - prod. C-59 - Hal Roach series with Paul Parrott; Filmed July 11 to 17, 1922, with retakes July 24, and Aug. 1, 1922. ©Nov. 11, 1922. Reissued June 13, 1926.
3. Young Sherlocks (small part): Nov. 26, 1922 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-3 - Our Gang series; Filmed Apr. 3 to 8, and Apr. 24 to May 20, 1922. ©Nov. 11, 1922.
6. Saturday Morning (featured role: Waldemar): Dec. 3, 1922 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-6 - Our Gang series; Filmed July 8 to 25, 1922. ©Nov. 11, 1922.
5. A Quiet Street (featured role): Dec. 31, 1922 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-5 - Our Gang series; Filmed June 13 to July 1, and July 26 to 27, 1922. ©Nov. 11, 1922.
Screen Snapshots, Series 3, No. 16 (presumed appearance): Dec. 31, 1922 - C. B. C. Film Sales Corp. - 1 reel - Screen Snapshots series; ©Dec. 8, 1922. Director Robert F. McGowan and the Our Gang cast are listed for this film, but cast members are not specified.

1923

In mid-August of this year, Jack departed the Our Gang series, the first in the first batch of regulars to do so. By this time, his older sister Mildred had married Harold Lloyd, and as the story goes, Lloyd removed Jack from the Our Gang series and put him into military school. Whether or not this happened immediately after he left the Gang is unclear, but there are images of Jack, still a boy, in uniform.

9. The Champeen! (featured role: Tuffy aka Jackie): Jan. 28, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-9 - Our Gang series; Filmed late August/September 1922. ©Dec. 16, 1922.
8. The Cobbler (featured role): Feb. 18, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-8 - Our Gang series; Filmed late August, and perhaps September, 1922. ©Feb. 26, 1923.
7. The Big Show! (featured role: Jack): 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.
11. A Pleasant Journey (supporting role): 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.
10. Boys To Board (supporting role): Apr. 8, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-10 - Our Gang series; Filmed Oct. 2 to Nov. 2, 1922. ©Mar. 30, 1923.
12. Giants Vs. Yanks (featured role): 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.
13. Back Stage (supporting role: Jack): June 3, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-13 - Our Gang series; Filmed Dec. 15, 1922, to Jan. 9, 1923. ©June 6, 1923.
14. Dogs Of War! (featured role: Jack): 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.
15. Lodge Night (supporting role: Jack): July 29, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-15 - Our Gang series; Filmed Feb. 12 to Mar. 3, 1923. ©Aug. 2, 1923.
18. July Days (supporting role: Jack): 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.
20. No Noise (supporting role: Jack): Sep. 23, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-20 - Our Gang series; Filmed June 1 to 20, 1923. ©Sep. 24, 1923.
17. Stage Fright (supporting role): 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.
21. Derby Day (supporting role: Jack): Nov. 18, 1923 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-21 - Our Gang series; Filmed July 18 to Aug. 13, 1923. ©Nov. 9, 1923.
19. Sunday Calm (supporting role): 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.

1924

If Jack was in military school at this early date, then he was apparently able to be absent fairly frequently. Not only did he return to the Roach studio in June of this year to complete the long-unfinished "Fast Company," but the payroll ledgers also show that he worked as an extra in three different films, all of which were released during 1925. His last work at the studio occurred in November 1924.

16. Fast Company (supporting role): 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. Jackie's last name in this film is "McChicken."

1925

The Family Entrance (extra): Feb. 15, 1925 - Roach/Pathé - 1 reel - prod. D-79 - Hal Roach series with Charley Chase; Filmed Nov. 10 to 13, 1924. ©Dec. 26, 1924.
41. Mary, Queen of Tots (bit part): Aug. 23, 1925 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-41 - Our Gang series; Filmed Mar. 16 to Apr. 1, 1925. ©June 11, 1925. Jack, hidden under a suit of armor, appears briefly in footage left over from "July Days."
The Bouncer (extra): Aug. 2, 1925 - Roach/Pathé - 1 reel - prod. D-51 - Hal Roach series with Earl Mohan; Also listed for Aug. 30, 1925. Filmed Jan. 16 to 21, 1924. ©Aug. 28, 1925. Also featuring Billy Engle. This may have actually been released as part of the "Fite" series.
Solid Ivory (extra): Oct. 11, 1925 - Roach/Pathé - 1 reel - prod. D-53 - Fite series with Earl Mohan; Also listed for Oct. 25, 1925. Filmed Feb. 14 to 23, 1924, with retakes Mar. 28 to Apr. 1, 1924. ©Oct. 8, 1925. The series title might have been phased out by this time, as "Hunky Dory" and "Kelly" also pop up in relation to Mohan. Also featuring Billy Engle.

1936

A press release from Hal Roach Studios during this year stated that Jack was currently attending school.
The Los Angeles Examiner of July 19th stated that Jack was currently on a European tour.

1937

A Hal Roach Studios press release from this year states that Jack was currently studying law at Stanford University. If so, then he eventually changed his goals, becoming John H. Davis, M.D., of West Los Angeles. He apparently had several celebrities on his list of patients. Based on his age, I'm assuming that he was at least working towards his medical degree by the 1940s.

1943

During this year, the February 18th syndicated column "Star Dust" by Virginia Vale, reporting on the whereabouts of former Our Gang kids, stated that Jack was currently Dr. John Davis, USN.

1959

Take A Good Look episode (appearance): Oct. 22, 1959 - Mansfield-Arnell/ABC - 30 min. - TV episode; Hosted by Ernie Kovacs. Jack appeared along with Jean Darling, Jay R. Smith, Sherwood Bailey, Johnny Downs and Farina Hoskins.

1980

Reportedly, Jack attended the Our Gang reunion in 1980, though he doesn't turn up in any of the group photos that I've seen. There is, however, a photo of him signing an autograph, which presumably comes from this event.

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."

1989

American Masters episode: Harold Lloyd: The Third Genius (archival): Nov. 17, 1989 - Thames/WNET-TV - 105 min. - TV documentary; Jack appears in some home movie footage of Lloyd and his family, which seems to have been shot within a few years of his departure from Our Gang.

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!"

2002

E! True Hollywood Story episode: Curse Of The Little Rascals (archival): Nov. 24, 2002 - E! Entertainment Television - 60 min. - TV documentary

Jack Davis' payroll history

The following is a list of Jack's history at the Roach studio, with the amounts he was making from week to week. The dates given are Saturdays, the last day of each week at the studio. The only exceptions would be Saturdays that were also holidays, in which case the Friday date is used for those weeks.

Special note: Production A9 (The Champeen!) is missing from this list. It appears that it started off as one of the previous productions, which then got divided into two films.

Apr. 8, 1922 - 40.00 for A3 (Young Sherlocks)

Production A3 seems to have run into problems, since it stopped shooting for two weeks. Jackie didn't earn any money during the interim.

May 27, 1922 - 37.50 for A4 (One Terrible Day)
Jack was a day player on this film, and received his check on May 27th, which was for 5 days of shooting.
June 3, 1922 - 30.00 for A4
Jack received one check, but it covered 4 days of shooting.
June 10, 1922 - 45.00 for A4
Jack received one check, but it was for an entire week of shooting.
June 17, 1922 - 30.00 for A5 (A Quiet Street)
Jack was still a day player on this film, and received his check on June 17th to cover 4 days of shooting.
June 24, 1922 - 45.00 for A5
Jack received his check on June 24th for an entire week of shooting.
July 1, 1922 - 52.50 for A5
Presumably, Jack worked a 7-day week this time around.
July 8, 1922 - 30.00 for A5
Another four days of shooting.
July 15, 1922 - 40.00 for A6 (Saturday Morning)
Starting this week, Jack was under long-term contract.
July 22, 1922 - 40.00 for A6
July 29, 1922 - 40.00 - 13.33 for A5, 13.33 for A6, 13.34 for A7 (The Big Show)
Aug. 5, 1922 - 40.00 for A7
Aug. 12, 1922 - 40.00 for A7
Aug. 19, 1922 - 40.00 - 13.33 for A7, 26.67 for A8 (The Cobbler)
Aug. 26, 1922 - 40.00 for A8
Sep. 2, 1922 - 40.00 for A8
Sep. 9, 1922 - 40.00 for A8
Sep. 16, 1922 - 40.00 for A7
Sep. 23, 1922 - 40.00 - 26.67 for A7, 13.33 for A8
Sep. 30, 1922 - 40.00 - 16.67 for A7, 23.33 for A8
Oct. 7, 1922 - 40.00 for A10 (Boys To Board)
Oct. 14, 1922 - 40.00 for A10
Oct. 21, 1922 - 40.00 for A10
Oct. 28, 1922 - 40.00 for A10
Nov. 4, 1922 - 40.00 - 23.33 for A10, 16.67 for A11 (A Pleasant Journey)
Nov. 11, 1922 - 40.00 for A11
Nov. 18, 1922 - 40.00 - 26.67 for A11, 13.33 for A12 (Giants Vs. Yanks)
Nov. 25, 1922 - 40.00 for A12
Dec. 2, 1922 - 40.00 for A12
Dec. 9, 1922 - 40.00 for A12
Dec. 16, 1922 - 40.00 - 26.67 for A12, 13.33 for A13 (Back Stage)
Dec. 23, 1922 - 40.00 - 3.33 for A12, 36.67 for A13
Dec. 30, 1922 - 40.00 for A13
Jan. 6, 1923 - 40.00 for A13
Jan. 13, 1923 - 40.00 - 13.33 for A13, 13.33 for A14 (Dogs Of War!), 13.34 for A7
Jan. 20, 1923 - 40.00 for A14
Jan. 27, 1923 - 40.00 for A14
Feb. 3, 1923 - 40.00 for A14
Feb. 10, 1923 - 40.00 for A14
Feb. 17, 1923 - 40.00 - 3.33 for A12, 36.67 for A15 (Lodge Night)
Feb. 24, 1923 - 40.00 - 16.67 for A14, 23.33 for A15
Mar. 3, 1923 - 40.00 - 6.67 for A13, 33.33 for A15
Mar. 10, 1923 - 40.00 for A16 (Fast Company)
Mar. 17, 1923 - 40.00 - 33.33 for A16, 6.67 for A17 (Stage Fright)
Mar. 24, 1923 - 40.00 for A17
Mar. 31. 1923 - 40.00 for A17
Apr. 7, 1923 - 40.00 for A17
Apr. 14, 1923 - 40.00 - 20.00 for A17, 20.00 for A18 (July Days)
Apr. 21, 1923 - 40.00 for A18
Apr. 28, 1923 - 40.00 for A18
May 5, 1923 - 40.00 - 20.00 for A18, 20.00 for A19 (Sunday Calm)
May 12, 1923 - 40.00 for A19
May 19, 1923 - 40.00 for A19
May 26, 1923 - 40.00 for A19
June 2, 1923 - 40.00 - 8.00 for A18, 16.00 for A19, 16.00 for A20 (No Noise)
June 9, 1923 - 40.00 for A20
June 16, 1923 - 40.00 for A20
June 23, 1923 - 40.00 - 13.33 for A17, 26.67 for A20
June 30, 1923 - 40.00 for A17
July 7, 1923 - 40.00 - 8.00 for A17, 32.00 for A19
July 14, 1923 - 40.00 for A19
July 21, 1923 - 40.00 for A21 (Derby Day)
July 28, 1923 - 40.00 for A21
Aug. 4, 1923 - 40.00 for A21
Aug. 11, 1923 - 40.00 for A21

After this, Jack retired from film making, but with one Our Gang production left unfinished, he would eventually return to complete it. However, there is somebody named Jack Davis that also did extra work at the studio on three occasions, all during 1924.

Jan. 26, 1924 - 5.00 (The Bouncer)
If this is the same Jack Davis, then Jack worked as a crowd extra on Jan. 21st.

After this, about a month passed before Jack returned to the studio.

Feb. 23, 1924 - 10.00 (Solid Ivory)
Jack worked as an extra for two days during this week. The pages for this week are out of order in the ledger, though, so it's unclear which two days they were.

After this, four months passed before Jack returned to the studio, this time to complete the long-unfinished Our Gang film.

June 21, 1924 - 75.00 for A16 (Fast Company)

After this, it would be nearly five months before Jack (or somebody with the same name) returned to the Roach studio for one last bit of extra work.

Nov. 15, 1924 - 10.00 (The Family Entrance)
Somebody named Jack Davis worked as an extra on this film on Nov. 11th, and returned (as J. Davis) on Nov. 12th.

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