Spencer Bell (actor)
Encyclopedia
Spencer Bell was an was an American actor, best known for playing opposite Larry Semon
in several of his comedies.
. Prior to his Hollywood career, Bell worked as a chauffeur. He costarred with comedian Larry Semon
in several of his silent comedies, notably Wizard of Oz
as "Snowball". During the 1930s, Bell regularly appeared in the Mickey McGuire film series
. He briefly ran an acting troup in Harlem.
Bell died from complications of stomach surgery on August 18, 1935.
Larry Semon
Lawrence "Larry" Semon was an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter during the silent film era. In his day, Semon was considered a major movie comedian, but he is now remembered mainly for working with both Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy before they started working together.He is also...
in several of his comedies.
Career
Bell was born in Lexington, KentuckyLexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
. Prior to his Hollywood career, Bell worked as a chauffeur. He costarred with comedian Larry Semon
Larry Semon
Lawrence "Larry" Semon was an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter during the silent film era. In his day, Semon was considered a major movie comedian, but he is now remembered mainly for working with both Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy before they started working together.He is also...
in several of his silent comedies, notably Wizard of Oz
Wizard of Oz (1925 film)
Wizard of Oz is a 1925 silent film directed by Larry Semon, who also appears in a lead role. The first major film adaptation of L. Frank Baum's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this film features a young Oliver Hardy as the "Tin Woodsman."-Plot:...
as "Snowball". During the 1930s, Bell regularly appeared in the Mickey McGuire film series
Mickey McGuire (film series)
Mickey McGuire was an American comedy series of short subjects from 1927 to 1934. The series was notable for essentially launching the careers of Mickey Rooney and Billy Barty. The series was based on Fontaine Fox's popular comic strip series, Toonerville Trolley. The series was very popular in its...
. He briefly ran an acting troup in Harlem.
Bell died from complications of stomach surgery on August 18, 1935.
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1922 | The Counter Jumper The Counter Jumper The Counter Jumper is a 1922 film directed by Larry Semon and featuring Oliver Hardy. It is a remake of the 1919 film The Grocery Clerk, which was also directed by Semon... |
A Clerk | |
| 1923 | No Wedding Bells No Wedding Bells No Wedding Bells is a 1923 silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.-Cast:* Larry Semon - Larry* Lucille Carlisle - The Girl* Oliver Hardy - The Girl's Father * Spencer Bell - The Butler* Glen Cavender - An Irate Husband... |
The Butler | |
| 1923 | The Gown Shop The Gown Shop The Gown Shop is a 1923 silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.-Cast:* Larry Semon - Larry, a salesman* Kathleen Myers - Head saleslady* Oliver Hardy - Store manager * Fred DeSilva - Dressmaker The Gown Shop is a 1923 silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.-Cast:* Larry Semon - Larry, a... |
Janitor | |
| 1923 | Lightning Love Lightning Love Lightning Love is a 1923 silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.-Cast:* Larry Semon - Larry, a Suitor* Kathleen Myers - Rhea* Oliver Hardy - Oliver, the Other Suitor * Spencer Bell - Butler* Al Thompson - Father* William Hauber... |
Butler | |
| 1924 | Her Boy Friend Her Boy Friend Her Boy Friend is a 1924 silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.-Cast:* Larry Semon - Larry, the Chief's son* Dorothy Dwan - Iva Method, the girl detective* Alma Bennett - The Vamp* Oliver Hardy - Killer Kid... |
Dock worker | |
| 1924 | Kid Speed Kid Speed -Cast:* Dorothy Dwan - Lou DuPoise* James J. Jeffries - Blacksmith/Tailor* Oliver Hardy - Dangerous Dan McGraw * Frank Alexander - Mr. Avery DuPoys* William Hauber - Sheriff Phil O'Delfa* Grover G. Ligon* Larry Semon - The Speed Kid... |
The Speed Kid's co-driver | Alternative title: The Four Wheel Terror |
| 1925 | Wizard of Oz Wizard of Oz (1925 film) Wizard of Oz is a 1925 silent film directed by Larry Semon, who also appears in a lead role. The first major film adaptation of L. Frank Baum's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this film features a young Oliver Hardy as the "Tin Woodsman."-Plot:... |
Snowball | Credited as G. Howe Black |
| 1925 | The Perfect Clown The Perfect Clown The Perfect Clown is a 1925 silent slapstick comedy motion picture starring Larry Semon and Kate Price. It features an early screen appearance by Oliver Hardy. Directed by Fred C. Newmeyer, the screenplay was written by Thomas J... |
Snowflake | Credited as G. Howe Black |
| 1926 | The Prince of Broadway | Snowball | |
| 1927 | Oh, What a Man! | Waiter | |
| 1928 | The Midnight Taxi The Midnight Taxi The Midnight Taxi is a 1928 early part-talkie melodrama picture from Warner Brothers directed by John G. Adolfi and starring Antonio Moreno, Helen Costello and Myrna Loy. It is unknown whether a copy survives, but a silent copy with no talking is in the care of the British Film Institute. The... |
Rastus | |
| 1929 | The Rodeo | Magnolia's Husband | |
| 1931 | Smart Money | Suntan | Uncredited |
| 1932 | Heavens! My Husband! | Porter | Uncredited |
| 1933 | Blue of the Night | Porter | Uncredited |