UPDATED 4-20-24...Revisions to MY STORY pdf (click on "more")
ETC - minor coincidences PDF 5-22-22 (pdf)
DownloadThere are some minor synchronicities and coincidences I've noticed over the last 20 years and, on their own, they might be dismissed as pure randomness. But given all the more significant coincidences and commonalities I've already discussed on the other pages, I felt it was worth mentioning them. I have noticed quite a number of small clues in some of Harry's movies that hinted at his eventual reincarnation. The first thing I noticed was the number of drag sequences in Harry's films. Sure, EVERY major silent and sound comedian donned a dress for laughs at some point -- it's an age old tradition, right? The difference with Harry was the frequency and the sequences were LONG! In THE CHASER, the plot of the movie centers around role reversal...Harry is punished by being forced to wear a skirt throughout most of the movie and becoming the "wife", while his wife becomes the "husband". In SEA SQUAWK and SKIRT SHY, he's wearing a dress for almost the entire duration of both films. I made a collage of scenes from each of these films. Top row: The Chaser, His First Flame, The Sea Squawk. Bottom row: Skirt Shy, Double Trouble and a soundie called Beautiful Clothes. The soundie (a 1940's version of a music video) ends with Harry going through a revolving door, then using a split screen effect, he comes out the other side wearing a dress! Another short film where Harry disguises himself in a dress is TIRED FEET (not pictured). So that's seven films in all, quite a lot. What I'm unsure about is how much involvement Harry had in the decision to implement drag sequences in so many films. THE CHASER was all his idea since he directed it, but the other films were not officially written/directed by Harry.
Inter-title from from HIS NEW MAMMA, 1924
I DON'T REMEMBER, 1935 ...Harry is an artist with a terrible memory. Doesn't even recognize his own mother!
I forgot about ALL AMERICAN CO-ED! It's a Hal Roach mini feature from 1941. Harry himself doesn't engage in any cross dressing, but the main character does in order to enter a beauty pageant at a girls' school. There's a funny scene where the principal of the school says she refuses to allow any men on the campus, to which Harry replies, "Well, I'm a man." She responds, "You're safe." I included a clip of this scene.
Here's a short list of a few other "clues" I noticed in Harry's films that hint at his reincarnation. They're subtle to most, but jumped out at me.
Mom's 1952 passport, she was 2. In the border of the circular purple stamp is the town name of PARTANNA, where she lived and was born in.
Got a few more things that didn't quite fit on other pages. I wanted to include a couple quotes from Columbia shorts director, Jules White, in which he describes how Harry was as a person. I really appreciate his honesty, empathy, and I can't help but feel enormous love and respect for the guy. I've read negative descriptions about how his directing style was violent, fast paced and cartoony. Well, so it was but he gave Harry a chance when he so desperately needed it and that says a lot about Jules' integrity. Quote is from a 1978 interview with Jules (year I was born). From LITTLE ELF pg. 253
Another nice quote from Jules White (Oldham, KING OF SILENT COMEDY pg. 221)
Publicity still from HIS FIRST FLAME...I just get a kick out of seeing multiple Harrys. Reminds me of that Michael Keaton movie, MULTIPLICITY. Imagine being able to have a conversation with your past life personalities. Trippy!
Wanted to use this image somewhere on the website, this might be a good place. I really like what Bill Schelly wrote in his book about the final scene of ZENOBIA.
An excerpt from page 162 of HARRY LANGDON: HIS LIFE AND FILMS. It always chokes me up when I read it. And now, whenever I watch the end of ZENOBIA, I recall what he wrote.
Video clip of final scene of ZENOBIA