BILLY WEST (1893-1975)

From left: Billy shows off his wrestling prowess in an unnamed King Bee Comedy.

CAREER OVERVIEW / THE CRITICS RAVE / BILLY IN THE NEWS / 

Billy West was quite simply the best Chaplin imitator, Robert Downey, Jr. notwithstanding, who ever plied the trade. His physical appearance was uncannily like Chaplin's (aided by sleeping in hair curlers) and he nailed Chaplin's walk and comic mannerisms to perfection. Unlike other imitators, West never was never on the receiving end of a lawsuit from Chaplin, thus implying that Chaplin's attitude may have been something between grudging admiration and benign neglect. Billy even had his imitators, such as Harry Mann who subbed for West during a contract dispute.

As more West comedies come to light, it's evident that many of the best shorts derived from his collaboration with Charley (Chase) Parrott. Ship Ahoy (1919) has a brilliant chase scene in a cutaway house with the all participants flying through doors, transoms, and strategically placed trap doors. It was so good that the bit was replicated by Buster Keaton in Neighbors two years later. In and Out (1919) is another Chase-directed short full of totally original comedy bits.

But ultimately even the best imitator is just an imitator, and West himself must have tired of the act. His post-1920 comedies in which he plays a "Dapper Dan" type character (ironically much like Monty Banks) showed that he didn't need the Chaplin persona to pull off a good comedy. Indeed, his reputation as an original laughmaker might be

CAREER OVERVIEW:

• 1892 or 1893: Born Roy B. Weissberg in Russia.
• 1909: Makes stage debut in U.S.
• 1916: Makes his first comedies for Emerald and Unicorn.
• 1917: Begins a successful series with King Bee, director Charles Parrott and supporting heavy Oliver Hardy.
• 1919: Continues the "Billy West Comedies" at Bulls Eye (later Reelcraft) Parrott directing his best pictures..
• 1920: Billy discards his Chaplin imitation. Continues to make comedies for Joan Film Sales, but is never as successful.
• 1921-1925: Produces and stars in a series of short comedies for Aarow.
• 1920's-'30's: Does supporting bits in features.
• 1930's-'50's: Becomes an assistant director at Columbia Pictures while managing the Columbia Grill.
• July 21, 1975: Dies in Hollywood, CA as he was leaving the Hollywood Park racetrack.

THE CRITICS RAVE:

CUPID'S RIVAL. A two part comedy of the cheap sort with horse play and vulgarity as the cheap baits. The plot with various complications centers about the plight of a poor artist who sees his sweetheart enter the studio of his rival. The featured member of the cast, Billy West, doesn't seem to figure as largely in the plot proper as do his associates. In his actions and make-up piece a life size painting of Charlie Chaplin. He must surely be commended for his successful imitation of the popular comedy star.

BILLY IN THE NEWS:

BILLY WEST SIGNS WITH NEW COMPANY. Billy West has a contract with The Caws Comedy Corporation for a period of five years at a salary approximating $25,000 per year. The Billy West comedies will be distributed by The Caws Comedy Corporation on a states rights basis. While there has only been three pictures of the Billy West Comedies put on the market thus far, the demand for them has been so great that a special company was formed to promote these pictures exclusively. The Caws Comedy Corporation is composed of Arthur M. Werner, N.H. Spitzer, Charles Feature Abrams and Samuel Cummins. These pictures will be released in single reels, two a month. The first release will be put on the market about March 1.

POPULAR PICTURE PERSONALITIES. WEST, WILLIAM B. (BILLY). Born in Russia, Jewish parentage. Is five feet, five inches tall and weighs 135 pounds. Dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair. Mr. West made his stage debut in 1909, playing in vaudeville, but it was not until he turned to pictures in 1916 that he attracted much attention. His first picture was His Married Life, released in June of last year. His specialty is an uncanny reproduction of the methods of Charles Chaplin, and it is as an impersonator of that comedian that he has made his mark in pictures. He was first released through the Unicorn, but on the closing of that company he was taken under the management of Louis Burnstein in King Bee comedies, working under an old Chaplin director who originated many of the gags of that comedian. Like Caruso, he finds diversion in cartoon drawing and is also fond of music, autoing and driving.

BILLY WEST SUITS DISMISSED. Suits begun against Billy West. The young King-Bee comedian, seeking to enjoin him from appearing in any pictures except those produced by the company with whom he made an allegedly invalid contract, have been dismissed, according to an announcement from the officers of the King-Bee Film Corporation.

The Billy West Company arrived in New York from Jacksonville a few days ago. They are at present at work under the direction of Arvid P. Gillstron at the Frohman studios, Flushing, L.I. The company includes Billy West, Ethel Clayton, Babe Hardy, Leo White, Ethlyn Gibson and Bud Ross.

BILLY WEST'S WALTZES READY. "The King-Bee Waltzes" composed by Billy West, star of the King-Bee Comedies, will be released Jan. 2 and published only in Sunday magazine sections of the leading newspapers around the country. They will be given to the newspapers with a guarantee that they are an exclusive set of waltzes that cannot be purchased anywhere, and are dedicated by the comedian to his admirers.

Any exhibitor desiring to play these waltzes in his theater can do so feeling assured that no music tax will be charged. A copy of these waltzes will be sent to any exhibitor upon request to Ed. Rosenbaum, Jr., publicity director, King-Bee Films Corp., Longacre Building, New York City.

REELCRAFT PICTURES. BILLY WEST as himself on his merits alone discarding the derby hat, baggy trousers, shoes and cane. A new series of two reel comedy features, surpassing everything ever done before by this young American comedian. Short subjects raised to the feature degree. Ask our nearest exchange.

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