Charlie Hall (also credited Charley Hall; 19 August 1899 – 7 December 1959) was an English film actor. He is best known as the "Little Nemesis" of

Laurel and Hardy Laurel and Hardy were a British-American comedy duo act during the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–1957). Starting their career as a duo ...

. He performed in nearly 50 films with them, making Hall the most frequent supporting actor in the comedy duo's productions.

Life and career

Hall was born in Ward End,

Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands in England. It is the second-largest city in the United Kingdom with a population of 1.145 million in the city proper, 2.92 million in the We ...

, Warwickshire, and learned carpentry as a trade; however, as a teenager, he became a member of the

Fred Karno Frederick John Westcott (26 March 1866 – 17 September 1941), best known by his stage name Fred Karno, was an English theatre impresario of the British music hall. As a comedian of slapstick he is credited with popularising the custar ...

troupe of stage comedians. In his late teens, he visited his sister in New York City and stayed there, finding employment as a stagehand. While working behind the scenes, he met the comic actor Bobby Dunn and they became friends; Dunn convinced Hall to take a stab again at acting, which he did. By the mid-1920s, Hall was working for

Hal Roach Harry Eugene "Hal" Roach Sr.Randy Skretvedt, Skretvedt, Randy (2016), ''Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies'', Bonaventure Press. p.608. (January 14, 1892 – November 2, 1992) was an American film and television producer, director, a ...

. Stan Laurel, one of Roach's comedy stars, was also a graduate of the Karno troupe. As an actor, Hall worked with such comedians as Buster Keaton and

Charley Chase Charles Joseph Parrott (October 20, 1893 – June 20, 1940), known professionally as Charley Chase, was an American comedian, actor, screenwriter and film director. He worked for many pioneering comedy studios but is chiefly associated with pro ...

, but he is best remembered as a comic foil for

. He appeared in nearly 50 of their films, sometimes in bit parts, but often as a mean

landlord A landlord is the owner of a house, apartment, condominium, land, or real estate which is rented or leased to an individual or business, who is called a tenant (also a ''lessee'' or ''renter''). When a juristic person is in this position, ...

or opponent in many of their memorable tit-for-tat sequences. Unlike the usual villains in Laurel and Hardy films, who were big and burly, Charlie Hall (billed as "Charley" Hall in the Roach comedies) was of short stature, standing 5 ft 5 in tall. His height and slight English accent allowed him to be convincingly cast as a college student, despite being 40 years old, in Laurel and Hardy's ''

A Chump at Oxford ''A Chump at Oxford'' is a Hal Roach comedy film produced in 1939 and released in 1940 by United Artists. It was directed by Alfred J. Goulding and was the penultimate Laurel and Hardy film made at the Roach studio. The title echoes the film ''A ...

''. Hall almost never played starring roles; the exception was in 1941, when he was teamed with character comedian Frank Faylen by

Monogram Pictures Monogram Pictures Corporation was an American film studio that produced mostly low-budget films between 1931 and 1953, when the firm completed a transition to the name Allied Artists Pictures Corporation. Monogram was among the smaller studios in ...

. Hall continued to play bits and supporting roles in short subjects and features through the 1940s and 1950s, occasionally on television, and appearing briefly in Charlie Chaplin's final American film, ''

Limelight Limelight (also known as Drummond light or calcium light)James R. Smith (2004). ''San Francisco's Lost Landmarks'', Quill Driver Books. is a type of stage lighting once used in theatres and music halls. An intense illumination is created w ...

'' (1952). In 1956 he played his final roles, firstly in the TV show ''

Cheyenne The Cheyenne ( ) are an Indigenous people of the Great Plains. Their Cheyenne language belongs to the Algonquian languages, Algonquian language family. Today, the Cheyenne people are split into two federally recognized tribe, federally recognize ...

'', season 1, episode 11, "Quicksand", and finally in a Joe McDoakes short, ''So You Want to Play the Piano''.

Death and legacy

* Hall died in North Hollywood, California on 7 December 1959 and was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park."California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGRK-82QQ : 27 September 2019), Charles Hall, 1959. * A J D Wetherspoon's public house in the Erdington suburb of Birmingham is named ''The Charlie Hall'' in tribute to him.

Selected filmography

*''

Cruise of the Jasper B ''Cruise of the Jasper B'' is a 1926 American silent action/adventure comedy film produced by Cecil B. DeMille and directed by James W. Horne. The film is loosely based on the 1916 novel of the same name by American poet Don Marquis, although t ...

'' (1926) - Mover (uncredited) *''

College A college ( Latin: ''collegium'') is an educational institution or a constituent part of one. A college may be a degree-awarding tertiary educational institution, a part of a collegiate or federal university, an institution offering ...

'' (1927) - Coxswain (uncredited) *'' Leave 'Em Laughing'' (1928) - Landlord (uncredited) *''

Coney Island Coney Island is a peninsular neighborhood and entertainment area in the southwestern section of the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The neighborhood is bounded by Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach to its east, Lower New York Bay to th ...

'' (1928) - Brawler (uncredited) *'' Crooks Can't Win'' (1928) - 'Bull' Savage *'' Lady Be Good'' (1928) - Backstage Actor in Blackface (uncredited) *'' The Butter and Egg Man'' (1928) - Pickpocket (uncredited) *'' Two Tars'' - (1928) - Shopkeeper (uncredited) *''

Captain Swagger ''Captain Swagger'' is a 1928 American silent crime drama film directed by Edward H. Griffith and stars Rod La Rocque. The film was produced and distributed by the Pathé Exchange company.

'' (1928) - Messenger (uncredited) *''Must We Marry?'' (1928) *'' Why Bring That Up?'' (1929) - Tough *'' They Go Boom'' (1929) - Landlord (uncredited) *'' Let's Go Native'' (1930) - Mover (uncredited) *'' Men of the North'' (1930) - Townsman at Hearing (uncredited) *''Noche de duendes'' (1930) - Un pasajero (uncredited) *''Los calaveras'' (1931) - The Landlord *''Politiquerías'' (1931) - Elevator Operator *'' Sweepstakes'' (1931) - Little Cook (uncredited) *'' Laughing Gravy'' (1931) - Landlord *'' Come Clean'' (1931) - Ice Cream vendor (uncredited) *'' Pardon Us'' (1931) - Dental Assistant (uncredited) *'' Bad Company'' (1931) - Ship's Steward (uncredited) *'' Delicious'' (1931) - Policeman (uncredited) *''

The Music Box ''The Music Box'' is a Laurel and Hardy short film comedy released in 1932. It was directed by James Parrott, produced by Hal Roach and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film, which depicts the pair attempting to move a piano up a long fl ...

'' (1932) - Postman (uncredited) *'' Law and Order'' (1932) - Saloon Waiter (uncredited) *'' What Price Hollywood?'' (1932) - Reporter (uncredited) *'' Million Dollar Legs'' (1932) - Klopstokian Athlete (uncredited) *'' Hold 'Em Jail'' (1932) - Referee (uncredited) *'' Pack Up Your Troubles'' (1932) - Janitor (uncredited) *''Les carottiers'' (1932) - Bellboy / Landlord *''

Cynara ''Cynara'' is a genus of thistle-like perennial plants in the family Asteraceae. They are native to the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, northwestern Africa, and the Canary Islands. The genus name comes from the Greek ''kynara'', which mea ...

'' (1932) - Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) *''

King Kong King Kong is a fictional giant monster resembling a gorilla, who has appeared in various media since 1933. He has been dubbed The Eighth Wonder of the World, a phrase commonly used within the franchise. His first appearance was in the novelizat ...

'' (1933) - Member of Ship's Crew (uncredited) *'' Diplomaniacs'' (1933) - Shaffner the Valet (uncredited) *'' Morning Glory'' (1933) - Actor (uncredited) *'' Sons of the Desert'' (1933) - 2nd Waiter (uncredited) *'' The Midnight Patrol'' (1933) - Tire Thief's Partner (uncredited) *''

Busy Bodies ''Busy Bodies'' is a 1933 short comedy film starring Laurel and Hardy. Plot Stan and Ollie are in high spirits as they drive in an old Model T to their new jobs at the sawmill. Laurel turns on the car radio (at the time a luxury item in newer c ...

'' (1933) - Shop Worker (uncredited) *'' Cockeyed Cavaliers'' (1934) - Coach Driver (uncredited) *'' Call It Luck'' (1934) - Detective (uncredited) *'' The Gay Divorcee'' (1934) - Messenger at Dock (uncredited) *'' Kentucky Kernels'' (1934) - Cigarette Stand Owner (uncredited) *'' The Live Ghost'' (1934) - Sailor at Table *''

Them Thar Hills ''Them Thar Hills'' is a 1934 American comedy short film directed by Charley Rogers and starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.Thames, Stephanie"Them Thar Hills (1934)" article, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), Time Warner, Inc., New York, N.Y. Retri ...

'' (1934) - Mr.Hall *'' Babes in Toyland'' (1934) - Townsman (uncredited) *'' Kid Millions'' (1934) - Native (uncredited) *'' Tit for Tat'' (1935) - Mr.Hall *''

Top Hat A top hat (also called a high hat, a cylinder hat, or, informally, a topper) is a tall, flat-crowned hat for men traditionally associated with formal wear in Western dress codes, meaning white tie, morning dress, or frock coat. Traditionally m ...

'' (1935) - Minor Role (uncredited) *'' Thicker Than Water'' (1935) - Bank Teller (uncredited) *'' Bonnie Scotland'' (1935) - Native Henchman (uncredited) *'' Annie Oakley'' (1935) - Drunk in Saloon (uncredited) *'' The Bohemian Girl'' (1936) - Gypsy Offering Congratulations (voice, uncredited) *'' Neighborhood House'' (1936) - Movie Usher on Stage (uncredited) *'' Kelly the Second'' (1936) - Ring Attendant (uncredited) *'' Swing Time'' (1936) - Taxi Driver (uncredited) *''

Our Relations ''Our Relations'' is a 1936 feature film starring Laurel and Hardy, produced by Stan Laurel for Hal Roach Studios. This is the third of three films in which they play a dual role: the first was '' Brats'' and the second was ''Twice Two''. The sto ...

'' (1936) - Man in Pawnshop (uncredited) *''

Shall We Dance Shall We Dance may refer to: Films * ''Shall We Dance'' (1937 film), a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musical * ''Shall We Dance?'' (1996 film), a Japanese film about ballroom dancing * ''Shall We Dance?'' (2004 film), an American remake of the ...

'' (1937) - Ship's Bartender (uncredited) *'' Pick a Star'' (1937) - Assistant Director (uncredited) *''

Riding on Air ''Riding on Air'' is a 1937 American film directed by Edward Sedgwick. The film is also known as ''All Is Confusion'' in the United Kingdom. Plot summary Joe E. Brown plays hapless newspaper writer, editor; amateur pilot, Amateur radio, HAM ra ...

'' (1937) - Singer / Barber (uncredited) *''

Hey! Hey! USA ''Hey! Hey! USA'' is a 1938 British comedy film starring comedian Will Hay, Edgar Kennedy and Eddie Ryan. Hay appears as Benjamin Twist, a porter who accidentally finds himself on a ship bound for the United States. The film features an early app ...

'' (1938) - Leary's pal *'' Captain Fury'' (1939) - Gossiping Citizen (uncredited) *'' Five Came Back'' (1939) - Airport Worker (uncredited) *'' Man About Town'' (1939) - Stage Pageboy / Bob's Assistant (uncredited) *'' Bachelor Mother'' (1939) - Dance Hall Official (uncredited) *'' The Hunchback of Notre Dame'' (1939) - Mercury (uncredited) *''

'' (1939) - Student Hector *'' Mexican Spitfire'' (1940) - Elevator Operator (uncredited) *'' Vigil in the Night'' (1940) - Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) *''

Primrose Path Primrose Path or The Primrose Path may refer to: *Original quote from Hamlet I, iii, by William Shakespeare * ''The Primrose Path'' (Stoker novel), an 1875 novel by Bram Stoker *''The Primrose Path'', a 1915 play by Bayard Veiller *''The Primrose P ...

'' (1940) - Man in Diner (uncredited) *'' Curtain Call'' (1940) - Second Waiter (uncredited) *'' Saps at Sea'' (1940) - Desk Clerk (uncredited) *'' You Can't Fool Your Wife'' (1940) - Ritz Amsterdam Bellboy *'' Millionaires in Prison'' (1940) - Cockney Convict Heckler (uncredited) *'' Mexican Spitfire Out West'' (1940) - Elevator Boy (uncredited) *'' One Night in the Tropics'' (1940) - Second S.S. Atlantica Steward (uncredited) *'' They Met in Argentina'' (1941) - Sailor in Cantina Brawl (uncredited) *'' San Antonio Rose'' (1941) - Waiter (uncredited) *'' Father Steps Out'' (1941) - Short Hobo 'Nap', aka Napoleon *'' Top Sergeant Mulligan'' (1941) - Budd Doolittle *''

Niagara Falls Niagara Falls () is a group of three waterfalls at the southern end of Niagara Gorge, spanning the border between the province of Ontario in Canada and the state of New York in the United States. The largest of the three is Horseshoe Fall ...

'' (1941) - Bellhop (uncredited) *''

Cadet Girl ''Cadet Girl'' is a 1941 comedy film directed by Ray McCarey and written by Stanley Rauh and H.W. Hanemann. The film stars Carole Landis, George Montgomery, Shepperd Strudwick, William Tracy, Janis Carter and Robert Lowery. The film was release ...

'' (1941) - Soldier at Camp Show (uncredited) *''

The Mexican Spitfire's Baby ''The Mexican Spitfire's Baby'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Leslie Goodwins and written by Charles E. Roberts and Jerome Cady. It is the sequel to the 1940 film ''Mexican Spitfire Out West''. The film stars Lupe Vélez, Leon Errol ...

'' (1941) - Nightclub Waiter (uncredited) *'' Hellzapoppin''' (1941) - Taxi Driver (uncredited) *'' Man from Headquarters'' (1942) - Newspaper Photographer *'' Sing Your Worries Away'' (1942) - Waiter (uncredited) *'' Yokel Boy'' (1942) - Gaffer (uncredited) *'' The Falcon Takes Over'' (1942) - Swan Club Waiter Louie (uncredited) *'' The Big Street'' (1942) - Caviar Waiter in New York (uncredited) *'' Police Bullets'' (1942) - Rabbit *''Criminal Investigator'' (1942) - Soapy Davis *'' Seven Days' Leave'' (1942) - Waiter (uncredited) *'' Forever and a Day'' (1943) - Minor Role (scenes deleted) *'' The Ape Man'' (1943) - Barney the Photographer (uncredited) *'' Honeymoon Lodge'' (1943) - Hotel Handyman (uncredited) *'' Holy Matrimony'' (1943) - Townsman (uncredited) *'' So's Your Uncle'' (1943) - Waiter *'' His Butler's Sister'' (1943) - Porter (uncredited) *'' Swingtime Johnny'' (1943) - (uncredited) *'' The Lodger'' (1944) - Comedian (uncredited) *''

Week-End Pass ''Week-End Pass'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Jean Yarbrough and written by Clyde Bruckman. The film stars Martha O'Driscoll, Noah Beery Jr., George Barbier, Andrew Tombes, Irving Bacon and Dennis Moore. The film was released on ...

'' (1944) - Man Hit by Tomato (uncredited) *'' The Canterville Ghost'' (1944) - Bold Sir Guy's Squire (uncredited) *'' In Society'' (1944) - Mugg (uncredited) *'' Hi, Beautiful'' (1944) - Milkman (uncredited) *'' She Gets Her Man'' (1945) - Painter Gag Man (uncredited) *'' Her Lucky Night'' (1945) - Window-Washer (uncredited) *'' On Stage Everybody'' (1945) - Painter (uncredited) *'' Radio Stars on Parade'' (1945) - Horse's Front End (scenes deleted) *'' Mama Loves Papa'' (1945) - Bartender (uncredited) *'' Confidential Agent'' (1945) - Miner (uncredited) *'' The Crimson Canary'' (1945) - Apartment Janitor (uncredited) *'' Without Reservations'' (1946) - Window-Washer (uncredited) *'' Dressed to Kill'' (1946 film) - Cab Driver (uncredited) *'' Sister Kenny'' (1946) - Airport Attendant (uncredited) *'' Abie's Irish Rose'' (1946) - Hotel Porter *'' The Milkman'' (1950) - Ed (uncredited) *''

'' (1952) - Newsboy (uncredited) *'' Million Dollar Mermaid'' (1952) - Minor Role (uncredited) *''

Androcles and the Lion Androcles ( el, Ἀνδροκλῆς, alternatively spelled Androclus in Latin), is the main character of a common folktale about a man befriending a lion. The tale is included in the Aarne–Thompson classification system as type 156. The ...

'' (1952) - Town Crier (uncredited) *'' Rogue's March'' (1953) - Batman (uncredited) *''

Illegal Illegal, or unlawful, typically describes something that is explicitly prohibited by law, or is otherwise forbidden by a state or other governing body. Illegal may also refer to: Law * Violation of law * Crime, the practice of breaking the cr ...

'' (1955) - Bellhop (uncredited) *''So You Want to Play the Piano'' (1956) - Clyde (uncredited)

References

External links

*
The Charlie Hall Picture ArchiveCharlie Hall at The Laurel and Hardy Forum
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hall, Charlie 1899 births 1959 deaths English male film actors Hal Roach Studios actors Male actors from Birmingham, West Midlands 20th-century English male actors Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) Our Gang British expatriate male actors in the United States Silent film comedians

Life and career

Death and legacy

Selected filmography

Further reading

References

External links