Fred C. Newmeyer (August 9, 1888 – April 24, 1967) was an American
actor
An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), l ...
,
film director
A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, ...
and
film producer
A film producer is a person who oversees film production. Either employed by a production company or working independently, producers plan and coordinate various aspects of film production, such as selecting the script, coordinating writing, di ...
.
Biography
A native of
Central City, Colorado
The historic City of Central, commonly known as Central City, is a home rule municipality located in Gilpin and Clear Creek counties, Colorado, United States. Central City is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Gilpin County ...
, Newmeyer is best known for directing a handful of films in the ''
Our Gang
''Our Gang'' (also known as ''The Little Rascals'' or ''Hal Roach's Rascals'') is an American series of comedy short films chronicling a group of poor neighborhood children and their adventures. Created by film producer Hal Roach, also the ...
'' series and for directing several
Harold Lloyd
Harold Clayton Lloyd, Sr. (April 20, 1893 – March 8, 1971) was an American actor, comedian, and stunt performer who appeared in many silent comedy films.Obituary '' Variety'', March 10, 1971, page 55.
One of the most influential film c ...
movies. With
Sam Taylor
Samuel, Sam or Sammy Taylor (male first name) may refer to:
Arts
* Sam Taylor (director) (1895–1958), American film director and screenwriter
* Samuel W. Taylor (1907–1997), American author
* Samuel A. Taylor (1912–2000), playwright and scre ...
, Newmeyer co-directed Lloyd in films including '' Safety Last!'' (1923), ''
Girl Shy
''Girl Shy'' is a 1924 romantic comedy silent film starring Harold Lloyd and Jobyna Ralston. The movie was written by Sam Taylor, Tim Whelan and Ted Wilde and was directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and Taylor. In 2020, the film entered the public ...
'' (1924), and '' The Freshman'' (1925). Newmeyer also had an extensive directing and acting resume in other comedy short films. He appeared as an actor in 71 films between
1914
This year saw the beginning of what became known as World War I, after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austrian throne was assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip. It also saw the first airline to provide schedule ...
and
1923
Events
January–February
* January 9 – Lithuania begins the Klaipėda Revolt to annex the Klaipėda Region (Memel Territory).
* January 11 – Despite strong British protests, troops from France and Belgium occupy the Ruhr area, ...
.
Prior to his film career, Newmeyer played
professional baseball
Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world.
Modern professiona ...
. Partial statistics exist for his time as a left-handed
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, who attempts to e ...
Southwest Texas League
The Southwest Texas League was a minor league baseball league that played in the 1910 and 1911 seasons. The Southwest Texas League played as a six–team Class D level league and consisted of teams based exclusively in Texas.
History
The Southw ...
,
Michigan State League
The Michigan State League was a minor league baseball league that operated in various seasons between 1889 and 1941. The league franchises were based exclusively in Michigan, with the league forming on six different occasions. Twenty two different ...
, and
Central Association The Central Association was an American minor league baseball league. It began operations in 1908, as it was essentially renamed from the 1907 Iowa State League. The Central Association ran continuously through 1917. It was reorganized thirty year ...
. He made at least 66 appearances and was the
winning pitcher
Winning may refer to:
* Victory
Film
* ''Winning'' (film), a 1969 movie starring Paul Newman
* '' Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman'', a 2015 documentary by Adam Carolla and Nate Adams
Music
* ''Winning'', an album by Ten Foot Pole, 202 ...
of at least 26 games.
Newmeyer was the original director of the first short in the ''Our Gang'' series, also titled ''Our Gang''; his version tested poorly, and producer
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 ...
scrapped most of the footage and remade the short with Robert McGowan as the director. Newmeyer, after directing numerous other shorts at Roach, returned to the ''Our Gang'' series in 1936 to direct ''
The Pinch Singer
''The Pinch Singer'' is a 1936 ''Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer. It was the 142nd ''Our Gang'' short released.
Plot
The gang's Eagles Club holds auditions for a performer to send to a local amateur radio talent conte ...
'', ''
Arbor Day
Arbor Day (or Arbour in some countries) is a secular day of observance in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees. Today, many countries observe such a holiday. Though usually observed in the spring, the date varies, dependi ...
feature film
A feature film or feature-length film is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. The term ''feature film'' originall ...
''
General Spanky
''General Spanky'' is a 1936 American comedy film produced by Hal Roach. A spin-off of Roach's popular '' Our Gang'' short subjects, the film stars George McFarland, Phillips Holmes, Rosina Lawrence, Billie Thomas and Carl Switzer. Directed by ...
''.
Newmeyer and his wife, Berna, had a son, Fred W. After his film career, Newmeyer worked with the athletic department of
University High School University High School may refer to:
Australia
* University High School, Melbourne, Victoria
Canada
* University Hill Secondary School, Vancouver, British Columbia
United States Arizona
* University High School (Tolleson)
* University High S ...
in Los Angeles. Newmeyer died on April 24, 1967, in
Woodland Hills, California
Woodland Hills is a neighborhood bordering the Santa Monica Mountains in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California.
Geography
Woodland Hills is in the southwestern region of the San Fernando Valley, which is located east of C ...
, at the age of 78.
Selected filmography
* ''
Luke's Shattered Sleep
''Luke's Shattered Sleep'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd as Lonesome Luke
* Bebe Daniels
* Snub Pollard
* Charles Stevenson (as Charles E. Stevenson)
* Billy Fay
* Fred C. Newmeyer
* Sammy Br ...
'' (
1916
Events
Below, the events of the First World War have the "WWI" prefix.
January
* January 1 – The British Royal Army Medical Corps carries out the first successful blood transfusion, using blood that had been stored and cooled.
* ...
Luke, Rank Impersonator
''Luke, Rank Impersonator'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd - Luke
* Bebe Daniels
* Snub Pollard
* Charles Stevenson - (as Charles E. Stevenson)
* Billy Fay
* Fred C. Newmeyer
* Sammy Brooks
* ...
'' (1916)
* ''
Luke's Movie Muddle
''Luke's Movie Muddle'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd. Prints of the film survive in various film archives around the world, including George Eastman House and the Filmoteca Española.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd as Luke
...
'' (1916)
* ''
Luke's Newsie Knockout
''Luke's Newsie Knockout'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd as Luke
* Bebe Daniels
* Snub Pollard
* Charles Stevenson (as Charles E. Stevenson)
* Billy Fay
* Fred C. Newmeyer
* Sammy Brooks
* Ha ...
'' (1916)
* ''
Luke, Patient Provider
''Luke, Patient Provider'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd as Luke
* Bebe Daniels
* Snub Pollard
* Charles Stevenson (as Charles E. Stevenson)
* Billy Fay
* Fred C. Newmeyer
* Sammy Brooks
* Ha ...
'' (1916)
* ''
Luke, the Gladiator
''Luke, the Gladiator'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd - Lonesome Lukius, Gladiator
* Bebe Daniels
* Snub Pollard
* Charles Stevenson - (as Charles E. Stevenson)
* Billy Fay
* Fred C. Newmeyer ...
'' (1916)
* ''
Luke's Preparedness Preparations
''Luke's Preparedness Preparations'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd as Lonesome Luke
* Snub Pollard
* Bebe Daniels
* Charles Stevenson (as Charles E. Stevenson)
* Billy Fay
* Fred C. Newmeyer
...
Luke and the Mermaids
''Luke and the Mermaids'' is a 1916 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd - Lonesome Luke
* Snub Pollard
* Bebe Daniels
* Charles Stevenson - (as Charles E. Stevenson)
* Billy Fay
* Fred C. Newmeyer
* Sammy Br ...
Luke Does the Midway
''Luke Does the Midway'' is a 1916 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd as Lonesome Luke
* Snub Pollard
* Bebe Daniels
* Charles Stevenson - (as Charles E. Stevenson)
* Billy Fay
* Fred C. Newmeyer
* Sammy Brook ...
'' (1916)
* ''
Luke's Lost Lamb
''Luke's Lost Lamb'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd as Lonesome Luke
* Snub Pollard
* Bebe Daniels
* Charles Stevenson (as Charles E. Stevenson)
* Billy Fay
* Fred C. Newmeyer
* Sammy Brooks
* H ...
Luke's Late Lunchers
''Luke's Late Lunchers'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd as Lonesome Luke
* Snub Pollard as (as Harry Pollard)
* Bebe Daniels
* Sammy Brooks
* Billy Fay
* Bud Jamison
* Fred C. Newmeyer
* Cha ...
'' (1916)
* ''
Luke, the Candy Cut-Up
''Luke, the Candy Cut-Up'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd. A print of the film survives in George Eastman House.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd - Lonesome Luke
* Snub Pollard
* Gene Marsh
* Bebe Daniels
* Sammy Brooks
* B ...
1917
Events
Below, the events of World War I have the "WWI" prefix.
January
* January 9 – WWI – Battle of Rafa: The last substantial Ottoman Army garrison on the Sinai Peninsula is captured by the Egyptian Expeditionary For ...
Clubs Are Trump
''Clubs Are Trump'' is a 1917 American short film, short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd.
Plot
Harold Lloyd and Snub Pollard are "two famous lascars" who annoy several wooing couples in a public park. Eventually their antics enrage a large ...
Birds of a Feather
''Birds of a Feather'' is a British sitcom originally broadcast on BBC One from 16 October 1989 to 24 December 1998, then revived on ITV from 2 January 2014 to 24 December 2020. The series stars Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson, with Lesley Jos ...
'' (1917)
* ''
By the Sad Sea Waves
''By the Sad Sea Waves'' is a 1917 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd.
Plot
Trying to woo Bebe on a beach, Harold impersonates a life guard. Among his misadventures, Harold is wrongly credited with saving two male swimmers fr ...
'' (1917)
* ''
Pinched
''Pinched'' is a 1917 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd. A print of the film is held by the Museum of Modern Art, and it has been released on DVD. Like many American films of the time, ''Pinched'' was subject to cuts by city and ...
'' (1917)
* ''
Lonesome Luke Loses Patients
''Lonesome Luke Loses Patients'' is a 1917 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd as Lonesome Luke
* Bebe Daniels
* Snub Pollard
* Bud Jamison
* Gus Leonard
* Charles Stevenson - (as Charles E. Stevenson)
* Fred ...
Lonesome Luke's Wild Women
''Lonesome Luke's Wild Women'' is a 1917 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd. A print of the film exists in a collection.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd as Lonesome Luke
* Bebe Daniels
* Snub Pollard
* Bud Jamison
* Sammy Brooks
* W.L. ...
'' (1917)
* ''
Lonesome Luke, Messenger
''Lonesome Luke, Messenger'' is a 1917 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd.
Plot
Lonesome Luke and Snub are employed as bicycle messengers. One of their assignments is to deliver several packages to an all-girls boarding school. ...
'' (1917)
* ''
Lonesome Luke on Tin Can Alley
''Lonesome Luke on Tin Can Alley'' is a 1917 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd. A print of the film survives in the film archive of the Museum of Modern Art.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd - Lonesome Luke
* Bebe Daniels - Bebe
* Snub Poll ...
1918
This year is noted for the end of the First World War, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, as well as for the Spanish flu pandemic that killed 50–100 million people worldwide.
Events
Below, the events ...
)
* ''
It's a Wild Life
''It's a Wild Life'' is a 1918 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd
* Snub Pollard
* Bebe Daniels
* William Blaisdell
* Sammy Brooks
* Lige Conley
* Helen Gilmore
* Lew Harvey
* Bud Jamison
* Fred C. Newme ...
The Tip
''The Tip'' is a 1918 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd. Distributed by the Pathé Exchange, the film was released in US cinemas on January 6. The film was shown in France on March 7, 1919 under the title "Lui et la voyante". I ...
1919
Events
January
* January 1
** The Czechoslovak Legions occupy much of the self-proclaimed "free city" of Pressburg (now Bratislava), enforcing its incorporation into the new republic of Czechoslovakia.
** HMY ''Iolaire'' sinks off the ...
Bumping Into Broadway
''Bumping Into Broadway'' is a 1919 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd. A print of the film survives in the film archive of the UCLA Film and Television Archive. This film is notable as Lloyd's first two-reeler featuring his "gla ...
Pay Your Dues
''Pay Your Dues'' is a 1919 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd.
Plot
A chapter of the Ancient Order of Simps lodge is initiating three new members who each must undergo a rough hazing. All three candidates are blindfolded. ...
'' (1919)
* ''
Count the Votes
Count (feminine: countess) is a historical title of nobility in certain European countries, varying in relative status, generally of middling rank in the hierarchy of nobility. Pine, L. G. ''Titles: How the King Became His Majesty''. New York: ...
'' (1919)
* ''
Soft Money
The financing of electoral campaigns in the United States happens at the federal, state, and local levels by contributions from individuals, corporations, political action committees, and sometimes the government. Campaign spending has risen ...
'' (1919)
* ''
He Leads, Others Follow
''He Leads, Others Follow'' is a 1919 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd. It is presumed to be lost.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd
* Snub Pollard
* Bebe Daniels
* Sammy Brooks
* Lige Conley (as Lige Cromley)
* Charles Inslee
* ...
Count Your Change
''Count Your Change'' is a 1919 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd.
Plot
The Boy has just been violently evicted from his boardinghouse for being five weeks behind in his rent. Hungry and penniless, he pilfers a sausage from a ...
Pistols for Breakfast
''Pistols for Breakfast'' is a 1919 short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd. A print of the film survives in the Museum of Modern Art film archive.
Plot
A young man (Fay) goes out to eat breakfeast with his friend (Harrison). As a restaurant ...
Si, Senor
''Si, Senor'' is a 1919 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd. It is believed to be lost.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd
* Snub Pollard
* Bebe Daniels
* Sammy Brooks
* Billy Fay
* Estelle Harrison
* Lew Harvey
* Wallace Howe
* Dee ...
'' (1919)
* ''
Ring Up the Curtain
''Ring Up the Curtain'' is a 1919 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd. The film survives and is available on DVD.
'' (1919)
* ''
Crack Your Heels
''Crack Your Heels'' is a 1919 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd.
Cast
* Harold Lloyd as The Boy
* Snub Pollard
* Bebe Daniels
* Sammy Brooks
* Billy Fay
* Lew Harvey
* Wallace Howe
* Margaret Joslin (as Margaret Joslyn)
* ...
'' (1919)
* ''
Young Mr. Jazz
''Young Mr. Jazz'' is a 1919 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd. A print of the film survives in the film archive of the Museum of Modern Art.
Plot
Bebe is escorted to a beach by her father. The moment the father walks away fro ...
'' (1919)
* ''
A Sammy in Siberia
''A Sammy In Siberia'' is a 1919 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd.
Plot
An inept American soldier (Lloyd) stationed in Russia during that country's civil war, becomes separated from his unit during a march in heavy snow. He fl ...
'' (1919)
* ''
On the Fire
''On the Fire'' is a 1919 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd. Some prints have the title of the film as ''The Chef''. Prints of the film survive in several film archives,Number, Please?'' (1920)
* '' Doctor Jack'' (1922)
* '' Safety Last!'' (1923)
* ''
Why Worry?
''Why Worry?'' is a 1923 American silent comedy film directed by Fred Newmeyer and Sam Taylor and starring Harold Lloyd.
Plot
Harold Van Pelham (Harold Lloyd) is a young, wealthy American businessman who obsesses constantly about his healt ...
'' (1923)
* ''
Girl Shy
''Girl Shy'' is a 1924 romantic comedy silent film starring Harold Lloyd and Jobyna Ralston. The movie was written by Sam Taylor, Tim Whelan and Ted Wilde and was directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and Taylor. In 2020, the film entered the public ...
On Your Toes
''On Your Toes'' (1936) is a musical with a book by Richard Rodgers, George Abbott, and Lorenz Hart, music by Rodgers, and lyrics by Hart. It was adapted into a film in 1939.
While teaching music at Knickerbocker University, Phil "Junior" Dolan ...
'' (1927)
* ''
Warming Up
'Warming up' is a part of stretching and preparation for physical exertion or a performance by exercising or practicing gently beforehand, usually undertaken before a performance or practice. Athletes, singers, actors and others warm up before s ...
Queen High
''Queen High'' is the title of an American pre-Code musical comedy film, produced by Paramount Pictures in 1930. Based upon the 1926 stage musical ''Queen High'' that Buddy DeSylva, Lewis Gensler, and Laurence Schwab had adapted from Edward Pe ...
'' (1930)
* ''
The Grand Parade
''The Grand Parade'' is a 1930 American drama film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and starring Helen Twelvetrees, Fred Scott and Richard Carle.Kennedy p.306 It is now considered to be a lost film.
A struggling minstrel show entertainer's life is ...
'' (1930)
* ''
Subway Express
''Subway Express'' is a 1931 American pre-Code mystery film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and starring Jack Holt, Aileen Pringle and Fred Kelsey.Goble p/970
Cast
* Jack Holt as Inspector Killian
* Aileen Pringle as Dale Tracy
* Fred Kelsey ...
'' (1931)
* ''
The Gambling Sex
''The Gambling Sex'' is a 1932 American drama film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and starring Ruth Hall, Grant Withers and Maston Williams.Pitts p.158
Synopsis
A wealthy young woman becomes addicted to gambling, suffering increasingly heavy los ...
'' (1932)
* ''
The Fighting Gentleman
''The Fighting Gentleman'' is a 1932 American pre-Code sports drama film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer with William Collier, Jr. and Josephine Dunn in the leads.Pictorial History of the Talkies, p. 60 c.1958 by Daniel Blum (1958 1st edition on ...
'' (1932)
* ''
Easy Millions
''Easy Millions'' is a 1933 American comedy film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and starring Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher, Dorothy Burgess and Merna Kennedy.Pitts p.161
Cast
* Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher
* Dorothy Burgess
* Merna Kennedy
* Jo ...
'' (1933)
* ''
No Ransom
No Ransom is a 1934 American film directed by Frec C. Newmeyer.
Cast
*Leila Hymas as Barbra Winfield
*Phillips Holmes as Tom Wilson
*Jack La Rue as Larry Romero
*Robert McWade as John Winfield
*Hedda Hopper as Mrs. Winfield
*Vince Barnett as Bu ...
The Pinch Singer
''The Pinch Singer'' is a 1936 ''Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer. It was the 142nd ''Our Gang'' short released.
Plot
The gang's Eagles Club holds auditions for a performer to send to a local amateur radio talent conte ...
'' (1936)
* ''
Arbor Day
Arbor Day (or Arbour in some countries) is a secular day of observance in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees. Today, many countries observe such a holiday. Though usually observed in the spring, the date varies, dependi ...