Mark Goldaine

name: Mark S. Goldaine
born January 25, 1881, in Hartford, CT
died August 30, 1970, in Orange, CA

This filmography is obviously sparse, since information on Goldaine is hard to come by. For a period of four months, he was the official writer of the Our Gang unit, and also shared directorial duties with Bob McGowan on a few films. A few of his non-Roach efforts are also known, but only a few. Presumably, there are many other films that should be included on this list. We do know that he had a 20 year stage career before entering films, and was a stage director for 15 of those years. He worked at both Equitable and Universal prior to his arrival at National.

1920

Our earliest reference to Goldaine is as a director for the National Film Corporation of America, with George Bunny starring in many of the films.

A Much Needed Rest (director/writer): c. 1920 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels; ©Feb. 8, 1920.
One Dollar Down (director): c. 1920 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels; ©Apr. 4, 1920.
The Matrimoniacs (director): c. 1920 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels; ©May 2, 1920.
A Fly In The Ointment (director): c. 1920 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels; ©May 30, 1920.
Treat 'Em Kind (director): c. 1920 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels; ©June 27, 1920.
Oh, Girls (director): c. 1920 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels; ©July 11, 1920.
A Money Mix-Up (director): c. 1920 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels; ©July 25, 1920.
Mum's The Word (director): c. 1920 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels; ©Aug. 8, 1920.
A Counter Plot (director): c. 1920 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels; ©Aug. 22, 1920.
Artistic Enemies (director): Oct. 1920 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels - Jimmy Flannigan & Neely Edwards series; ©Nov. 14, 1920.
Fingers And Pockets (director): Oct. 1920 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels - Jimmy Flannigan & Neely Edwards series; ©Nov. 28, 1920.
Love On Rollers (director): Nov. 1920 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels - Jimmy Flannigan & Neely Edwards series; ©Dec. 12, 1920.
At It Again (director): Nov. 1920 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels - George Bunny series; ©Dec. 26, 1920.
When Martin Gets Here (director): Dec. 1920 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels - George Bunny series; ©Jan. 6, 1921.
Professional Ethics (director): Dec. 1920 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels - George Bunny series; ©Jan. 9, 1921.

1921

Ged-Ap, Napoleon (director): Jan. 1921 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels - George Bunny series; ©Jan. 6, 1921, as Gid-Ap Napoleon.
Blue Friday (director): May 1921 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels - George Bunny series; ©May 7, 1921.
Food For Thought (director): May 1921 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels - George Bunny series; ©May 20, 1921.
Why Worry? (director): June 1921 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels - George Bunny series; ©June 7, 1921.
Nothing To Think About (director): June 1921 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels - George Bunny series; ©June 27, 1921.
Take It Easy (director): July 1921 - National/Goldwyn - 2 reels - George Bunny series; ©July 27, 1921.

1923

Goldaine first appears in the Roach studio payroll summaries as an Our Gang writer the week ending September 1st. The unit was in the middle of filming "Tire Trouble" (no. 22), which may or may not have included gags by Goldaine. It's safe to say that he wrote for the next few films up until his departure from the studio. He also was given directorial duties, alternating with regular director Robert F. McGowan.

1924

Goldaine's last week with Roach was the one ending January 5th of this year, after which he became associated with famed Chaplin imitator Billy West.

23. Big Business (co-writer): Feb. 10, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-23 - Our Gang series; Filmed Sep. 11 to 21, 1923. ©Jan. 26, 1924. This credit derives from Goldaine's payroll status as an Our Gang writer during this period. Roach received the (offscreen) credit for this.
24. The Buccaneers (co-director/co-writer): Mar. 9, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-24 - Our Gang series; Filmed Sep. 28 to Oct. 24, and Oct. 28, 1923. ©Feb. 20, 1924. Goldaine received sole credit in the film and in the 1923 studio datebook, but is credited alongside Robert F. McGowan in Maltin & Bann's book. The writing credit derives from Goldaine's payroll status as an Our Gang writer during this period. Roach received the (offscreen) credit for this.
25. Seein' Things (co-writer): Apr. 6, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-25 - Our Gang series; Filmed Oct. 25 to Nov. 7, and Dec. 19, 1923, and Jan. 7, 1924. ©May 12, 1924. This credit derives from Goldaine's payroll status as an Our Gang writer during this period. Roach received the (offscreen) credit for this.
26. Commencement Day (co-director/co-writer): May 4, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-26 - Our Gang series; Filmed Nov. 9 to Dec. 6, 1923, Jan. 7 to 11, and Jan. 26, 1924. ©May 12, 1924. Goldaine directed on the November and December shooting dates. The writing credit derives from his payroll status as an Our Gang writer during this period. Roach received the (offscreen) credit for this.
27. It's A Bear (co-director/co-writer): July 27, 1924 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. A-27 - Our Gang series; Filmed Dec. 10 to 26, 1923, Jan. 2 to 7, Jan. 12, and Mar. 7 to 12, 1924. ©June 30, 1924. Robert F. McGowan received sole credit for directing this film, even though the datebooks reveal he only directed on January 7th. Goldaine directed on all of the remaining days. He was also listed as a writer for the Our Gang unit during this period, which most likely explains his writing credit in Joseph McBride's Frank Capra - The Catastrophe Of Success. Roach received the (offscreen) credit for this.

1925

During this year, Goldaine started directing for First Division, which made the Sheiks and Shebas series, as well as the Hey Fellas! series, which was one of the many rival series to Our Gang. Presumably, his experience at Roach looked good on his resume. After this, his filmography dries up.

The Rip Snorter (story): Feb. 14, 1925 - Wilson/Arrow - 5 reels; ©Feb. 18, 1925. Interestingly enough, this film features Our Gang director Robert McGowan in a supporting role.