ZASU PITTS - THELMA TODD - PATSY KELLY

1931-1936

Zasu Pitts was a silent-screen veteran with over 100 film credits to her name before she was paired with co-star Thelma Todd in 1931 at the age of 37. Thelma Todd, twelve years younger than Pitts, was a rising star at the Hal Roach Studios, having been paired with Charley Chase in a short-lived series of shorts in 1930 as well as having appeared alongside Laurel and Hardy and Max Davidson. Together, Pitts and Todd notched up a total of 17 films over a two year period whilst working for Hal Roach. However, in 1933 unsuccessful contract negotiations led to Zasu Pitts being released from the series and a new co-star was sought for Thelma Todd.

Cue Brooklyn-born Patsy Kelly, a fresh-faced 23-year old comedienne who was just the person to fill the void left by Pitts.  She signed in the role of Todd's scatty sidekick partner for a new series of two-reelers, which would run for 2½ years up until Thelma Todd's sudden death at the end of 1935.  During that time, the Todd/Kelly series notched up 21 films (the last two were released after Todd's death).  To fulfill the series obligation, Todd was 'replaced' by Pert Kelton for one film and then Lyda Roberti filled out the last two.

All films are Hal Roach/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and listed in order of release

ZASU PITTS & THELMA TODD SERIES 1931-1933 1931 Let's Do Things  [S-39]  (06 Jun 1931) Catch-As Catch-Can  [A-1]  (22 Aug 1931) The Pajama Party  [A-2]  (03 Oct 1931) War Mamas  [A-3]  (14 Nov 1931) On The Loose  [A-4]  (26 Dec 1931) 1932 Sealskins  [A-5]  (06 Feb 1932) Red Noses  [A-6]  (19 Mar 1932) Strictly Unreliable  [A-7]  (30 Apr 1932) The Old Bull  [A-8]  (04 Jun 1932) Show Business  [A-9]  (20 Aug 1932) Alum And Eve  [A-10]  (24 Sep 1932) The Soilers  [A-11]  (29 Oct 1932) Sneak Easily  [A-12]  (10 Dec 1932) 1933 Asleep In The Feet  [A-13]  (21 Jan 1933) Maids A La Mode  [A-14]  (04 Mar 1933) The Bargain Of The Century  [A-15]  (08 Apr 1933) One Track Minds  [A-16]  (20 May 1933) THELMA TODD & PATSY KELLY SERIES 1933-1936 1933 Beauty And The Bus  [A-17]  (16 Sep 1933) Backs To Nature  [A-18]  (14 Nov 1933) Air Fright  [A-19]  (23 Dec 1933) 1934 Babes In The Goods  [A-20]  (10 Feb 1934) Soup And Fish  [A-21]  (31 Mar 1934) Maid In Hollywood  [A-22]  (19 May 1934) I'll Be Suing You  [A-23]  (23 Jun 1934) Three Chumps Ahead  [A-24]  (14 Jul 1934) One-Horse Farmers  [A-26]  (01 Sep 1934) Opened By Mistake  [A-27]  (06 Oct 1934) Done In Oil  [A-25]  (10 Nov 1934) Bum Voyage  [A-28]  (15 Dec 1934) 1935 Treasure Blues  [A-29]  (26 Jan 1935) Sing Sister Sing  [A-32]  (02 Mar 1935) The Tin Man  [A-30]  (30 Mar 1935) The Misses Stooge  [A-31]  (20 Apr 1935) Slightly Static  [A-33]  (07 Sep 1935) Twin Triplets  [A-34]  (12 Oct 1935) Hot Money  [A-35]  (16 Nov 1935) Top Flat  [A-36]  (21 Dec 1935) 1936 An All-American Toothache  [A-37]  (25 Jan 1936) PATSY KELLY & PERT KELTON 1936 1936 Pan Handlers  [A-38]  (29 Feb 1936) PATSY KELLY & LYDA ROBERTI 1936 1936 At Sea Ashore  [A-39]  (04 Apr 1936) Hill-Tillies  [A-40]  (24 Apr 1936)