Hal Roach Starting with “P”

The Pajama Party (1931) — Pitts & Todd

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Hal Roach
  • Writer: H.M. Walker
  • Release Date: October 3, 1931
  • Genre: Domestic farce, high-society satire
  • Language: English

Cast

  • ZaSu Pitts as ZaSu — the nervous companion
  • Thelma Todd as Thelma — the confident friend
  • Elizabeth Forrester as Mrs. Van Dyke — the eccentric society matron
  • Eddie Dunn, Donald Novis, Billy Gilbert, Charlie Hall, and others in supporting roles

Plot Summary

ZaSu and Thelma are on their way to meet their boyfriends for a swim when their car is run off the road by a wealthy socialite, Mrs. Van Dyke. She invites them to her mansion to clean up and stay the night. The evening escalates into a surreal party filled with eccentric guests, French maids, and bizarre rituals — including a birthday tradition where guests take turns kicking a man in the rear.

Thelma is pursued by flirtatious husbands, while ZaSu tries to blend in with the loopy crowd. Her attempts to imitate their behavior lead to comic chaos, culminating in a slapstick finale where she kicks multiple guests and declares, “And one to grow on!”

Style & Legacy

  • Third entry in the Pitts & Todd series, known for its female-led slapstick and social satire
  • Features Billy Gilbert in an early uncredited role as Van Dyke’s butler
  • Noted for its art deco setting, eccentric party gags, and pre-Code boldness
  • A satire of high-society excess, with Pitts and Todd as comic outsiders
  • Often praised for its ensemble timing and Pitts’ slow-burn reactions

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Pajama Party (1931) in full via: Internet Archive – #68 in the list

Pan Handlers (1936) — Kelly & Kelton

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Series: “The Girl Friends” (post-Todd era)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: William H. Terhune
  • Cinematography: Art Lloyd
  • Editor: William Ziegler
  • Release Date: February 29, 1936
  • Genre: Domestic farce, sales satire
  • Language: English

Cast

  • Patsy Kelly as Patsy — the loud, impulsive half of the duo
  • Pert Kelton as Pert — the calmer, more strategic partner
  • Rosina Lawrence as the newlywed housewife
  • Grace Goodall as Miss Foster — the cookware sales rep
  • Supporting cast includes Chester Gan, Harry Bowen, and Jack Clifford

Plot Summary

Patsy and Pert, desperate for income, invest their last $50 in a set of Anchor Brand aluminum cookware after being inspired by a sales pitch from Miss Foster. They begin selling door-to-door, but their efforts are met with rejection, cultural misunderstandings, and slapstick mishaps — including a run-in with a hard-of-hearing landlord and a bathtub-bound customer.

Their luck changes when they meet a newlywed housewife (Rosina Lawrence) who agrees to buy their entire stock — if they’ll cook dinner for her husband and his boss. The girls accept, but their inexperience in the kitchen leads to a series of culinary disasters, including a shrinking turkey and exploding pots. In a final twist, they sneak into Miss Foster’s home to swap their ruined turkey with hers, leading to a chaotic climax.

Style & Legacy

  • Marks a transitional point in the “Girl Friends” series following Thelma Todd’s death
  • Pert Kelton was brought in to replace Todd, but critics noted a lack of chemistry with Kelly
  • Features Patsy Kelly’s trademark brash delivery, dominating much of the screen time
  • Noted for its door-to-door sales satire, ethnic stereotypes (including a problematic “Fu Manchu” gag), and kitchen slapstick
  • A rare example of a female-led Depression-era short focused on economic survival and domestic comedy

Availability While Pan Handlers (1936) is not currently confirmed on YouTube or Internet Archive

The Panic Is On (1931) — Charley Chase

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: James Parrott
  • Writer: H.M. Walker
  • Release Date: 1931
  • Genre: Slapstick, Depression satire
  • Language: English

Cast

  • Charley Chase as Charley — a broke suitor
  • Virginia Whiting as Miss Morgan — his fiancée
  • James Finlayson as the wealthy father (uncredited)
  • Billy Gilbert as Smith, the investment broker (uncredited)
  • Supporting cast includes Margaret Mann, Baldwin Cooke, Evelyn Burns, and Charlie Hall

Plot Summary

Charley Chase is in love with Miss Morgan, but her father insists she marry someone with $50,000 in assets. Unfortunately, Charley is broke, behind on rent, and caught in the throes of the Great Depression. In a desperate attempt to impress her father, Charley tries to land a job and ends up mistakenly robbing the very man he’s trying to impress.

The film spirals into a series of misunderstandings, including mistaken identity, police chases, and slapstick encounters with neighbors and brokers. Eventually, Charley clears his name and wins back the girl — all while poking fun at the economic collapse.

Style & Legacy

  • One of the few early 1930s comedies to directly parody the Great Depression, offering rare social commentary through slapstick
  • Features Charley Chase’s signature blend of verbal wit and physical comedy, especially in scenes involving mistaken identity
  • Includes Billy Gilbert’s flustered broker cameo and Finlayson’s classic double-takes
  • Praised for its clever writing, tight pacing, and meta-humor about economic hardship

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Panic Is On (1931) in full on:

YouTube – Full Short Film

Internet Archive – #62 on the list

Perfect Day (1929) — Laurel & Hardy

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~19 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: James Parrott
  • Writers: Leo McCarey (story), Hal Roach, H.M. Walker
  • Cinematography: Art Lloyd, George Stevens
  • Editor: Richard C. Currier
  • Music: None in original release; 1937 reissue added score by Leroy Shield
  • Release Date: August 10, 1929
  • Genre: Domestic farce, slapstick
  • Language: English

Cast

  • Stan Laurel as Stanley
  • Oliver Hardy as Ollie
  • Edgar Kennedy as Uncle Edgar — the cantankerous relative
  • Kay Deslys as Mrs. Hardy
  • Isabelle Keith as Mrs. Laurel
  • Supporting cast includes Baldwin Cooke, Lyle Tayo, Harry Bernard, Clara Guiol, and Charley Rogers

Plot Summary

Stan and Ollie plan a Sunday picnic with their wives and Uncle Edgar. Dressed in their best, they load into a Ford Model T and attempt to leave — but the car won’t cooperate. Each time they say “Goodbye,” something goes wrong: a flat tire, spilled food, a fight with a neighbor, or Edgar’s stubbornness.

The escalating chaos includes Edgar falling down stairs, a thrown shoe smashing a pie, and a minister intervening in a neighborly dispute. Just when they finally get going, the car hits a pothole and breaks down again, ending the day in comic defeat.

Style & Legacy

  • One of Laurel and Hardy’s most tightly constructed shorts, built around escalating repetition and timing
  • Features Edgar Kennedy’s legendary slow-burn reactions and Laurel’s innocent mischief
  • The “Goodbye!” gag becomes a running punchline, each time interrupted by disaster
  • Noted for its domestic realism, ensemble interplay, and early sound-era pacing
  • Restored by UCLA Film & Television Archive in 2019 due to its historical significance

Streaming Availability

You can watch Perfect Day (1929) in full on:

The Pigskin Palooka (1937) — Our Gang

Overview

  • Series: Our Gang (aka The Little Rascals)
  • Entry: 159th short in the series
  • Director: Gordon Douglas
  • Producer: Hal Roach
  • Writer: Jack Jevne
  • Cinematography: Art Lloyd
  • Editor: William H. Ziegler
  • Music: Leroy Shield, Marvin Hatley
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Release Date: October 29, 1937
  • Runtime: ~10 minutes
  • Language: English
  • Genre: Sports comedy, ensemble farce

Cast

  • Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer as Alfalfa — the self-proclaimed football hero
  • George “Spanky” McFarland as Spanky — team manager and instigator
  • Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas as Buckwheat — sideline chaos agent
  • Eugene “Porky” Lee as Porky — timekeeper and comic relief
  • Darla Hood as Darla — Alfalfa’s admirer and motivation
  • Supporting cast includes Dickie Jones as Spike, Sidney Kibrick, Delmar Watson, and Rex Downing

Plot Summary

Alfalfa returns from military school boasting about his football prowess, claiming to be “The Tarzan of the Gridiron.” In reality, he’s never played a game and only borrowed a uniform for a photo. Spanky, believing the hype, schedules Alfalfa as the star player in a game against rival Spike’s team.

Alfalfa tries to avoid playing, but ends up on the field. Through a series of flukes—including a helmet toss that blocks a kick and banana peels that trip opponents—he accidentally wins the game. Buckwheat and Porky help engineer the chaos, and Alfalfa becomes a hero despite his bumbling.

Style & Legacy

  • A classic example of Our Gang’s sports-themed shorts, blending slapstick with underdog triumph
  • Features Alfalfa’s signature overconfidence, Spanky’s scheming, and Buckwheat’s physical comedy
  • Noted for its ensemble timing, football choreography, and childlike parody of heroism
  • Released to coincide with the start of the 1937–1938 football season
  • Includes a marching band playing the Our Gang theme and a cameo by Pete the Pup

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Pigskin Palooka (1937) in full on:

The Pinch Singer (1936) — Our Gang

Overview

  • Series: Our Gang (aka The Little Rascals)
  • Entry: 142nd short in the series
  • Director: Fred C. Newmeyer
  • Producer: Hal Roach
  • Writer: Jack Jevne
  • Cinematography: Art Lloyd
  • Editor: Louis McManus
  • Music: Marvin Hatley, Leroy Shield
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Release Date: January 4, 1936
  • Runtime: ~17 minutes
  • Language: English
  • Genre: Musical comedy, ensemble farce

Cast

  • Carl “Alfalfa” Switzer as Alfalfa — the crooner
  • Darla Hood as Darla — the original contestant
  • George “Spanky” McFarland as Spanky — the club leader
  • Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas as Buckwheat — phone booth rigger
  • Eugene “Porky” Lee as Porky — vote booster
  • Supporting cast includes Harold Switzer, Jerry Tucker, Marianne Edwards, Sidney Kibrick, and Pete the Pup

Plot Summary

The gang’s Eagles Club holds auditions to select a performer for a local radio talent contest with a $50 prize. Alfalfa tries repeatedly to audition, but Spanky gongs him off each time. Darla is chosen for her rendition of “I’m in the Mood for Love,” but she fails to show up at the station.

Spanky rushes to find her while Alfalfa seizes the moment and performs in her place. His off-key crooning unexpectedly charms the audience. Meanwhile, the gang floods the radio station’s phone lines from a drugstore payphone, rigging the contest in Alfalfa’s favor. Just as Spanky returns with Darla, the emcee announces Alfalfa as the winner. Spanky’s frustration turns to admiration—until Alfalfa silences him with a gong.

Style & Legacy

  • Features Alfalfa’s first major solo performance, establishing his crooning persona
  • Includes Darla Hood’s early musical role, singing “I’m in the Mood for Love”
  • Noted for its radio station setting, ensemble coordination, and meta-humor
  • Marvin Hatley appears as the orchestra conductor, with the line “Take it away, Marvin!”
  • A fan favorite for its pacing, musical gags, and Alfalfa’s comedic timing

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Pinch Singer (1936) in full on:

  • 🔗 YouTube – Full Short Film – Not Available
  • 🔗 Internet Archive – #177 on the list

The Pip from Pittsburgh (1931) — Charley Chase

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~21 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: James Parrott
  • Writer: H.M. Walker
  • Release Date: 1931
  • Genre: Romantic farce, blind date comedy
  • Language: English

Cast

  • Charley Chase as Charley — the reluctant bachelor
  • Thelma Todd as Thelma — the stunning blind date
  • Dorothy Granger as Dot — party guest
  • Kay Deslys as Kay — party guest
  • Carlton Griffin as Griff — Charley’s matchmaking coworker
  • Supporting cast includes Baldwin Cooke, Charlie Hall, Clara Guiol, and Harry Bernard

Plot Summary

Charley Chase is dreading a blind date arranged by his coworker Griff. His last experience ended in disaster, so he decides to sabotage this one by dressing sloppily, chewing garlic, and acting obnoxious. But when he meets Thelma Todd—his date—he’s stunned by her beauty and charm.

Realizing his mistake, Charley tries to reverse the damage mid-date: cleaning up, changing his clothes, and attempting to win her over. The evening unfolds at a lively dance party, where Charley’s antics escalate into slapstick chaos. Despite his efforts, Thelma sees through the ruse, and the film ends with a comic twist on romantic redemption.

Style & Legacy

  • Considered one of Charley Chase’s finest sound-era shorts, showcasing his mastery of comic timing and character reversal
  • Features Thelma Todd in a standout romantic role, with strong chemistry opposite Chase
  • Noted for its visual gags, dialogue-driven humor, and pre-Code boldness
  • Often cited as a precursor to Neil Simon’s The Goodbye Girl in its theme of comic embarrassment and redemption
  • Directed by James Parrott, Chase’s brother and frequent collaborator

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Pip from Pittsburgh (1931) in full on: YouTube – Full Short Film

Poker at Eight (1935) — Charley Chase

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~19 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Director: Charley Chase
  • Writers: H.M. Walker (titles), Hal Roach story team
  • Release Date: 1935
  • Genre: Domestic farce, hypnosis comedy
  • Language: English

Cast

  • Charley Chase as Charley — the scheming husband
  • Constance Bergen as Charley’s wife — the clever foil
  • Bernardene Hayes as Tommy’s wife — the party girl
  • Tom Dugan as Tommy — Charley’s poker buddy
  • Supporting cast includes Harry Bernard, Charlie Hall, Polly Chase, and James C. Morton

Plot Summary

Charley wants to sneak out for a poker game but knows his wife won’t approve. Inspired by a radio hypnotist, he tries to hypnotize her into becoming a “good sport.” She pretends to fall under his spell, then flips the script—dressing glamorously and heading out with Tommy’s wife for a night on the town.

Charley, now jealous and suspicious, follows them to a nightclub. Mistaken identities, police confusion, and a zither gag ensue. The film ends with Charley’s plan backfiring spectacularly, as he’s left juggling his poker ambitions and marital chaos.

Style & Legacy

  • Directed by Charley Chase himself, showcasing his flair for layered farce
  • Features pre-Code themes of marital deception and gender role reversals
  • Noted for its hypnosis gag, nightclub slapstick, and ensemble timing
  • Includes a surreal moment where Charley carries a zither for no reason—highlighting his absurdist streak
  • A strong example of Chase’s ability to blend witty dialogue with physical comedy

Streaming Availability

You can watch Poker at Eight (1935) in full on:

YouTube – Full Short Film

Internet Archive – #165 on the list

The Pooch (1932) — Our Gang

Overview

  • Series: Our Gang (aka The Little Rascals)
  • Entry: 115th short in the series
  • Director: Robert F. McGowan
  • Writers: Hal Roach, H.M. Walker
  • Cinematography: Art Lloyd
  • Editor: Richard C. Currier
  • Music: Leroy Shield, Marvin Hatley
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Release Date: June 11, 1932
  • Runtime: ~20 minutes
  • Language: English
  • Genre: Comedy, drama, animal rescue

Cast

  • Matthew “Stymie” Beard as Stymie — the clever vagrant
  • George “Spanky” McFarland as Spanky — his loyal sidekick
  • Sherwood Bailey as Spud
  • Kendall McComas as Breezy Brisbane
  • Dorothy DeBorba as Dorothy
  • Bobby “Wheezer” Hutchins as Wheezer
  • Supporting cast includes Pete the Pup and Budd Fine as the dogcatcher

Plot Summary

Stymie and Spanky roam the neighborhood with Pete the Pup, searching for food. After being turned away from a restaurant, Stymie tricks a woman into giving him food by claiming it’s for Pete. Meanwhile, the gang’s dogs are captured by a cruel dogcatcher.

Stymie tries to redeem himself for stealing pies earlier by freeing the dogs from the pound truck. The gang forgives him, but the dogcatcher retaliates by capturing Pete and threatening to gas him unless Stymie pays five dollars. Miraculously, a five-dollar bill blows into Stymie’s hands, but a cop suspects theft.

After clearing things up, the gang rushes to the pound. The dogcatcher smugly claims Pete is dead, but it’s revealed the gas chamber was empty. Pete is alive, and the gang celebrates by chasing the dogcatcher out of town.

Style & Legacy

  • A standout Our Gang short for its emotional depth, social realism, and animal rescue theme
  • Features Stymie’s most memorable performance, blending street smarts with heartfelt loyalty
  • Includes early appearances by Spanky, who would become a central figure in later shorts
  • Noted for its Depression-era backdrop, ensemble timing, and Pete the Pup’s hero status
  • Often cited as one of the most touching entries in the series

Streaming Availability

You can watch The Pooch (1932) in full on:

Public Ghost #1 (1935) — Charley Chase

Overview

  • Type: Two-reel comedy short (~20 minutes)
  • Studio: Hal Roach Studios
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Directors: Charley Chase, Harold Law
  • Writer: H.M. Walker
  • Release Date: December 14, 1935
  • Genre: Slapstick, haunted house farce
  • Language: English

Cast

  • Charley Chase as Charley — the would-be ghost
  • Joyce Compton as Miss Compton — the romantic interest
  • Edwin Maxwell as the eccentric inventor
  • Clarence Wilson as E.H. Compton — the stern father
  • Supporting cast includes Polly Chase, Harry Bowen, Ben Taggart, and Ray Turner

Plot Summary

Charley Chase meets a charming woman and, hoping to impress her, agrees to visit her father for a job. But he mistakenly meets a lunatic impersonator who convinces him to become a professional ghost—haunting houses for profit. Charley’s first assignment? The home of the woman he’s trying to woo.

The film unfolds with classic Chase slapstick: ghost costumes, mistaken identities, and a chaotic dinner party. Edwin Maxwell steals scenes as the madman with a fly-catching invention, and Joyce Compton plays the oblivious love interest. The climax involves Charley trying to prove his bravery while accidentally haunting the wrong people.

Style & Legacy

  • A showcase for Edwin Maxwell’s comic timing, especially in the first half
  • Features Chase’s trademark escalation, where a simple lie spirals into absurdity
  • Includes pre-Code surrealism, like the fly-catching contraption and ghost-for-hire premise
  • Directed in part by Charley Chase himself, blending verbal wit with physical comedy
  • Often cited as a hidden gem among Chase’s sound-era shorts

Streaming Availability

You can watch Public Ghost #1 (1935) in full on:

Pups Is Pups (1930) — Our Gang

Overview

  • Series: Our Gang (aka The Little Rascals)
  • Entry: 100th short in the series, 12th talking short
  • Director: Robert F. McGowan
  • Writers: H.M. Walker, Robert F. McGowan
  • Cinematography: Art Lloyd
  • Editor: Richard Currier
  • Music: Leroy Shield (first use of Roach’s jazz-based scoring)
  • Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
  • Release Date: August 30, 1930
  • Runtime: ~20 minutes
  • Language: English
  • Genre: Comedy, animal-themed farce

Cast

  • Bobby “Wheezer” Hutchins as Wheezer — the puppy-loving boy
  • Allen “Farina” Hoskins as Farina — the page boy
  • Norman “Chubby” Chaney as Chubby — comic relief
  • Jackie Cooper as Jackie — Echo’s brother
  • Mary Ann Jackson as Mary Ann — gang member
  • Dorothy DeBorba as Echo — her debut appearance
  • Supporting cast includes Charlie Hall, Clara Guiol, and Lyle Tayo

Plot Summary

Wheezer is heartbroken after losing his puppies, who were trained to respond to a bell. Meanwhile, Farina gets a job as a page at the Greenpoint Civic Center and promises to sneak the gang’s pets into the city pet show. The gang arrives with a chaotic menagerie—goats, pigs, frogs, mice, and parrots—and causes havoc by displacing official entries.

Jackie struggles to keep Echo clean for the show, but she repeatedly jumps into mud puddles. Wheezer chases his puppies across town, finally ringing a church bell to summon them. The gang is kicked out of the show, Farina loses his job, and Echo ends up muddy again—along with her mother.

Style & Legacy

  • First appearance of Dorothy DeBorba, who would become a series regular
  • First use of Leroy Shield’s jazz-based score, defining the sound of Hal Roach comedies
  • Noted for its Depression-era realism, ensemble chaos, and animal-centered humor
  • Selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry in 2004 for its cultural significance
  • Syndicated TV versions in the 1970s censored scenes involving Farina; restored in 2001 for AMC broadcasts

Streaming Availability