BEN TURPIN FILMOGRAPHY - VOGUE 1916-1917

VOGUE-MUTUAL (one reel each unless noted)

Ben and Paddy, His Blow Out

National Nuts

May 28, 1916     Dir: Jack Dillon

Ben Turpin, Paddy McQuire, Rena Rogers, Arthur Moon, Jack Gaines, Ed Sedgwick

Nailing a Lie

June 4, 1916     Dir: Jack Dillon

Ben Turpin, Paddy McQuire, Rena Rogers, Arthur Moon, Jack Gaines

His Blow Out (re-released c1921/22 as The Plumbers)

June 11, 1916     Dir: Jack Dillon

Ben Turpin (Bloggie), Paddy McQuire (Bungling Bill), Rena Rogers (Dora), Arthur Moon (The Crook), Jack Connelly, Ed Sedgwick, Louise Owens

   Bungling Bill and Bloggie read that a rich plumber is willing to let two men conduct his business while he is on his honeymoon. They apply, interest Murphy and he gives them the business. Murphy, seeing he has been buncoed, tries to follow the girl, but slim knocks him off the running board of the car. Arriving home, Slim and Dora find that a pipe is leaking. The janitor phones for Bloggie and Bill. Bill’s efforts to stop the water prove unavailing. He sees the stolen necklace and purloins it and starts out with Slim following him. From now on the complicated action is fast and furious. The picture closes in a gale of fun. (work title: Doctor the Leak)

• The Delinquent Bridegrooms  (EYE Film Institute)

June 18, 1916     Dir: Jack Dillon

Ben Turpin, Paddy McQuire, Rena Rogers, Arthur Moon, Jack Gaines, Ed Laurie, Louise Owens, Margaret Templeton

The Iron Mitt

June 25, 1916     Dir: Jack Dillon

Ben Turpin (Bloggie), Paddy McQuire (Bungling Bill), Jack Gaines (The Iron Saw), Ed Laurie (A Multi-Billionaire), Rena Rogers (His Daughter), Arthur Moon (The Detective)

Just for a Kid (re-re c1921/22 as The Leading Man)

July 2, 1916     Dir: Jack Dillon

Ben Turpin (Bloggie), Paddy McQuire (Bungling Bill), Rena Rogers (Rena), Arthur Moon (Her Husband), Jack Gaines (Joshua Elliot), Ed Laurie (The Doctor)

   Bill and Bloggie read in the paper that a “Better Babies Contest” is going to be held, and that $50,000 will be offered to the mother of the prize infant. The rogues steal the offspring of Mr. and Mrs. Moon, and, after many complications, Bloggie, dressed in women’s clothes, pushes a perambulator to the contest. Bloggie wins the prize with his “son Oscar,” only to find that the money is offered to encourage the birth of babies in China, and for this reason the $50,000 is paid in coin of that realm equal in America to about 17 cents.

Hired and Fired

July 9, 1916     Dir: Jack Dillon

Ben Turpin (Bloggie), Paddy McQuire (Bungling Bill), Arthur Moon (The Director), Rena Rogers (The Leading Lady), Jack Gaines (The Manager), Ed Laurie (Prop Man)

   Bungling Bill and Bloggie, youths out of work, through the advertising columns of a newspaper secure employment at the Vogue Studio. There they steal one of the property men’s lunch and the theft is blamed on the tragedian, who is always complaining of hunger. The director calls Bloggie to play his part. He has a long wavy mustache which Bill ties to one of the scene supporters after hitting him with a dumbell without satisfactory results. As the director calls for action, Bloggie enters the set, but falls, tearing off his mustache, and the scene is marred. After many trials he is discharged, and for his revenge he turns the fire hose loose in the studio with disastrous effects on everybody.

A Deep Sea Liar (re-re c1921/22 as The Landlubber)

July 16, 1916     Dir: Jack Dillon  Story: Robert A. Dillon

Ben Turpin (Bloggie), Paddy McQuire (Bungling Bill), Rena Rogers (Rena), Arthur Moon (the Agent), Jack Gaines (Admiral Shimsky)

   Admiral Shimsky comes to confer with Murray Sinclair, the Moth Ball Magnate, regarding the latter’s invention, which borders on the submarine. At the hotel, the head of the Limburger Navy is quite a social favorite. Moon, a government agent in love with Rena, the inventor’s daughter, has unsuccessfully tried to buy the invention. He employs two men to answer an ad which the hotel has inserted, stating that they need the services of two ex-sailors to act in ship-shape order while attending the wants of the Admiral. Events move rapidly to an uproariously funny ending. MPW: “The scenes are short and jerky, giving much of the action a meaningless character. The plot, which might have shown up to better advantage, is lost in the abrupt change of scenes. This is a rapid fire, slapstick comedy, in which the complications are too involved to detail.”

Bungling Bill’s Dress Suit

July 30, 1916    Dir: Jack Dillon    one reel

Paddy McQuire, Ben Turpin, Gypsy Abbott, Arthur Moon, Elsie Greeson, Jack Gaines

VOGUE-MUTUAL (now two reels each unless noted)

For Ten Thousand Bucks (re-re c1921/22 as Forced to Work)

July 23, 1916    Dir: Jack Dillon    two reels

Ben Turpin (Bloggie), Paddy McQuire (Bungling Bill), Arthur Moon (Jack Braveheart), Gypsy Abbott (His Sweetheart), Jack Gaines (Malcolm Valentine), Nell Farrin (Carmen), Ed Laurie (Ignatz Daschundsky)

   After Bill and Bloggie steal a flivver, are pursued by the police and take refuge in the apartment of Carmen Sapho, an adventuress, who hires them to steal a shipment of $10,000 from the Limited Express for her. They jump on the train and are arrested for trespass and forced to take jobs as strike brakers. Dressed as brakemen they collect the tickets from the passengers with disastrous results.

   Carmen is determined to get the money and trails the owner to his house. She notices a bag he carries and suspects it contains the money. She substitutes another bag for it going to his office and makes the exchange. As she is about to leave Valentine, the villian enters and snatches the wrong bag after knocking out the owner. Both Carmen and Valentine board the train and a fight for the bag ensues. Adventures galore befall the pair until finally the bag is returned to its owner and Bloggie and Bungling Bill are rewarded for their efforts.

Lost and Found

Lost and Found

August 6, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin, Rube Miller, Paddy McQuire, Lillian Hamilton

   Two crooks see Rube and Ben who have just arrived in town with a bag of money. The crooks follow them and steal their bag, taking it with them to their rendezvous. The rubes are unable to locate the crooks, and finally land in a park bemoaning their loss. While in the park they read an advertisement for shoe clerks. They apply for the positions, and are employed. Rube is given the women’s department and Ben the men’s. Ben complains to the manager, demands the women’s side, but is refused. A girl whom they had met in the park happens along, and comes in to purchase a pair of shoes. Ben insists upon waiting on her, and Rube, refusing to let him, starts an argument, while the girl intercedes. The girl’s sweetheart comes into the store and recognizes Rube and Ben as the two men he saw making love to his girl in the park. Thinking they are still trying to make love, he becomes angry and starts an argument. The manager, hearing the uproar, comes in in time to see them start a fight that tears up his store. He goes for the police and returns with three large officers who mix up in the fighting. Unable to win against those odds, Ben and Rube flee, and a chase ensues. The chase leads Rube and Ben to a barroom, where they discover the two crooks with their bag of money. They seize the bag and start a struggle. Meantime, the manager of the shoe store, lover and girl reach the exterior of the saloon; Rube and Ben are thrown against the brick wall, going through upon their pursuers amidst a falling of bricks and dust.

Some Liars

Some Liars (re-re c1921/22 as Why Men Leave Home)

August 13, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin, Rube Miller, Gypsy Abbott, Eva Thatcher, Owen Evans

The Stolen Booking (re-re c1921/22 as Brainstorming)

Sept 3, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin, Rube Miller, Ed Laurie, Larry Bowes

Doctoring a Leak

• Doctoring a Leak (re-re c1921/22 as A Total Loss)

Sept 17, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin, Rube Miller, Lillian Hamilton

• Poultry a la Mode

(re-re c1921/22 as The Harem) also known as Poultry

Oct 1, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin, Rube Miller, Lillian Hamilton (Omaho), Walter Rogers (Mohammed Alo)

   Rube and Ben are neighbors; one raises ducks on one side of their fence and the other raises geese on his side. They are caught flirting with a pretty girl by their wives and are warned to attend to their fowl. Rube and Ben get into a quarrel and dump their water buckets on each other. Meanwhile, a duck and goose waddle off and find the perfect watering hole in the home of a Sultan. They hasten back to tell the rest of their flocks, but not until Rube and Ben have followed them and behold a wonderful sight. The water in the pool had been treated with a magic liquid that turns the fowl into beautiful maidens. At the sight of this, and after a rough ejection by the home owner Turk, the boys hurry home to bring all their ducks and geese which are magically changed into a multitude of laughing girls. After breaking out of a trunk the boys had locked the Turk in, chaos abounds. Then the police arrive and it’s a rude awakening for the boys by their wives. Clips from this title have circulated as The Harem and Magic Pool

Ducking a Discord

Ducking a Discord

(re-re c1921/22 as The Hero)

Oct 15, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin, Rube Miller, Lillian Hamilton

   Rube’s wife is an expert at the Dutch Inn and Out. The house is filled with the music of the old accordian from dawn to dark. He decides to get rid of her, puts her in a bag and throws her in the river. She is rescued by Ben, who loves her devotedly. Together they plan to give Rube a scare. They cover their faces with flour, and she walks in on her husband in the midst of his lovemaking with Lillian. He thinks she is a spirit. Another time, when the pickpocket gang to which Rube belongs meets at their rendezvous, she appears again, and succeeds in crabbing the game forever for her erring husband.

He Died and He Didn’t

Oct 29, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin (The Gambler), Rube Miller (The Prospector), Lillian Hamilton (The Girl)

   The prospector enters the western dance hall and, upon seeing the gambler, takes a mallet and apparently kills the man. He is captured by the posse and as he is dangling from a tree tells the story of how, years before, he and Ben had been in Texas together, Ben fleecing Rube of all his savings, robbed him of his girl, and disappeared. As Rube is about to breathe his last word, a message is heard that Ben has recovered. The posse cut Rube down and takes him back. He discovers that the girl is still with Ben and is the mother of seven urchins. Ben tries to rid himself of this domestic burden, but Rube flees on his trick mule and has the last laugh on the gambler.  (work title: Revenge Is Sweet)

Picture Pirates   (#38)  

(re-re c1921/22 as High Art)

Nov 12, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin, Rube Miller (The Ne’er-Do-Wells), Lillian Hamilton, Rosie Rosee (Their Wives), Larry Bowes (The Picture Pirate), (Paddy McQuire?)

   Rube’s and Ben’s wives are waitresses. An art collector purchases a rare picture and the “picture pirate,” representing himself as another collector, calls on the first collector. As he is leaving the place Rube and Ben try to pick his pockets, and admonishing them as amateurs, he tells them to join in with him and try to steal the picture. They take the art collector’s wife with them to the same café wherein their wives are waitresses. Ben and Rube leave her there and hasten to her home to steal a copy of the picture, the owner having hid the original. They also drink some poisoned whiskey left for them and fall into a fit. Later the “picture pirate” pays Rube and Ben for the picture, thinking it is the original. MPW: The action is in burlesque style and does not get up much humor. Some of the knockabout scenes are fairly amusing, but as a whole the number is not strong.

The Wicked City

The Wicked City

(re-re c1921/22 as The Porter)

Dec 3, 1916     Dir: Robin Williamson    two reels

Ben Turpin (The Proprietor), Gypsy Abbott (The Waitress), Paddy McQuire (The Cook), Margaret Templeton (His Wife), Arthur Moon (The Drummer)

   Ben, proprietor of a small town restaurant and in love with his waitress, presents her with an engagement ring. About this time the waitress goes to the city to buy her trousseau. The cook receives word that a fortune awaits him in the city, and he and his wife leave. When the waitress arrives she finds that her aunt is not in town so puts up at the Chargealot Hotel. A drummer also decides to stay at the same place, but his room is given by mistake to the waitress. The cook and his wife get the rooms adjoining the waitress’, and the night after the Ben comes to the hotel, having just sold his restaurant. While there, things happen that keeps everyone jumping, and finally a wild chase ensues, which results in the drummer and waitress bungling into the home of a preacher, where they are married.

Shot in the Fracas  (#76)

(re-re c1921/22 as The Janitor)

Dec 10, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin (The Janitor), Margaret Templeton (His Wife), Paddy McQuire (The Peddler), Arthur Moon (The Husband), Gypsy Abbott (His Wife)

   Arthur Moon, a champion archer, who has a medal which he values highly, lives in a fashionable apartment with his wife, Gypsy. Ben, the janitor of the building, who believes in letting his wife do all the work, is in the hall sweeping when all of the trouble over the medal takes place. Paddy, the peddler, seeing the curtains in Arthur’s window swaying and thinking someone is flirting with him, climbs up the fire escape and enters Moon’s apartment. Here he spies the medal and pockets it just before Moon’s wife comes in. Paddy hides behind a screen and furtively watches Gypsy practice archery. One of her arrows hits Ben who is brought into her room to recover. Arthur comes home and, finding Ben in the house, becomes jealous. He misses the medal and begins searching. Paddy manages to slip it into Ben’s pocket and it is found. The medal falls into the hands of all concerned and finally to its rightful owners, but not before a two-story brick factory building is destroyed and Paddy takes a sail through the clouds.

Treed

Dec 17, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Rube Miller, Harry Huckins, Owen Evans, (Ben Turpin?)

Jealous Jolts

(re-re c1921/22 as A Country Lover)

Dec 31, 1916     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Ben Turpin, Paddy McQuire, Gypsy Abbott, Margaret Templeton, Arthur Moon

A Lisle Bank

Jan 14, 1917     Dir: Rube Miller    two reels

Paddy McQuire, Gypsy Abbott Arthur Moon, Edward Laurie, Margaret Templeton, (Ben Turpin?)

A Circus Cyclone  (#97)

Jan 28, 1917     Dir: Rube Miller

Ben Turpin, Paddy McQuire, Gypsy Abbott, Margaret Templeton, Arthur Moon

• The Musical Marvel  (#105)

(re-released c1921/22 as Some Jazz Baby)

Feb 11, 1917     Dir: Robin Williamson

Ben Turpin, Gypsy Abbott, Ed Laurie, Arthur Moon

• The Butcher’s Nightmare  (#115) 

(re-released c1921/22 as Ben’s Wild Dream)

Feb 25, 1917     Dir: Robin Williamson

Ben Turpin, Gypsy Abbott, Ed Laurie, Arthur Moon, Margaret Templeton, Fred J. Woodward

• His Bogus Boast  (#159)   

(re-released c1921/22 as A Cheerful Liar)

March 10, 1917     Dir: Robin Williamson

Ben Turpin, Gypsy Abbott, Ed Laurie, Arthur Moon, Margaret Templeton, (Carrie Turpin?). Ben in a dual role

• A Studio Stampede   

(re-released c1921/22 as Out of Control)

March 24, 1917     Dir: Robin Williamson

Ben Turpin, Gypsy Abbott (Dora Darling), Ed Laurie (movie director), Arthur Currier, Russell Powell (gateman)

• Why Ben Bolted

(re-released c1921/22 as He Looked Crooked)   

April 7, 1917     Dir: Robin Williamson

Ben Turpin, Gypsy Abbott, Ed Laurie, Lillian Hamilton  (wt: Frightened Flirts)

• Masked Mirth

(re-released c1921/22 as The Skyrocket)   

April 21, 1917     Dir: Robin Williamson   (BFI)

Ben Turpin, Lillian Hamilton, Ed Laurie, Arthur Currier, Margaret Templeton, Eugene Shaw

Bucking the Tiger

May 5, 1917     Dir: Robin Williamson

Ben Turpin, Lillian Hamilton, Arthur Currier, Ed Laurie, Margaret Templeton

Caught in the End, Turpin’s last film for Vogue
with Lillian Hamilton and Margaret Templeton

• Caught in the End  (#243)  

(re-released c1921/22 as After the Ball)

May 19, 1917     Dir: Robin Williamson    (LoC)

Ben Turpin, Lillian Hamilton, Arthur Currier, Ed Laurie, Margaret Templeton


Film titles preceded with a bullet (•) are known extant

LOST 1911 MARY PICKFORD IMP FILM FOUND!

Mary Pickford in fur, Thomas Ince at her arm, Owen Moore partially obscured behind Mary,

and Ben Turpin at the far right. Photo courtesy of Christel Schmidt

   A recent and RARE find for all film lovers and fans of America’s Sweetheart, Mary Pickford, her then-husband Owen Moore, plus the tragic producer/director Thomas Ince in the one reel short, Their First Misunderstanding (released January 9, 1911). Of special note is the surprise appearance by our comedic hero, Ben Turpin!

   Read all about it at one of my favorite sites: http://www.nitrateville.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15825

Ben Turpin at Carl Laemmle’s IMP

IMP employees in New York celebrate the one year anniversary of their first release on October 25, 1910

            One of the more recent discoveries in the motion picture career of Ben Turpin was that he was associated with Carl Laemmle’s Independent Moving Pictures Company, or the IMP. In all my years of research, Turpin never brought up IMP nor Laemmle in his many interviews or stories over the years, however it has been known that Ben was indeed associated – though off camera – with IMP, as documented in the book, For Art’s Sake.
            However in 2008, UCLA stumbled across a print in their archives of an early IMP split reel comedy that, upon screening, starred none other than Mr. Ben Turpin! The film was The Hobble Skirt (released October 27, 1910) which, today, is one of the earliest verified instances of Turpin acting for IMP.

Years earlier I had come across a Turpin quote that I at first dismissed as fluff: “I recall once, Mary Pickford was filming a scene laid in Havana. As she poised on the edge of a boat ready to leap into the sea, the grind of the camera was halted and I was substituted in her place, attired in long curls and feminine dress, I made the leap.” Ben stunting for Mary Pickford? Why not!?! 

In September 2017 I located a rare article in the June 11, 1910 issue of The Star Press, Muncie, Indiana, on page 14, stating: "(Ben Turpin) leaves Monday for Chicago where he has contracted with the Laemmle Film Service and Manufacturing Company, to act in more films."

            Since the discovery of The Hobble Skirt and my locating the Manifest of Alien Passengers sailing from Havana on March 4, 1911 (which lists Ben and Carrie Turpin among several IMP personnel), Ben was indeed a part of IMP. And that Pickford film Ben mentioned may well be the March 16, 1911 release (unfortunately lost), The Fisher Maid. By the way, if you can’t see all the faces in the above photo, here’s a better shot of one cock-eyed participant...

      

                                                              Zooming in on the above pic, there’s no mistaking the mugg of Ben Turpin

   Ben Turpin waiting for a train with Owen Moore and Mary Pickford in the recently discovered film, "Their First     

   Misunderstanding," released by IMP on January 9, 1911. Photo courtesy of Christal Schmidt.

 

Ben Turpin TROUPER

Turpin circa 1895, prancing in Cincinnati. Courtesy of Brandt Rowles

One of my goals in the writing of Ben Turpin’s biography was to compile as complete a list as possible of Ben’s stage appear-ances. I did chart a number of his appearances throughout the book, but by the time of its publishing, I realized it’s a goal that was improbable if not impossible. It’s just going to take time and access to many sources which I believe are in the not too distant future thanks to the information highway.

   In 1922 Col. W.S. Butterfield, who began Michigan’s first vaudeville circuit in 1899 re-membered one of his first acts: 
  

Young Ben in an unidentified small part

 “Ben Turpin did a knock-about specialty which included falling from tables and chairs stacked high enough to reach the stage borders. Ben’s contract called for $35. weekly.” My Turpin biography goes into additional accounts such as Butterfield’s.

  Since the publication of For Art’s Sake, I offer his audience several new and additional Ben Turpin stage appearances, a work-in-progress which I hope to continue to chart at this blogsite.

1892, Ben Turpin is residing at 310 W. Jackson St., Chicago, and working at 129 Market St. (an as yet unidentified business) as a clerk. He soon joins Chief Lo's Traveling Medicine Show.

August 18, 1892: Dr. Turpin of Chicago arrested in Wabash, Indiana for selling medicine without a license.

February 21, 1893: Ben Turpin takes a man to court in a charge of larceny in Chicago.

May 16, 1896: Ben breaks his leg when the train headed to Milwaukee he bummed a ride on has a major accident in Waldo, Wisconsin, fifty miles north of Milwaukee. Turpin was found two hours after the accident buried under damaged timber and cargo. Three others were killed and the train's fireman was badly hurt.

January 1, 1898: New York Dramatic Mirror mentions Mr. R. B. Turpin is manager of the Union Grand Theater, Union City, Indiana.

February 24, 1898: Bernard Turpin, 28, of 608 West Fourth St., Cincinnati, marries Miss Norma Koch, 20, of 56 McMicken Ave., in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio.
 

April 3, 1899, Turpin playing Hopkins St. Charles Theatre, New Orleans, with Folke and Semon; Fred Niblo; Lester and Stevens; and the Hopkins Dramatic Stock Co. in The Lost Paradise.

July 29, 1899: The Standard Theater  (Fort Worth, Texas) : A big hit was scored in the production of the farce comedy, Wanted – A Wife, presented by the following people: John Chick, Frank Gibbons, George Milton, Ben Turpin, Rose Mendel, Leota Howard, Amy Gilbert, Edith Wilmo and Annie Chick. Rest of people: Ada Yule, Lulu Lawton, Leonie Mendel, Annie Milton, Ethel Barlow and Maggie Lawler. New York Clipper, page 5

August 5, 1899: Ben playing The Standard (Fort Worth) with The Chicks; The Miltons; Rose Mendel; The Wilmos; Ada Yule; Lulu Lawton; Leonie Mendel; Ethel Barlow in Frank DeBeque’s initial burlesque production, The Belle of the Acre to crowded houses. New York Clipper, page 4

September 23, 1899: Ben and Norma Turpin playing People’s Theater, Fort Worth, Texas, along with The Ritchies; Professor Cecil Aldrich; Tom Gale; Madeline Ray; Lonnie St. Clair; Bertha Glenn; Lulu Hunter; Pearl Fay; the Hart Brothers; and Joe Rogan. New York Clipper

October 23-28, 1899: Ben and Norma Turpin playing the Palace Theatre (Houston, Texas), along with Carrie Scott; Katie Holmes; Sadie Pierce; Jessie Woods; Aggie Wilbur; Maud Holmes; George DeHaven; Hiney Walker; Matt Cooper; Tom White; Clara Lawrence. The manager, James N. Hanlin, reported that “business is dull.” New York Clipper, Nov 4, 1899, page 9

October 30, 1899: The Turpin’s back at the Palace Theater (Houston) along with: Maudie Holmes; Hiney Walker; George DeHaven; Cooper & White; Clara Dorance; Carrie Scott; Jessie Woods; Lennie Green; and Carrie Wolf. New York Clipper

December 11-16, 1899: Ben and Norma Turpin return to the Palace Theatre (Houston). Other acts include Lord & Rowe’s Minstrels; Miss Carmelita; Lulu Lawlor; Pearl Winons; Faedora; Lillie Ellsworth; Emma Barrett; La Compt, The Fire King; La Tosca; Katie Holmes; Lucy Wolf; Sadie Pierce; Kittie Burke; Green & Lewis; Joseph Sassie and Professor Sassie. This time, business was big. New York Clipper, Dec 23, 1899, page 11

Dec 25-30, 1899: Ben Turpin playing the Palace Theater, Houston, for the week along with Millie Omene; Ivy Mass; Jack Turnbull; Emma Barrett; The Bonhams, Jim and Elsie; Mabel Gohl; Faedora; Lillie Ellsworth; Lennie Green. “Business for the holidays was very large.” New York Clipper, Jan 6, 1900

January 8-13, 1900: Ben Turpin playing the Palace Theater, Houston, along with Jack Turnbull; George Garden; Professor Papelona, magician; Ivy Moss; Mabel Gohl; Faedora; Emma Barrett; Carrie Scott; Kittie Burke; Omene the Oriental; Princess Zara; Ed. Chase; Joe Sassie; and Lennie Green. New York Clipper, Jan 20, 1900


“Ben Turpin closed his engagement at the Palace Theater, Houston, Texas, after working in the stock for ten weeks. He leaves for New Orleans, Louisiana, to join George Fuller’s Big Comedy Company.” New York Clipper, Jan 20, 1900, page 4

June 25-30, 1900: Ben playing the Palace Theater (Houston), along with Charles Gates, Charles Cross, Robert Nickelson, Pearl Lamont, Emma Barrett, and Faedora. New York Clipper

September 24-29, 1900: Broadway Theatre (Houston, Texas) reported “excellent” business this week. Lucky Ranch, a drama in four acts, was a hit. Cast included: Al Hensley, Charles Yates, Charles Cross, Wm. Hart, Wm. Murphy, Annie Wilson, Gertie LaTour and Loretta Hastings. The rest of the bill included: Ben Turpin, Marguerite LePonte, May Wheeler, Kate Hastings, Violet LePonte, Flo Williams & Dollie Wilson, Kolo & Almo, Fay Wilder and Irene Davis. Jim Wolfe and wife left the 23rd to fill an engagement at Dallas. New York Clipper, page 4

December 3-7, 1900: Ben and Norma Turpin playing the Broadway Theatre (Houston) along with Flo Williams & Dolly Wilson; Coleman & Mexis; Billy Gibson & Tillie Melbourne; Roy Dee; Bella & Grace Hartland; Maude Grayson; Ernest Bailey; Charles Cross; Frank McKenzie; James Wolf; Will Gibson; W.H. Wright; Annie Beavers; and Flossie Bailey.

December 10-15 and 17-22, 1900: Ben back at Houston’s Broadway Theater..

From 1901, a tune dedicated to
Ben Turpin, The Rubber Neck Tramp

January 11-12, 1901: Ben plays Friday and Saturday evening plus a Saturday matinee at the Opera House in Bryan, Texas along with Nye’s Comedy Company; Coleman and Mexi, trick shooters; Miss Genevieve Livingston; Miss Bessie George; Arch Knipe, and others all of whom just closed a successful tour over the Keith Circuit of Eastern houses. Show also included illustrated song slides, moving pictures, and startling scenes of the recently devastated city of Galveston.

May 6-11, 1901: Ben and others playing the Broadway Theater, Houston. New York Clipper

June 3-8, 1901: Ben back at the Broadway Theater (Houston), along with other acts. New York Clipper

July 17, 1901, Vicksburg, Mississippi: “Ben Turpin’s grotesque dancing, a new feature (at Athletic Park Theater), wins additional applause and favors each evening.” Others on the bill that night included Keifer and Diamond; Kena; and W. H. Cross. On Sunday July 21, 1901 a new bill for the next week was announced that featured Miss Nellie Berwick, Serio Comic Artist; John King Cole, The Musical King; Chester, World Famed Equilibrist; Baby Newroth, Wonderful Child Dancer; The Bonney Brothers, Knock-About Artists; W.H. Cross, Character Comedian; Mitchell and Berwick in their Acrobatic Comedy sketch, “Willie With an Ax”; and held over, Ben Turpin, The Grotesque Dancer. Admission was ten and twenty-five cents.

July 30, 1901, Vicksburg, Mississippi: “There was a goodly attendance at the Park Theater, following that at the ball park in the afternoon, and while some disappointment was felt at the inability of Miss Beatrice Golden to sing, owing to a severe cold, there was a good program devised by Manager Cross. The chief entertainers were Ben Turpin and A. M. McCracken, who were well received, and rendered quite a number of specialties. Mr. Turpin closed his two weeks stay Sunday night, and was given quite an ovation on his last appearance. He is a clever and entertaining comedian and impromptu sketch artist and has made many friends during his stay here who will watch his subsequent career with interest…”  

August 17, 1901: “Ben Turpin has closed a two weeks engagement at Vicksburg, Mississippi, with Jackson and Memphis, Tennessee to follow.” New York Clipper

August 2-3 (Fri & Sat), 1901, Jackson, Mississippi:  “Rubber Neck” Ben Turpin doing his Buck & Wing Dance on the bill with Kenna, the Contortionist; L.J. Alber, Impersonator; and Vitascope moving pictures and illustrated song slides on Friday and Saturday night at Livingston Park. Turpin also stayed the following week (Aug 4-10) and was on the bill again with L. J. Alber in addition to A. M. McCracken, whistler and imitator; John King Cole, King of Musical Novelties; Vitascope moving pictures and illustrated song slides.

September 21, 1901: Ben played Robison’s Olympia (Louisville, Kentucky) with Harry & Bessie Allen; May Brown; Jno. McNamary; John Rooksby; Alma Clifton; and Joe Livingston. Business was reported as “Good.” New York Clipper

September 23-29, 1901: “Ben Turpin; Jennings & Renfrew; Grace Hess; Waring & Frazier; Mr. & Mrs. Larry Shaw; and May Kennedy are booked for this theater (Heck’s Wonder World, Cincinnati, Ohio, Oct. 1901).”  New York Clipper, page 13  Turpin received $25 for the week from Will S. Heck.

October (days?) 1901: Ben playing the Midway Theater, Cincinnati.

November 19-24, 1901: Ben back at the Broadway Theater, Houston, along with Tillie Melbourne; Maud Grayson; Bella Hartland; Grace Hartland; Roy Dee; Billy Gibson; Ernest Bailey; Pauline Blossom; Charles Cross; F. McKenzie; and Charles Flanders.

November 25-31(?), 1901: Cincinnati: Ben working as theater's Stage Manager and playing "Shadow" in the play Coming Man with Mr. Livingston, Mr. Tenny, and Irene Grace. Theater Sole proprietor: Phil Gross, Jr.; Treasurer: Phil Gross, Sr.; General Manager: Fred Gross; Musical Director: A. E. Gorey.

April 29-May 4, 1902: Ben returns to the Broadway Theater, Houston.

May 6-11, 1902: Ben playing Broadway Theater, Houston.

Ben, in his acrobatic tramp act, completes a six week engagement at the Columbia Theater, Sistersville, West Virginia.

June 11-16, 1902: Ben playing Broadway Theater, Houston.

August 9, 1902: “Remsey and Bradham, at the close of a three weeks’ engagement at Sistersville, West Virginia, with the entire company, were given an outing in B. McCoy’s steam yacht on the Ohio River. All hands enjoyed the bathing and supper which followed. Those present were: Ben Turpin and his wife, Monroe and St. Clair, Norma King, Billy Hastings and wife, and B. McCoy. New York Clipper, pg 2

The members of the May Kirby Big Vaudeville Co. chartered the steam launch Blanche M, and we all took a trip up the Ohio River. Our company consists of Munroe & St. Clair, Tom Korman, Norma Turpin, and Harry Flowers. New York Clipper, pg 3

October 6, 1902: Miss New York Jr. company opens at Troy, New York on this day with chorus girls including Norma Turpin, Eva Wheeler, Amy Williams, Katherine Burt, Selma Dauphin, Angelina Arden, Edna Arden, Blanche Toledo, Carrie Hilton, Josie Flynn, and Bessie Dooley. Others included Minnie Granville, contralto singer; Olio-Hilton Bros, Yiddish jugglers; Marlon & Pearl, acrobatic comics; Clara Adams, coon shouter; Prior & Albright, Irish comics; Bessie Taylor & Blanche Martin, and Prof. Lawrence Crane, The Irish Mystery. New York Clipper

October 19, 1902: Ben Turpin just one of many who entertained a large audience at Palm Garden in Brooklyn, NY at a charity festivity given by the Magnolia K.U. Verein. Other entertainers included: Professor Struck; Levine and Alma; Amos the Juggler; Whitely and Bell, Dutch comics; Wink and Mack, comedy acrobats; Miss Katherine Eppig, songstress; and others

January 26 - February 1, 1903: Ben plays the Whitney Opera House, Fitchburg, Massachusetts with Prof. Nello; Wood & Stone; Whit & Sheldon; Cora Miskel and her Pickanninnies.

February 14, 1903: “Ben Turpin recently played Austin and Stone’s Museum, Boston, with Fitchburg and Lowell, Massachusetts to follow. He writes that he is making a big hit with his new act as Happy Hooligan, and is booked solid until March 30th.” New York Clipper, page 4

February, 1903: Ben playing Boston Theater, Lowell, Massachusetts with Gilbert and his Trained Goats; Mooney & Holbein; William Leroy; Excella & Heath; and A Trip to the Moon, also a reprise of the special act, Amateur Minstrels.

February 23-28, 1903: Ben playing the Hub Theater, Milford, Massachusetts with Busch, Morrison, & Burwick; and the Bell Sisters.

March 2-7, 1903: Ben playing Sheedy’s Theater, Fall River, Massachusetts with Sully & Phillips; Payne & Edwards; The Brothers Rolen; Laura Bradshaw; and Lorraine & Vinton. New York Clipper

Mid-March 1903: Ben playing Sheedy's, Chicago, with The Frasier Trio; Bellman & Ackle; Alburtus & Millar; Mitchell & Love; Al H. Burtin; Raymond Moore; and Count d'Hauterive's Color Animated Photos.

May 1903: Ben playing Ninth & Arch Museum, Philadelphia, PA. Last week of the season. Interesting array of curios in the curio halls and, in the theater a vaudeville programme: James H. Cole; Jacobs and Van Lyle; Marguerite Clemens; Mr. & Mrs. S. I. Boydell; and The Franklin Sisters.

September 27, 1903: Mr. Ben Turpin, “the only and original Happy Hooligan in his funny specialties, acrobatic work and buck and wing dancing,” playing the Monumental Theatre in Raleigh, North Carolina, on bill with Pauline Geary and Leonard Rowe of the Adair, Gregg and Adair Stock Company, in a melodrama, The Victorian Cross; Hal Johnson, toe and in-step dancer; Charles Sanders, the Hot Time Man; and John and Rena Sanders, specialties. A week later the AGA Co. plays the Durham Opera House, Durham, North Carolina. Mon: The Victorian Cross; Tues: Nevada; Wed matinee: Cinderella, or The Glass Slipper; Wed evening: The Belle of Richmond.

October 26-31, 1903: Ben playing Bijou Theater, Norfolk, Virginia with Ida Carroll, Belle Danton, Bertha Stead, Sisters Stanley, Marion Moran, and the Walsh Brothers. New York Clipper

November 2-7 and 9-14, 1903: Turpin Brothers (sic?) playing The Bijou, Norfolk, Virginia. New York Clipper

Quite possibly the ad Turpin saw, and the job he found.

One day Ben sees a want ad for a boy to handle props, act, and do a specialty act with the Mabel Paige Southern Repertoire Co., "salary fifteen dollars a week, money for ticket wired." He joined in November 1903, possibly during one of these dates...

November 16-21, 1903: South Boston, Virginia

OR: November 23-28, 1903: Danville, Virginia

November 30, 1903: Mamona Hall The Princess of Patches A Southern Comedy in 4 Acts with: Mabel Paige, Henry F. Willard, John Clark, Val F. Barras, T. Spencer Sprague, Robert Hynman, Josephine Riemann, Julia Phelps, Marie DeTrace, and Ben Turpin as Nebuchadnezer, the colored servant. Also Specialty acts including Ben as Happy Hooligan and others including Marvelous Hermion. Ben also listed as “Manager - Properties” in company credits. Tomorrow night’s presentation: Becky Bliss, The Circus Girl (for Nov 31).

December 10, 1903: Mabel Paige and the Harry F. Willard Company play three nights and a Saturday matinee at the Masonic Opera House, New Bern, North Carolina. Additional specialties between the acts included Marvelous Hermion in his latest Parisian Electric Dance, and Ben Turpin, the original Happy Hooligan.

December 23, 1903: “The new Mt. Olive Opera House opens in Mt. Olive, North Carolina, with Mabel Paige Southern Stock Company. Proprietor and manager R.J. Southerland, Jr. tendered a barbecue banquet after the show which included guests Mabel Paige, Julia Phelps, Josephine Reimann, Marie DeTrace, H.F. Willard, Val Barras, Will Easton, T. Spencer Sprague, Robert Hyman, Ben Turpin, Frank Preston, Marvelous Hermion, and John Higgins, manager of the Goldsboro Opera House.” New York Clipper, page 4

January 9, 1904: “Ben Turpin is with the Mabel Paige Southern Co., playing parts and doing his Happy Hooligan act. This is his tenth week with the company, and his act, he writes, has met with success.” New York Clipper

MABEL PAIGE SOUTHERN COMPANY dates:

November 16-21, 1903: South Boston, Virginia

November 23-28, 1903: Danville, Virginia

December 10-12, 1903: New Bern, North Carolina, Masonic Opera House
December 1903: Mt. Olive, North Carolina, Mt. Olive Opera House

January 18-23, 1904: Winston, North Carolina

January 25-30, 1904: Charlotte, North Carolina Academy of Music

February 1-3, 1904: Gastonia, South Carolina

February 4-6, 1904: Spartansburg, South Carolina

February 8-13, 1904: Asheville, North Carolina

February 15-20, 1904: Augusta, Georgia Opera House

March 7 & 8, 1904: Macon, Georgia Academy of Music

March 10-12, 1904: Macon, Georgia Academy of Music

March 21-23, 1904: Indianapolis, Indiana’s Park Theater

April 11-16, 1904: Ben playing in St. Augustine, Florida. New York Clipper

April 18-23, 1904: Ben playing Brunswick, Georgia. New York Clipper

April 25-30, 1904: Ben playing the Opera House, Pensacola, Florida. New York Clipper
OR: Marshall, Texas Opera House

May 2-21, 1904: Ben playing the Pickett Springs Casino, Montgomery, Alabama, along with the Mabel Paige Southern Company. Manager Henry F. Willard noted: “We closed a successful season of 42 weeks at the Pickett Springs Casino, May 21, and we are booked at the same park August 2, for a 4 weeks run.” New York Clipper  Of seven names mentioned that would be returning next season, Turpin’s name was not included.

May 21, 1904, The New York Clipper, page 2: Ben Turpin writes: “I am on my 30th week with the Mabel Paige Company, and have made good everywhere with my Happy Hooligan specialty. We close May 21, at Montgomery, Alabama. I will play parks this summer, and am booked solid until the latter part of September.”

July 11, 1904: Ben Turpin, “The Laugh Artist,” playing Forest Park, Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on a bill with The Myers, song illustrators; main attraction Campbell Straton’s comedy drama, All for Gold starring Townsend Irwin, Willie Wolfe, Miss Tolson, Mr. Harland, and Miss Aubrey.

July 25-30, 1904: Ben playing Persica’s New Garden Theater, Memphis, Tennessee, along with Mamie Curry, Vassie Allison, Leo Florence, Bertha McMorris, Theo. Wilson, Lillie B. Gardner, Nina Straw, Lillian May, Eleanor Dunbar, and the comedy production, Pink Dominoes. New York Clipper

December 23, 1904: Ben Turpin playing the Loderhouse Company, Chicago, along with many others including The Six Flying Banvards; Harry Bowers, trapeze performer; Blanche Brogan, Nay Leavitt, Al Mastiff, Eddie Troy, Lulu Nerviel, Elsie Duval, May O’Dell, Ruby Lynn, Eva Aldine, Lillian Miller, Dollie Watson, Ella Hess, May Wilson, Carroll Terry, Frankie Kershaw, Oriental dancers; May Howard, Hazel Kirk, Martine, Blondell, Georgianna, and Irving, trapeze act. 

March 4, 1905: The Orpheum, Ben Turpin Company in Happy Hooligan, with Ben as Hooligan, Carrie Turpin(?) as Miss Susanne, and Pete Sawdust as Young Hooligan.

June 17, 1905: Casino Park, Elgin, Illinois opened the season with the following acts: Ben Turpin; The Carroll Bros; Hair & Blamtlon; The LaMoyne Sisters; Jas. H. Smith; Maude Collins; and Murphy & Cohn. New York Clipper, page 15

August 28, 1905: The Grand, Marion, Indiana. Playing one week at $30 for the week.

September 11, 1905: The Olympic, Chicago. Playing one week at $30 for the week.

September 18-23, 1905: Ben playing The Columbia, St. Louis, Missouri at $40 for the week. New York Clipper

September 25-30, 1905: Ben playing the Haymarket (Chicago) the week of September 25 along with Madame Slapoffski; Mr. & Mrs. Hughes; Musical Johnsons; Fox & Summers; Hines & Remington; Mme. Emmy’s Dogs; T. Nelson Downes; Felix, Barry & Barry; Cushman & St. Claire; Dougherty Bros.; and the kinodrome. (Turpin working the Kohl & Castle circuit). New York Clipper, page 8

October 23-28, 1905: Ben playing The Bijou Theater, Oshgosh, Wisconsin. New York Clipper

November 18, 1905: Ben finishes with Kohl & Castle, and booked solid until Feb 4, 1906

January 15-20, 1906: Ben playing The Bijou Theater, Bay City, Michigan with Higgins & Philips; Nellie Revelle; the Burke Brothers; and the Biograph. New York Clipper

February 12, 1906: Ben Turpin plays the Bijou Theatre, Kenosha, Wisconsin, along with The Roofs; M. Hoffman; The Aerial Martins; The Great Perris; and moving pictures.

March 22 (Thur), 1906: Ben Turpin playing the Industrial Theatre, Fourteenth St and Fifth Ave, Moline, Illinois, along with Fisher and Johnson, comedy cyclists; Lucille Harper, illustrated songstress; Carrie B. Miller, singer & change artist; Masoney & Wilson, sister act; and Optiscope moving pictures. “Ben Turpin, the original Happy Hooligan, is very clever in his line of work.”

March 26, 1906: Ben plays the Gaiety Theatre, Springfield, Illinois this week along with Anderson & Reynolds; Heavenly & McRae; Wava Cummings; Trask & Rogers; moving pictures. Business 'Fair'.

April 16, 1906: Ben playing on the week’s big bill at The Olympic, Clark and Randolph Sts, Chicago, along with Watson, Hutchins and Edwards; Melville & Stetson; Lew Sully; Steeley, Doty & Coe; The Bounding Gordons; Beatrice McKenzie & Co.; Hal M. Britt; Dixon & Fields; M’lle Dair; Ed & Kittie Deagon; The Thompson Sisters; Frankie Campbell; The Livingston Brothers; and Kinodrome moving pictures.

April 29, 1906: Hooligan's Troubles playing the Moline Theater (Davenport, Iowa?) 

May 7, 1906: Turpin plays the Family Theatre, Lafayette, Indiana, this week with Mr. & Mrs. Jno. T. Powers; Bates & Ernese; Laura McDowell; and Felix Rice to 'Good business.'

May 21-23 (Mon - Wed), 1906: Turpin’s Hooligan’s Trouble with a Table playing the Family Theatre, Huntington, Indiana, along with Elsie Bell, illustrated songstress; Jack Irwin, monologue; Delmar & Darrel, comedy singing & change act; and Kinodrome moving pictures. “Ben Turpin, alias Happy Hooligan, is a startler and besides being a real comedian is an excellent tumbler.”  

May 27, 1906: Turpin playing The Savoy Theater, Columbus, Indiana, this week along with Williams and Moyer, comics; Lena Davenport, cornetist; The Clarence Sisters, character dance & song; illustrated songs and Bioscope moving pictures. 
June 3, 1906: Evansville, Indiana’s Oak Summit Park opened with two performances by the following: Ben Turpin; Swor Bros; Lena Davenport; Arthur Stewart; Kelley Sisters; Pero & Wilson; Willard Newell & Company; and Kinodrome. New York Clipper

August 13-18, 1906: Ben Turpin “that famous comedy acrobat, formerly with Ringling Brothers” playing The Dominion, Winnipeg, Canada the week of August 13 with Anita Allen & Company in Car Two, Stateroom One; also Will H. Fox, trick pianist known as Paddywhiski in England; The Three Troubadours, refined male comedy singing trio; Martine & Maxmillian; Miss Fannie Frankel, prima donna soprano; and kinodrome. New York Clipper, page 16  The Manitoba Morning Free Press wrote: “It was an evening of solid enjoyment from the rise of the curtain for the redoubtable Ben Turpin, until the descent of the ‘Star,’ traveler of the Kinodrome. The first bunch of fun was supplied by Ben Turpin, an acrobatic comedian, who looked funny and whose actions did not belie his looks. He did some very clever stunts and had wit to match.”

October 8, 1906: Ben gives 'good performance' this week at the Garrick Theatre, Burlington, Iowa along with Jurazall & Razall; Hy Greenway; Morris Jones; Rector & Major; and moving pictures.

Ben Turpin marries his second wife Carrie LeMieux on February 18, 1907 in Chicago. Three months later he joins the Essanay Film Manufacturing Company in the spring of 1907. He also moonlights taking occasional vaudeville jobs. 

November 1907 (dates-?): Turpin appearing at the New Crystal, Chicago, with Martinez and Martinez; and Brandt and Larano.

After two years with Essanay, Ben returns to vaudeville in May 1909.

October 21, 1909: Turpin Appears in Life and On the Picture Screen 
Audiences at Star Were Unaware that “O’Breeun” and “Happy Hooligan” Were the Same Man
Ben Turpin, the original “Happy Hooligan” character who is causing laughs at The Star this week appears in two acts and the audiences are unaware of it.

   Ben, who is a scream of screams, when it comes to entertaining an audience, is shown on the moving picture screen in the picture Breaking Into Society.

    Mr. Turpin re-entered vaudeville for a few weeks and appeared at the Majestic, Chicago, last week. He has signed a contract to pose for the Biograph company at $100 per week.

   The man who has appeared in more moving pictures than any other living man will be recognized by every boy and girl. The actor, as a globe trotter, has appeared in pictures taken in every part of the world. Miles and miles of his pictures are at present being displayed throughout the various film companies throughout the United States. Dixon Telegraph, Dixon, IL

October 28-30 (Thurs - Sat), 1909: Ben doing Happy Hooligan at the Lyric Theatre, 1815 West Broadway, Matton, Illinois, along with Trask and Montgomery, singing, dancing, and talking comedians; Hester Warman, illustrated songstress; two reels of moving pictures. Two shows nightly.

November 29, 1909: Ben Turpin and company at the Orpheum Theatre, Newark, Ohio with The Four Claytons; Von Hoff; Fairchild & Van Buren; and the Orpheumscope.

January 3, 1910: The Ben Turpin Company, comedy tumble act, headlines this week at the Orpheum Theatre, Alliance, Ohio, with Royer & French; Oehian Musical Trio; May Evans; George Frint & Co.; The Jenniers; Clyde McClain; The Gee Jays. Turpin "a scream from start to finish. Business very good."

April 14-17, 1910: Ben playing the Garfield Theater, Chicago, with The Hayden Family; Jack Ripp; The Schillings; The Musical Millers. Turpin earned $15. for his four days work of which .75¢ was paid to booking agent Frank Doyle, according to Charles H. Ryan, Garfield manager. 

May 30-June, 1910: The Murray Theater, Richmond, Indiana features tramp comedian Ben Turpin as Happy Hooligan; Arnold-Felix Co. in the playlet Three Men and a Girl; La Bella Italia Troupe, musicians, singers and dancers; Chester and Grace, singing and dancing; illustrated song and a new moving picture, Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale. “Then there is Ben Turpin. Take a look at his photographs to be seen daily in front of the theater and no questions will be asked as to his performance.” “Ben Turpin, the Happy Hooligan comedian, has a grotesque sort of an act. There are many funny stunts pulled off by him, and he was received with much laughter and applause yesterday. The offering is somewhat different from anything seen here for a long time, and it is to be expected that it will prove a favorite.” Also on the bill: Vancello, juggler, equilibrist.

 June 11, 1910:

The presentation of a collection of vaudeville acts such, perhaps, as has never been seen before in one show at the Star Theater, will be given for the last time today. The program has been one with which Muncie theatergoers have been more than enthusiastic, and the popular playhouse has been filled at every performance this week. Preparations are being made by the management for three packed houses today. The big feature act, of course, is Miss Lillian Mortimer and associate players in the big melodramatic sketch, Po’ White Trash Jinny. The production is the biggest thing patrons of the Star have ever seen, and that they have appreciated the offering, is attested in the attendance that have marked the week’s shows. It may not be generally known, but Ben Turpin, the Happy Hooligan comedian, who is on this week’s bill, has been seen by thousands and thousands of people. His services have been secured a number of times to act out motion picture scenes, and he is the original of the film Breaking Into Society, The Baseball Fan, and a number of others which Muncie people will no doubt remember. He leaves Monday for Chicago where he has contracted with the Laemmle Film Service and Manufacturing Company, to act in more films. The Star Press, Muncie, IN, p14

Late June 1910, Ben and “another big act” and 200 feet of first run films on the bill with Sun and Murray’s thousand dollar show, Ye Colonial Septette, at the Orpheum Theater, Zanesville, Ohio.

August 20-26, 1911: Chester Park, Cincinnati: “Ben Turpin, the original Happy Hooligan, will sing and dance his way into the hearts of the audiences.” Also on the bill Spellman’s Royal Troupe of Performing Bears; The Prentice Trio in The Rube and His Two Gals; Henry Swan; John Fay Palmer and Rae Lewis.  

October 30, 1911: Ben & Carrie with George Sidney’s Busy Izzy company, along with Carrie Webber, Frank Gibbons, and John Magee, playing the Bijou, Minneapolis. The Turpin's are soon let go.

March 29, 1912: “Ben Turpin left Chicago last Saturday for St. Louis and plays the Hippodrome in that city this week, with the Hodkins time to follow.” New York Clipper, page 19

May 19 (Mon), 1913: Ben Turpin in the production The Dazzlers playing the Empire Theatre, Indianapolis, Indiana, along with Jean LaRoy, Harry Seiton, Lottie Proctor, Edna Raymond, Natalie Rosselle, and Bobby Harris.

December 5, 1913: Turpin with the High Rollers Burlesque Company playing the Academy of Music, Lebanon, PA along with Dave Meyers, Anna Golden, Ida Stanley, Tiny Allen, Eddie Johnson, and LaNeta, the Dance Queen.

December 8 (Mon), 1913: Turpin with the High Rollers Burlesque Company playing the Grand Opera House, South Bethlehem, PA along with Dave Meyers, Anna Golden, Ida Stanley, Tiny Allen, Eddie Johnson, and LaNeta, the Dance Queen.

January 6 (Tues), 1914: Ben and the High Rollers playing the Majestic Theatre, Harrisburg, PA, with their company of 35 mostly chorus girls. 

February 4-5 (Wed & Thurs), 1914: Ben with High Rollers playing the Mishler Theatre, Altoona, PA

September 20, 1914: Ben Turpin of the Essanay Comedy Company has a mule which he is teaching to count. The mule’s front feet, however, are being trained for this purpose. The comedian has a mysterious respect for the animal’s posterior propellers. Essanay News

October 10 (Saturday), 1914, Ben part of The Fads and Follies musical extravaganza at the Mt. Carmel Opera House, Mt. Carmel, PA, along with Dave Meyers, W.T. Hawley, Belle Travers, Alice Gilbert, Ida Stanley, and beautiful show girls. 

October 16, 1914: Ben Turpin, the comical captain of the Essanay comedy police force, says that having his teeth knocked out by accident is a pleasure compared to spending an hour in the dentist’s chair. In putting on one of Essanay’s late comedies, Sweedie’s Cleanup, Turpin lost four teeth. He went right on with the scene as though nothing had happened. Essanay News

October 16, 1914: Wallace Beery, who takes the part of “Sweedie” in Essanay comedies, got in terribly wrong with Ben Turpin last week when he menaced the life of Ben’s trick donkey, “Pansy.” Beery seems to think that riding at a break-neck speed in his racing car has the same attraction to everybody that it has for himself, and he didn’t think it was fair to cheat the donkey. In producing one of his pictures called Sweedie Takes the Blue Ribbon, he arranged it so that “Pansy” could take a little spin with him, much to Ben’s disapproval. The scene was taken at the Libertyville racetrack and after strapping the animal in the seat beside him, “Sweedie” proceeded around the track at a fifty-mile-an-hour clip, while Turpin looked on breathless. Essanay News

Oct 19, 1914: Turpin once again part of Ducklings Big Show musical extravaganza in Mauch Chunk, PA with Dave Meyers, Hebrew comedian; Ben Turpin, Irish funmaker; Eddie Johnson, the Beau Brummell of burlesque; Anna Golden, prima donna; Ida Stanley, ingenue; Tiny Allen, soubrette; and many beautiful young chorus girls. Their show starts with A Night in Paris and ends with At the Café Rector.

March 20, 1915: Ben Turpin, of the Essanay comedy company, says he came nearer losing his life than any time during his rough and tumble career when taking a scene in Love and Trouble. Turpin was clinging to Wallace Beery’s trouser leg while the two were being dragged along the pavement by an automobile. Beery’s garment gave way, leaving Turpin directly in the path of an auto truck. When the heavy vehicle was brought to a stop, Turpin was under it, but luckily the wheels had not passed over him.

Many of the best scenes are big mistakes from the players viewpoints, sometimes. For instance funny Wallace Beery fell into a fountain while acting for Love and Trouble with his clever side-partner, Ben Turpin, struck his head and was so dazed that he couldn’t get out. It made a great scene for the camera but nearly ended the comedian. Essanay News

Sept 24, 1915: Married Life No Joke
Ben Turpin declares that married life in the photocomedy is anything but one glad, sweet song. In the Essanay comedy, Others Started, But Sophie Finished, his mother-in-law literally mops up the floor with him, while in Snakeville’s Twins he is a poor down-trodded man who is forced by his wife to care for the twins while she washes for a living. Ben never gets a chance to rest. Essanay News

Oct 14, 1916, Turpin one of several movie artists who entertained at the Eastgate Royal Arch chapter, North Broadway and Daly St, Los Angeles this evening. Others included Paddy McQuire, Eddie Barry, L. A. Bowes, Owen Evans, W. L. Rodgers, William Lucifer, Miss Schiller, and the Vogue Studio Quartette.