Chic Sale

Charles Partlow "Chic" Sale (August 25, 1885 – November 7, 1936) was a vaudevillian, stage and movie actor, and author who specialized in playing older men and rural characters. He wrote several bestselling books based on the characters in his performances.

Early years Sale was born in Huron, South Dakota to dentist Dr. Frank Orville Sale and poet Lillie Belle Partlow Sale. In 1894, when Sale was 9, the family moved to Urbana, Illinois. Sale's family included older sister Edna, younger brother Dwight and younger sister Virginia (who would go one to become a film and television actor and writer).

In 1900, Sale, now known as "Chic", quit school at age 15 to work at the Big Four rail yard in Urbana. He soon learned he could make people laugh with his impersonations, especially of rural characters he had met. His brother Dwight was also a talented comic and storyteller, James' illustrations brought Sale's humor to life, and the book enjoyed great success. Sale spent the next several months responding to fan mail, and his next book was titled I'll Tell you Why. Sale also wrote another book,The Champion Cornhusker Crashes the Movies. The Specialist sold more than a million copies within a few years.

In his fifties, Sale observed that 25 years earlier he was playing the part of an 80-year-old man, but that in his middle age he was doing young men's parts. "If I live to be 70, I expect to be Shirley Temple's biggest rival."

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes1921 His Nibs Theo. Bender (segment "His Nibs") / Wally Craw / Mr. Percifer / Elmer Bender / Peelee Gear Jr. / Miss Dessie Teed / The Boy 1924 The New School Teacher Prof. Timmons 1927 They're coming to get me Short 1931 The Star Witness Pvt. Summerill 1932 The Expert Grandpa John T. Minick When a Feller Needs a Friend Uncle Jonas Tucker Stranger in Town Ulysses Crickle Men of America Smokey Joe Miller 1933 Lucky Dog Arthur Wilson Dangerous Crossroads Locomotive Engineer The Chief Uncle Joe 1934 Treasure Island Ben Gunn 1935 The Fighting Westerner Deputy Tex Murdock It's a Great Life Grandpa Barclay 1936 Man Hunt Ed Hoggins Important News Scoop Stevens with James Stewart as Corn Short The Gentleman from Louisiana Deacon Devlin The Man I Marry Sheriff Clem Loudecker 1937 You Only Live Once Ethan final film role