Shorty Hamilton
Encyclopedia
Shorty Hamilton was an American
actor and silent film
comedian who appeared in more than 80 films, mostly western
s, from 1909 to 1925. His birth name was William John Schroeder, and he was also known as "Jack Hamilton." He had served in the United States Cavalry for several years and worked as a cowboy
in Montana
and Texas
. He was best known for the "Adventures of Shorty" series of two-reel silent films that were released from 1912
to 1917
.
films produced by Thomas H. Ince
, including The Great Smash. He was described as "an extremely likeable little chap who combines the wonderful riding, lassoing, cow-punching stunts of the true westerner with the polished, quick-wittedness of the New York society man."
—his "remarkably intelligent horse, Beauty." The films placed "Shorty" into a series of improbable adventures—inheriting a harem
, posing as a judge, joining the Secret Service
, going to college, and confronting a wide range of characters including loan shark
s, ghosts, and moonshiner
s. Hamilton was not the only big talent associated with the "Shorty" pictures; the films were produced by Thomas H. Ince, many were written by the noted screenwriter C. Gardner Sullivan
, and the directors included Francis Ford
. Aside from the trained horse, Hamilton's co-stars in the "Shorty" pictures included Enid Markey
and Charles Ray.
In March 1917, a reviewer of the latest "Shorty" film wrote the following about Hamilton:
. The two were married less than two months after they met.
In March 1925, Hamilton died at age 45 when his automobile crashed into a steam shovel
standing in a street in Hollywood.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor and silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
comedian who appeared in more than 80 films, mostly western
Western (genre)
The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
s, from 1909 to 1925. His birth name was William John Schroeder, and he was also known as "Jack Hamilton." He had served in the United States Cavalry for several years and worked as a cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
in Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
and Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. He was best known for the "Adventures of Shorty" series of two-reel silent films that were released from 1912
1912 in film
The year 1912 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Mack Sennett, who had previously worked as an actor and comedy director with D. W. Griffith, formed a new company with New York City entrepreneur Adam Kessel called Keystone Studios...
to 1917
1917 in film
The year 1917 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Foundation of Universum Film AG , as a propaganda film company, in Berlin.*Technicolor System 1, a two-color process, is introduced...
.
Early days
Before becoming an actor, Hamilton served six years in the United States Cavalry and worked as a cowboy for five years in Montana and Texas. As an actor, he appeared in many of the westernWestern (genre)
The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
films produced by Thomas H. Ince
Thomas H. Ince
Thomas Harper Ince was an American silent film actor, director, screenwriter and producer of more than 100 films and pioneering studio mogul. Known as the "Father of the Western", he invented many mechanisms of professional movie production, introducing early Hollywood to the "assembly line"...
, including The Great Smash. He was described as "an extremely likeable little chap who combines the wonderful riding, lassoing, cow-punching stunts of the true westerner with the polished, quick-wittedness of the New York society man."
"Adventures of Shorty"
He was best known for the "Adventures of Shorty" series of two-reel comedies in which he starred from 1912 to 1917. There were more than 35 two-reel films featuring Hamilton as the "Shorty" character, a cowboy with a trained horseAnimal training
Animal training refers to teaching animals specific responses to specific conditions or stimuli. Training may be for the purpose of companionship, detection, protection, entertainment or all of the above....
—his "remarkably intelligent horse, Beauty." The films placed "Shorty" into a series of improbable adventures—inheriting a harem
Harem
Harem refers to the sphere of women in what is usually a polygynous household and their enclosed quarters which are forbidden to men...
, posing as a judge, joining the Secret Service
United States Secret Service
The United States Secret Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency that is part of the United States Department of Homeland Security. The sworn members are divided among the Special Agents and the Uniformed Division. Until March 1, 2003, the Service was part of the United States...
, going to college, and confronting a wide range of characters including loan shark
Loan shark
A loan shark is a person or body that offers unsecured loans at illegally high interest rates to individuals, often enforcing repayment by blackmail or threats of violence....
s, ghosts, and moonshiner
Moonshiner
Moonshiner may refer to:*Moonshiner, one who makes moonshine, illegal distilled alcohol*"The Moonshiner", a traditional folk song...
s. Hamilton was not the only big talent associated with the "Shorty" pictures; the films were produced by Thomas H. Ince, many were written by the noted screenwriter C. Gardner Sullivan
C. Gardner Sullivan
C. Gardner Sullivan was an American screenwriter and motion picture producer. He was a prolific writer with more than 350 films among his credits. In 1924, the magazine Story World selected him on a list of the ten individuals who had contributed the most to the advancement of the motion picture...
, and the directors included Francis Ford
Francis Ford (actor)
Francis Ford was a prolific film actor, writer, and director. He was the older brother of film director John Ford. He also appeared in many of John Ford's movies, including Young Mr. Lincoln and The Quiet Man.He starred in the 1912 two-reeler The Deserter by Thomas H. Ince and acted in over 400...
. Aside from the trained horse, Hamilton's co-stars in the "Shorty" pictures included Enid Markey
Enid Markey
Enid Markey was an American actress of stage, film and television. She originated the role of Jane in films, playing the character twice - in 1918 .Her first film role was in The Fortunes of War...
and Charles Ray.
In March 1917, a reviewer of the latest "Shorty" film wrote the following about Hamilton:
Shorty Hamilton is a fascinating little chap who makes you want to clasp him by the hand and call him friend. He is a gifted actor who can make you laugh or lift you to the extreme pinnacle of nervous anticipation in the same breath. He never over-does anything and his extreme naturalness is refreshing. 'Shorty in the Tiger's Den,' is with us today and you will shake with laughter as Shorty tries to ride a motorcycle, which proves more uncontrollable to Shorty than a bucking pony.
Personal life
Hamilton's popularity drew attention to his personal life as well as his screen performances. In the fall of 1914, less than six months after the release of Shorty Escapes Matrimony, Hamilton married Ethel Spurgin. Hamilton met Spurgin, who was a fan of Hamilton's work, at an appearance at a movie theater in Venice, Los Angeles, CaliforniaVenice, Los Angeles, California
Venice is a beachfront district on the Westside of Los Angeles, California, United States. It is known for its canals, beaches and circus-like Ocean Front Walk, a two-and-a-half mile pedestrian-only promenade that features performers, fortune-tellers, artists, and vendors...
. The two were married less than two months after they met.
Later years and death
The last of the "Adventures of Shorty" films was released in 1917. However, Hamilton continued to appear in western genre films.In March 1925, Hamilton died at age 45 when his automobile crashed into a steam shovel
Steam shovel
A steam shovel is a large steam-powered excavating machine designed for lifting and moving material such as rock and soil. It is the earliest type of power shovel or excavator. They played a major role in public works in the 19th and early 20th century, being key to the construction of railroads...
standing in a street in Hollywood.
Filmography
- The Mexican's Crime (1909)
- The Battle of GettysburgThe Battle of Gettysburg (1913 film)The Battle of Gettysburg is a 1913 silent drama film directed by Charles Giblyn and Thomas H. Ince. The film is now considered to be lost, although some battlefield footage was used by Mack Sennett in his comedy Cohen Saves the Flag, which was shot on location alongside this production. However...
(1913) - The Adventures of Shorty (1914)
- Shorty's Sacrifice (1914)
- Shorty Escapes Marriage (1914)
- Shorty's Strategy (1914)
- Shorty's Trip to Mexico (1914)
- Shorty Gets Into Trouble (1914)
- Shorty Turns Judge (1914)
- Shorty and the Aridville Terror (1914)
- Shorty and the Fortune Teller (1914)
- Shorty and Sherlock Holmes (1914)
- Shorty Falls Into a Title (1914)
- Sergeant Jim's Horse (1915)
- The Bottomless Pit (1915)
- Shorty's Adventures in the City (1915)
- Shorty's Secret (1915)
- Shorty Among the Cannibals (1915)
- On the Night Stage (1915)
- Shorty's Troubled Sleep (1915)
- Shorty Turns Actor (1915)
- Shorty Inherits a Harem (1915)
- Shorty's Ranch (1915)
- Gypsy Joe (1916)
- Shorty and the Yellow Ring (1917)
- Shorty in the Tiger's Den (1917)
- Shorty Goes to College (1917)
- Shorty Joins the Secret Service (1917)
- Shorty Turns Wild Man (1917)
- Shorty Promotes His Love Affair (1917)
- Shorty Hooks a Loan Shark (1917)
- Shorty Traps a Lottery King (1917)
- Shorty Bags the Bullion Thieves (1917)
- Shorty Trails the Moonshiners (1917)
- Shorty Lands a Master Crook (1917)
- Shorty Solves a Wireless Mystery (1917)
- Shorty Reduces the High Cost of Living (1917)
- Shorty Lays a Jungle Ghost (1917)
- Shorty Unearths a Tartar (1917)
- The Pen Vulture (1918)
- A Nugget in the Rough (1918)
- Denny from Ireland (1918)
- The Ranger (1921)
- So This Is Arizona (1922)
- It Happened Out West (1923)
- Two Fisted Thompson (1925)