Person
James Finlayson
Acting · 1887–1953 · Larbert, Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland, UK
Biography
James Henderson "Jimmy" Finlayson (August 27, 1887 – October 9, 1953) was a Scottish actor who worked in both silent and sound comedies. Bald, with a fake moustache, Finlayson had many trademark comic mannerisms and is famous for his squinting, outraged, "double take and fade away" head reaction, and characteristic expression "d'ooooooh", and as the most famous comic foil of Laurel and Hardy.
Known for
The Mystery Man
1923
Bonnie Scotland
Sgt. Maj. Finlayson
Married Life
Man Who Made Good
Pardon Us
Schoolteacher
To Be or Not to Be
Scottish Farmer with Mustache (uncredited)
Sure-Mike!
The Floorwalker
Block-Heads
Man on Stairs
The prince of the dollar
1930
Foreign Correspondent
Dutch Peasant (uncredited)
Wife Tamers
The Waiter
Filmography
- 2002Laurel & Hardy - Highlights
- 1990The Laurel & Hardy Story: An Affectionate RememberenceSelf (archive footage)
- 1982Dance of the CookoosMan with Toothache / Christmas Tree Customer
- 1968The Best of Laurel and HardyMeadows / Dulcy's Father / Fin (archive footage)
- 1967The Further Perils of Laurel and Hardy
- 1964The Big Parade of ComedySergeant Major Finlayson in 'Bonnie Scotland' (archive footage)
- 1952Here We Go AgainPlato's Rival
- 1951The Slappiest Days of Our Lives(archive footage)
- 1951Royal WeddingCabby (uncredited)
- 1948Grand Canyon TrailSheriff
- 1947The Perils of PaulineComic Chef
- 1946Two Sisters from BostonStreet Cleaner (uncredited)
- 1946She-Wolf of LondonConstable (uncredited)
- 1943Yanks AhoyCook Flynn (uncredited)
- 1943Happy Times and Jolly Moments(archive footage)
- 1942Wedding YellsHammerhead Nahl
- 1942To Be or Not to BeScottish Farmer with Mustache (uncredited)
- 1940Foreign CorrespondentDutch Peasant (uncredited)
- 1940Saps at SeaDr. J.H. Finlayson (uncredited)
- 1940A Chump at OxfordBaldy Vandevere (uncredited)
- 1939The Great Victor HerbertLamplighter
- 1939RafflesHansom Cab Driver (uncredited)
- 1939The Flying DeucesJailor
- 1939Hollywood CavalcadeKeystone Cop
- 1939Dog-GoneMr. Jones
- 1938Block-HeadsMan on Stairs
- 1937AngelBarker's 2nd Butler (uncredited)
- 1937All Over TownMacDougal
- 1937The Toast of New YorkTrick-Hat Inventor (uncredited)
- 1937Pick a StarDirector
- 1937Way Out WestMickey Finn
- 1936Our RelationsFinn
- 1936The Bohemian GirlCaptain Finn
- 1935MGM 1935 Promo ReelManager
- 1935Life Hesitates at 40Dr. James Finlayson
- 1935Manhattan Monkey BusinessJoyce's Father
- 1935Bonnie ScotlandSgt. Maj. Finlayson
- 1935Thicker Than WaterAuction Manager
- 1935Father and SonBidad
- 1933Dick TurpinJeremy
- 1933So This Is Harris!Golf Pro
- 1933The Gay NightiesMr. Amos Pipp
- 1933Mush and MilkMr. Brown, the banker
- 1933The Druggist's DilemmaAndrew Finch
- 1933The Devil's BrotherLord Rocburg
- 1933His Silent RacketJames
- 1933Me and My PalPeter Cucumber
- 1933Nature in the WrongVoice of lion (uncredited)
- 1932Jitters the ButlerPhineas P. McPhinn
- 1932Boy Oh Boy!Saunders
- 1932The Millionaire CatLawyer Fogg
- 1932Pack Up Your TroublesGeneral
- 1932The Iceman's BallCommissioner Walters
- 1932Thunder BelowScotty
- 1932The ChimpRingmaster (uncredited)
- 1931Hasty MarriageKitty's Father
- 1931Scratch-As-Catch-Can
- 1931One Good TurnA Community Player
- 1931False RoomersLandlord
- 1931Beach Pajamas
- 1931Pardon UsSchoolteacher
- 1931Stout Hearts and Willing HandsKop(as the Original Keystone Kops)
- 1931One of the SmithsWine Brewer (uncredited)
- 1931Our WifeFather of the bride (uncredited)
- 1931Playing at PoliticsCriado
- 1931Second Hand KissesJimmy Finlayson
- 1931Chickens Come HomeButler (uncredited)
- 1930Don't Leave Home
- 1930Another Fine MessCol. Wilburforce Buckshot (uncredited)
- 1930The prince of the dollar
- 1930Gold Diggers
- 1930Dollar DizzyHouse Detective
- 1930For the DefenseParrott
- 1930The Dawn PatrolField Sergeant
- 1930Young EaglesScotty
- 1930Thieves
- 1930Night OwlsMeadows
- 1929Wall StreetAndy (as Jimmy Finalyson)
- 1929The Hoose-GowGovernor (uncredited)
- 1929Hard to GetPa Martin
- 1929Men O' WarSoda jerk
- 1929Two Weeks OffPa Weaver
- 1929Big BusinessHomeowner (uncredited)
- 1929LibertyStore keeper
- 1929Fast FreightSpooky Wall Painting
- 1928Show GirlMr. Dugan
- 1928Lady Be GoodTrelawney West
- 1928Ladies' Night in a Turkish BathPa Slocum
- 1928Bachelor’s ParadisePat Malone
- 1928Galloping GhostsPolice Commissioner
- 1928Flying ElephantsSaxophonus (uncredited)
- 1928Should Tall Men Marry?Joe Skittle
- 1927Fighting FathersNeighbor
- 1927Do Detectives Think?Judge Foozle (uncredited)
- 1927Hats OffProprietor, Kwickway Washing Machine Co.
- 1927Call of the CuckooAsylum Inmate
- 1927The Second 100 YearsBrowne Van Dyke
- 1927Sugar DaddiesOil tycoon Cyrus Brittle
- 1927With Love and HissesCaptain Bustle
- 1927Don't Tell EverythingLawyer Goldblum
- 1927Love 'Em and WeepTitus Tillsbury
- 1927No Man's LawJack Belcher
- 1927Forgotten Sweeties
- 1927One Hour Married
- 1927Seeing the World'Old Buzz-Fuzz,' teacher
- 1927Anything Once!Mabel's Boss
- 1926The Nickel-HopperRupert
- 1926Raggedy RoseSimpson Sniffle
- 1926Wise Guys Prefer BrunettesDean of Pinkham University
- 1926Merry WidowerThe Hunter
- 1926Thundering FleasJustice of the Peace
- 1926Don Key (Son of Burro)Vivien's Suitor
- 1926Wife TamersThe Waiter
- 1926Dizzy DaddiesJonathan Haig
- 1926Madame MysteryStruggling Author
- 1926What's the World Coming To?The Father-in-Law
- 1926A Punch in the Nose
- 1925Flaming Flappers
- 1925The Caretaker's DaughterThe Prohibition Sleuth (as Jimmie Finlayson)
- 1925Moonlight and NosesProfessor Sniff
- 1925Unfriendly EnemiesThe Cameraman
- 1925Mary, Queen of TotsRadio Actor
- 1925Madame Sans JaneThe Girl's Father
- 1925Innocent HusbandsThe Desk Clerk (as Jimmie Finlayson)
- 1925Yes, Yes, NanetteHillory, the new husband
- 1925Chasing the ChaserGilroy (the husband)
- 1925Thundering LandlordsThe Landlord
- 1925In the GreaseFather
- 1925Tell It to a Policeman
- 1925Sure-Mike!The Floorwalker
- 1925Welcome Home
- 1925The Haunted Honeymoon
- 1925Hard Boiled
- 1925Change the Needle
- 1924Short KiltsMcGregor's Son
- 1924Why Husbands Go Mad
- 1924Wide Open SpacesJack McQueen
- 1924Rupert of Hee-HawRupert of Hee Haw
- 1924Near DublinSir Patrick
- 1924Brothers Under the Chin
- 1924Zeb vs. PaprikaMajor Glanders Botts
- 1924Postage DuePostal Inspector Hawke
- 1924SmithySergeant
- 1923Mother's JoyBaron Buttontop
- 1923Fully InsuredThe Foreman
- 1923Scorching SandsJames
- 1923The SoilersSmacknamara
- 1923The Whole TruthDefense lawyer
- 1923Frozen HeartsGeneral Sappovitch
- 1923Jus' Passin' ThroughDrunk (uncredited)
- 1923Roughest AfricaHans Downe
- 1923A Man About TownHumko, Store Detective
- 1923Pitfalls of a Big CityThe Hired Man
- 1923HollywoodJames Finlayson
- 1923The Mystery Man
- 1923Oranges and LemonsWorker
- 1923Jack FrostWicked Man from the Wicked City
- 1923Where's My Wandering Boy This Evening?The Hired Man
- 1923Courtship of Miles SandwichMiles Sandwich
- 1923Pick and ShovelThe Foreman
- 1923Sold at Auction!The Man Who WAS Sold
- 1923White WingsDental Patient
- 1923California or BustCampground neighbor
- 1923The Noon Whistle
- 1923Before the Public
- 1923A Tough Winter
- 1922Newly Rich
- 1922The Crossroads of New YorkLawyer
- 1921Hard Knocks and Love TapsPlato's Rival
- 1921She Sighed by the Seaside1st Suitor
- 1921A Small Town IdolJ. Wellington Jones
- 1920Love, Honor and BehaveArtist
- 1920Don't Weaken!Lightfingered Luke - Professor Yonson's Assistant
- 1920Married LifeMan Who Made Good
- 1920Down on the FarmThe Sportive Banker with the Mortgage
- 1919Up in Alf's PlaceThe Dancing Instructor
- 1919Trying to Get AlongThe Beauty Parlor Operator
- 1919Yankee Doodle in BerlinCommander's Officer (uncredited)
- 1918In Dutch
- —The World of Laurel and Hardy
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