This one obviously isn't inspired by Ray, since it predates him by three years:

A Ben Turpin film from 1919, called "A Clever Dummy". In which hapless Ben co-exists with a mechanical replica of himself. The replica seems to have a clockwork mechanism in his chest (ticktickticktick...), and at one point in the story is taken downstairs to the cellar.

Could this be the inspiration for Marionettes Inc?

http://www.archive.org/details/ACleverDummy

quote:

Originally posted by philnic:
This one obviously isn't inspired by Ray, since it predates him by three years:

One. Perhaps you're thinking of August 22.

Hapless is a good word.

I should have typed 1917 rather than 1919, so three years is correct!

quote:

Originally posted by philnic:
I should have typed 1917 rather than 1919, so three years is correct!

1917, aye!

But hapless is still a good word, as is Turpin.

I never saw Ben Turpin with a hap, so hapless is the word for him!

Fascinating!