Fred C. Newmeyer (August 9, 1888 – April 24, 1967) was an American

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), lit ...

film director A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, ...

and

film producer A film producer is a person who oversees film production. Either employed by a production company or working independently, producers plan and coordinate various aspects of film production, such as selecting the script, coordinating writing, di ...

Biography

A native of

Central City, Colorado The historic City of Central, commonly known as Central City, is a home rule municipality located in Gilpin and Clear Creek counties, Colorado, United States. Central City is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Gilpin County ...

, Newmeyer is best known for directing a handful of films in the ''

Our Gang ''Our Gang'' (also known as ''The Little Rascals'' or ''Hal Roach's Rascals'') is an American series of comedy short films chronicling a group of poor neighborhood children and their adventures. Created by film producer Hal Roach, also the ...

'' series and for directing several

Harold Lloyd Harold Clayton Lloyd, Sr. (April 20, 1893 – March 8, 1971) was an American actor, comedian, and stunt performer who appeared in many silent comedy films.Obituary ''Variety'', March 10, 1971, page 55. One of the most influential film co ...

movies. With Sam Taylor, Newmeyer co-directed Lloyd in films including '' Safety Last!'' (1923), ''

Girl Shy ''Girl Shy'' is a 1924 romantic comedy silent film starring Harold Lloyd and Jobyna Ralston. The movie was written by Sam Taylor, Tim Whelan and Ted Wilde and was directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and Taylor. In 2020, the film entered the pub ...

'' (1924), and '' The Freshman'' (1925). Newmeyer also had an extensive directing and acting resume in other comedy short films. He appeared as an actor in 71 films between

1914 This year saw the beginning of what became known as World War I, after Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austrian throne was Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip. It als ...

and 1923. Prior to his film career, Newmeyer played

professional baseball Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world. Modern profession ...

. Partial statistics exist for his time as a left-handed

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or dr ...

in Minor League Baseball at the Class D level from 1911 to 1913 in the Southwest Texas League,

Michigan State League The Michigan State League was a minor league baseball league that operated in various seasons between 1889 and 1941. The league franchises were based exclusively in Michigan, with the league forming on six different occasions. Twenty two different ...

, and Central Association. He made at least 66 appearances and was the

winning pitcher Winning may refer to: * Victory The term victory (from Latin ''victoria'') originally applied to warfare, and denotes success achieved in personal combat, after military operations in general or, by extension, in any competition. Success in ...

of at least 26 games. Newmeyer was the original director of the first short in the ''Our Gang'' series, also titled ''Our Gang''; his version tested poorly, and producer

Hal Roach Harry Eugene "Hal" Roach Sr. Skretvedt, Randy (2016), ''Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies'', Bonaventure Press. p.608. (January 14, 1892 – November 2, 1992) was an American film and television producer, director, and screenwriter, ...

scrapped most of the footage and remade the short with Robert McGowan as the director. Newmeyer, after directing numerous other shorts at Roach, returned to the ''Our Gang'' series in 1936 to direct '' The Pinch Singer'', ''

Arbor Day Arbor Day (or Arbour in some countries) is a secular day of observance in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees. Today, many countries observe such a holiday. Though usually observed in the spring, the date varies, depen ...

'', '' Mail and Female'' and the

feature film A feature film or feature-length film is a narrative film (motion picture or "movie") with a running time long enough to be considered the principal or sole presentation in a commercial entertainment program. The term ''feature film'' originall ...

'' General Spanky''. Newmeyer and his wife, Berna, had a son, Fred W. After his film career, Newmeyer worked with the athletic department of University High School in Los Angeles. Newmeyer died on April 24, 1967, in

Woodland Hills, California Woodland Hills is a neighborhood bordering the Santa Monica Mountains in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California. Geography Woodland Hills is in the southwestern region of the San Fernando Valley, which is located east of Ca ...

, at the age of 78.

Selected filmography

* ''

Luke's Shattered Sleep ''Luke's Shattered Sleep'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd. Cast * Harold Lloyd as Lonesome Luke * Bebe Daniels * Snub Pollard * Charles Stevenson (as Charles E. Stevenson) * Billy Fay * Fred C. Newmeyer * Sammy ...

'' (

1916 Events Below, the events of the First World War have the "WWI" prefix. January * January 1 – The British Royal Army Medical Corps carries out the first successful blood transfusion, using blood that had been stored and cooled. * ...

) * ''

Luke Locates the Loot ''Luke Locates the Loot'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd. A print of the film survives in the BFI National Archive. Cast * Harold Lloyd as Lonesome Luke * Bebe Daniels Phyllis Virginia "Bebe" Daniels (January 1 ...

'' (1916) * '' Luke's Fireworks Fizzle'' (1916) * '' Luke, Rank Impersonator'' (1916) * '' Luke's Movie Muddle'' (1916) * ''

Luke's Newsie Knockout ''Luke's Newsie Knockout'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd. Cast * Harold Lloyd as Luke * Bebe Daniels * Snub Pollard * Charles Stevenson (as Charles E. Stevenson) * Billy Fay * Fred C. Newmeyer * Sammy Brooks * ...

'' (1916) * '' Luke, Patient Provider'' (1916) * '' Luke, the Gladiator'' (1916) * ''

Luke's Preparedness Preparations ''Luke's Preparedness Preparations'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd. Cast * Harold Lloyd as Lonesome Luke * Snub Pollard * Bebe Daniels * Charles Stevenson (as Charles E. Stevenson) * Billy Fay * Fred C. Newmeyer ...

'' (1916) * '' Luke, the Chauffeur'' (1916) * '' Luke and the Bang-Tails'' (1916) * ''

Luke's Speedy Club Life ''Luke's Speedy Club Life'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd. Cast * Harold Lloyd as Lonesome Luke * Snub Pollard as Bellhop * Bebe Daniels as The Girl * Charles Stevenson (as Charles E. Stevenson) * Billy Fay * Fr ...

'' (1916) * '' Luke and the Mermaids'' (1916) * ''

Luke Joins the Navy ''Luke Joins the Navy'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd. A print of the film survives in the film archive of the Museum of Modern Art. Cast * Harold Lloyd as Lonesome Luke * Snub Pollard * Bebe Daniels * Charles Ste ...

'' (1916) * ''

Luke Does the Midway ''Luke Does the Midway'' is a 1916 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd. Cast * Harold Lloyd as Lonesome Luke * Snub Pollard * Bebe Daniels * Charles Stevenson - (as Charles E. Stevenson) * Billy Fay * Fred C. Newmeyer * Sammy B ...

'' (1916) * '' Luke's Lost Lamb'' (1916) * '' Luke, Crystal Gazer'' (1916) * '' Luke Rides Roughshod'' (1916) * '' Luke's Society Mixup'' (1916) * '' Luke's Late Lunchers'' (1916) * ''

Luke, the Candy Cut-Up ''Luke, the Candy Cut-Up'' is a 1916 American short comedy film starring Harold Lloyd. A print of the film survives in George Eastman House. Cast * Harold Lloyd - Lonesome Luke * Snub Pollard * Gene Marsh * Bebe Daniels Phyllis Virginia " ...

'' (1916) * '' The Big Idea'' ( 1917) * '' Step Lively'' (1917) * '' Bashful'' (1917) * '' Move On'' (1917) * '' We Never Sleep'' (1917) * '' All Aboard'' (1917) * '' Clubs Are Trump'' (1917) * '' Love, Laughs and Lather'' (1917) * '' Rainbow Island'' (1917) * '' From Laramie to London'' (1917) * '' Birds of a Feather'' (1917) * '' By the Sad Sea Waves'' (1917) * '' Pinched'' (1917) * '' Lonesome Luke Loses Patients'' (1917) * '' Over the Fence'' (1917) * '' Lonesome Luke's Wild Women'' (1917) * '' Lonesome Luke, Messenger'' (1917) * '' Lonesome Luke on Tin Can Alley'' (1917) * '' Two-Gun Gussie'' (

1918 This year is noted for the end of the World War I, First World War, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, as well as for the Spanish flu pandemic that killed 50–100 million people worldwide. Events Belo ...

) * '' It's a Wild Life'' (1918) * '' Pipe the Whiskers'' (1918) * '' The Tip'' (1918) * '' From Hand to Mouth'' (

1919 Events January * January 1 ** The Czechoslovak Legions occupy much of the self-proclaimed "free city" of Bratislava, Pressburg (now Bratislava), enforcing its incorporation into the new republic of Czechoslovakia. ** HMY Iolaire, HMY ''Io ...

) * '' Captain Kidd's Kids'' (1919) * '' Bumping Into Broadway'' (1919) * '' His Only Father'' (1919) * '' Pay Your Dues'' (1919) * '' Count the Votes'' (1919) * '' Soft Money'' (1919) * '' He Leads, Others Follow'' (1919) * '' The Rajah'' (1919) * '' Be My Wife'' (1919) * '' Don't Shove'' (1919) * '' Heap Big Chief'' (1919) * '' Chop Suey & Co.'' (1919) * '' Count Your Change'' (1919) * '' Spring Fever'' (1919) * '' Off the Trolley'' (1919) * '' Swat the Crook'' (1919) * '' Pistols for Breakfast'' (1919) * '' The Marathon'' (1919) * '' Si, Senor'' (1919) * '' Ring Up the Curtain'' (1919) * '' Crack Your Heels'' (1919) * '' Young Mr. Jazz'' (1919) * '' A Sammy in Siberia'' (1919) * ''

On the Fire ''On the Fire'' is a 1919 American short comedy film featuring Harold Lloyd. Some prints have the title of the film as ''The Chef''. Prints of the film survive in several film archives,Number, Please?'' (1920) * ''

Doctor Jack ''Dr. Jack'' is a 1922 American silent comedy film starring Harold Lloyd. It was produced by Hal Roach and directed by Fred Newmeyer. The story was by Jean Havez, Hal Roach, and Sam Taylor. The film was released on November 26, 1922. Grossi ...

'' (1922) * '' Safety Last!'' (1923) * ''

Why Worry? ''Why Worry?'' is a 1923 American silent comedy film directed by Fred Newmeyer and Sam Taylor and starring Harold Lloyd. Plot Harold Van Pelham (Harold Lloyd) is a young, wealthy American businessman who obsesses constantly about his hea ...

'' (1923) * ''

'' (1924) * '' The Perfect Clown'' (1925) * '' The Freshman'' (1925) * ''

On Your Toes ''On Your Toes'' (1936) is a musical with a book by Richard Rodgers, George Abbott, and Lorenz Hart, music by Rodgers, and lyrics by Hart. It was adapted into a film in 1939. While teaching music at Knickerbocker University, Phil "Junior" Dola ...

'' (1927) * ''

Warming Up 'Warming up' is a part of stretching and preparation for physical exertion or a performance by exercising or practicing gently beforehand, usually undertaken before a performance or practice. Athletes, singers, actors and others warm up before s ...

'' (1928) * '' It Can Be Done'' (1929) * '' Queen High'' (1930) * ''

The Grand Parade ''The Grand Parade'' is a 1930 American drama film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and starring Helen Twelvetrees, Fred Scott and Richard Carle.Kennedy p.306 It is now considered to be a lost film. A struggling minstrel show entertainer's life is ...

'' (1930) * '' Subway Express'' (1931) * '' The Gambling Sex'' (1932) * '' The Fighting Gentleman'' (1932) * ''

Easy Millions ''Easy Millions'' is a 1933 American comedy film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and starring Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher, Dorothy Burgess and Merna Kennedy.Pitts p.161 Cast * Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher * Dorothy Burgess * Merna Kennedy * Johnny ...

'' (1933) * '' No Ransom'' (1934) * '' Secrets of Chinatown'' (1935) * '' The Pinch Singer'' (1936) * ''

'' (1936) * '' Mail and Female'' (1937)

Notes

References

External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Newmeyer, Fred R. 1888 births 1967 deaths People from Central City, Colorado American male film actors Hal Roach Studios filmmakers 20th-century American male actors Film directors from Colorado Baseball players from Colorado Baseball pitchers Corpus Christi Pelicans players Bay City Rice Eaters players Ludington Mariners players Muscatine Wallopers players