... BUT I WON'T TELL YA!!

[malaria]

Just got hold of a book called "Jewish Comedy... A Serious History", and unexpectedly encountered a familiar name:

"Tale the case of the well-known actor Max Davidson, a 'maestro of reaction shots, who played an unmistakably Jewish character in a number of two-reel shorts he did for the Hal Roach Studios in the 1920s... his contract ended in 1928..."

Moan & Groan, Inc. shows a release date of 1929, but perhaps shot in '28.  Max?  Any ideas?

"IIII KNOWW..." etc. 

Pass the Nice Toikey Leg and Fine Noodle Zzzzoup!!

[myhomeo]

Probably shot in 1928, but maybe him just getting some freelance work.

[mtw12055]

Max's contract ended in '28, which meant his series ended. But he kept showing up in Roach shorts as a freelance actor - primarily working in the "All Star" comedies - through the end of 1929 (with the rare return in subsequent years). "Moan" was filmed in September 1929. Richard Bann did an in-depth write-up on Max that is worth a look.
www.laurel-and-hardy.com/archive/articles/2011-01-davidson/davidson-1.html

[bigshotjones]

A while back, TCM showed "The Rag Man" (1925), which stars Davidson and Jackie Coogan, playing a more or less a straight non-comedic role.