full name: Harry Sherman Bonner
professional name: Harry Spear
professional nickname (in vaudeville): Freckles
born Dec. 16, 1921, in Los Angeles, CA
died Sep. 22, 2006, in San Diego, CA, of kidney cancer
Special note: Harry acquired the last name "Spear" through his legal guardian, Bertha Spear, who was also his grandmother.
Also of note: There was an actor named Harry Spear who did some bit roles in the 1960's, but this wasn't Harry Spear of Our Gang. There was also
a comic actor named Harry Spear who often served as a Master of Ceremonies at about the same time that Harry of Our Gang was touring vaudeville.
1925
- During this year, Harry became a regular in the Juvenile Comedies made by Jack White, which by this time centered around the character of Big Boy.
- Baby Be Good (supporting role: Ginger)
- Oct. 18, 1925 - White/Educational - 2 reels - Juvenile Comedies with Big Boy
- ©Dec. 17, 1925.
- Bachelors' Babies (supporting role: Ginger)
- Dec. 6, 1925 - White/Educational - 2 reels - Juvenile Comedies with Big Boy
- ©Jan. 11, 1926.
1926
- Somewhere along the line, Harry appeared in one of Educational's Tuxedo comedies with Johnny Arthur. The available photo makes it clear that he's
younger than in his Our Gang days, and that the film is set at Christmas time.
- According to Maltin & Bann, Harry worked in a few Buck Jones westerns, but only one is listed in IMDb. The Hinton Daily News of March 16, 1932,
reporting on Harry's vaudeville tour at the time, also states that he worked with Buck Jones in "one of his pictures."
- Sea Scamps (supporting role: Ginger)
- Feb. 14, 1926 - White/Educational - 2 reels - Juvenile Comedies with Big Boy
- ©Mar. 2, 1926.
- Raisin' Cain (supporting role: Ginger)
- Apr. 4, 1926 - White/Educational - 2 reels - Juvenile Comedies with Big Boy
- ©Apr. 4, 1926.
- Bear Cats (supporting role: Ginger)
- May 23, 1926 - White/Educational - 2 reels - Juvenile Comedies with Big Boy
- ©May 17, 1926.
- Excess Baggage (supporting role: Ginger)
- July 18, 1926 - White/Educational - 2 reels - Juvenile Comedies with Big Boy
- ©Aug. 12, 1926.
- The Flying Horseman (small part: Happy Joe's son)
- Sep. 5, 1926 - Fox - 5 reels - Buck Jones feature
- ©Aug. 29, 1926.
- Open Spaces (supporting role)
- Nov. 7, 1926 - White/Educational - 2 reels - Juvenile Comedies with Big Boy
- ©Nov. 8, 1926.
1927
- Harry's initial contract took effect on April 18th of this year at a rate of $35 a week.
- The Oakland Tribune of July 10th reported that the Our Gang kids would soon make a personal appearance in that city to perform for some orphans.
- On August 9th, Harry's contract was renewed. The document has the word "June" crossed out and replaced with a handwritten "August."
The contract period indicated was from June 20, 1927, to June 19, 1932. Harry's salary was increased to $50 a week, though the contract didn't last
for the full five years.
- On September 20th, Harry's salary was increased to $60 a week.
- On December 20th, Harry's salary was increased to $75 a week.
- Around this time, the Our Gang kids, as well as Laurel & Hardy, were sent to the TeeVee studio to do an experimental broadcast.
- Grandpa's Boy (supporting role)
- Mar. 6, 1927 - White/Educational - 2 reels - Juvenile Comedies with Big Boy
- ©Feb. 28, 1927.
- Who's Afraid? (small part: boy with boy and arrow)
- May 29, 1927 - Lane/Educational - 2 reels - Lupino Lane series
- ©June 16, 1927.
- 64. The Glorious Fourth (supporting role)
- July 31, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-22 - Our Gang series
- Also listed for June 26, 1927, and July 30, 1927. Filmed May 10 to 21, 1927. ©July 22, 1927.
- Smith's Candy Shop (small part: hungry boy)
- Aug. 21, 1927 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - The Smith Family series
- Production began Dec. 6, 1926. ©May 18, 1927.
- 63. Olympic Games (supporting role)
- Sep. 11, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-21 - Our Gang series
- Also listed for Sep. 10, 1927. Filmed Apr. 22 to May 6, 1927. ©July 8, 1927.
- 67. Yale Vs. Harvard (supporting role)
- Sep. 24, 1927 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-1 - Our Gang series
- Filmed June 13 to 24, 1927. ©Aug. 17, 1927.
- 68. The Old Wallop (supporting role)
- Oct. 22, 1927 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-2 - Our Gang series
- Filmed Aug. 8 to 20, 1927. ©Oct. 22, 1927.
- 62. Chicken Feed (bit part)
- Nov. 6, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-20 - Our Gang series
- Filmed Mar. 28 to Apr. 15, 1927. ©June 9, 1927.
- 69. Heebee Jeebees (featured role)
- Nov. 19, 1927 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-3 - Our Gang series
- Also listed for Nov. 29, 1927. Filmed Aug. 29 to Sep. 13, and Sep. 30, 1927. ©Nov. 1, 1927.
1928
- On June 20th of this year, Harry's salary was increased to $100 a week.
- From August to October, the Our Gang kids traveled throughout the country on a personal appearance tour.
- 65. Playin' Hookey (supporting role)
- Jan. 1, 1928 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-24 - Our Gang series
- Filmed June 27 to 29, and Aug. 1 to 6, 1927. ©Feb. 6, 1928.
- 71. Spook-Spoofing (featured role)
- Jan. 14, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 3 reels - prod. G-5 - Our Gang series
- Filmed Oct. 11 to 27, 1927. ©Jan. 14, 1928.
- Smith's Army Life (small part: Bubbles' boyfriend)
- Feb. 5, 1928 - Sennett/Pathé - 2 reels - The Smith Family series
- Pre-production and shooting lasted from Apr. 4 to May 16, 1927. ©Feb. 7, 1928.
- 72. Rainy Days (supporting role)
- Feb. 11, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-6 - Our Gang series
- Filmed Nov. 4 to Dec. 28, 1927. ©Feb. 11, 1928, and Sep. 4, 1929.
- 66. The Smile Wins (supporting role)
- Feb. 26, 1928 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-23 - Our Gang series
- Filmed May 24 to June 7, 1927. ©Sep. 2, 1927.
- 73. Edison, Marconi & Co. (supporting role)
- Mar. 10, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-7 - Our Gang series
- Also listed for Mar. 9, 1928. Filmed Dec. 16 to 22, and Dec. 28, 1927. ©Mar. 10, 1928.
- 74. Barnum & Ringling, Inc. (supporting role)
- Apr. 7, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-8 - Our Gang series
- Filmed Dec. 21, 1927, to Jan. 9, 1928. ©Apr. 7, 1928. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
- 75. Fair And Muddy (supporting role)
- May 5, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-9 - Our Gang series
- Filmed Jan. 16 to Feb. 8, 1928. ©May 5, 1928.
- 76. Crazy House (supporting role)
- June 2, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-10 - Our Gang series
- Filmed Feb. 10 to 24, 1928. ©May 16, 1928.
- That Night (extra)
- Sep. 15, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. S-11 - All Star series with Max Davidson
- Rob Stone's list includes this film twice. As a Davidson film, it's listed as prod. D-11, which was filmed
Feb. 7 to 14, 1928. As part of the All Star series, it's listed as prod. S-11, which was filmed Mar. 12 to 21,
1928. ©Sep. 15, 1928. Includes tinted sequences.
- 77. Growing Pains (supporting role)
- Sep. 22, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-11 - Our Gang series
- Filmed Feb. 27 to Mar. 15, 1928. ©Sep. 22, 1928.
- 78. The Ol' Gray Hoss (supporting role)
- Oct. 20, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-12 - Our Gang series
- Filmed May 7 to 26, 1928, with retakes Aug. 16, 1928. ©Oct. 20, 1928. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
- 79. School Begins (featured role: Harry)
- Nov. 17, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-13 - Our Gang series
- Premiered Sep. 16, 1928. Filmed June 7 to 28, 1928. ©Nov. 17, 1928. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
- 80. The Spanking Age (small part)
- Dec. 15, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-14 - Our Gang series
- Filmed July 2 to 14, 1928. ©Dec. 15, 1928. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
1929
- During this year, Harry and his fellow Gangsters were featured in a picture book called A Story Of Our Gang, written by Eleanor Lewis Packer.
- Harry's final week of work on the Our Gang series was the one ending July 13th. His contract came to an end the week ending July 27th.
- 81. Election Day (supporting role)
- Jan. 12, 1929 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-15 - Our Gang series
- Filmed July 19 to Aug. 4, 1928, with retakes Aug. 22 to 24, 1928. ©Dec. 10, 1928.
- 82. Noisy Noises (supporting role)
- Feb. 9, 1929 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-16 - Our Gang series
- Filmed Oct. 29 to Nov. 10, 1928. ©Mar. 5, 1929. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
- 83. The Holy Terror (supporting role)
- Mar. 9, 1929 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-17 - Our Gang series
- Filmed Nov. 19 to 28, 1928. ©July 11, 1929.
- 84. Wiggle Your Ears (featured role: Harry)
- Apr. 6, 1929 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-18 - Our Gang series
- Filmed Dec. 4 to 12, 1928. ©Mar. 5, 1929. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
- 85. Fast Freight (supporting role)
- May 4, 1929 - Roach/MGM - silent - 2 reels - prod. G-19 - Our Gang series
- Filmed Dec. 10 to 27, and Dec. 29, 1928. ©Apr. 1, 1929.
- 89. Small Talk (supporting role: Harry)
- May 18, 1929 - Roach/MGM - talkie - 3 reels - prod. G-23 - Our Gang series
- Also listed for Apr. 18, 1929. Filmed Mar. 25 to Apr. 6, 1929. ©July 30, 1929.
- 86. Little Mother (small part)
- June 1, 1929 - Roach/MGM - silent - 2 reels - prod. G-20 - Our Gang series
- Filmed Feb. 4 to 13, 1929. ©June 3, 1929.
- 90. Railroadin' (supporting role: Harry)
- June 15, 1929 - Roach/MGM - talkie - 2 reels - prod. G-24 - Our Gang series
- Filmed Apr. 17 to 25, 1929. ©Dec. 9, 1929.
- 92. Lazy Days (small part: Harry)
- Aug. 24, 1929 - Roach/MGM - talkie - 2 reels - prod. G-26 - Our Gang series
- Also listed for Aug. 15, 1929, and Oct. 24, 1929. Filmed June 10 to 20, 1929. ©Aug. 26, 1929.
- 91. Boxing Gloves (supporting role)
- Sep. 9, 1929 - Roach/MGM - talkie - 2 reels - prod. G-25 - Our Gang series
- Filmed May 13 to 25, 1929. ©Sep. 9, 1929.
- 87. Cat, Dog & Co. (supporting role)
- Sep. 14, 1929 - Roach/MGM - silent - 2 reels - prod. G-21 - Our Gang series
- Filmed Feb. 20 to Mar. 2, 1929. ©Sep. 3, 1929. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
- 93. Bouncing Babies (small part: Harry)
- Oct. 12, 1929 - Roach/MGM - talkie - 2 reels - prod. G-27 - Our Gang series
- Filmed July 5 to 15, 1929. ©Sep. 23, 1929.
- 88. Saturday's Lesson (supporting role)
- Nov. 9, 1929 - Roach/MGM - silent - 2 reels - prod. G-22 - Our Gang series
- Filmed Mar. 5 to 11, 1929. ©Sep. 9, 1929. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
1930
- Harry began to tour in vaudeville during this year. The Journal Times (Racine) of April 19th ran an ad for the next day's performance and
billed it as Harry's "first appearance." Throughout all of his vaudville touring, Harry was billed as "Freckles," with "Harry
Spear" appearing in smaller print. His act consisted of singing and dancing, as well as a monologue in which he talked about his days with Our Gang.
1931
- Harry toured vaudeville throughout this year. He had reached the age of 9 by this time, but was being passed off as an 8-year-old.
- On March 25th, Harry spoke over the radio on KTNT in Muscatine.
1932
- Harry continued to tour vaudeville during this year. He was now erroneously said to be 9 years old.
- On April 10th of this year, Harry put in a special appearance for the Rotary Club of Richmond, VA, while in town on his latest vaudeville tour.
1933
- A perusal of newspapers.com reveals that Harry toured vaudeville pretty much this entire year.
- The Nashville Banner of December 26th reported that Harry had been offered a contract the previous day (Christmas) for a new
film series. "Shooting of the series would begin after the first of April....The type would be similar to the Horatio Alger stories." By all
appearances, this series never came to fruition.
1934
- On searching through newspapers.com, I found several references to Harry's vaudeville act during this year, the latest being from September
3rd.
1935
- According to Maltin & Bann, Harry's vaudeville act lasted at least until this year.
1943
- In her syndicated Star Dust column of February 18th of this year, Virginia Vale reported that Harry was currently a bank accountant.
1940s
At some point, Harry joined the U.S. Navy and became a Chief Petty Officer. IMDb states that he served in World War II, and both the Korean and Vietnam
wars, but his grave marker only mentions the latter two.
1948
- The Los Angeles Times of June 1st of this year reported the following fishing news: "One of the top catches listed was made by 1st Class
Yeoman Harry Bonner, U.S.N., stationed at Terminal Island, who landed six of the fighters."
- The Los Angeles Times of June 15th reported that "Harry Bonner, yeoman 1st class, U.S.N., won the high-man honors for this
week fishing the Wrigley playgrounds with a take of five sea bass. His top catch weighed in at 25 pounds." Sounds like it might be OUR Harry!
1955
- In the Our Gang reunion featured in the May 14th to 20th issue of TV Guide from this year, former Our Gang teacher Fern Carter stated that the last
she heard from Harry, he had been working at a bank in San Pedro, CA, and that otherwise, he had virtually disappeared. Which means she was unaware that he had
been in the Navy for the last decade.
1958
- In another "Is this OUR Harry?" item, the Los Angeles Evening Citizen News reported that Harry S. Bonner, Chief Yeoman USN, U.S.
Naval Training Center, San Diego, "won firsts in 10 of 70 species competitions to collect the top award. He is a native of Los Angeles and began fishing
as a kid in waters off Long Beach." And what was this top prize? A 1958 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 Fiesta station wagon.
1967
- The Associated Press wired a story on March 9th of this year about the death of somebody named John F. Bothwell, who claimed to be "Freckles"
of Our Gang. The accompanying photo was one of Harry Spear. Bothwell died in Long Branch, NJ, at the age of 46.
1984
- Our Gang: Inside The Clubhouse (still photo)
- May 8, 1984 - Lang/Camellia City Telecasters - 93 mins. - TV documentary
- Harry doesn't appear in any of the film clips, but he does turn up in at least one still photo.
1995
- On June 28th of this year, Bob Satterfield, Brad Farrell and Steve Cox, all Sons of the Desert members, decided to pay Harry S. Bonner a visit at his home.
By this time, the evidence they had gathered supporting his identity as the former Our Gang kid was, shall we say, beyond a reasonable doubt. They were only able
to speak with Harry briefly, and since he was behind a screen door, could only see his silhouette. He claimed on that day that his grandmother had taken in a
kid off the streets, and that this was the kid known as Harry Spear, and that he lost touch with him many years earlier.
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 "Barnum & Ringling,
Inc.," "Fast Freight," "Cat, Dog & Co." and "Saturday's Lesson."
2018
- On August 2nd of this year, Gael Filgate wrote the following: "Harry (Spears) Bonner was my father in law.. he was a very private
man but I knew him only to be a loving grandfather to my 2 children and a happy males Ving husband and son and quite the jokester.. he had an infectious laugh
that always made me laugh... he loved fishing and was well known in San Diego and all over for his fishing skills never having to pay to fish he was always an
honored guest... he wrote many a "fish story" for many a magazine... and he could tell a fish story with comical infectious zealous... I loved Harry
...He Retired as a Navy Chief and was awarded many many honors throughout his career. We have albums upon albums of his life as a child actor in Our Gang and
throughout his life.... he was a recluse to those he didn't know... but a generous and loving man to those of us who knew and loved him RIP HARRY"
Harry Spear's payroll history
The following is a list of most of Harry'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.
The payroll ledger for 1927 has gone missing, which makes some of the details for these dates unavailable. There are, however, datebooks and payroll
summaries that have survived, and these verify most of the information about Harry's salary that would be found in the ledger. The main exception is
that, during the interim between films, it isn't clear which production the player's salary is being charged to. A bigger problem, though, is that
neither the datebook nor summaries contain information about day workers, which means that we don't encounter Harry until after he's signed to a
long-term contract. Nevertheless, it is known that he worked in Chicken Feed, which was shot from late March to the middle of April.
- Apr. 23, 1927 - 35.00 for K21 (Olympic Games)
- Apr. 30, 1927 - 35.00 for K21
- May 7, 1927 - 35.00 for K21
- May 14, 1927 - 35.00 for K22 (The Glorious Fourth)
- May 21, 1927 - 35.00 for K22
- May 28, 1927 - 35.00 for K23 (Playin' Hookey)
- June 4, 1927 - 35.00 for K23
- June 11, 1927 - 35.00 for K23
- June 18, 1927 - 35.00 for G1 (Yale Vs. Harvard)
- June 25, 1927 - 50.00 for G1
- July 2, 1927 - 50.00 for K24 (The Smile Wins)
As distribution was shifting from Pathé to MGM, the Kid Co. transitioned into the Gang Co. During the weeks ending July 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th,
the studio was closed. The datebooks indicate that Harry wasn't paid during this stretch, but the payroll summaries indicate that he was.
- Aug. 6, 1927 - 50.00 for K24
- Aug. 13, 1927 - 50.00 for G2 (The Old Wallop)
- Aug. 20, 1927 - 50.00 for G2
- Aug. 27, 1927 - 50.00
- Sep. 3, 1927 - 50.00 for G3 (Heebee Jeebees)
- Sep. 10, 1927 - 50.00 for G3
- Sep. 17, 1927 - 50.00 for G3 and G4 (Dog Heaven)
It isn't clear whether Harry's salary was split in half between the two productions, or perhaps 1/3 for G3 and 2/3 for G4.
- Sep. 24, 1927 - 58.33 for G4
Judging by the amount, it appears that Harry's salary increase took place on September 20th.
- Oct. 1, 1927 - 60.00 for G3 and G4
It isn't clear whether Harry's salary was split 5/6 for G4 and 1/6 for G3, or 11/12 for G4 and 1/12 for G3.
- Oct. 8, 1927 - 60.00 for G4
- Oct. 15, 1927 - 60.00 for G4 and G5 (Spook-Spoofing)
It appears that Harry's salary was probably split 5/12 for G4 and 7/12 for G5.
- Oct. 22, 1927 - 60.00 for G5
- Oct. 29, 1927 - 60.00 for G5
- Nov. 5, 1927 - 60.00 for G4 and G6 (Rainy Days)
It appears that Harry's salary was probably split 1/3 for G4 and 2/3 for G6.
- Nov. 12, 1927 - 60.00 for G6
- Nov. 19, 1927 - 60.00 for G6
- Nov. 26, 1927 - 60.00 for G6
- Dec. 3, 1927 - 60.00 for G6
- Dec. 10, 1927 - 60.00 for G6
- Dec. 17, 1927 - 60.00 for G6 and G7 (Edison, Marconi & Co.)
It appears that Harry's salary was probably split 5/6 for G6 and 1/6 for G7.
- Dec. 24, 1927 - 72.50 for G6, G7 and G8 Barnum & Ringling, Inc.)
Juding by the amount, it appears that Harry's salary was increased on December 20th, It also appears that Harry's salary was probably split
14/36 for G6, 11/36 for G7 and 11/36 for G8.
- Dec. 31, 1927 - 75.00 for G6, G7 and G8
It appears that Harry's salary was probably split 1/6 for G6, 1/6 for G7 and 4/6 for G8.
With the start of 1928, we can return to the payroll ledgers for a more accurate picture of Harry's history.
- Jan. 7, 1928 - 75.00 for G8
- Jan. 14, 1928 - 75.00 for G8
- Jan. 21, 1928 - 75.00 for G9 (Fair And Muddy)
- Jan. 28, 1928 - 75.00 for G9
- Feb. 4, 1928 - 75.00 for G9
- Feb. 11, 1928 - 75.00 - 50.00 for G9, 25.00 for G10 (Crazy House)
- Feb. 18, 1928 - 75.00 for G10
- Feb. 25, 1928 - 75.00 for G10
- Mar. 3, 1928 - 75.00 for G11 (Growing Pains)
- Mar. 10, 1928 - 75.00 for G11
- Mar. 17, 1928 - 80.00 for G11 - 75.00 for G11, 5.00 for S11 (That Night)
In addition to his weekly salary, Harry earned $5 on March 15th as an extra in production S11. There was, however, somebody at the studio named
H. Spear, who worked as an "extra driver" a few months after this, and could be the Harry Spear in S11.
- Mar. 24, 1928 - 75.00 for G11
The studio datebook indicates that Harry's paycheck came to $150 this week.
The studio was closed during the spring, resulting in Harry not being paid for the week ending Mar. 31st, and then receiving a lower salary for the
rest of the break.
- Apr. 7, 1928 - 15.00 charged to studio overhead
- Apr. 14, 1928 - 15.00 charged to studio overhead
- Apr. 21, 1928 - 15.00 charged to studio overhead
- Apr. 28, 1928 - 15.00 charged to studio overhead
- May 5, 1928 - 75.00 for G12 (The Ol' Gray Hoss)
- May 12, 1928 - 75.00 for G12
- May 19, 1928 - 75.00 for G12
- May 26, 1928 - 75.00 for G12
- June 2, 1928 - 75.00 for G12
- June 9, 1928 - 75.00 - 37.50 for G12, 37.50 for G13 (School Begins)
- June 16, 1928 - 75.00 for G13
- June 23, 1928 - 91.67 for G13
Judging by the amount, Harry's salary increase probably took place on June 20th.
- June 30, 1928 - 100.00 for G13
- July 7, 1928 - 100.00 for G14 (The Spanking Age)
- July 14, 1928 - 100.00 for G14
- July 21, 1928 - 100.00 - 50.00 for G14, 50.00 for G15 (Election Day)
- July 28, 1928 - 100.00 for G15
- Aug. 4, 1928 - 100.00 for G15
- Aug. 11, 1928 - 100.00 for G15
- Aug. 18, 1928 - 100.00 for Gang Tour
Harry and his fellow Gangsters spent a couple of months on a personal appearance tour.
- Aug. 25, 1928 - 100.00 for Gang Tour
An unusual situation, since this was the only week in which Jackie Condon and Jay R. Smith worked in "Election Day," and yet the
regular members of the troupe were still apparently on tour.
- Sep. 1, 1928 - 100.00 for Gang Tour
- Sep. 8, 1928 - 100.00 for Gang Tour
- Sep. 15, 1928 - 100.00 for Gang Tour
- Sep. 22, 1928 - 100.00 for Gang Tour
- Sep. 29, 1928 - 100.00 for Gang Tour
- Oct. 6, 1928 - 100.00 for Gang Tour
- Oct. 13, 1928 - 100.00 for Gang Tour
- Oct. 20, 1928 - 100.00 for Gang Tour
- Oct. 27, 1928 - 100.00 for G16 (Noisy Noises)
- Nov. 3, 1928 - 100.00 for G16
- Nov. 10, 1928 - 100.00 for G16
- Nov. 17, 1928 - 100.00 for G16
- Nov. 24, 1928 - 100.00 for G17 (The Holy Terror)
- Dec. 1, 1928 - 100.00 for G17
- Dec. 8, 1928 - 100.00 for G18 (Wiggle Your Ears)
- Dec. 15, 1928 - 100.00 - 25.00 for G18, 75.00 for G19 (Fast Freight)
- Dec. 22, 1928 - 100.00 for G19
- Dec. 29, 1928 - 100.00 for G19
- Jan. 5, 1929 - 25.00 charged to studio overhead
The studio was closed during January, resulting in a lower rate for Harry.
- Jan. 12, 1929 - 25.00 charged to studio overhead
- Jan. 19, 1929 - 25.00 charged to studio overhead
- Jan. 26, 1929 - 25.00 charged to studio overhead
- Feb. 2, 1929 - 100.00 for G20 (Little Mother)
- Feb. 9, 1929 - 100.00 for G20
- Feb. 16, 1929 - 100.00 for G20
- Feb. 23, 1929 - 100.00 for G21 (Cat, Dog & Co.)
- Mar. 2, 1929 - 100.00 for G21
- Mar. 9, 1929 - 100.00 for G22 (Saturday's Lesson)
- Mar. 16, 1929 - 100.00 for G22
- Mar. 23, 1929 - 100.00 for G22
- Mar. 30, 1929 - 100.00 for G23 (Small Talk)
- Apr. 6, 1929 - 100.00 for G23
- Apr. 13, 1929 - 100.00 for G23
- Apr. 20, 1929 - 100.00 - 33.33 for G23, 66.67 for G24 (Railroadin')
- Apr. 27, 1929 - 100.00 for G24
- May 4, 1929 - 100.00 for G24
- May 11, 1929 - 100.00 for G24
- May 18, 1929 - 100.00 for G25 (Boxing Gloves)
- May 25, 1929 - 100.00 for G25
- June 1, 1929 - 25.00 for G25
At this time, the studio started to implement interim pay, which resulted in a lower rate for Harry when the series was between films.
- June 8, 1929 - 25.00 for G25
- June 15, 1929 - 100.00 for G26 (Lazy Days)
- June 22, 1929 - 125.00 for G26
An odd amount, suggesting that Harry was given an increase in salary, but it was back down to the previous amount the following week.
- June 29, 1929 - 100.00 for G26
The studio datebook indicates that Harry's paycheck came to $125 this week.
Harry didn't receive a check for the week ending July 6th, perhaps because he was used so sparingly in production G27.
- July 13, 1929 - 150.00 for G27
Harry went without a paycheck again for the week ending July 20th.
- July 27, 1929 - 25.00 for G27
The lower rate probably means that Harry didn't work in production G27 during this week. This was his final paycheck from Hal Roach Studios. Oddly,
the studio datebook doesn't list Harry during this week.
See anything that needs changing? Contact me at BtheW@aol.com.