Hal Roach has his faults, principal among them being a profound imbalance between the length of his arms and the depth of his pockets. Jimmy Finlayson claims that Hal Roach orders his trousers to be made that way, and is forced to sit down just to reach his small change.
Which Hal Roach then uses to pay his employees.
It is now clear that Jimmy Finlayson is never going to be a star. Such an outcome was, by Jimmy Finlayson’s own admission, always unlikely, but a man can hope, and a man can dream. A new hierarchy has been established at Hal Roach Studios, and Jimmy Finlayson sits below two men in derby hats. But these two men remain loyal to Jimmy Finlayson, just as Hal Roach does.
Hal Roach is loyal to those who are loyal to Hal Roach.
As long as they don’t ask for a raise.
Jimmy Finlayson does not ask for a raise. Jimmy Finlayson works, and smiles, and accepts his fate.
But sometimes, it hurts just the same.