Eugene "Pineapple"Jackson

This filmography was made in collaboration with Matthew Lydick.

full name: Eugene William Jackson, Jr.
early nickname: Gene
professional nickname: Pineapple
born Dec. 25, 1916, in Buffalo, NY
died Oct. 26, 2001, in Compton, CA, of a heart attack

Special note: The full name given above is the way Gene's name appears in his contract with the Roach studio. Elsewhere, it has appeared as Eugene William Jackson II, but this probably would have been subsequent to the birth of his same-named son.

Also of special note: The filmography contained within Gene's autobiography differs in many places from his IMDb page. He states that there would have been hundreds of films, TV episodes and commercials that he appeared in, sometimes merely as an extra, and that he had long-forgotten the titles of most of them. However, there are many titles in his book that don't appear in IMDb. I've tentatively included all of the titles from both sources, but it's very possible that some of them are inaccurate. If a title doesn't appear in IMDb, it might be due to Gene not being readily recognizable in the film, or it might be that somebody inputting the info into IMDb actually disputed Gene's involvement. If anybody out there would like to correct any of the information listed below, be sure to email me at BtheW@aol.com, and I'll be happy to consider your argument.

1920

At the age of three, Gene first performed publicly by dancing at his grandfather's barber shop in Houston, Texas. His mother had, by this time, divorced his father and moved back, along with Gene, to her hometown of Houston probably sometime during 1918.

1922

Gene and his family moved to Los Angeles when he was five years old. His grandfather landed a job at another barber shop, and Gene got a job, dancing while he swept the floor and picking up tips as he did so.
By the time of his sixth birthday, Gene was dancing for spare change on the street corners.

1923

Gene frequently entered the Saturday night amateur contest at the Rosebud Theater near his home, routinely taking first prize, which would be a bag of groceries. The song he sang in his first contest was "You Got To See Your Mama Every Night Or You Can't See Your Mama At All." He was soon nicknamed the "Shimmy King" by the patrons. The theater manager recommended that Gene try out for the movies, and he soon landed a role in the next May McAvoy feature. Gene himself wrote that all of this happened when he was seven, but his seventh birthday didn't come along until months after the release of the McAvoy feature. Also, judging by the release dates, it's possible that the film was not the first that he worked in.
At some point, Gene also entered a Charleston contest at the Shrine Auditorium, winning second prize.

Penrod And Sam (role: Herman): June 18, 1923 - J.K. McDonald/First National - 7 reels - feature; ©June 18, 1923. Credited as Gene Jackson. Featuring Ben Alexander & Joe Butterworth.
Her Reputation (role: boy): Sep. 1923 - Thomas H. Ince/First National - 7 reels - May McAvoy feature; ©Aug. 21, 1923.
Boy Of Mine (role: Vestibule Johnson): Dec. 30, 1923 - J.K. McDonald/First National - 7 reels - feature; ©Dec. 31, 1923. Featuring Ben Alexander.

1924

Starting this year, Gene was associated with both Central Casting and the Black Casting Agency.
After briefly working with the Reg'lar Kids, Gene first worked in the Our Gang series during July as a short-term contract player. It was Hal Roach who christened him "Pineapple," based on the shape of his haircut.
On September 8th, Gene was signed to a long-term (apparently 3-year) contract for 50 dollars a week.
In December, Gene was given notice 30 days in advance that his contract would be terminated on Jan. 25th of the following year.

The Thief Of Bagdad (role: boy): Mar. 18, 1924 - Fairbanks/UA - 14 reels - Douglas Fairbanks feature; The date given is for the New York premiere. ©Mar. 23, 1924.
Good Scouts (role: one of the Reg'lar Kids): Nov. 3, 1924 - Winkler - 2 reels - Reg'lar Kids series
An Afternoon Tee (role: one of the Reg'lar Kids): Nov. 15, 1924 - Winkler - 2 reels - Reg'lar Kids series
33. The Mysterious Mystery! (supporting role: Snowball): Dec. 14, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-33 - Our Gang series; Filmed June 30 to July 19, 1924, with retakes Sep. 9 and 12, 1924, and added scenes Sep. 13 and 15, 1924. ©Dec. 11, 1924.

1925

The Jan. 25th termination seems to have been postponed, as Gene remained with the Our Gang unit until the current production, "Shootin' Injuns," finished shooting on Feb. 5th.
Gene continued to work regularly in films over the next couple of years, but without any longterm deal.

34. The Big Town (supporting role): Jan. 11, 1925 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-34 - Our Gang series; Filmed Sep. 22 to Oct. 2, 1924. ©Dec. 9, 1924.
35. Circus Fever (supporting role: Gene): Feb. 8, 1925 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-35 - Our Gang series; Filmed Oct. 20 to 25, and Nov. 1 to 4, 1924. ©Jan. 19, 1925.
36. Dog Days (supporting role): Mar. 8, 1925 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-36 - Our Gang series; Filmed Oct. 29 to Nov. 5, and Nov. 17 to 24, 1924. ©Mar. 5, 1925.
37. The Love Bug (supporting role): Apr. 5, 1925 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-37 - Our Gang series; Filmed Dec. 15 to 31, 1924, and possibly early Jan. 1925. ©Apr. 2, 1925.
39. Shootin' Injuns (supporting role: Gene): May 3, 1925 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-39 - Our Gang series; Filmed Jan. 19 to Feb. 5, 1925. ©Apr. 2, 1925.
Twinkle, Twinkle (appearance): June 14, 1925 - Pathé - 1 reel - Grantland Rice Sportlight; ©May 8, 1925. Featuring the Our Gang kids.
Little Annie Rooney (role: Humidor): Oct. 18, 1925 - Pickford/UA - 10 reels - Mary Pickford feature; ©Sep. 8, 1925.

1926

Debuting this year, and continuing into 1927, was an Our Gang comic strip called La Pandilla, which included Gene among the characters.

Buster's Orphan Party (role: orphan): Jul. 21, 1926 - Stern/Universal - 2 reels - Buster Brown series; ©Apr. 10, 1926. A Century Comedy.
Flirty Four-Flushers (bit part: boy eating watermelon): Dec. 26, 1926 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - Madeline Hurlock & Billy Bevan comedy; Filmed sometime after Sep. 6, 1926. ©Dec. 13, 1926. Prod. no. 265.

1927

During this period, when he wasn't doing film work, Gene was working as a page boy at the Criterion Theatre. During this year, he was there when "The Patent Leather Kid" was shown at the theatre, and was given a patent leather suit to wear for the job.

Buster's Dark Mystery (supporting role): Mar. 7, 1927 - Stern/Universal - 2 reels - Buster Brown series; ©Aug. 17, 1926.
The Jazz Singer (undetermined role): prem. Oct. 6, 1927 - Warner Bros. - 9 reels - Al Jolson feature; ©Oct. 6, 1927. Released Feb. 4, 1928. Hybrid silent/talkie. Listed in the filmography in Gene's book, but not in IMDb.
Uncle Tom's Cabin (role: Tom's son): prem. Nov. 4, 1927 - Universal - 13 reels - feature; Released Sep. 2, 1928. ©Nov. 10, 1927. Starring Margarita Fischer & James B. Lowe. Gene remembered playing two parts in this film, "Pete" and "Sam."
Little Mickey Grogan (role: dancing boy): Dec. 27, 1927 - FBO - 6 reels - Frankie Darro feature; ©Dec. 27, 1927.

1928

During this year, Gene's association with the Black Casting Agency ended.
When Gene was 10 or 11 years old, he began taking tap-dancing lessons, which led to him performing at various lodges and social clubs, as well as his church.
After this, he and his brother Freddie joined a vaudeville troupe that performed on weekends at the Gaiety Theater. After their troupe was stiffed by a promoter after doing a performance in Long Beach, Gene and Freddie decided to form their own dance team.
During this period, Gene also appeared on radio.

1929

Sometime after Gene appeared in "Hearts In Dixie," he and his brother Freddie were put into a kiddie revue act called Chincapin and His Pickaninny Revue, which played at Oceanside Park.
After this, Gene and his brother danced as part of Lionel Hampton's act, which toured the southern coast of California.

Hearts In Dixie (role: Chinquapin): May 1929 - Fox - talkie - 8 reels - feature; ©Mar. 16, 1929. Featuring Stepin Fetchit & Clarence Muse.
Fox Movietone Follies Of 1929 (role: boy in "Break Away" number): May 25, 1929 - Fox - talkie - 14 reels - feature; ©May 8, 1929. Featuring John Breeden & Lola Lane. Gene sang, along with Jeanette Dancey, a song called "Breakaway."
Uncle's Visit (role: boy): June 30, 1929 - Van Beuren/Pathé - silent - 2 reels - Smitty and His Pals series
It's A Great Life (undetermined role): Dec. 6, 1929 - MGM - talkie - 11 reels - The Duncan Sisters feature; ©Dec. 29, 1929. Also released in 7 reel silent version. Listed in the filmography in Gene's book, but not in IMDb.

1930

Cameo Kirby (role: river boy): Jan. 12, 1930 - Fox - 7 reels - J. Harold Murray & Norma Terris feature; ©Nov. 30, 1929.
Dixiana (role: Cupid): July 22, 1930 - RKO - 12 reels - Bebe Daniels & Everett Marshall feature; ©Aug. 16, 1930.
The Big Trail (undetermined role): prem. Oct. 2, 1930 - Fox - 14 reels -; ©Sep. 30, 1930. Released Nov. 1, 1930. Listed in the filmography in Gene's book, but not in IMDb. Featuring John Wayne, Marguerite Churchill, and El Brendel.

1931

While in high school, Gene performed in a school play called Babs. This was in addition to performing in nightclubs and taverns. He also joined the high school band for two semesters.
The Jackson Brothers continued to work regularly in vaudeville thoughtout this era, mostly around southern California.
The Hollywood Reporter, while mentioning Gene's involvement in "Sporting Chance," stated that he was currently being handled by the Morrison Agency.
In November of this year, the Jackson Brothers began rehearsing a new act, with Gene doing impressions of celebrities in addition to the dancing. The rehearsals continued for about four months.

Cimarron (role: Isaiah): prem. Jan. 26, 1931 - RKO - 13 reels - feature; ©Dec. 31, 1930. Released Feb. 9, 1931. Featuring Richard Dix & Irene Dunne.
The Messenger Boy (role: harmonica player): June 29, 1931 - RKO-Pathé - 2 reels - Benny Rubin series; ©June 29, 1931.
Sporting Blood (role: Sam aka Sammy): Aug. 8, 1931 - MGM - 9 reels - Clark Gable feature; ©Aug. 5, 1931.
Sporting Chance (role: Horseshoe): Oct. 25, 1931 - Peerless - 7 reels - Buster Collier feature
Secret Service (role: Israel Polk): Nov. 14, 1931 - RKO - 7 reels - Richard Dix feature; ©Nov. 2, 1931.

1932

On February 5th of this year, the Jackson Brothers departed on their personal vaudeville tour, which would take them to 89 cities in 16 states, first opening in Oakland on February 9th. The act was booked as Eugene Jackson and His Family Of Five. In addition to the singing and dancing, Gene would recreate scenes from "Cimarron" and "Sporting Blood."
Gene promoted his tour in a 30 minute radio broadcast from the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley.
In July, the troupe arrived in Chicago, and then broke off from their promoter and used Chicago as their headquarters for the next five months.

1933

Eugene Jackson and company continued their vaudeville tour during the early part of this year, gradually making their way back to California.
In March, while in Oklahoma, the Jackson brothers became part of a show called the Southern Brevities.
In April, the Jackson brothers left the Southern Brevities and departed Oklahoma to continue towards home.
Sometime after May, the brothers arrived home in Los Angeles.

King Of The Jungle (role: son of safari king): Jan. 19, 1933 - Paramount - 8 reels - feature; ©Mar. 9, 1933. Featuring The Lion Man (Buster Crabbe) and Frances Dee. Listed in the filmography in Gene's book, but not in IMDb.

1935

During this period, Gene began to appear in films more frequently, notably as a recurring player in the Gene Autry westerns.

Ladies Crave Excitement (role: Lightcrust): June 22, 1935 - Mascot - 7 reels - feature; ©June 22, 1935. Featuring Norman Foster, Evalyn Knapp & Esther Ralston.
Cheers Of The Crowd (undetermined role): Aug. 5, 1935 - Monogram - 7 reels - feature; ©Aug. 5, 1935. Featuring Russell Hopton & Irene Ware. Listed in the filmography in Gene's book, but not in IMDb.
Tumbling Tumbleweeds (role: Eightball): Sep. 5, 1935 - Mascot/Republic - 6 reels - Gene Autry feature; ©Aug. 30, 1935. Gene dances during the performance of "Corn-fed And Rusty." He's also shown pretending to play the violin during Gene Autry's performance of "That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine."

1936

Red River Valley (role: Iodine): Mar. 2, 1936 - Republic - 6 reels - Gene Autry feature; © Apr. 27, 1936. Gene dances to "Instrumental Dance #1."
The Singing Kid (role: dancer): Apr. 11, 1936 - Warner Bros. - 10 reels - Al Jolson feature; ©Apr. 24, 1936. IMDb doesn't mention Gene's involvement in this film. In his autobiography, he mentions working in this film directly after his Honolulu trip in late 1941, which is obviously inaccurate.
The Lonely Trail (role: harmonica player/dancer): May 25, 1936 - Republic - 6 reels - John Wayne feature; ©May 25, 1936. Gene dances during the performance of "Old Folks At Home (Swanee River)."
Hearts In Bondage (role: Sam): May 26, 1936 - Republic - 8 reels - feature; ©July 10, 1936. Featuring James Dunn, Mae Clarke, David Manners & Charlotte Henry.
Guns And Guitars (role: Eightball): June 22, 1936 - Republic - 6 reels - Gene Autry feature; ©June 22, 1936. Gene dances during the performance of "Gwine To Rune All Night (De Camptown Races)."
Born To Dance (undetermined role): Nov. 27, 1936 - MGM - 11 reels - Eleanor Powell feature; ©Nov. 23, 1936. Listed in the filmography in Gene's book, but not in IMDb.

1937

Midnight Court (role: Garfield Brown): Mar. 6, 1937 - Warner Bros. - 7 reels - Ann Dvorak feature; ©Feb. 10, 1937.
It Can't Last Forever (role: one of the Jackson Brothers): July 15, 1937 - Columbia - 7 reels - feature; ©June 24, 1937. Featuring Ralph Bellamy, Betty Furness, Richard Armstrong & Raymond Walburn.
Blonde Trouble (role: Bootblack): Aug. 6, 1937 - Paramount - 7 reels - feature; ©Aug. 6, 1937. Featuring Eleanore Whitney, Johnny Downs, Lynne Overman & Terry Walker.
Wine, Women And Horses (role: Eight Ball): Sep. 11, 1937 - Warner Bros. - 8 reels - Barton MacLane & Ann Sheridan feature; ©July 26, 1937.
Thoroughbreds Don't Cry (role: stable boy): Dec. 3, 1937 - MGM - 8 reels - feature; ©Nov. 24, 1937. Featuring Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney, Sophie Tucker, C. Aubrey Smith & Ronald Sinclair.

1938

After tearing some ligaments while trying to do the splits the way some of the acrobatic dancers did, Gene took up the saxophone and formed his own band, with brother Freddie on the drums. They initially played at local venues. Before long, he had added dancing girls to the act. Eventually, Dorothy and Vivian Dandridge were recruited as dancers and the act became known as The Five Rhythmatics with the Dandridge Sisters. The troupe eventually did a show called Rhapsody In Black Rhythm.
Somewhere around this time, Gene also purchased a dance studio.

The Buccaneer (role: James Smith): Feb. 4, 1938 - Paramount - 13 reels - Fredric March feature; ©Feb. 4, 1938. Also featuring Franciska Gaal.
Anaesthesia (role: boy in 1839 segment): July 9, 1938 - MGM - 1 reel - Pete Smith Specialties series; ©June 22, 1938.
You Can't Take It With You (role: street dancer): Sep. 29, 1938 - Columbia - 13 reels - feature; ©Sep. 6, 1938. Featuring Jean Arthur, Lionel Barrymore, James Stewart & Edward Arnold. Listed in the filmography in Gene's book, but not in IMDb.
Arrest Bulldog Drummond (role: hotel page boy): Nov. 25, 1938 - Paramount - 6 reels - John Howard & Heather Angel feature; ©Nov. 25, 1938.
Tom Sawyer, Detective (role: boy): Dec. 23, 1938 - Paramount - 7 reels - Donald O'Connor & Billy Cook feature; ©Dec. 23, 1938.
Kentucky (role: Jimmy): Dec. 30, 1938 - 20th Century-Fox - 11 reels - Loretta Young & Richard Greene feature; ©Dec. 30, 1938.
Rhythm Rodeo (role: tap dancer): 1938 - George Randol Productions - short; Gene dances with his brother Freddie.

1939

The Lady's From Kentucky (role: Winfield): prem. Apr. 26, 1939 - Paramount - 8 reels - George Raft & Ellen Drew feature; Released Apr. 28, 1939. ©Apr. 28, 1939.
Reform School (role: Pete): Apr. 27, 1939 - Million Dollar Productions - 58 min. - Louise Beavers feature; Also known as Prison Bait. Also featuring Harlem's "Tuff Kids."
At The Circus (undetermined role): Oct. 20, 1939 - MGM - 9 reels - Marx Bros. feature; ©Oct. 10, 1939. Listed in the filmography in Gene's book, but not in IMDb.
Television Spy (role: Tommy): Oct. 20, 1939 - Paramount - 6 reels - feature; ©Oct. 20, 1939. Featuring William Henry, Judith Barrett, William Collier, Sr., Anthony Quinn & Richard Denning.
The Honeymoon's Over (role: parking man): Dec. 14, 1939 - 20th Century-Fox - 7 reels - Stuart Erwin & Marjorie Weaver feature

1940

Seventeen (role: attendant): Mar. 1, 1940 - Paramount - 8 reels - Jackie Cooper & Betty Field feature; ©Mar. 1, 1940.
Sporting Blood (role: Sam the horse groom): July 12, 1940 - MGM - 9 reels - feature; ©July 9, 1940. Featuring Robert Young, Maureen O'Sullivan & Lewis Stone.
Melody And Moonlight (role: dancer): Oct. 11, 1940 - Republic - 8 reels - Johnny Downs & Barbara (Vera Vague) Allen feature; ©Oct. 11, 1940.

1941

During the last week of October of this year, Gene travelled by ship to Honolulu. He performed as part of the Black and Tan Harlem Strutters, which was headquartered in Honolulu, but played in Hilo and on Maui as well.
Gene was present during the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7th. With a curfew in effect, he had to resort to manual labor to earn money, while trying to find a way to get home to the mainland.
On December 14th, Gene performed in a Christmas show put on for local orphans. It was here that he met up with a family that had a couple of young boys who also performed in the show, and Gene was hired to teach them tapdancing.
On December 25th, his 25th birthday, Gene was finally able to board a ship home. On the spur of the moment, Gene arranged a jam session with a pianist on the ship, which made the two of them some much-needed money. On the third and final night, this developed into a variety show, with various passengers taking part.
Gene was back home on the evening of December 29th.

Unfinished Business (role: bootblack): Aug. 27, 1941 - Universal - 10 reels - Irene Dunne & Robert Montgomery feature; ©Aug. 26, 1941.
Dumbo (co-choreographer): Oct. 31, 1941 - Disney/RKO - 8 reels - animated feature; ©Aug. 8, 1941. Gene and half brother Freddie's dance routines were used as a live-action reference for the crows.

1942

During this year, Gene started working at the Four O Club in Long Beach with his trio.

Reap The Wild Wind (role: Dr. Jepson's servant): Mar. 18, 1942 - Paramount - 13 reels - feature; ©Jan. 30, 1942. Filmed in Technicolor. Featuring John Wayne, Susan Hayward, Ray Milland & Paulette Goddard.
Take My Life (role: Bill): July 3, 1942 - Godseal/Consolidated National - 70 min. - The Harlem Dead End Kids feature; Also known as Murder Rap.

1943

On April 23rd of this year, Gene was inducted into the Army and became a clarinetist for the Army band at Fort Huachuca. He became part of the G.I. Rhapsody show that toured Arizona, and eventually performed at the Hollywood Canteen, sometimes appearing on the radio in the process. He also formed a trio that performed at the NCO club on the base.

Reveille With Beverly (role: Franklin Delano Lincoln Van Buren Jones): Feb. 4, 1943 - Columbia - 8 reels - feature; ©Feb. 4, 1943. Featuring Ann Miller.
Moo Cow Boogie (role:piano player/dancer): 1943 - RCM/Soundies - 11 min. - Soundies series; Gene played piano to accompany Dorothy Dandridge and also did some dancing with his brother Freddie. Listed in the filmography in Gene's book, but not in IMDb.
What's Buzzin', Cousin? (role: bellboy): July 8, 1943 - Columbia - 8 reels - feature; ©July 8, 1943. Featuring Ann Miller, Rochester & Freddy Martin.

1945

On December 14th of this year, Gene was married his wife Sue.

1946

In April of this year, Gene was discharged from the Army. After this, he worked various clubs with a musical act called The Jackson Trio with his brother Freddie on drums and various piano players that came and went. He would spend the next seven years mostly on the road.

Lady Luck (undetermined role): prem. Oct. 30, 1946 - RKO Radio - 97 min. - feature; ©Aug. 30, 1946. Featuring Robert Young, Barbara Hale & Frank Morgan. Listed in the filmography in Gene's book, but not in IMDb.

Eugene "Pineapple"Jackson

This filmography was made in collaboration with Matthew Lydick.

1920

1922

1923

1924

1925

1926

1927

1928

1929

1930

1931

1932

1933

1935

1936

1937

1938

1939

1940

1941

1942

1943

1945

1946

1948

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1950

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1953

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1955

1956

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1962

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