Harry Spear


This filmography was made in collaboration with Matthew Lydick.


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

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

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

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

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.
MGM News (appearance)
Aug. 26, 1928 - MGM - 1 reel - newsreel
This was reviewed the following day, so I'm going with the copyright date that comes closest. Featured is footage of the Our Gang troupe during their cross-country tour.
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

Hollywood - The Movieland Of The World (appearance)
c. early 1929 - California Scenics - 2 reels - travelogue film
Harry and the rest of the Gang are shown posing for photos on the set of "Rainy Days." This footage was shot in Dec. 1927, though other footage in the travelogue was shot as late as Nov. 1928. Raw footage taken for this film, including being-the-scenes footage of the making of "Rainy Days," can be found on YouTube.
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


1931


1932


1933


1934


1935


1943


1940s


1948


1955


1958


1967


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.

1994

The Our Gang Story (use of photos)
1994 - Film Shows/GoodTimes - 120 min. - video documentary

1995


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


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.

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.

With the start of 1928, we can return to the payroll ledgers for a more accurate picture of Harry's history.

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.

Harry didn't receive a check for the week ending July 6th, perhaps because he was used so sparingly in production G27.

Harry went without a paycheck again for the week ending July 20th.


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


© Robert Demoss and Matthew Lydick.

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