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James Finlayson biography

@larbertloon.bsky.social

The crazy life story of jamesfinlayson.actor - from Larbert tinsmith to Broadway to Hollywood

James Finlayson biography @larbertloon.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Can anyone figure out the place of birth in this document? ‘Palbetz’? From another document, it is ‘near Warsaw’ (then within Congress Poland, part of the Russian Empire). #Genealogy #FamilyHistory #Palaeography

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James Finlayson biography @larbertloon.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Haven't come across any connection between the two. BTW 'What Happened To Harkness' is a statement, not a question. Source: Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser, 18 May 1935, p. 6.

Newspaper advert for the Rialto cinema in Airdrie for what's showing on Monday 20 May 1935 includes 'Jimmy Finlayson in a serio comic mystery WHAT HAPPENED TO HARKNESS'

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James Finlayson biography @larbertloon.bsky.social · 03/03/2026

Enjoying reading the #MackSennett scripts and press sheets featuring #JamesFinlayson held by the Library of Congress. However, the press sheet for SHE SIGHED BY THE SEASIDE (1921) contains a few inaccuracies - d’oh! Source: www.loc.gov/item/s1229l1...

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James Finlayson biography @larbertloon.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

Wise words from #JamesFinlayson - especially poignant considering his father was a blacksmith... Source: Hughes, Laurence A. 'The Truth about the Movies by the Stars'. Hollywood Publishers, Inc., 1924. Internet Archive: archive.org/details/trut..., p. 417.

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James Finlayson biography @larbertloon.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

#JamesFinlayson pictured in a trade advert for WHAT HAPPENED TO HARKNESS (1935), a "quota quickie" made at Teddington Studios in London. It was claimed to be his 250th film. Source: Kinematograph Weekly, vol. 210, no. 1426, 16 Aug 1934, p. 32.

A drawing of James Finlayson dressed as an English policeman from a trade advert by Warner Bros. - First National Productions for the film "WHAT HAPPENED TO HARKNESS", with Robert Hale & Jimmy Finlayson, a mirthful mystery thriller directed by Milton Rosmer

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James Finlayson biography @larbertloon.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

A reference to HORSE FEATHERS (1932) by the Marx Brothers? 🥸🏈

Still from HORSE FEATHERS (1932) featuring Zeppo, Groucho, Harpo and Chico Marx

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James Finlayson biography @larbertloon.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Today #JamesFinlayson was finally recognised in his home town of Larbert, where a portrait of him now sits beside his Scottish Film Council plaque in the Dobbie Hall

Portrait of James Finlayson by local artist Connor Draycott

View of the stage from the balcony in the Dobbie Hall

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James Finlayson biography @larbertloon.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

#JamesFinlayson pictured with Thelma Todd and Dennis King at the Empire, Leicester Square, when #LaurelAndHardy film FRA DIAVOLO (1933) had its UK premiere. Sam Eckman was MGM’s managing director in the UK for 25 years. Source: Kinematograph Weekly, 25 May 1933, p.5.

Thelma Todd, Dennis King and Jimmy Finlayson, photographed with Sam Eckman, after they had made a personal appearance at the Empire in connection with the showing of Laurel and Hardy film FRA DIAVOLO (M.-G.-M.)

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