Mary, Queen Of Tots

film no. 41

availability:

Our Gang Volume #2 (VHS) from Grapevine Video and also from The Picture Palace

This copy has a remade opening title card, and an ending card that looks straight out of the sixties, but the inter-titles are original. The print totals 19:51, with 19:38 of it original footage. Almost the entire original film is included. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Volume 14 (VHS) from Video Classics

This copy is essentially the same as Grapevine's.

Our Gang Comedies presents Hal Roach's Rascals 2 Pack (2 VHS set) from Brentwood Video

Released Nov. 2000. This was also included within a 10 VHS set entitled Our Gang Comedies presents Hal Roach's Rascals 10 Pack. This copy suffers from a slight case of the jitters. Normally, I would think it just was my own copy with the problem, but the DVD version from this company does the same thing. This is probably the version that appeared on certain bootlegs containing the Roach talkies.

Hal Roach's Rascals (DVD) from Brentwood Video

This is also available in a 2 DVD set with another same-named DVD. This copy is identical to the Grapevine version. Even though it's on DVD, it was clearly copied from a VHS, and suffers from a slight case of the jitters.

Hal Roach's Rascals (DVD) from Brentwood Video

The DVD is one of two with this name, this other containing the entire film. This DVD includes a documentary entitled Hollywood Hall Of Fame, with 15 clips from this film. The 1st lasts 0:06, and shows Richard Daniels first meeting the boys. The 2nd lasts 0:09, and shows Mary explaining the boys to Daniels. The 3rd lasts 0:02, and shows Mary with the boys outside. The 4th lasts 0:03, and shows Mary reacting to the dolls. The 5th lasts 0:29, and shows the miniature boys. The 6th lasts 0:05, and shows Mary first meeting the boys. The 7th lasts 0:06, and shows the radio performers. The 8th lasts 0:07, and shows the boys eating while Mary holds the dolls. The 9th lasts 0:07, and shows Joe slipping on the rug. The 10th lasts 0:02, and shows Mary looking worried. The 11th lasts 0:14, and shows Farina running from Mary. The 12th lasts 0:02, and shows Mary's mother's muddy face. The 13th lasts 0:04, and shows the boys coming out of hiding. The 14th lasts 0:15, and shows the boys riding around on the cart. And the 15th lasts 0:01, and shows the boys on the lawn.

Hal Roach's Rascals 3-Tape Set (3 VHS set) from Brentwood Video

Released Feb. 2000. This set contains the same print as the DVD as well as the Hollywood Hall Of Fame documentary.

The Little Rascals Collection (5 DVD set) from Passport Video

Released July 13, 2004. This is the same version as Grapevine's. The picture quality is fairly good, but the picture jitters a bit. The title of the DVD set is superimposed in the lower right hand corner of the screen.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Vol. 1 (VHS) from HenryButch

This is the same version as the one released by Grapevine.

Our Gang Classics (VHS) from Jef Films

Released 1997. This version has a non-original opening and is comparable to the one from Grapevine, but without the usual soundtrack. A Jef Films copyright is shown at the bottom of the screen.

Little Rascals Volume 4 (DVD) from East West Entertainment

This is essentially the same version seen elsewhere.

The Little Rascals & Our Gang Collection Vol. 2 (DVD) from Janus Entertainment, Inc.

This was also compiled with Vol. 1 into a 2 DVD set entitled The Little Rascals Our Gang Collector's Edition.

The Original Comedy Classics

Released 1999. This collection also includes films featuring other stars.

TV Time Comedy 100 TV Episodes (10 DVD set) from TV Time

This collection also includes films featuring other stars.

Our Gang Volume 2 (DVD) from TV Classics

Released Sep. 5, 2003.

Three Stooges, Little Rascals & East Side Kids Collection (5 DVD set) from Diamond Ent. Corp.

Released Aug. 30, 2005.

Classic Troublemakers (3 DVD set) from St. Clair Entertainment

Released Oct. 25, 2005.

Our Gang: Hilarious Hits (DVD) from Quality Television

Released Oct. 31, 2006. Also included as part of Our Gang: Terrific Tot Tales (2 DVD set) released Apr. 24, 2007.

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Probably credited in the film as a presenter.

Supervised by F. Richard Jones

Probably credited in the film as supervising director.

Directed by Robert F. McGowan

This credit probably appears in the film, but without his middle initial.

Photographed by Art Lloyd

This credit probably appears in the film.

Edited by Richard Currier

This credit probably appears in the film.

Titles by H. M. Walker

This credit probably appears in the film.

Story by Hal E. Roach

This credit probably doesn't appear in the film.

Released by Pathé Exchange, Inc.

Passed by the National Board of Review

Probably indicated in the film.

studio personnel

• general manager - Warren Doane
• assistant general manager - L. A. French
• secretary-treasurer - C. H. Roach
• construction supervisor - C. E. Christensen
• laboratory superintendent - Charles Levin
• still photographer - Bud "Stax" Graves
• transportation director - Bob Davis
• school teacher - Fern Carter

possible uncredited involvement

• assistant direction - Possibly Charles Oelze.
• photography - Special photographic effects were probably achieved by Alvin V. Knetchel.
• editing - Bert Jordan was among the cutters during this period.
• writing - Robert F. McGowan, Frank Terry and James Parrott may have been among the gag writers.
• property department - Charles Oelze was probably involved in this capacity, and possibly Sherbourne Shields and Roy Seawright.
• animal training - Tony Campanaro was probably among the animal trainers.

the kids:

Mary Kornman as "Mary"

Lead role. She's the star of the film, the lonely rich girl without other kids to play with, and whose dolls seemingly come to life.

Allen "Farina" Hoskins

Supporting role. The nickname doesn't appear in the film. He's given most of the comedy bits in this film.

Mickey Daniels

Supporting role. As usual, he's the leader of the group of boys.

Joe Cobb

Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble work in this short.

Jackie Condon

Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble work in this short.

other kids

Bit part. During the storybook scene, Mary appears as a princess with Farina at her side. Two boys in armor have a sword fight. It seems likely that these two are regulars, but since they're of the same height and build, it makes sense that they'd be Mickey Daniels and Johnny Downs, the latter of whom doesn't otherwise appear in the film. Just speculation, of course. Johnny does appear in at least one publicity photo taken on the set of this film.

the animals:

Pal

Supporting role. He's Mary's dog and takes a bath in her place.

donkey 041

Small part. Shown during the dream sequence.

other animals

Bit parts.
(1.) The pony seen in the swordfighting sequence. Possibly one of the earlier ponies, but it's impossible to be sure.
(2.) The canary shown in the background at the radio station. At KHJ, canaries were kept in a cage and could be heard in the background whenever "Uncle John" did his announcing. Presumably, there are other birds in the cage, but I've only been able to make out one of them in the available print.

the adults:

May Beatty as the governess

Featured role. She's featured pretty strongly in this short, always at odds with Mary.

Richard Daniels as the gardener

Featured role. He's also featured strongly, but is kind to Mary and buys the dolls for her.

Lyle Tayo as "Mrs. Newman," Mary's mom

Small part. She's shown briefly on her way to a bridge game. She doesn't have enough time for her daughter.

Helen Gilmore as the dollmaker's wife

Small part. She's first seen with her husband, then later sells the dolls to the gardener.

Charley Young as the dollmaker

Bit part. He's seen at the beginning of the film with his wife.

Charles A. Bachman as the police officer

Bit part. He's seen at the end of the film taking the governess away.

James Finlayson as one of the radio actors

Bit part. He's seen briefly at the radio station.

John S. "Uncle John" Daggett as "Uncle John," the radio announcer

Bit part. He appears briefly introducing the radio program.

other adults

Bit parts and extras.
(1.) The other radio actor, who looks somewhat like Lee Phelps.
(2.) The adult in the dog costume.
(3.) The maid, seen briefly with Mary's mother, then again with the governess.
(4.) Mickey's mother, who's seen briefly giving laundry to Mickey.
(5.) The two women seen in the background at the radio station.

the locations:

KHJ radio station, Los Angeles

This is almost certainly where the radio studio scenes were shot.

Hal E. Roach Studios

Shown very briefly in the shot where the governess summons the police officer.

miscellaneous:

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