The Hal Roach Comedy Shorts of Thelma Todd, ZaSu Pitts and Patsy Kelly

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Producer Hal Roach wanted to match his success with Laurel and Hardy by producing films with a female comedy team. So in 1931 he teamed up Thelma Todd and ZaSu Pitts for a series of two reel shorts that were quickly successful. When Pitts left the studio for other pursuits, she was replaced by Patsy Kelly and the series continued to be successful. Thelma Todd died suddenly under mysterious circumstances in 1935 and Patsy tried to carry on alone, first with Pert Kelton, then with Lyda Roberti. When Lyda died in 1938, the series ended. This book is the first film-by-film look at each of the comedies these women made, how they responded to different directors, and how the movies adapted to changes along the way. As the short comedies are discussed, other projects each of the actresses engaged in outside of the series will also be mentioned. Each film examined will include credits, production information, period reviews, background, and a critical assessment.