Edison Marconi & Co.

film no. 73

availability:

This film is considered to be lost and is therefore unavailable on video. Most of the information listed below derives from the cutting continuity, which was submitted for copyright purposes to the Library of Congress.

technical details:

Production G-7.

Filmed December 16 to 22 and 28, 1927.

Cutting continuity received from the Hal Roach Company on January 21, 1928.

Copyrighted March 10, 1928, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP25215. Renewed February 10, 1956, with registration no. R164576. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2023.

Released March 10, 1928. It was the 73rd film in the series to be released.

Silent two-reeler.

Opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "Edison, Marconi & Co."'

the crew:

Produced by Robert F. McGowan for Hal Roach: The film credits Roach as a presenter, and designates it as "A Robert McGowan Production." Maltin & Bann list Roach only for this credit.
Supervised by Robert F. McGowan: This credit appears in the film, but without his middle initial.
Directed by Anthony Mack: This credit appears in the film. Mack was actually Robert A. (for Anthony) McGowan, the nephew of Robert F. According to Rob Stone's list, it was actually the uncle that directed this film.
Photographed by Art Lloyd: This credit appears in the film.
Edited by Richard Currier: This credit appears in the film.
Titles by H. M. Walker: This credit appears in the film.
Story by Robert F. McGowan: This credit appears on the title page of the cutting continuity.
Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer: As indicated in the opening title card.
Passed by the National Board of Review: As indicated in the film.
All Rights Reserved Under International Convention of Buenos Aires: As indicated in the film.
studio personnel
possible uncredited involvement

the kids:

Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins as "Wheezer": Lead role. He takes the gang on a wild ride in their submarine car.
Jay R. Smith as "Jay" aka "J. Edison Westinghouse Smith": Featured role. He's the inventor that's designed the car.
Allen "Farina" Hoskins: Supporting role. The nickname doesn't appear in the titles. He's given several funny bits of business along the way.
Joe Cobb: Supporting role. He gets a decent amount of the dialogue, but is mostly along for the ride (pardon the pun).
Harry Spear: Supporting role. He's mostly part of the ensemble in this film.
Jackie Condon: Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble acting in this film.
questionable listings: Maltin & Bann list both Jean Darling and Mildred Kornman, but the cutting continuity doesn't mention them. The cutting continuity mentions two nameless boys, one of whom turns out to be Harry, but the other isn't revealed. However, he's probably Jackie Condon.

the animals:

Pete (no. 1): Supporting role. He helps Wheezer take his nightgown off, and otherwise is present in the gang's garage.
Leo: Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.
other animals: Bit parts and extras.
(1.) The owl that turns his head as the car passes.
(2.) The mule running down the alley from the car.
(3.) The chickens that the car drives through.

the adults:

adults: Supporting roles, bit parts and extras.
(1.) Jay's mother, who hasn't much faith in his future.
(2.) Jay's father, a gas inspector, who believes in his son.
(3.) The painter who loses his ladder.
(4.) The man pushed into the water and his friend who soon joins him.
(5.) The fire chief and the other firemen, and the man who jumps from the building.
(6.) The four men whose faces are blackened with soot.
(7.) The cop with the whistle.
(8.) The man with the baby buggy.
(9.) The man who loses his pants.
(10.) The man blowing up the stump.
(11.) The motorcycle cop.
(12.) There are probably several additional pedestrians and drivers shown.

Thanks to Rob Stone and Joe Moore for assistance on this page.