Mary Ann Jackson, the adorable baby of "The Jimmy Smith's" comedies reached her fourth milestone in January - Laugh Month - which was entirely appropriate for a comedienne. On Friday, January 14, Mary blew out four candles on a luscious, iced birthday cake.
The party was held between scenes of one of the forthcoming "The J. Smith's" domestic-comedies. There were presents, of course. Plenty of them, including a miniature make-up box, a little canvas chair with her name painted on it, and an avalanche of candy - all presented by "Mary Anne's" troupe.
Mary is the youngest screen star actress with a real contract and the only baby star Mack Sennett has featured since John Henry, who was prominent in the Sennett comedies of five years ago with Louise Fazenda and Teddy, the great Dane.
Mary Anne's "discovery" was purely accidental. It all happened because there was nobody at home to "mind" her. Mrs. Jackson brought Mary Ann to the Mack Sennett studio with her brother Bobby, who was working in a grocery store comedy being directed by Eddie Cline. All of a sudden a new gag was worked up on the set, for the comedy scene in the making, calling for a baby to walk through some custard pies on a counter. Mary Ann Jackson, being right on the spot, was given the bit. When the Pathecomedy producer saw the "rushes" the following night, he ordered the infant to be placed under contract at once.
In reality, the infant comedienne is a happy baby bubbling over with mischief. The only thing she takes seriously is the responsibility of a family of dolls.