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"Conjuror James" - That's the title on a Pathescope print. Film takes place in the Casino Theatre in Little Puddleton, where the boys are part of the Trimble Tourers. The show consists of some magic tricks, followed by some trick shooting, and culminating in a melodramatic piece that takes place in Alaska during a snow storm. The fake snow catches fire, bringing the performance to a premature end.

Does anyone know what the original title of this film was? It's not listed under this title at IMDb, and from what I've read the Pathescope 9.5s frequently had alternate titles. Percy and Ferdie are called James and Eddie in this one, and in spite of being a rather shaky print the film itself is pretty good.

Tom Reeder

Thomas Reeder wrote:"Conjuror James" - That's the title on a Pathescope print. Film takes place in the Casino Theatre in Little Puddleton, where the boys are part of the Trimble Tourers. The show consists of some magic tricks, followed by some trick shooting, and culminating in a melodramatic piece that takes place in Alaska during a snow storm. The fake snow catches fire, bringing the performance to a premature end.

Does anyone know what the original title of this film was? It's not listed under this title at IMDb, and from what I've read the Pathescope 9.5s frequently had alternate titles. Percy and Ferdie are called James and Eddie in this one, and in spite of being a rather shaky print the film itself is pretty good.

Tom Reeder

Which incarnation of The Hallroom Boys is it? Sid Smith? Neely Edwards? Al Alt? Jimmie Adams?

RICHARD M ROBERTS

Richard M Roberts wrote:Which incarnation of The Hallroom Boys is it? Sid Smith? Neely Edwards? Al Alt? Jimmie Adams?

I'm pretty sure it's Sid Smith.

I haven't seen the names Percy and Ferdie ever used in the Pathescopes 9.5s, and they used the name "James" a lot in the titles--which all gives me the impression that Pathe was selling these prints in Europe while trying to fly under the radar of (i.e. not pay royalties to) Hallroom Boys comic strip creator Harold A. McGill.

It seems like a majority of the 9.5 Hallroom Boys that survive seem to be ones with Sid Smith, and most frequently as his partner, George Williams (aka Zip Monberg)--who has slicked down black hair parted in the middle and sort of looks like an un-crosseyed George Rowe without a mustache. Does that by chance sound like the other Hallroom Boy?

Brent Walker wrote:I haven't seen the names Percy and Ferdie ever used in the Pathescopes 9.5s, and they used the name "James" a lot in the titles--which all gives me the impression that Pathe was selling these prints in Europe while trying to fly under the radar of (i.e. not pay royalties to) Hallroom Boys comic strip creator Harold A. McGill.

The leads went by the names James and Eddie in the intertitles, but early on in the film when they open a large trunk the names "Percy and Ferdie" and "Hall Room" are clearly - well, blurrily - readable on the trunk's lid.

It seems like a majority of the 9.5 Hallroom Boys that survive seem to be ones with Sid Smith, and most frequently as his partner, George Williams (aka Zip Monberg)--who has slicked down black hair parted in the middle and sort of looks like an un-crosseyed George Rowe without a mustache. Does that by chance sound like the other Hallroom Boy?

I didn't recognize the other actor, but that's not saying much. If I recall, he looked young, had a roundish face, and wore large black circular rimmed glasses. Sound at all familiar? I'll have access to the CD tomorrow, and probably could post a screen grab or two, but the clarity is rather poor.

Tom Reeder

Hi guys
I've pulled out my very fuzzy copy of CONJUROR JAMES (gotten from Bill Sprague) and taken a fresh look. It's definitely Sid Smith, and Big Joe Roberts plays Trimble the owner of the theatre. Don't recognize who's playing Sid's partner. It isn't George Williams (Zip Monberg), Jimmie Adams, or even Al Alt. He's kind of handsome and wears Harold Lloyd glasses. I've seen the name Gilbert Williams connected to the series, but have no idea who that is or what he looked like. I didn't recognize the leading lady (who we barely see), and in the audience watching the show I spotted Billy Franey, Marvin Lobach, and Billy Engle. I start looking to see if I can find a review where the cast and synopsis fit.

Steve

Oops - for the name I've seen connected I meant to write Gilbert Wells, not Gilbert Williams.

Steve

Steve Massa wrote:Oops - for the name I've seen connected I meant to write Gilbert Wells, not Gilbert Williams.

Steve

How was George Meehan involved with the Hall Room Boys?

Joan
(insert appropriate sig line here)

Steve Massa wrote:...fuzzy copy of CONJUROR JAMES (gotten from Bill Sprague)...

Same copy I'm looking at.

Here are the three leads, although the "heroine" is only in the film fleetingly:

James...


Eddie...


and the heroine.

Anybody recognize the guy playing Eddie?

Tom Reeder

Joan Myers wrote:How was George Meehan involved with the Hall Room Boys?

Where have you found Meehan's name linked with the Hall Room Boys?

Tom Reeder