Jimmy Aubrey Movies

Because comedian Larry Semon had a bad habit of running over budget, Vitagraph had no choice but to offer his films at a premium (and theaters were willing to pay because he turned out quality films). But this meant that the studio needed to offer less expensive comedies too, and they filled this need with Jimmy Aubrey, who was once a part of Fred Karno's theatrical troupe alongside Charles Chaplin and Stan Laurel. While Aubrey's two-reelers were certainly cheaper than Semon's, they were also a lot less funny, and this particular film was even lower in quality than his normal fare. Aubrey plays a hapless husband whose wife (Maude Emory) ignores him, preferring instead to flirt with the artists (Oliver Hardy and Dick Smith) across the hall. To say this makes Jimmy insecure is putting it mildly, and he's even jealous of the plumber -- until he discovers that he's also the brother of the missus. One of the artists wants to steal the wife away from Jimmy, so he forges a letter from her uncle, mentioning that if she divorces Jimmy, she will inherit a fortune. The wife, who doesn't really want to get rid of Jimmy, makes a pact with him to divorce and than remarry. Unfortunately, they don't tell her brother who beats him up for supposedly cheating on his sister. The wife shows up before too much damage is done and they remarry, ruining the artist's little scheme. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Jimmy Aubrey -- Vitagraph's low-rent answer to their star comedian, Larry Semon -- starred in this two-reel knockoff of Charles Chaplin's Easy Street. Jimmy lives in a tough neighborhood by the name of Paradise Alley. The only time everyone toes the line is when the neighborhood boss (big Oliver Hardy) appears. On one end of the street, the Boss is flirting with a cashier who works for the local beanery; at the other end of the street, Jimmy is at a mission, listening to a sermon. He decides to steal the poor box, but thinks better of his plan and puts it back. This wins him favor with the cashier, who happens to see his act. Jimmy and another man put on a fat man's suit and go to the beanery, hoping they'll both get fed for the price of one. Their ruse is discovered, however, and Jimmy winds up paying for his meal by working in the kitchen. The Boss and an associate try to rob the joint, but Jimmy saves the day, and earns the cashier's affection. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide

Before he teamed up with Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy co-starred with a number of other comedians. Often he was more talented than those he appeared with, as is obvious in this two-reeler with Jimmy Aubrey in the lead. It is Hardy (wearing a walrus mustache and caterpillar-like fake eyebrows), not Aubrey, who elicits the most laughs. Aubrey is a waiter at a fashionable nightclub and Hardy plays the appropriately named I.M. Ruff, an irascible customer. While Jimmy is waiting on Ruff (or getting on his nerves), another patron picks Ruff's pocket and, after taking the money, places the wallet in Jimmy's pants. The theft is discovered when Ruff tries to pay his bill and Jimmy is thrown in jail. Unfortunately for him, the prison warden happens to be Ruff. He manages somehow to escape, and Ruff goes in pursuit. Both of them are chased by a bear. Jimmy heads back to the nightclub where he has a rendezvous with his favorite dancer before being caught. Eventually his innocence is proven, and Ruff gives him some money as restitution. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide