Trivia

In an interview on the David Letterman show, Hal Roach said that Chase auditioned for him by saying he could play ANY part. Chase then proceeded to do his impression of a lighthouse by turning his head, pausing with his eyes wide open when he was facing forward during each rotation.

He contributed to over 300 films as writer, director or actor (sometimes as all three) before his early death at age 46 and worked with almost every major name in early film comedy, including Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle, Charles Chaplin, Laurel & Hardy, Harold Lloyd and The Three Stooges.

Entered films in 1912.

At the Mack Sennett Studios he directed Billy West, a Charles Chaplin imitator, in a film that also starred a young Oliver Hardy.

According to those who knew him, in private Charley Chase was experiencing feelings of frustration at not being as successful as Chaplin, Keaton or Lloyd.

Directed short comedies under his birth name, Charles Parrott.

He died in his home at 2157 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood (Los Angeles, CA).

Confined to obscurity for many years, Chase is now best known for supporting Laurel and Hardy in "Sons of the Desert.".

Initially when he signed up with Hal Roach in 1920, Chase was working as a director. Then he quickly became a performer, after Roach realized Chase's full potential.

His premature passing was most likely due to his alcoholism.

Before becoming successful as his trademark character, Charley Chase appeared in numerous short comedies as Jimmy Jump.

Despite sometimes being liked by the critics, Charley Chase's movies were never very successful at the box office.

He has appeared in three films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Mabel's Blunder (1914), Mighty Like a Moose (1926), & Sons of the Desert (1933).

Brother of James Parrott.

Like his close friends Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, Chase had a theme song for his films. Charlie's theme was "Smile When the Raindrops Fall".

Considering that Charlie Chase's real name is Charles Joseph Parrott, and his oldest daughter was named Pauline but nicknamed "Polly", her name would be Polly Parrott.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. Pg. 102-103. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387

He had two daughters with his wife, Bebe: Pauline (Polly) and June.

After a career in burlesque theatre, Chase started working for producer Mack Sennett in 1914.

Charley Chase once visited Amsterdam which he stayed at the Carlton-Hotel.(New weekly for cinematography, 26-05-1933).

Though elsewhere it's said his screen persona was 'inspired' by Lloyd Hamilton, the two are well-delineated and with little in common, from clothes to mannerisms and even walking gait.

Among the most successful of the short-subject comedians, not only breaching the silent and sound era, but in addition to writing and directing, had onscreen roles for twenty-six years.

The films of Billy West as Chaplin imitator, directed by Chase, were made at the small 'King Bee' studio, and has nothing to do with Sennett.

Chase appeared in at least three features; the well known cameo in 'Sons of the Desert'(1933), and also the lead in the silent 'Young Love'(1929) and co-star in 'Kelly the Second' (1936).