Elmer Lowry
| Elmer Lowry | |
|---|---|
 Scooter Lowry.jpg Lowry in 1926 | |
| Born | December 19, 1919 Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| 💀Died | c. May 1, 1989 (aged 69) Miami Beach, Florida, United Statesc. May 1, 1989 (aged 69) |
| 💼 Occupation | Child actor |
| 📆 Years active | 1926–1972 |
| 👩 Spouse(s) | Shirley Lowry (m. 1940s–?) |
Elmer Camden Lowry (December 19, 1919 – c. 1 May 1989[1]) was an American child actor and vaudevillian. He appeared in several Our Gang short films as Skooter.[2]
His character, Washington-born Skooter,[3] was fond of Charles G. Dawes, known for his freckles, hat, and personality. He was dubbed "the original tough guy", due to his mean, harsh "bad boy" persona in the Our Gang films, at times referred as villainous.[4][5][6] Known for his talented dancing, singing, and impersonations, Lowry was most well known for that during his vaudeville days.[7][8][9]
Early life[edit]
Lowry was born in the borough of Brooklyn, New York City on December 19, 1919, to Willard S. and Anna L. Lowry. At the age of five, he started in vaudeville.[10] He later moved to Hempstead after his parents divorced.[11] Originally nicknamed Skippy, his nickname became Scooter since "he was always scooting around".[2]
Acting career[edit]
Lowry got his start in Our Gang after he won a dance contest promoted by Gus Edwards.[12] The award was a thousand US dollars, two tickets to Hollywood and a year's contract with Hal Roach Studios.[10] He was the first Gang member to be from New York.[13] He made his first appearance in the film Thundering Fleas. At 7 years old, Lowry was often mistakenly called the youngest member of the gang, with him being mistakenly called 4 years old.[14] Lowry's character, young tough kid Skooter, was a popular character of the Gang.[15] He mostly appeared donning a white undersized bucket hat. He appeared in a total of 13 Our Gang films. One time, Lowry interrupted an important conversation that Our Gang creator Hal Roach was talking in, in which Lowry wanted to join.[16] By the time he left, Lowry was paid $180.00, thrice the amount of his previous salary, $60.00. He was replaced by Harry Spear as the tough kid in the gang.
His final film was Maria (1972) as Charles.[17][18]
Vaudeville[edit]
1920s[edit]
After Our Gang, he became a vaudevillian and made acts with his former Our Gang alumni. His first acts were with former Our Gang alumnus Mary Kornman. They were later joined by Johnny Downs.[19][20] During this time, the three were known for their acts.[21][22] The three visited St. Joseph children's hospital in 1928, where the kids in the hospital became admirers of the gang, specifically the three. Lowry was not disturbed until a couple of nurses patted his head, which embarrassed him and almost took away his stage presence.[23] They met Providence, Rhode Island mayor James E. Dunne in 1928, with Lowry expressing his wish that Al Smith would win the presidential election.[24] Around this time, Lowry made acts with Joe Cobb.[25]
1930s[edit]
In 1930, Lowry, among others, toured in the RKO Palace.[26] He also was presented in a skit called Doin' Tough, in which episodes of Our Gang between 1926 and 1927 are shown, and after a while, Lowry comes on doing acts.[27][28] After, Lowry made "solo" acts.[29] In 1932, Lowry made a guest appearance in the Pittsburgh Press Seckatary Hawkins Club on 8 o'clock for half an hour over KQV.[30] He was still touring by 1934.[31]
Adult years[edit]
From his draft records, it was found that Scooter served in the U.S. military.[32][33] Between 1936 and 1950, Lowry was arrested for driving without a license, in which in two, he only served five days in prison.[34] Lowry was hit by a truck in 1937, so he had to be hospitalized due to chin, teeth, and right elbow injuries.[35] In 1938, 18 year old Lowry was unfortunately involved in an accident which injured retired builder Edward C. Merritt and his wife, in which Merritt couldn't control his vehicle.[36] In 1950, he faced court after calling the police claiming that his wife, Shirley, was trying to kill herself, even though she wasn't.[37] He went to jail after being charged with disorderly conduct.[34] After this, his whereabouts became mostly unknown.
Death[edit]
He resided in Miami Beach, Florida, with his mother, Anna. Anna died in 1972.[38] Lowry's dead body was found on May 1, 1989 in Miami Beach, Florida by local police. An ID proved that it was Lowry, with name and date of birth.[39][10]
Personal life[edit]
He had a sister, Lillian, who resided in Lakeland.[11] He married Shirley Helen Baker (1925-1987) in 1944.[40]
Filmography[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1926 | Thundering Fleas | Skooter | Short film |
| 1926 | Shivering Spooks | Skooter | Short film |
| 1926 | The Fourth Alarm | Skooter | Short film |
| 1926 | War Feathers | Skooter | Short film |
| 1926 | Telling Whoppers | Skooter | Short film |
| 1926 | 45 Minutes from Hollywood | Skooter | Short film |
| 1927 | Bring Home the Turkey | Skooter | Short film |
| 1927 | Seeing the World | Skooter | Short film |
| 1927 | Ten Years Old | Skooter | Short film |
| 1927 | Love My Dog | Skooter | Short film |
| 1927 | Tired Business Men | Skooter | Short film |
| 1927 | Baby Brother | Skooter | Short film |
| 1927 | Olympic Games | Skooter | Short film, deleted scene |
| 1927 | Chicken Feed | Skooter | Short film |
| 1928 | Chinatown Charlie | Oswald | |
| 1954 | Isadora Duncan | Sergei Yesenin | |
| 1954 | Mística | Townspeople in “Ofrenda” |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Elmer Lowry DC.jpg". Another Nice Mess. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Moving Picture Exhibitors' Association (1926). The Moving picture world. California State Library. New York : The World Photographic Publishing Company. p. 276. Search this book on
- ↑ Thundering Fleas, retrieved 2023-05-01
- ↑ The Border Cities Star. The Border Cities Star. Search this book on
- ↑ The Lewiston Daily Sun. The Lewiston Daily Sun. Search this book on
- ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Search this book on
- ↑ Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express. Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express. Search this book on
- ↑ Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Search this book on
- ↑ The Toledo News-Bee. The Toledo News-Bee. Search this book on
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Elmer "Scooter" Lowry". TheLuckyCorner. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Elmer Lowry". Another Nice Mess. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ (26 December 1931). Young Movie Star Heads Bill, Indianapolis Times
- ↑ Photoplay Magazine Publishing Company (1926). Photoplay (Jul-Dec 1926). PFA Library and Film Study Center UC Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. Chicago, Photoplay Magazine Publishing Company. Search this book on
- ↑ The Deseret News. The Deseret News. Search this book on
- ↑ Marcus, Ben (2011-06-07). The Skateboard: The Good, the Rad, and the Gnarly: An Illustrated History. MVP Books. ISBN 978-1-61060-209-9. Search this book on
- ↑ Newark Sunday Call. Newark Sunday Call. Search this book on
- ↑ Hodges, Graham Russell Gao (2023-01-10). Anna May Wong: From Laundryman's Daughter to Hollywood Legend. Chicago Review Press. ISBN 978-1-64160-885-5. Search this book on
- ↑ The Pittsburgh Press. The Pittsburgh Press. Search this book on
- ↑ The Pittsburgh Press. The Pittsburgh Press. Search this book on
- ↑ (27 August 1929). Mary, Johnny and Scooter on Parade, Indianapolis Times
- ↑ The Pittsburgh Press. The Pittsburgh Press. Search this book on
- ↑ Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express. Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express. Search this book on
- ↑ Evening Tribune. Evening Tribune. Search this book on
- ↑ Evening Tribune. Evening Tribune. Search this book on
- ↑ Massa, Steve. Rediscovering Roscoe: The Films of "Fatty" Arbuckle. BearManor Media. Search this book on
- ↑ Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express. Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express. Search this book on
- ↑ Schenectady Gazette. Schenectady Gazette. Search this book on
- ↑ Schenectady Gazette. Schenectady Gazette. Search this book on
- ↑ Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express. Rochester Evening Journal and the Post Express. Search this book on
- ↑ The Pittsburgh Press. The Pittsburgh Press. Search this book on
- ↑ Reading Eagle. Reading Eagle. Search this book on
- ↑ "Page 1 WWII Draft Registration Cards". Fold3. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
- ↑ "Page 2 WWII Draft Registration Cards". Fold3. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
- ↑ 34.0 34.1 Eugene Register-Guard. Eugene Register-Guard. Search this book on
- ↑ "SCOOTER LOWRY hit by car BrooklynDailyEagle12Nov1937 - Newspapers.com". Brooklyn Public Library. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
- ↑ "ELMER LOWRY 9Mar1938 Brooklyn Daily Eagle - Newspapers.com". Brooklyn Public Library. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
- ↑ "ELMER SCOOTER LOWRY in court Brooklyn Daily Eagle". Newspaper.com.
- ↑ "Anna Lowry DC.jpg". Another Nice Mess. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ↑ "SCOOTERS's death in 1989 - The Little Rascals". Little Rascals Proboards. April 15, 2022.
- ↑ "FamilySearch.org". ancestors.familysearch.org. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
External links[edit]
| Films |
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|---|---|
| Television |
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| Preceded by Johnny Downs |
Our Gang 1926–1927 |
Succeeded by Harry Spear |
|
This page exists already on Wikipedia. |
