Ten Years Old

technical details:

Production K-16.

Filmed November 24 to December 14, 1926. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Copyrighted February 14, 1927, by Pathé Exchange, Inc. Registration no. LU23667. Renewed January 10, 1955, with registration no. R142091. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2022.

Released March 13, 1927. It was the 58th film in the series to be released.

Silent two-reeler.

Opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "Ten Years Old".'

Released into TV syndication as Mischief Makers episode no. 1017, "A Double Birthday," copyrighted Sep. 1, 1960, with registration number LP17322. Footage also went into episode no. 1072, "An Average Day," copyrighted Sep. 1, 1960, with registration number LP17774.

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Credited in the film as a presenter.

Supervised by F. Richard Jones

Credited in the film as supervising director. He resigned on March 9th, four days before this film was released.

Directed by Robert F. McGowan and Anthony Mack

Maltin & Bann list only Mack, and the film reflects this. The 1926 studio datebook indicates that McGowan directed except on December 2 to 4, when Mack, referred to as McGowan, Jr., directed. The F in McGowan's name stands for Francis. Mack was his nephew, whose real name was Robert A. (for Anthony) McGowan. According to the payroll summaries, Mack was still an assistant director during this period.

Assistant Director: Charles Oelze

According to Rob Stone's list as well as the payroll summaries.

Photographed by Art Lloyd

This credit appears in the film. Rob Stone's list indicates that an extra cameraman was used on December 7th and 8th.

Assistant Cameraman: W. V. Draper

This credit derives from Draper's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant cameraman during this period.

Edited by Richard Currier

This credit appears in the film.

Cutter: Lloyd Campbell

This credit derives from Campbell's payroll status as the Our Gang cutter during this period.

Titles by H. M. Walker

This credit appears in the film.

Props by Don Sandstrom and Timothy O'Donnell

According to Rob Stone's list.

Animation by S. E. Overton

This credit derives from Overton's payroll status as the studio animator during this period. The animation in this film involves Pal's rolling eyes.

Story by Hal E. Roach

This credit doesn't appear in the film.

Animal trainer: Tony Campanaro

He was Pal's trainer.

Teacher: Fern Carter

Released by Pathé Exchange, Inc.

Passed by the National Board of Review

As 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

possible uncredited involvement

writing - Robert F. McGowan, Robert A. McGowan, Hal Yates, Carl Harbaugh, Jean Yarbrough and Frank Butler may have been among the gag writers.

the kids:

Joe Cobb as "Joe"

Lead role. He's the star of the film, baking a cake and preparing for a party that doesn't happen, so he goes to Jackie's party.

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Featured role. He shows up at Joe's to let him know where all the kids are. He provides most of the comic moments in the film.

Jackie Condon as "Jackie"

Featured role. He's the rich kid that invites the gang to his party. He starts off with Little Lord Fauntleroy curls, but his father lets him get a haircut for his birthday.

Jannie Hoskins

Supporting role. She accompanies Farina pretty much throughout the film.

Mildred Kornman as "Mildred"

Supporting role. She's featured at Joe's house during the cake baking scene, and throws various objects into the batter.

Bobby "Bonedust" Young as "Bone Dust"

Supporting role. He gets butted by the goat, and is with the gang pretty much throughout the film.

Jay R. Smith as "Jay-R"

Supporting role. He gets a rubber tube stuck in his mouth, then notices that his piece of cake is inflating.

Elmer "Scooter" Lowry

Supporting role. At the party, he pulls nails out of his mouth.

Jimsy Boudwin

Supporting role. He's the boy that eats the soap.

Johnny Aber

Supporting role. He gets squirted in the face.

Andy Shuford

Supporting role. He's seen as one of the main gang members in this film.

Doris Oelze

Extra. She's among the rich kids. In the shot where they all curtsy, she's two kids to the left of Jean Darling. She also gets a closeup with Carl Busch.

Carl Busch

Extra. A 1927 casting directory credits his involvement in this film. In the shot where they all curtsy, he's three kids to the left of Jean Darling. He also gets a closeup with Doris Oelze.

Bobby Mallon

Extra. He's one of the rich kids, and is standing behind Doris and Carl during their closeup. This was his debut appearance.

Jean Darling

Extra. She's one of the rich kids, and is best seen standing towards the right in the shot where they all curtsy.

other kids

Supporting roles, small parts and bit parts.

(1.) The freckle-faced boy that squirts liquid from his mouth. This may be the boy listed by Maltin & Bann as Bret Black (also known as Buck Black).

(2.) There are about a dozen more rich kids at the party, most notably the girl that plays Jackie's stepsister. Among the other kids, Maltin & Bann list Peggy Eames, but I'm unable to spot her in the available footage. It should be noted that she bears a resemblance to Doris Oelze, so perhaps this explains it.

the animals:

Pal as "Pal"

Supporting role. He's Joe's dog, and is present during the cake baking scene. He also goes along to Jackie's house.

Buster

Small part. This is Farina's dog.

skunk 014

Bit part. Presumably the same skunk as usual, but maybe not. This is Farina's gift for Jackie.

other animals

Small parts and bit parts.

(1.) The goat used in the bullfighting sequence. Possibly the same goat seen in "Uncle Tom's Uncle" (no. 50).

(2.) The frog Jackie gets for his birthday.

(3.) The two ducklings Jackie gets for his birthday.

the adults:

George B. French as Jackie's dad

Small part. He's seen early in the film, and allows Jackie to invite the gang to his birthday.

Lyle Tayo as Joe's mom

Small part. Joe pins the tail on her. She appears at the beginning of the film.

Fay Holderness as Jackie's maid

Bit part. She appears briefly speaking to the butler and Jackie. I suspect she may actually be his governess. Maltin & Bann list May Beatty, but I'm pretty sure this is incorrect.

F. F. Guenste as the butler

Bit part. He appears briefly during Jackie's party, with the same role he always has in this series.

Louise Brooks shown in a newspaper photo

This photo appears in the newspaper that's been fashioned into a party hat for Joe.

other adults

Bit parts.

(1.) Jackie's snobby mother.

(2.) Another maid.

(3.) The barber who cuts Jackie's hair.

the locations:

Palms district, Los Angeles

Farina and Mango escape the goat by running south from Woodbine down the alley parallel to and between Motor and Vinton. The camera points both north and south at different times during this scene.

Culver City

Rob Stone's list indicates that footage was shot in Culver City on December 7th, 8th, and 14th, as well as back at the studio.

house

The large house seen in the background during the bullfighting scene can also be seen in "One Wild Ride" (no. 45).

miscellaneous:

18 shooting dates went into the making of this film. A little over a week after shooting finished for "Seeing The World" (no. 55), the 'start' date arrived for "Ten Years Old" on Nov. 24th. Shooting continued until Dec. 14th, when it was considered 'finished.' No shooting took place on Nov. 28th, Dec. 5th, or Dec. 12th, which were all Sundays. Robert F. McGowan directed on most of the shooting dates, but his nephew, listed as 'McGowan Jr.' but actually named Robert A. McGowan, directed on Dec. 2nd, 3rd and 4th. A week after shooting finished, the Our Gang unit began to film "Love My Dog" (no. 59).

There were 36 copies of this film printed for its initial release.

availability:

Rascals Silents Vol. 5 (VHS/DVD) from A-1 Video

This is a nearly complete original print of the film with fairly good picture quality. There is a jumpcut as Jay hands his invitation to Joe's party over to Jackie, which isn't a problem in the Mischief Makers version. The footage totals 27:21.

Rascals Silents Vol. 2 (VHS) from A-1 Video

A clip from this film lasting 0:36 appears as part of the hybrid Mischief Makers episode entitled "An Average Day.".

special note

I've also been able to view a couple of home movie portions of this film, as well as the Mischief Makers print.

See anything that needs changing? Contact me at BtheW@aol.com.

© Robert Demoss.