Jean Darling

This filmography was made in collaboration with Matthew Lydick.

birth name: Dorothy Jean LaVake
soon changed to: Dorothy Jean Darling
professional name: Jean Darling
born Aug. 23, 1922, in Santa Monica, CA
died Sep. 4, 2015, in Rödermark, Germany, of cancer

Special note: Jean's name was legally changed shortly after her parents' separation, which happened when she was five months old. Her mother was originally Dorothy Darling Hamilton, and changed her own name to Dorothy Hamilton Darling.

Also of note: Jean's son, Roy, at the time of her death, told AP that the precise date of her birth is unknown due to a fire that destroyed her birth records. Presumably, the 23rd is the day she celebrated her birthday every year.

Also of note: In her memoirs, Jean briefly mentions being broke at some point in her life, and making ends meet by getting a 9-to-5 job at a florist's shop. She also mentions going blind for two years, during which she gave singing lessons, along with her accompanist, John Code. Exactly when either of these things happened is currently a mystery.

So just how many Our Gang shorts did Jean appear in? Jean herself always insisted that she was in 46 silents and 6 talkies, and wasn't too pleased with Maltin & Bann's grand total of 35. And if you count all of the Our Gang films in their book from "Bring Home The Turkey" (her first) to "Bouncing Babies" (her last), it comes to 37, though you would need to add in "Seeing The World," which was finished after "Bring Home The Turkey." That brings us to 38 films produced in the series while she was present. But Jean agreed that she occasionally missed out on certain shorts, once because of scarlet fever ("The Glorious Fourth"), and an unspecified number of times when she just didn't feel like being in the next short.

So where do these numbers come from? Jean said that Hal Roach gave her the 46 and 6 totals. An Apr. 6, 1934, San Francisco News article reports that she appeared in 52 Our Gang shorts, and this became the commonly reported number going forward. However, The Sioux City Journal (IA) of Feb. 8, 1931, stated that it was 36 silents and 6 talkies. So perhaps the numbers changed in Jean's head between the ages of 8 and 11 - or perhaps the 1931 reporter just misreported them. If only to complicate things further, the Feb. 7, 1931, Rockford Register-Republic (IL) stated that it was 36 total Our Gang films. But that's nothing compared to the press surrounding the 1934 release of "Jane Eyre," which stated that she had appeared in 40 silents and 8 talkies.

The 38 films listed in Maltin & Bann's book are exactly corroborated by weekly trade magazines like Motion Picture News, which had a section in the back listing all of the films currently available for rental by theater owners. The Copyright Catalogue also lists the same 38 films. More crucially, the documentation generated by Hal Roach Studios makes it abundantly clear that 38 Our Gang shorts were shot from "Bring Home The Turkey" to "Bouncing Babies."

There's a pretty good chance that Jean was indeed in 35 of these 38 films, though the availability and completeness of the prints make it difficult to verify. When Jean left the Gang, the announcement to the newspapers was made by her mother, who managed her career, and these articles state that Jean had appeared in 30 of the silents and 4 of the talkies. It was the following week after the articles were published that Jean worked in "Bouncing Babies," which explains why that wasn't counted, but a casting directory in early 1930 contained an entry for Jean that stated she was in 30 of the silents and 5 of the talkies. On this website, the verified total is 27 silents and 5 talkies, with "The Smile Wins," "Spook Spoofing," "Edison, Marconi & Co." and "Election Day" being possible additions to the silents due to inconclusive evidence that Jean was involved.

1923

Feb. or Mar. 1923: According to her memoirs, Jean was registered with Central Casting, and then did her first film work at the age of six months. Her mother was given a small role in a Sam Harris production on Broadway, which also afforded Jean with a "carry-on" part. This would have been shortly before she learned to walk. Apparently, there was also a second play that followed this with Jean in it. Oddly, The Capital Journel of Salem, OR, from Feb. 23, 1938, reported: "Jean comes from a theatrical family of many generations. Her grandfather, a producer in New York City, gave Jean her first part as a babe in arms." Surely, Jean would have mentioned this crucial detail if it was anything more than publicity hype. On Mar. 3, 1938, The Oregon Daily Journal of Portland specified that her grandfather was Frank C. Hamilton, and carried this quote: "I had to cry and I've always had a suspicion Mother pinched me to make the tears come." Another variation on this origin story comes from the Mar. 19, 1980, Evening Herald of Dublin: "Her career began at a year old when her mother made a bundle of her and put her into a cot on the stage. 'I didn't have much of a speaking part: my diction wasn't very good!"

1924

Mid-1924: Shortly before her second birthday, "Baby Jean" danced at Lions and Kiwanis Club meetings as one of her dance instructor's Tapping Troubadours. "My specialty was a Dutch dance performed in full costume, including heavy wooden shoes."
1924/1925: From the Mar. 19, 1980, Evening Herald of Dublin: "I autographed my pictures in my own handwriting before I was three, and by asking my mother what the words meant on the back of buses and in ads, I learnt how to read."

1926

1925/1926: The Sioux City Sunday Journal (IA) of Feb, 8, 1931, stated that Jean's age was 3 years and 4 months at the time of her first film as an extra, which would mean Dec. 1925 or Jan. 1926. On Feb. 23, 1938, The Capital Journal of Salem, OR, reported: "As she grew up she took the parts of little girls and boys of all ages."
Circa 1926: Jean describes her mother being offered a part in a Broadway show by Sam Harris, after having done two previously "with me in tow." She turned this down in favor of Hollywood, feeling that Jean was "getting nowhere by being carried on stage or freelancing in movies."
Circa 1926: There's some conflicting information regarding Jean's entry into Our Gang. As The Boston Globe of Aug. 13, 1928, put it: "Jean was put into the movies when Mrs. L. A. French, wife of the assistant general manager of the Hal Roach Studios, saw her on the street and asked her to come to the studio for a test." This is essentially what we learn by reading Jean's memoirs and Maltin & Bann's book, though Jean says that it happened in a candy store. Also, tests were apparently being conducted that very day to find a new cast member. The Sunday Oregonian of Mar. 5, 1927, states that Jean and her mother arrived in Hollywood "six months ago," which would mean August or September. But then The South Brooklyn Home Talk-Weekly News of Apr. 6, 1927, said that for six months Jean's mother "had her eye on the 'Gang' as the proper place for Jean to grow up into fame." She "secured a letter from the manager of the New York Hippodrome which opened the gates of the Hal Roach studios for an interview. Mrs. Darling left New York for Culver City, going direct to the Roach Studios. But Jean was too young, too untrained, and for four or five months, she could do nothing. Mrs. Darling, under the name of Dorothy Darling, worked in pictures herself in order to remain in California, and never despaired of some opportunity for her rarely beautiful child. One day, the wife of a Roach studio executive saw Jean on the street in Culver City and took her again to Robert McGowan, director of the 'Gang,' and Warren Doane, general manager. She was given a bit in 'Bring Home the Bacon,' a current 'Our Gang' picture." Jean started working in "Bring Home The Turkey" (the actual title) in early October, which would mean, according to this version of events, Jean and her mother left New York back around March or April. Of course, no Our Gang origin story is complete without some additional conflicting information, which in this case comes from The Item-Tribune of New Orleans (on Jan. 1, 1928), where it's reported that Jean "was sent to the Hal Roach lot by the Central Casting Bureau." On Mar. 10, 1940, King Features Syndicate reported that Hal Roach himself discovered Jean, and that it was in a florist's shop. A bit more corroborative with some of these other sources is the Feb. 10, 1931, Rockford Morning Star (IL), which states that Jean was 3 years and 10 months, which would make it June or July 1926. The Lincoln Star (NE) of Feb. 25, 1931, stated that Jean had been a movie star since Oct. 1926, which perfectly corroborates the payroll ledgers.
Oct. 6, 1926: Jean started with the Our Gang series as a day player. As Jean told Steven H. Scheuer in his May 18, 1955, article: "When I first went on the lot, I was a wigglebug. I just wouldn't sit still for pictures, I was too young to realize I was working. I was never in any of the stills and it took me over a year before I sat quietly long enough to get into the stills. I was not a trained child, I never had a dramatic lesson. We were taught naturalness. I think in many cases it's better not to be overly trained in your childhood. Too many lessons are hard on a child, and you can only be as good as your director and material and as pretty as your make-up man lets you be. When I was in the 'Gang,' they had a good system to avoid ego conflicts. They rotated the central character. One time it was me, the next Farina, the next someone else. Even the dog had a chance to star."

1927

Jan. 15, 1927: From the Los Angeles Record regarding the most likely successor to Mary Kornman in the Our Gang series: "The most likely prospect today is Jean Darling, now in stock at Hal Roach's, who will be given small parts in several 'Our Gang' comedies in order to see what she can do. If she fits into the roles which 'Our Gang' stories make possible, she will be made the 'leading lady' of the Gang."
Feb. 15, 1927: From Louella Parsons in her syndicated column: "'Our Gang' comedies has a new leading lady, a dimpled darling, age 4 years, blonde and with all the temperament of a Pola Negri or a Lya De Putti. They were ten months locating Jean Darling. Yes, that is her name. After Mary Kornman and Mickey resigned to go on vaudeville time, there was no one else to help Farina put over his stuff, and that, you will admit, is a tragedy." On February 27th, The Sunday Times-Signal of Zanesville, OH, reported that Jean had "been placed in stock for the next three months, and is practically certain of being retained as heroine." The same day, The Detroit Free Press reported that "she shows all signs of bossing 'Our Gang'."
Mar. 5, 1927: The Sunday Oregonian reported that Jean was 41 inches tall and weighed 41 pounds. "The little girl came to Hollywood with her mother, Mrs. R. P. Darling, six months ago, bearing a letter from the manager of the New York Hippodrome. But she was too young, Director Robert McGowan said, to intelligently play a role. So Mrs. Darling got work for herself at the studio, and waited. Recently, Jean was given a bit in 'Bring Home the Bacon' and did her part so well, she was placed under contract and for the next few pictures will have minor roles. Then it is expected the urchin will receive the designation for which she has waited - leading lady. Since the departure of Mary Kornman to do a vaudeville tour with Mickey Daniels, a long array of little girls has appeared in the hope of succeeding her. Now, apparently, the vacancy is filled."
Mar. 18, 1927: The Venice Evening Vanguard (CA) published an article about Jean, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Apr. 1, 1927: From the Los Angeles Times: "Hollywood screen kiddies will stage their benefit performance Sunday afternoon (the 3rd) at the Hollywood Playhouse to raise funds to build their new clubhouse." Jean was among the child performers listed. The next day, the Hollywood Daily Citizen specified that Jean was on a list of kids set to be introduced from the stage.
Apr. 3, 1927: From The Sunday Enterprise of Beaumont out of Hollywood: "A motion picture actress should not be spanked. That is the rank opinion of Jean Darling, 4-year-old 'leading woman' of the obstreperous troupe of youngsters known to film fans as 'Our Gang.' Jean's mother, Mrs. R. P. Darling, does not entirely agree. She thinks little girls who play in the pictures should be treated just like other children, lest they become spoiled. Jean's grandfather, Frank C. Hamilton, was a New York theatre man."
Apr. 3, 1927: From the Los Angeles Times: "Jean Darling, recently placed on a coveted pedestal of filmdom as the little leading lady of 'Our Gang,' has won the unqualified support, encouragement and praise of the six or seven youngsters who have frolicked their way to fame in Hal Roach's comedies of childhood. Jean has been nicknamed 'Bossie.' Bossie is 4 years of age, blond and dainty. Too young for school, she nevertheless knows her ABC's and can count to fifty. But her mother has stopped right there and won't teach her anymore of book knowledge until the proper age. In a formal installation party, the kids of the Gang - Farina, Joe Cobb, Jackie Condon, Jay Smith, Mango and Scooter Lowry - kept Jean from sitting for one whole day by putting tacks everywhere and calling her attention to them every time she looked at a chair with longing eyes. At the end of the day, they collected the tacks and placed them in her hands. They were rubber tacks - soft imitations which wouldn't harm a butterfly's wings. Jean was properly initiated. 'That,' said Joe Cobb, 'makes you an official belonger'."
Apr. 6, 1927: From The South Brooklyn Home Talk-Weekly News: "Jean Darling, aged four years, has been officially placed in stock for the role of 'leading lady' in 'Our Gang' Pathecomedies at the Hal Roach studios. She will frolic with Farina, Joe Frank Cobb, Jackie Condon, Jay Smith and 'Scooter' Lowry for the next three months, with an almost certain prospect of being retained as the heroine of 'Our Gang' comedies . . . Jean is an unusually pretty blonde child with big blue eyes and a world of the sweetness in personality which made Mary Kornman famous. Being only four, she has seven or eight years of possible service in the 'Gang' ahead of her."
Apr. 8, 1927: From Motion Picture News: "Jean Darling, the new leading lady of the 'Gang,' who bears the screen name of 'Bossie,' is said by Directors Anthony Mack and Charles Oelze to be a real find."
Apr. 18, 1927: Jean was put under long-term contract at $35 a week.
May 28, 1927: The Sunday Oregonian of Portland reported that Jean "has been at home suffering with fever." This would be the scarlet fever that Jean talks about in her memoirs. On May 2, 1933, the Venice Evening Vanguard made reference to Jean living at the Hotel Hunt in Culver City a few years earlier, and said this: "Young Miss Darling, incidentally, really caused more of a stir in the Hunt than her more illustrious elder contemporaries. Jean broke out with scarlet fever during her residence there. Doctors tacked up quarantine placards. To give Jean plenty of leeway and pacify other inmates, she was given the entire top floor of the hotel to herself during her illness. But, as she remarked to the hotel proprietor when the siege had ended: 'It was very nice of you, but I could only use one room at a time, anyway'."
Late May to Early June 1947: The Our Gang kids worked in "The Smile Wins," a film that doesn't seem to include Jean. However, a photo was taken of the kids while in costume for this film. Jean is included and wearing the type of outfit she would typically wear onscreen. It's possible that she worked in the film, but didn't wind up in the finished product.
June 18, 1927: From the Los Angeles Record: "Hal Roach today did something which he has been fighting for a long time. He let the noted group of kid players better known as 'Our Gang' sign a vaudeville contract for several weeks. Ever since the youngsters made good in the movies, offers have been coming in for their appearance upon the stage, and Roach would never permit it except at benefit performances. Now the old tradition is broken and the kids open at the San Francisco Orpheum on July 2, under the management of Harry Weber. A special act written by George Waggner is in the stages of rehearsing now with a complete cast of the 'baby stars,' including Farina, Aroma, Joe Cobb, J. R. Smith, Jean Darling, Jackie Condon and Harry Spears(sic). Roach said early this morning that he permitted the vaudeville engagement because his studio will start its annual vacation on July 2 and this would be a good time for them to do a turn or so before the footlights. It is said that a record price has been paid for the ususual act."
June 27, 1927: Jean's salary was raised to $45 a week.
June 28, 1927: From The San Francisco Call and Post: "Beginning at the Saturday matinee, the entire group of 'Our Gang' kiddies, otherwise known as Hal Roach's Rascals, make their debut on the speaking stage in a comedy playlet, Acting Out. Harry Weber, the well known producer, is the person responsible for this event, and he is bringing these kiddies, including Joe Cobb, Farina, Jean Darling, Jackie Condon, Ray(sic) R. Smith, Mango and Harry Spear, to San Francisco to make their first appearance on the speaking stage."
July 1, 1927: Motion Picture News reported that Jean had returned to the studio after a one-month illness. This is described in Jean's memoirs as scarlet fever, which she came down with during "Olympic Games." This would presumably explain why she's missing from available prints of that film, as well as the follow-up, "The Glorious Fourth," although she claims that her absence was for six weeks. However, she also states that Farina was afflicted with the same illness and that production on the series was shut down for the duration. This, however, doesn't jibe with the shooting dates of the films, both of which very strongly feature Farina. However, The South Brooklyn Home Talk-Weekly News of May 11, 1927, reported that Farina did come down with scarlet fever, resulting in a four week delay leading up to the shooting of "Tired Business Men," but this also doesn't jibe with the shooting dates.
July 1, 1927: From The San Francisco Examiner: "A reception is to be tendered 'Our Gang' Kiddies when they arrive in town this morning on the Lark from Los Angeles to fulfill an engagement of one week only at the Orpheum beginning tomorrow afternoon. Each section of San Francisco will be represented by six or seven of 'kiddie groups' from South of Market gang, North Beach, Chinatown, the Potrero, Ocean View, Sunset, Richmond and Fillmore. They will greet Joe Cobb, Farina, Jean Darling, Jackie Condon, Jay Smith, Mango and Harry Spear when they step off the train from Los Angeles. City officials and theatrical representatives will be on hand to greet them. 'Our Gang' Kiddies have arranged to hold a reception on the stage of the Orpheum after each matinee for all the youngsters attending the performances." The San Francisco Chronicle added the Mission, North of the Slot and Western Addition districts to the list. On July 10th, the Examiner published an article about this reception, a thinly-veiled advertisement focusing on the fleet of Studebaker and Erskine cars used to transport the kids from the train station to City Hall.
July 1, 1927: From The San Francisco Call and Bulletin: "'Our Gang' Kiddies, who are Hal Roach's Rascals of screen comedy fame, who arrived in San Francisco this morning to fulfill an engagement of one week only at the Orpheum, beginning with the matinee tomorrow, will hold a reception on the stage after each matinee for the children attending the performance."
July 2, 1927: The San Francisco Chronicle published an article about the Gang's visit to the city, which can be accessed by clicking here.
July 2, 1927: The San Francisco Examiner published an article about the Gang's visit to the city, which can be accessed by clicking here.
July 3, 1927: From the San Francisco Chronicle: "The biggest treat and the biggest party ever given for the orphans of San Francisco will be The Chronicle-Orpheum Theater party next Wednesday morning (the 6th) at 10:30. The treat will be the appearance of 'Our Gang,' that lively bunch of youngsters from the Hal Roach studios at Culver City. Every boy and girl knows this 'gang' they have seen in motion pictures this many moons, and when the orphans assemble at the Orpheum as The Chronicle's guests, it will be a regular get-together party of old friends. The entire personnel of 'Our Gang' will be on hand, and they will not only help entertain the orphans, but will mingle with the crowd and shake hands with everybody...The Market Street Railway has joined in the spirit of the occasion by planning to provide free street car tickets for conveying the guests to the Orpheum and to assign an inspector to supervise their travels with the most careful attention. Written invitations have been sent to each institution and judging from the acceptances, the Orpheum will fairly bulge with youngsters. In addition to the orphans, the junior salesmen of The Chronicle will also be guests, and can each bring a friend. The only grown-ups will be the attendants in charge of the orphans and the people in charge of the big party for the youngsters, with the big feature of the entertainment another bunch of youngsters. The official song for the occasion will be 'Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here'."
July 4, 1927: The Bulletin of San Francisco published an article about the Gang's visit to the city, an excerpt of which can be accessed by clicking here.
July 4, 1927: From The San Francisco Call and Post regarding Jean's part in the show: "Flaxen-haired Jean Darling is more than her name. She's princess of the gang, does a little dance and proves a real ingenue in the way she accepts flowers at the curtain call."
July 4, 1927: From the San Francisco Chronicle: "To start the show, Cliff Work, manager of the Orpheum, has arranged to show one of the newest of the 'Our Gang' pictures produced at the Culver City film studios. As soon as the picture is finished, the curtain will go up and there, big as life, will be Joe Cobb, the fat boy of the gang; Farina, the pickaninny with the roly-poly eyes; Farina's sister, Mango; Jean Darling, Jackie Condon, Jay Smith and Robert McGowan, their director. Following introductions, the whole gang will go out in the audience for a chat with the children guests."
July 4, 1927: From the San Francisco Chronicle: "Harry Weber, manager and director of the Rascals, calls attention to the fact that they can weep real tears in a tense dramatic moment. The moment arrives in a scene from 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' when Jean as Little Eva lies on her death bed, and the rest gather round and implore her not to leave them. And it's perfectly true. They can all cry."
July 4, 1927: From The San Francisco Examiner: "These youngsters put on a sort of revue, with musical comedy in it, a tabloid drama and a burlesque on 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'."
July 5, 1927: The San Francisco Examiner published an article about the Gang's visit to the city, which can be accessed by clicking here.
July 5, 1927: From The San Francisco Examiner: "Before leaving their Hal Roach Studios in Culver City for this four weeks theatrical trip, 'Our Gang' went into executive session, and elected Joe Cobb their treasurer, he having been reputed to boast of a bit of Scotch blood and being well known as a saving young person; Farina was nominated the reception committee, as everyone wants to shake hands with him, anyway; Jay Smith was made business manager, Jackie Condon stage manager, while Jean Darling and Mango, being the only representatives of the fair sex, were named the 'ofishul helpers'."
July 7, 1927: From the San Francisco Chronicle: "'Ain't we got fun? Yes!' Children's voices in lusty chorus rang to the rafters in the Orpheum Theater yesterday morning as the youngsters at The Chronicle-Orpheum theater party expressed their joy and approval with three cheers and a tiger. On one side of the footlights were seven famous 'movie' kids and on the other 700 San Francisco orphan youngsters brought in from the various homes, nurseries and orphanages for the party at which they were guests and the stage children hosts. While 'Our Gang' romped through its stage antics with the spontaneous abandon of kids at a party, their little guests registered delight with laughter and shrieks and whistles and applause. And to cap the climax of the joy when the show was over, the audience was invited to the stage to shake hands with the very children they had watched so many times upon the silver screen. 'Aw, gee, I shook hands with Farina,' gleefully recounted one orphan lad to a pal who had been too timid to venture to the unaccustomed side of the footlights. 'He rolled his funny eyes at me and he gave me a little kick on the shin with one of his big shoes.' 'Aw, that's nothing!' interrupted another. 'Leonore sat on Joe Cobb's knee. You know, Joe the fat boy. And all the gang yelled, "Joe's got a girl".' Farina's little sister Aroma, a small replica of himself, little Jean Darling, golden-haired fairy child, Jackie Condon, a repetition of the Coogan legend; Jay Smith and Harry Spear all did their bit in the gang's jolly program of stunts. Jean starred as Little Eva and Farina as Uncle Tom in a modern travesty in three scenes on Uncle Tom's Cabin'."
July 7, 1927: From The Oakland Post-Enquirer regarding Our Gang's upcoming visit: "They all will be in Oakland Saturday morning at 11 o'clock. The Post-Enquirer is arranging a great, rousing reception and every girl and boy in the metropolitan area is invited to be on the job. The reception will begin officially at 9:30 when the child artists arrive at Seventh and Broadway and are greeted by Mayor John L. Davie and other city dignitaries. Under an honorary police escort, the 'Gang' will then ride to the 'Post-Enquirer' building."
July 9, 1927: The Gang began a week's engagement at the Orpheum Theatre in Oakland, CA. As they did across the bay in San Francisco, the Gang held a reception on the stage for all of the kids attending the matinee.
July 9, 1927: The Oakland Post-Enquirer (CA) devoted an entire page to articles about the Gang's visit to their city, which can be accessed by clicking here.
July 10, 1927: The Oakland Tribune reported that the Our Gang kids would soon make a personal appearance in that city to perform for some orphans.
July 12, 1927: From the Oakland Tribune: "Rooms of the Press Club of Oakland will be turned into a filmdom rendezvous tomorrow at luncheon when the organization is to be host to Hal Roach's 'Our Gang' . . . Joe Cobb will head the aggregation. Joe, everyone knows, is that rotund youngster who cuts up so many capers that even the rest of the 'gang' cannot keep straight faces. Then there is Farina, the ebony boy of rags and tags. With them will be Farina's sister, Mango, Jay Smith, Jean Darling and Jackie Condon. James Cobb, dad of Joe, will be a guest as will Charles Olzey(sic), assistant film director, and Jack Wall, representing Harry Weber, producer of the act for Hal Roach. Luncheon will begin at 12:15, according to President Luther W. Rood, and members have been urged to be present at that hour in order that the little funmakers may get back to their Orpheum matinee act."
July 12, 1927: From The San Francisco Examiner: "'Our Gang,' Hal Roach's beloved rascals, and the best known group of kiddies on the stage, will appear at the Golden Gate in person next week. Farina, Joe Cobb, Harry Spear, Jackie Condon, Jean Darling, Jay R. Smith and Mango, the whole gang, whose funny antics in the 'Our Gang' comedies have made you laugh, will be on hand. For five weeks the kiddies have a vacation from the movie lot and Hal Roach and their director, Robert McGowan, decided it would be a great idea to let the gang take a whirl at vaudeville. For the past two weeks their engagements have broken records and the Golden Gate is the third week of the five that they are permitted to play. The third part of the gang's act and the part that proves so popular to children is a reception on the stage following every matinee except Sunday when the children in the audience are permitted to come upon the stage and meet the gang."
July 13, 1927: The Oakland Tribune published an article about Our Gang, which can be accessed by clicking here.
July 15, 1927: From The San Francisco Examiner regarding Our Gang: "They come to town again tomorrow, appearing on the new Golden Gate bill . . . They will put on a sort of revue, a tabloid burlesque of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,' and hold a stage reception for young persons of their own age after each matinee, with the exception of Sunday."
July 18, 1927: From The San Francisco Call and Post: "Jean Darling smiles her lovely smile at all the newsies on the corners, and you can bet that the dreams of several young Lotharios are visited by a bit of blonde loveliness as they toss on the beds at home. Jean is the leading lady of the troupe and, like her older sisters of the stage, displays a little temperament from time to time."
July 20, 1927: From the San Francisco Chronicle: "Jean Darling, leading woman, and Joe Cobb, the genial fat boy of Hal Roach's movie troupe, disporting themselves daily at the Golden Gate Theater, paid a visit to The Chronicle yesterday. They are bright and happy looking children, interested in their acting and interested, too, in the lessons that form a part of their daily routine. Jean, 4 years old, bright and mischievous, intends to stay in the movies indefinitely. She said as much yesterday. 'I'm going to be a leading woman always, until I'm 50 years old. Then, I guess, I'll be too old,' she confided."
July 22, 1927: From the Los Angeles Illustrated Daily News: "'Our Gang,' with Farina, Joe Cobb and other funmakers in Hal Roach comedies, will top the new bill which comes to the Orpheum Sunday (the 24th). 'Our Gang' will appear in person for the first time in Los Angeles in a specially written offering entitled 'Acting Out.'...'Our Gang' will not only offer their act, but will hold a reception after each matinee for the children in the audience."
July 22, 1927: From the Oakland Tribune: "'Our Gang' will be represented at the Orpheum again tomorrow when 'Mickey' Daniels and 'Peggy' Eames arrive to share the spotlight with Henry Santrey and his band. Master Daniels was at one time the freckled comedian of the Hal Roach outfit and Miss Eames the leading lady. As a matter of fact, we have been told that she is still the leading lady, although the mother of Jean Darling spent considerable time in the anteroom adjoining this cubicle prepared to offer proof to the contrary and in favor of the tow-headed Jean."
July 22, 1927: From the Los Angeles Times: "The 'Our Gang Kiddies' went to the Orpheum in San Francisco and Oakland and broke every record for attendance in both theaters, a report says."
July 23, 1927: The Our Gang kids performed at a Saturday matinee at the California theater in Salinas.
July 24, 1927: The Gang began a one-week engagement at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. As The Los Angeles Record of the 21st reported: "Every youngster in Los Angeles has seen the 'Our Gang Comedy Kiddies' on the screen and has probably wished many times that he could meet them. Now this wish is to be granted, for next week when the famous Hal Roach aggregation of youthful funmakers makes its bow in person at the Orpheum, it will hold a reception every afternoon immediately following the last act in the foyer of the Orpheum. Every child attending will have a chance to shake hands with Farina, Joe Cobb and the other 'kids' of the 'Gang.'"
July 24, 1927: From The News-Democrat of Paducah, KY: "Unless you are a blonde in Hollywood, you might as well toss away the mirror and sit down to peel the dinner potatoes. The only alternative is to be a brunette, Or a red-head. Even Our Gang demands its perfect blonde for leading lady. And gets it. Miss Jean Darling, age four, dimpled and cherubic, has the hearts of the Gang in her fat baby hands. She'll be a great success when she gets through wiggling, says Hal Roach. It may be funny when you're training a motion picture camera on her, but try and get a reposeful portrait. Just a young St. Vitus who can't stand still a minute. Maybe she'll be the second Gilda Gray."
July 25, 1927: From the Los Angeles Times: "There are seven happy 'kids' in town this morning! And there are seven happier dogs! Our Gang and its canine friends were reunited yesterday morning at Central Station. The Gang has been away, appearing in vaudeville, and its paramount worry has been that 'Ducky,' 'Spot,' 'Woolly' and the other dogs were not being fed properly, but yesterday, when the collection of dogs met the gang at the depot, it was sure everything was all right. The Gang has been quite successful on its vaudeville tour. The Gang's appearance at the Orpheum here this week concludes the tour. It includes Joe Cobb, Farina, Jean Darling, Jackie Condon, Aroma, Harry Speers(sic) and Jay Smith." The July 31st Evening Vanguard of Venice reported that Jean "features a specialty dance number which has been widely acclaimed. Pupil of the del Mar Studio of Dancing and Related Arts in this city, she is headed for a long career." The dance school was run by Joan del Mar.
Oct. 1927: The Our Gang unit filmed "Spook Spoofing," which didn't include Jean in the cast. However, she does appear in at least one photo taken on location for this film.
Dec. 1927: Filming began on "Barnum & Ringling, Inc." It was at this time that Jean's hair was refashioned into the familiar curls that we usually see in the publicity photos.
Dec. 19, 1927: Jean's salary was raised to $50 a week.
1927/1928: Around this time, the Our Gang kids, as well as Laurel & Hardy, were sent to the TeeVee studio to do an experimental broadcast.

57. Bring Home The Turkey (small part): Jan. 16, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-15 - Our Gang series; Filmed Sep. 29 to Oct. 15, 1926. ©Jan. 14, 1927.
Are Brunettes Safe? (extra): Feb. 6, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. B-16 - Charley Chase series; Filmed Oct. 25 to Nov. 4, 1926. ©Jan. 14, 1927. Jean claimed to have been in two or three Chase comedies, but this is the only one I've been able to verify with the payroll ledgers.
55. Seeing The World (extra): Feb. 13, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-13 - Our Gang series; Filmed Oct. 29 to Nov. 15, 1926. European footage shot July and Aug. 1926. ©Jan. 14, 1927.
58. Ten Years Old (extra): Mar. 13, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-16 - Our Gang series; Filmed Nov. 24 to Dec. 14, 1926. ©Feb. 14, 1927.
60. Tired Business Men (supporting role: Bossy): May 22, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-18 - Our Gang series; Also listed for May 15, 1927, and May 21, 1927. Filmed Jan. 18 to Feb. 3, 1927. ©Apr. 11, 1927.
61. Baby Brother (small part): June 26, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-19 - Our Gang series; Filmed Feb. 17 to Mar. 14, 1927. ©May 18, 1927.
63. Olympic Games (unconfirmed small part): Sep. 11, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-21 - Our Gang series; Also listed for Sep. 10, 1927. Filmed Apr. 22 to May 6, 1927. ©July 8, 1927. Jean doesn't appear in the available version, but several publicity photos reveal that she worked in the film.
67. Yale Vs. Harvard (small part): Sep. 24, 1927 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-1 - Our Gang series; Filmed June 13 to 24, 1927. ©Aug. 17, 1927.
68. The Old Wallop (supporting role): Oct. 22, 1927 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-2 - Our Gang series; Filmed Aug. 8 to 20, 1927. ©Oct. 22, 1927.
62. Chicken Feed (supporting role): Nov. 6, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-20 - Our Gang series; Filmed Mar. 28 to Apr. 15, 1927. ©June 9, 1927.
69. Heebee Jeebees (supporting role): Nov. 19, 1927 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-3 - Our Gang series; Also listed for Nov. 29, 1927. Filmed Aug. 29 to Sep. 13, and Sep. 30, 1927. ©Nov. 1, 1927.
70. Dog Heaven (supporting role): Dec. 17, 1927 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-4 - Our Gang series; Filmed Sep. 15 to Oct. 13, 1927, with retakes Nov. 1, 1927. ©Nov. 26, 1929.

1928

Feb. 3, 1928: From the Los Angeles Evening Express: "Those clever little youngsters, known to the world of film fans as 'Our Gang,' will make their first and only 1928 personal appearance at the Wampas ball and frolic February 27 in the Ambassador Hotel, it was announced today. Every one of Hal Roach's famous rascals will dash onto the stage in the Ambassador ballroom. They will enliven the already diversified program which the publicity men have planned for their annual frolic."
Feb. 8, 1928: From the San Francisco Chronicle: "Jean Darling, the pretty little leading lady of Hal Roach's 'Our Gang,' is to have a real break in the latest of the two-reel comedies which this inimitable group of child actors is making. It tells a circus story, and Jean goes through all of the hazardous stunts herself, scorning a double. In consequence, the powers predict she will walk away with the picture, and come into her kingdom as leading woman." Sidenote: The film mentioned is "Barnum & Ringling, Inc.," which finished filming about a month earlier.
Mar. 24, 1928: More than 60 of Hollywood's screen children attended the "Screen Kiddies Premiere" of Charlie Chaplin's "The Circus" at Grauman's Chinese Theater. Among those invited were the nine kids and one dog from the 'Our Gang' series.
June 12, 1928: From the Salt Lake Telegram: "When Dr. William M. Waddell, Salt Lake dentist and dog fancier, gave his little friend, Jean Darling of 'Our Gang' comedy fame, a Collie pup last spring, the film star was confronted with a problem. She had to give up her home in a 'no dogs or children allowed' apartment house or give up Goldfield Pal Darling. She stuck to her new pal and moved into a cottage. Goldfield Pal justified the choice Saturday (the 9th) by winning the major prizes at the Hollywood dog show for his loyal little mistress. As the winning dog and the show's best entry, he was the undisputed star."
Summer 1928: The Our Gang kids were visited at the studio by Frances Juliet Douglas of The Piqua Daily Call (OH), who described her meeting with them in an article dated August 29th. They were taking publicity stills in preparation for their upcoming cross-country tour. She doesn't say much about Jean, other than saying that the "curly haired 'vamp' smiled serenely."
Mid-July to Early Aug. 1928: The Our Gang kids worked in "Election Day," a film in which Jean does not appear. However, she did appear in at least two publicity photos taken at the ranch during filming.
Aug. 5, 1928: The Tulsa Daily World ran an ad for the "Jean Darling" dress for little girls from a company called YearRound. This is the earliest newspaper with this ad that I've come across; it was followed by several more instances. This particular ad includes an illustrated Jean Darling, but she's a brunette with a Dutch Boy haircut. Starting on Aug. 14th, the ads were different. Not only does the illustrated girl resemble Jean of Our Gang, but they explicitly make the connection in the description.
Aug. 14, 1928: The Our Gang kids departed Los Angeles on the California Limited for a personal appearance tour, which was scheduled to take them to Chicago, Detroit, New York, Newark, Boston, St. Louis and other cities, all on the Balaban & Katz Loop. This turned out to be not quite true, though, as they never made it to Newark or Boston. On their way east, they briefly stopped at various locations to greet their fans. One of these was a 3 p.m. stop on this day at San Bernardino.
Aug. 14, 1928: The Gang's train passed through Needles, CA, at 10:15 p.m. As The Needles Nugget of August 17th put it: "These famous young folks have many ardent friends and admirers in our town and some of them tried to catch a glimpse of the celebrities while the train stopped, but the 'Gang' had already retired."
Aug. 15, 1928: The Gang's train stopped in Albuquerque, NM. The Albuquerque Journal of the following day reported the following: "A crowd of several hundred people, adults and children, was on hand at the Santa Fe station to greet the little actors. While here the young stars renewed their acquaintance with Ershel Redd, an Albuquerque boy who took part with them in two comedies at the studio at Culver City, Calif., last spring. Young Redd lives at 206 South Broadway...Mayor Clyde Tingley introduced 'Our Gang' and (director of publicity) Mr. (Ray) Coffin to the fans from the platform of the train...After the youngsters had been introduced and Mr. Coffin had made a short talk about them, they were urged to take a little exercise on the brickwalk, but the suggestion didn't meet with the approval of 'Fatty.' 'Naw, I want to eat,' he objected and made his way toward the diner, where he waited to be served."
Aug. 16, 1928: The Gang's train passed through Hutchinson, KS. As The Hutchinson News reported the previous day: "What ho! 'Our Gang' is going through tomorrow...They will be through at 4:30 sharp on the Santa Fe California Limited, headed for Detroit...Surely one of them will condescend to step out on the observation platform and give the kiddies of Hutchinson a wave. At any rate Roy Coffin, Hal Roach's publicity man, who is accompanying them, will be sure to be there - publicity men always are."
Aug. 16, 1928: The Gang's train passed through Emporia, KS, at 7:20 p.m. As The Emporia Daily Gazette reported the following day: (The Our Gang kids) "made a personal appearance Thursday night before a full house at the Santa Fe station, with the rear platform of the California Limited for a stage. Fully half an hour before the train was due, Emporia movie fans of all ages began to line up under the station pillars, and by the time the huge engine roared by, the crowd had become a swarming mob of 3,000 admirers, anxious to meet informally the youthful stars...The gang evidently was expecting to meet their Emporia friends for when the train stopped, they were on the observation platform ready to be introduced...As the fans moved to the platform, the Gang smiled approvingly at the cheers and handclaps they received...The introductions were made by Ray Coffin...who presented each in turn." The article describes Mary Ann as "the peroxide blonde," obviously confusing her with Jean. About Jean, it says that her "dimples stood out more than ever at mention of her name," but this was probably in reference to Mary Ann.
Aug. 16, 1928: The Gang's train stopped at the Union Station in Kansas City, MO, at 10:30 p.m. for half an hour. The Kansas City Post of the previous day reported the following: "I have a wire from their publicity director this morning. 'Will shoot kids immediately on arrival up to lobby of the station and they are yours to do as you will for the next thirty minutes.' A platform will be standing at the curb of the station plaza. The Gang will hop up there and will be plainly seen by the crowd. The platform will be lighted and the Gang will do its stuff in the way of meeting their gang of fans in Kansas City. Motion pictures of the crowd and the gang, and photographs of both will be taken. The motion pictures will be shown at Loew's Midland." On the 16th, the Kansas City Journal had this to say: "Harry Kessel, popular community song leader and representative of the Feist Publishing company, will be master of ceremonies at the Union station at 10:30 o'clock tonight when Our Gang arrives from Hollywood for a half hour's visit with Kansas City fans. He will lead the crowd in singing Hail, Hail, Our Gang's All Here and popular songs of the day. He also will introduce each of the Hal Roach gangsters. Dick O'Kane will accompany on the piano, which will be on the station plaza platform constructed for the gang." The following day, the Kansas City Journal published an article about the visit, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Aug. 17, 1928: From the Kansas City Post: "Chicago, quiet little city on the shores of Lake Michigan, today was all set to quell a riot when a certain Santa Fe train from Kansas City arrived there at noon. A Chicago newspaper, according to a message received by The Post today, had been 'reliably informed' a mob had attacked the train upon its arrival here at 10:30 o'clock last night and the Santa Fe officials had found it necessary to call out police reserves to break up the riot. The newspaper was quite serious. Moreover, the Chicago newspaper informed The Post that in view of last night's 'riot' in Kansas City, the railroad officials were taking no chances and had requested police protection for the train upon its arrival there today...It was a well ordered reception the little movie stars were accorded here last night by 'their public' - possibly the greatest reception ever given any movie star here - and the police were there to aid in keeping order and protecting the thousands of small Kansas Cityans who were on hand to greet Our Gang. Exaggerated reports of last night's enthusiastic reception here probably were forwarded to Chicago by unknowing passengers on the train."
Aug. 17, 1928: The Gang's train arrived in Chicago, where they would perform for one week at the Chicago Theater starting the next day. On the 18th, the Chicago Daily Tribune reported the following: "All of 'Our Gang' of the movies, who arrived yesterday on the Santa Fe for an appearance at the Chicago theater, were special guests at a party in the Hotel Sherman bungalow yesterday...Mary Ann Jackson, Jean Darling, and Wheezer, the younger gang members, stayed close beside their chaperones." On August 19th, this same paper corrected themselves, stating that the party took place at the Morrison Hotel.
Aug. 18, 1928: The Our Gang kids began performing at the Chicago Theater. The Forest Park Review that day explained that the kids "will come down upon the Chicago theater for their first and only appearance, their manager, Hal Roach, having notified Balaban & Katz, that the proximity of school days in Hollywood would make engagements at the Tivoli and Uptown theaters impossible."
Aug. 20, 1928: From the Chicago Daily Tribune regarding the Gang's stage show: "This will probably be a record week at the Chicago, what with all the mammas and papas in town bringing their kids to see the 'Our Gang' kids. And it's no wonder, for Hal Roach's famous youngsters are as funny and lovable in this personal appearance as they have been on the screen. It's refreshing to learn that working under Kleig lights has not spoiled these children and that the studio atmosphere, instead of taking the bloom off of their childish charm, has been conducive to preserving it. They are appealingly natural and unself-conscious, which is more than can be said for the infant prodigies of the stage. Here's hoping their tour across the country will be a merry and successful one."
Aug. 24, 1928: From The St. Joseph News-Press (IL): "By special arrangement with Hal Roach and M. G. M., Publix Theaters Corporation are presenting the original members of Our Gang comedies. The popular kids...are making personal appearances in the de luxe picture houses of both Publix and Loew Key city theaters. Our Gang is now appearing in Chicago theaters. The attraction has drawn considerable crowds in all the theaters they have played so far."
Aug. 25, 1928: The Gang arrived in Detroit in the morning, and did their first performances at the Michigan Theater that day.
Aug. 26, 1928: From The Detroit Free Press: "The Our Gang Kids have been looking over some of the sketches in the WCX-Our Gang contest, and they were so pleased with them that they have asked The Free Press to extend the time limit for 12 hours so that the last minute entrants will also have a chance. So the contest will close at 12 o'clock tomorrow instead of midnight tonight. Your drawing of Pete, the famous dog mascot of the Our Gang Kids must be in the editors hands before noon Monday (the 27th), if it is to be considered for ticket prizes to see the Our Gang Comedy Kids show at the Michigan this week. The Our Gang Kids will judge the sketches, you know, at the WCX studio Monday afternoon during Skeezix Time at 5:30 o'clock, and you'll hear them over the air."
Aug. 27, 1928: From The Detroit Free Press in an article about the zoo that had just opened in Detroit: "The children comprising the 'Our Gang' troupe of movie actors are to be special guests of the zoo management today at 10:30. The elephant and the camel will be ready for them to ride and the other animals have been instructed to show their best behavior for the occasion."
Aug. 27, 1928: The Our Gang kids put in a personal appearance at the Franklin street settlement in Detroit. This according to The Detroit Free Press of September 2nd.
Aug. 27, 1928: From The Detroit Free Press: "The Our Gang Comedy Kids and their famous mascot Pete will announce the winners of the WCX-Our Gang contest over WCX during the Skeezix Hour this evening at 5:30. Tune in! Fatty, Farina, Freckles, Wheezer, Jean Darling, Mary Ann Jackson and Pete - the whole gang - who are appearing on the Michigan stage this week, will be there. Because an extra show has been added to the theater bill the 'kids' will greet the radio audience first direct from the Michigan stage, where microphones will be installed to pick up their part of the theater's program. Later, appearing with Chief Neal Tomy in the special radio studio back stage, they will announce the contest winners." This contest was open to kids 15 and under. Skeezix Time was a local program in Detroit based on the character from the popular comic strip Gasoline Alley. The following day, The Detroit Free Press reported the following about the contest: "Jean Darling, Mary Ann Jackson, Wheezer, Fatty, Freckles, Farina and 'Pete' himself, announced the awards over WCX at Skeezix Time last night. They were gathered with 'Chief' Tomy, Dorothy and Loraine in the studio above the stage at the Michigan theater, where they are appearing before record crowds this week. Skeezix Time was transferred to the theater because Our Gang was scheduled for a stage appearance at 5:30 o'clock. After the opening songs the stage microphones were turned on and the radio audience heard the members introduced to the visible crowd which packed every nook and corner of the theater. Then the scene was shifted back to the studio for the birthday party and to await the coming of the gang. It was the kiddies' first appearance before the 'mike' and Fatty was a bit suspicious. It had to be explained to him before he was willing to say a word. It was a great occasion for the gang as well as for the thousands of their small friends who listened in." The birthday party mentioned in this article was a regular feature on the radio show.
Aug. 27, 1928: From The Detroit Free Press regarding the Gang's stage show: "Our Gang, those inimitable comedy kids who are here in person, are sure to be a tremendous drawing card, this week. They are the most natural acting and vivacious youngsters imaginable and the fun and play they get out of their appearance on the stage shows how little all their popularity has spoiled them. 'Fatty' and 'Freckles' and 'Pete' the dog, and all the rest of the gang are even more appealing in real life than on the screen."
Aug. 28, 1928 From The Detroit Free Press: "All Saturday and Sunday records of the Michigan theater were shattered last week-end! The Our Gang comedy kids, in their first stage appearance east of Hollywood, are proving themselves the most sensational theatrical attraction in the last ten years, according to local showmen. The Michigan theater filled up at noon Saturday (the 25th) and remained filled until close to midnight. Then it repeated that record Sunday. The records established by Mae Murray, Paul Whiteman, Vincent Lopez, John Philip Sousa, Gertrude Ederle were exceeded so far that it is probable the Our Gangsters will forever be the Michigan's greatest attraction. Extra shows are being planned for around 5 p.m. each day during the week. In Chicago the children appeared at 35 shows during the week - five each day - and set an almost unbelievable record for attendance."
Sep. 1, 1928: The Gang arrived in Cleveland, and did their first performances at the State Theater that day. The kids also got to view a special screening of the locally made Our Gang film featuring their Cleveland lookalikes.
Sep. 1, 1928: Radio listings for Detroit's WBMH indicated that they were broadcasting a program called "Our Gang" from 9:00 to 9:30pm and again from 11:15pm to midnight. The Gang was no longer in Detroit by this evening, so if these programs had anything to do with them, then they must have been pre-recorded.
Sep. 1, 1928: The Cleveland Press published an article about Our Gang, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Sep. 2, 1928: The Cleveland Plain Dealer published an article about Our Gang, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Sep. 2, 1928: From the Muskogee Daily Phoenix (OK)g: "'Our Gang' is touring the country and making personal appearances in the large cities. They travel in a specially equipped Pullman coach with sound-proof walls, unbreakable furniture and all kinds of shock absorbers. This is their first glimpse of the country outside of California."
Sep. 5, 1928: From International News Service out of Cleveland: "'Our Gang,' Hal Roach's well known group of child movie performers, may have to discontinue their performances in vaudeville here, else the theatre management will be prosecuted for violation of the Ohio child labor laws. Miss Lauretta P. Bean, of the state industrial commission, has sworn out an affidavit charging George Drummond, theatre manager, with violating the law which prohibits children under 14 years from appearing on the stage, it became known today. The juvenile troupe arrived here Sunday from Hollywood and had been booked to play the rest of the week." Slight correction: the Gang had arrived on Saturday. The Associated Press reported Bean as saying that Drummond had "agreed to appear for arraignment before a justice of the peace today."
Sep. 7, 1928: The Gang spent their last night in Cleveland. A few days later, on September 11th, the Cleveland Plain Dealer published the following anecdote from Eleanor Clarage: "And speaking of Maurice Spitalny...the writer and several of her friends had tried all last week to get into the State to see Hal Roach's gang in the flesh, but all to no avail. Lines stood out almost to 14th Street every time we went near the theater, and at last we gave it up as a bad job. Then, Friday night (the 7th), a few of us wandered into the Statler for dinner and got a table over in a quiet corner, next to a table evidently decorated for a dinner party, with floral centerpiece, fancy melons ready at each plate and so on. We wondered idly what kind of a party it was going to be, and before we had the words out of our mouths, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Keith were coming into the dining room with 'Our Gang' and their mamas in tow, with a curious crowd pushing around the doorway stretching their necks to get a better look at them. This, after we had been turned away from the theater all week! Fate is sometimes almost too good to one." She then describes her impressions of each kid, with this to say about Jean: "Little blonde Jean Darling, her make-up still on and looking unchildlike as a result, rolled her eyes up at the musicians, the waiters and nearby diners. Obviously, she has already learned the trick of charming those she meets."
Sep. 8, 1928: The Gang returned to Chicago, this time to perform at the Norshore Theater for six days. The previous day, the Cook County Herald of Arlington Heights, IL, reported the following: "Hal Roach's comedy rascals, having broken every existing record for attendance at the Chicago theater, have been prevailed upon by Balaban & Katz to return to Chicago for an engagement at the Norshore theater starting Saturday, Sept. 8. The 'Gang' was scheduled for just one week in each city but by schedules it was found possible to return for six days between their Cleveland and New York appearances. The demands of North Shore theatergoers who failed to see the child stars during their recent engagement were so insistent that Balaban & Katz have decided to present them at the Norshore theater, due to its excellent transportation facilities...To accommodate the throngs who failed to see the 'Gang' at the Chicago theater, Balaban & Katz have announced special matinee performances at the Norshore theater daily during the six day engagement. The program offered by the child-stars will be the same as that presented downtown."
Sep. 14, 1928: From the Cleveland Plain Dealer: "George Dumond, manager of Loew's State Theater, yesterday was fined $25 and costs in each for four cases charging him with violation of the child labor laws in connection with the appearance here of Hal Roach's 'Our Gang.' Justice of the Peace Myron J. Penty dropped two similar additional cases pending against Dumond on his appearance yesterday."
Sep. 15, 1928: From the Daily News of New York: "There'll be great commotion at Grand Central terminal today! Won't there, though! 'Our Gang' arrives. Seven members, counting Pete, the dog who has the black ring around his eye. They are traveling in movie splendor, all dressed up in their Saturday and Sunday clothes. Pete, Fatty Joe Cobb, Freckles Harry Spear, Jean Darling, Mary Ann Jackson, Wheezer and last, but certainly not least Master Alan Hoskins, known throughout the world as Farina. Hal Roach, who started 'Our Gang' on its road to fame just ten years ago, will be at the station to meet the Twentieth Century. Also, Maj. Edward Bowes, managing director of the Capitol theatre, where the youngsters will make their first personal appearance this afternoon. The starlets together with their mammas, daddies, or whichever grown up members of their respective families are accompanying them, will journey from the train straight to the suites at the Park Central hotel and get washed up and ready for their Capitol engagement. Miss Fern Carter, Our Gang's teacher, accompanies them as well. We're assured that the parent committee will keep their charges away from night clubs and escort them back to the coast at the end of next week all set to resume work on their next season's output of two-reelers."
Sep. 19, 1928: From the Standard Union of Brooklyn regarding the Gang's appearance at the Capitol: "At least as amusing as 'The Cameraman' for the brief time they're on stage are Hal Roach's pint-size gangsters...They have a war episode to go through, and they do so with great good will, looking no bigger than grasshoppers. They are most unaffected kids. Yesterday afternoon down in a locker room under the stage Miss Jennie Madden, the wardrobe mistress, gave them a party. Ice cream and small cakes. They enjoyed it wholeheartedly...They'll be in Brooklyn next week, incidentally, at Loew's Metropolitan." The Standard Union of September 24th also mentioned the party under the stage, but reported that Jean had to skip it because she wasn't feeling well.
Sep. 19, 1928: The Brooklyn Daily Times published a column by Elsie Jean, which apparently was aimed at kids. She tells her readers that all of the Our Gang kids had joined her Happy Times Club, which also included many local children among its members. On September 21st, she announced that 50 Happy Timers would be chosen to be guests of the Our Gang kids the following Tuesday (the 25th) at the Metropolitan Theatre in Brooklyn.
Sep. 21, 1928: The Gang visited the New York city hall. As The Washington Herald described it the following day: "Joe Cobb, the fat boy, was dolled up to represent Herbert Hoover, while Harry Spear impersonated Governor Smith. Jean Darling adopted the role of Texas Guinan, while Marie(sic) Jackson carried padlocks in her role of Mrs. Mabel Willebrandt. The gang, now playing at local theaters, were received by Mayor Walker, who shook hands all around." Sidenote: Herbert Hoover and Al Smith, incidentally, were the two major party presidential candidates in the current election, which was ultimately won by Hoover.
Sep. 23, 1928: The Gang talked over the radio from station WEAF, introduced by Maj. Edward Bowes, managing director of the Capitol. This was an NBC musical series called Major Bowes' Family, which regularly broadcasted from the Capitol Theatre.
Sep. 24, 1928: The Brooklyn Citizen published an article on the Gang's arrival in Brooklyn, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Sep. 24, 1928: From the Standard Union of Brooklyn: "The youngsters have finished a busy week, what with being guests of the Mayor at City Hall, and with doing their turns and sightseeing, but they don't have all the luck some of the youngest fans may imagine, for despite their ability to duck school on the screen, they're taking their lessons, grand tour or no grand tour...Their term opened Sept. 11, the official beginning of the school year in California."
Sep. 24, 1928 From the Cleveland Plain Dealer: "From the Union Trust Teller the following is clipped: 'The Main Street Meditator of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, after devoting a couple of paragraphs to the youngsters who took Cleveland and the State Theater by storm, concludes with the frantic query: "And oh, dear, dear - do they have the good sense to put their money in the bank while it's still rolling in?" To a certain extent, we can satisfy her worries along this line by telling her that during their stay here in Cleveland, 'Our Gang' visited our juniors' department, and savings accounts were opened for each one of them..."
Sep. 24, 1928: The Boston Globe (MA) published an article on the Gang's school lessons while on the movie lot, stating that these lessons were continuing during their personal appearance tour. It mentions that Jean and Harry were just beginning school at this time.
Sep. 25, 1928: From The Brooklyn Citizen: "Adult interest in 'Our Gang' is as great as the kids'. This was demonstrated at Loew's Metropolitan last night when the shouts of their elders drowned those of the youngsters accompanying them. The familiar faces stood in reality stronger than they do in the pictures. There was the same action seen, but it appeared more realistic as the little fellows hopped about the stage. Joe Carr(sic) was there, fat and saucy. Farina, too, and Mary Ann Jackson, and above all Pete, the dog. 'Our Gang' gave four performances yesterday to capacity houses, and were tired little rascals when they returned to their quarters in Leverich Towers."
Sep. 26, 1928: The Brooklyn Citizen reported that the Gang were guests of honor the previous night at the Hotel Leverich Towers. The article describes the Gang's act this way: "They presented a war play, in which Heavyweight Joe is the spy, Farina is the valiant soldier, who fights a terrible sword duel with Joe, the spy; Beautiful Jean is the Red Cross nurse, Mary Ann is another spy, Harry Spear is a soldier, Wheezer is the general of the army who comes riding in on a hobby horse, which is his prancing white steed and Pete, the dog, is also a soldier."
Sep. 26, 1928: The Brooklyn Daily Times published an article about the Gang, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Sep. 27, 1928: The Standard Union of Brooklyn published an article about the Gang, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Sep. 29, 1928: The St. Louis Star reported on the Gang's upcoming engagement at Loew's State Theater, mentioning that they "shattered every record at the Capitol Theater in New York."
Sep. 30, 1928: From the Sunday News of New York: "Hal Roach's 'Our Gang' kiddies will visit thirty-one Loew theatres tomorrow, Tuesday, and Wednesday, making ten personal appearances a day." The Kansas City American of October 11th elaborated by saying: "Little time is allotted for their individual house howtow, just long enough to be whisked in for an introduction from the stage or pit and out." Ultimately, the Gang was scheduled to visit 32 theaters.
Oct. 1, 1928: The Gang began three days of whirlwind activity, making personal appearances at 32 different theaters. On this day, they made eleven stops, all in Manhattan and all Loew's theatres. They were scheduled to be at the Sheridan at 1:00 p.m., the Greeley Square at 1:45 p.m., the Lincoln at 2:30 p.m., the 83rd Street at 3:15 p.m., the 7th Ave. at 4:00 p.m., and the Victoria at 4:30 p.m. After this was a 3-and-a-half hour break for dinner. Then they appeared at the Canal at 8:00 p.m., the Delancey at 8:30 p.m., the Avenue B at 9:15 p.m., the Commodore also at 9:15 p.m. (these times were approximations), and the American at 10:00 p.m.
Oct. 2, 1928: From United Press out of Brooklyn: "Ray Coffin, manager of members of the 'Our Gang' comedies, making a personal appearance at a theatre here, was arrested here because the 'gang' 'worked' Sunday (Sep. 30th). Shortly after they left the stage, after their Sunday performance, Coffin was handed a summons charging him with violation of a penal law which requires a permit for the appearance of children under 16. When they appeared again at night he was handed another."
Oct. 2, 1928: The Gang moved their whirlwind tour to the Loew's theaters of the Bronx, this time making appearances at nine of them. They were scheduled to be at the Victory at 1:00 p.m., the Burland at 1:45 p.m., the Spooner at 2:30 p.m., the Elsmere at 3:15 p.m., and the Burnside at 4:00 p.m. After this, they took a four-hour break for dinner. Then they moved on to the National at 8:00 p.m., the Boulevard at 8:45 p.m., the Grand at 9:30 p.m., and the Fairmount at 10:00 p.m.
Oct. 3, 1928: The Gang finished off their whirlwind tour of New York City theaters, this time visiting 12 Loew's theaters in Brooklyn and Queens. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle of October 1st and the Standard Union of October 2nd each filled in the following details. Their schedule initially had them as luncheon guests of Major Benjamin H. Namm, president of the Namm's department store. This took place in the Mirror Room on the third floor. At noon, they were to make a personal appearance in the toy department of the store. As the Standard Union reported, "The gang has been touring the theatres throughout the East, but their appearance at Namm's marks their first appearance off the stage." (A perusal of this page, though, shows that this isn't quite true.) Their tour of theaters was to begin in Brooklyn with the Brevoort at 1:00 p.m., followed by the Bedford at 1:30 p.m., the Kameo at 2:15 p.m., the Broadway at 3:00 p.m., the Gates at 3:30 p.m., the Premier at 4:15 p.m., and the Palace at 4:30 p.m. After this, they took a three-and-a-half break for dinner, and then proceeded to Queens, appearing at the Willard in Woodhaven at 8:00 p.m., the Hillside in Jamaica at 8:45 p.m., the Prospect in Flushing at 9:30 p.m., the Plaza in Corona at 10:00 p.m., and the Woodside in Woodside at 10:30 p.m.
Oct. 3, 1928: The Standard Union of Brooklyn published an article on Ray Coffin, who had been arrested for having the kids work on a Sunday. It can be accessed by clicking here.
Oct. 5, 1928: From the Standard Union of Brooklyn: "Hal Roach's 'Our Gang' bade Brooklyn farewell yesterday and departed for St. Louis, where Fat Joe Cobb, Jean Darling, Mary Ann Jackson, 'Wheezer,' Harry Spear and Farina, will hold for a week before going to Kansas City. They more than enjoyed Brooklyn."
Oct. 6, 1928: The Gang began their engagement at Loew's State Theater in St. Louis.
Oct. 6, 1928: From The Afro-American of Baltimore regarding the Gang's act: "Efforts of members of 'Our Gang' to get their speeches across the footlights effectively, are not so successful, except that of 'Fatty' Cobb. Part of their act consisted of depicting the way they would enact a bit of war drama after the same story had been thrown upon the screen."
Oct. 7, 1928: The St. Louis Daily Globe-Democrat reported on a promotion called Candy Week. In connection with this, the Candy Club would be distributing 5000 boxes of candy to the inhabitants of various children's and old people's homes in St. Louis. Entertainment at several of these parties would be provided by the Our Gang kids.
Oct. 8, 1928: From the St. Louis Daily Globe-Democrat regarding the Gang's act at the State: "The children are as delightful off the screen as they are on. One nice thing about these kiddies, they are all kid. And, wisely, their manager sends them clamoring out on the stage like the bunch of healthy, tumbling youngsters that they are. They aren't made to struggle with jokes beyond their comprehension nor contort their little bodies in ridiculous dances. They come out one by one and make funny kid bows and enact one of their comedy scenes as they do on the sets in the Hal Roach studio. Even Pete, the dog, isn't held to any set schedule. He comes out and wuff, wuffs a bit and calls it a day."
Oct. 12, 1928: The Gang made a personal appearance in the Junior Section of Boyd's department store in St. Louis at 5 p.m.
Oct. 13, 1928: The Gang arrived in Kansas City and began their engagement at Loew's Midland Theater.
Oct. 13, 1928: The Kansas City Journal-Post published an article about the Gang, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Oct. 18, 1928: From the Kansas City Journal-Post: "The Our Gang comedy kids are for the Charities drive. They visited Mercy hospital yesterday and now they know why Kansas City has a charities drive. They found Bobbie in a wheel chair and Ralph's little feet all bandaged. So they held out their hands to the big hearted people of Kansas City."
Oct. 18, 1928: From The Emporia Daily Gazette (KS): "The 'Our Gang' comedy cast will pass through Emporia Saturday afternoon (the 20th) on No. 23, westbound California limited. The train will arrive in Emporia at 1:40 o'clock and will remain for five minutes. Many Emporia kids are expected to be at the station when these youthful movie stars arrive. Emporians gave the 'Our Gang' troupe a great ovation when they passed through two months ago going east."
Oct. 21, 1928: The Gang's train made a stop in Albuquerque, NM. According to the Albuquerque Journal of the following day: "'Our Gang' came through Albuquerque shortly before noon Sunday (the 21st) en route to the west coast after a successful trip in the east, where they made vaudeville appearances in some of the leading theaters...The Gang filed into the Alvarado coffee shop for their noonday luncheon and were the center of attraction." Elsewhere in the same paper: "The members had previously announced their coming as Monday (the 22nd) and few persons were on the station platform to give them a greeting. Junior Redd, 206 South Broadway, a former member of the gang, was at the station to renew his acquaintanceship with the juvenile actors."
Oct. 22, 1928: The Gang's train went through San Bernardino. According to the San Bernardino Daily Sun from the previous day, it was scheduled to stop for 10 minutes at 12:40 in the afternoon. Presumably they made it back home later in the day.
Nov. 11, 1928: From The El Paso Times: "Goldfield Pal Darling, collie owned by Jean Darling, leading lady of 'Our Gang' Comedies, is entered in the fourth annual dog show, which is being held in Liberty hall. Goldfield Pal Darling was brought here from Hollywood, California, for the show, and is being handled by Chris Shuttleworth." The next day, the same paper reported that Goldfield Pal won in the Collies division. As The Los Angeles Record reported on Nov. 29th: "Jean Darling, leading lady of 'Our Gang,' again managed to reap all honors with her handsome Scotch collie dog - this time at the El Paso, Texas Kennel show." On Dec. 8th, The Evening Telegram of Toronto indicated that Jean attended this dog show.

65. Playin' Hookey (small part): Jan. 1, 1928 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-24 - Our Gang series; Filmed June 27 to 29, and Aug. 1 to 6, 1927. ©Feb. 6, 1928.
72. Rainy Days (supporting role): Feb. 11, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-6 - Our Gang series; Filmed Nov. 4 to Dec. 28, 1927. ©Feb. 11, 1928, and Sep. 4, 1929.
74. Barnum & Ringling, Inc. (featured role: Jean): Apr. 7, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-8 - Our Gang series; Filmed Dec. 21, 1927, to Jan. 9, 1928. ©Apr. 7, 1928. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
75. Fair And Muddy (supporting role): May 5, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-9 - Our Gang series; Filmed Jan. 16 to Feb. 8, 1928. ©May 5, 1928.
76. Crazy House (featured role: Jean): June 2, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-10 - Our Gang series; Filmed Feb. 10 to 24, 1928. ©May 16, 1928.
MGM News (appearance): Aug. 26, 1928 - MGM - 1 reel - newsreel; This was reviewed the following day, so I'm going with the copyright date that comes closest. Featured is footage of the Our Gang troupe during their cross-country tour.
77. Growing Pains (small part): Sep. 22, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-11 - Our Gang series; Filmed Feb. 27 to Mar. 15, 1928. ©Sep. 22, 1928.
78. The Ol' Gray Hoss (supporting role): Oct. 20, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-12 - Our Gang series; Filmed May 7 to 26, 1928, with retakes Aug. 16, 1928. ©Oct. 20, 1928. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
79. School Begins (supporting role: Jean): Nov. 17, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-13 - Our Gang series; Premiered Sep. 16, 1928. Filmed June 7 to 28, 1928. ©Nov. 17, 1928. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
80. The Spanking Age (supporting role): Dec. 15, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-14 - Our Gang series; Filmed July 2 to 14, 1928. ©Dec. 15, 1928. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.

1929

Jan. 28, 1929: Jean's salary was raised to $60 a week.
Mar. 9, 1929: The Pasadena Star-News reported on the 17th Annual Pasadena Kennel Club's all breed dog show that took place on the 8th and 9th. Winning in the collies category was Goldfield Pal Darling. On Apr. 14th, The Montgomery Advertiser (AL) reported: "The pedigreed Collie belonging to Jean Darling . . . was awarded two blue ribbons and a silver trophy at the annual Pasadena Dog Show."
Mar. 30, 1929: In his syndicated column, Hubbard Keavy reported that Jean was not yet in school, but this contradicts reports from the previous year which stated that she had just started. Also contradicting this was the April 15th Los Angeles Record, which stated she was in first grade.
May 21, 1929: The Los Angeles Record reported that Jean was taking dance training at the Bud Murray school. A Los Angeles Times ad on June 9th indicated that Jean was among those who came to the Bud Murray School for Stage "for training and quick routines."
June 1, 1929: From the Monrovia News-Post (CA): "A distinguished guest at the Aztec hotel for dinner last night was Jean Darling of the Hal Roach Comedies. Miss Darling and her mother were dinner guests of Russell Keith of Harding Court."
June 23, 1929: From The Tacoma Sunday Ledger: "Here's the latest - false teeth for a 6-year-old. Jean Darling of Our Gang comedies has 'em because when she smiles she shows yawning vacancies."
1929: Jean and her fellow Gangsters were featured in a picture book called A Story Of Our Gang, written by Eleanor Lewis Packer.
July 6, 1929: From the Venice Evening Vanguard: "It's a gloomy day on the Hal Roach lot. Little Jean Darling, for three years the 'sweetheart' of 'Our Gang' kidlets, has resigned. No trouble at all, unless you call Old Man 'Ambition,' a relative of the 'Trouble' family. Now that Jean has reached the ripe old age of 6 years, she will try her wings at free-lancing. To quote Jean's own words, 'I want to work with grown-up people and do serious parts.' Evidently, Jean wants to follow in the footsteps of Charlie Chaplin and play 'Hamlet' or some such role. Anyway, she is leaving the Roach lot after acting as leading lady in 30 silent and 4 talking comedies. This is quite a record for a young lady of Jean's age, and we're rootin' with the 'Gang' that Jean's journey along the free lance route will always be 'fair sailing'." On July 8th, the Hollywood Daily Citizen reported that this announcement was made by Jean's mother.
July 13, 1929: Jean's final week of work in the Our Gang series ended on this date.
July 27, 1929: Jean's contract came to an end the week ending on this date.
Sep. 15, 1929: The Scripps-Howard newspaper syndicate published an article on Chubby Chaney, with this to say about Jean: "'She screams and kicks all the time,' he charges. And ruefully, he admits that she has kicked him more times than he cares to tell. And if you ask him why she kicked him he shrugs his fat shoulders, shakes his head so that his fat jaws shimmy and says, 'I don't know. She just kicks everybody.' "
Oct. 31, 1929: From Jimmy Starr in his syndicated column: "It seems that several days ago I said that little Jean Darling, leading lady of 'Our Gang,' at the Hal Roach studio, had outgrown her part. That isn't true. Jean did leave the noted film rascals, but not because she was too old. Quite a different reason. The tiny star's mother decided it was time for Jean to step out upon her own and appear in larger parts in feature productions. A wise move, too. Jean is certainly one of the cleverest youngsters on the screen and I don't blame Jean's mother for the change."
Nov. 4, 1929: From The Ventura County Star: "Jean Darling, the leading lady of the Hal Roach comedies in 'Our Gang,' and known in filmdom as the youngest juvenile star, will personally assist the local Loyal Order of Moose club with its movie ball, for the benefit of the Christmas Kiddie Fund, to be held at the Ventura Bathhouse ballroom Wednesday evening (the 6th)." The Nov. 7th Ventura Free Press reported: "Jean Darling delighted guests with an artistic dance number."
Nov. 20, 1929: From the Stockton Daily Morning Independent: "More than three thousand folk attended the Moose Wampas Ball and Fiesta held last evening at the Civic Memorial Auditorium. Motion picture stars were present and interspersed with dancing, the folk were introduced and motion pictures taken." Jean was among the movie stars presented. As the Nov. 4th Stockton Daily Evening Record reported, this was sponsored by the Stockton Loyal Order of Moose No. 391. The Nov. 16th edition ran an ad calling it the Monster Wampas Movie Ball and Fiesta, which stated that Jean would be doing novelty dances.
Nov. 22, 1929: From The Fresno Morning Republican: "About 3,000 people attended the movie ball given last night by the Loyal Order of Moose, Fresno lodge 445, in the civic auditorium for the benefit of its children's fund." Jean was among the stars who were featured. The Nov. 20th edition ran an ad calling it the Monster Movie Ball and Fiesta, and included Jean Darling, "the little American beauty child wonder in dance creations." An ad in the Nov. 21st Fresno Bee referred to the event as the L.O.O.M. Monster Movie Ball.
Nov. 30, 1929: From The Daily Breeze of Torrance, CA: "Thursday evening (Dec. 5th) has been set as the date for the Centinella Valley Lodge No. 1100, Loyal Order of Moose movie ball and fiesta to be held in the Mandarin ballroom, for the purpose of raising Christmas funds for the kiddies. Actors and actresses of the film firmament will step from the silver screen to entertain with songs and dances heard and seen in pictures." Jean was scheduled to be among the stars making an appearance.
Dec. 12, 1929: The 16th Examiner Xmas Benefit took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, featuring "30 Monster Headline Acts" and "More Than 300 Famous Stars," as the ad in the previous day's Los Angeles Evening Express said. Jean was one of these many stars.
Dec. 19, 1929: From the Hollywood Daily Citizen: "Little Miss Jean Darling, member for three years of 'Our Gang' comedies, went on a mission of cheer to the Children's Hospital yesterday. She provided entertainment for the small patients by singing and dancing in several wards and rooms, and distributing a generous load of Christmas gifts to the bedridden tots." On the 23rd, the Venice Evening Vanguard described Jean as "dancing, singing, reciting and presenting gifts to the sick youngsters." It also stated that she "repeated her performance for the crippled children of the county hospital, Friday (the 20th) and Saturday (the 21st) she entertained the Crippled Children's guild in Beverly Hills."
Late 1920's/Early 1930's: The June 20, 1987, Evening Herald of Dublin published this quote from Jean: "Regret my lost childhood? Why, being a Little Rascal was the greatest thing in the world that ever happened to me. For instance, it meant that I could be friends with stars like Laurel and Hardy, who worked on the set next to mine...Perhaps for a while all that was in danger of ruining me. I used to think I was the most beautiful gift to the world, and so I'd put on three pounds of make-up just to go and get the milk. I wouldn't wear my glasses either, even though I was as blind as a bat - I mean hide all that beauty from the world? After falling on my face on top of the broken milk bottles, I learned it was better to see and that I'd better start living for today! If I'd never been a little rascal, I'd simply just have been an ordinary child like you or any other kid and I'd have hated that."
Late 1920's/Early 1930's: From the Sep. 13, 2015, Sunday Independent of Dublin: "Jean and fellow child star 'Baby Peggy' Montgomery attended acting school in Hollywood together. 'She was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen,' Peggy said of Jean Darling. 'She seemed to be everything the rest of us kids wanted to be... what's more she was funny and talented'."

Hollywood - The Movieland Of The World (appearance): c. early 1929 - California Scenics - 2 reels - travelogue film; Jean and the rest of the Gang are shown posing for photos on the set of "Rainy Days." This footage was shot in Dec. 1927, though other footage in the travelogue was shot as late as Nov. 1928. Raw footage taken for this film, including being-the-scenes footage of the making of "Rainy Days," can be found on YouTube.
82. Noisy Noises (small part): Feb. 9, 1929 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-16 - Our Gang series; Filmed Oct. 29 to Nov. 10, 1928. ©Mar. 5, 1929. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
83. The Holy Terror (supporting role): Mar. 9, 1929 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-17 - Our Gang series; Filmed Nov. 19 to 28, 1928. ©July 11, 1929.
84. Wiggle Your Ears (featured role: Jean): Apr. 6, 1929 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-18 - Our Gang series; Filmed Dec. 4 to 12, 1928. ©Mar. 5, 1929. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
85. Fast Freight (supporting role): May 4, 1929 - Roach/MGM - silent - 2 reels - prod. G-19 - Our Gang series; Filmed Dec. 10 to 27, and Dec. 29, 1928. ©Apr. 1, 1929.
89. Small Talk (supporting role: Jean): May 18, 1929 - Roach/MGM - talkie - 3 reels - prod. G-23 - Our Gang series; Also listed for Apr. 18, 1929. Filmed Mar. 25 to Apr. 6, 1929. ©July 30, 1929.
86. Little Mother (small part): June 1, 1929 - Roach/MGM - silent - 2 reels - prod. G-20 - Our Gang series; Filmed Feb. 4 to 13, 1929. ©June 3, 1929.
90. Railroadin' (supporting role): June 15, 1929 - Roach/MGM - talkie - 2 reels - prod. G-24 - Our Gang series; Filmed Apr. 17 to 25, 1929. ©Dec. 9, 1929.
92. Lazy Days (small part: Jean): Aug. 24, 1929 - Roach/MGM - talkie - 2 reels - prod. G-26 - Our Gang series; Also listed for Aug. 15, 1929, and Oct. 24, 1929. Filmed June 10 to 20, 1929. ©Aug. 26, 1929.
91. Boxing Gloves (supporting role: Jean): Sep. 9, 1929 - Roach/MGM - talkie - 2 reels - prod. G-25 - Our Gang series; Filmed May 13 to 25, 1929. ©Sep. 9, 1929.
87. Cat, Dog & Co. (supporting role): Sep. 14, 1929 - Roach/MGM - silent - 2 reels - prod. G-21 - Our Gang series; Filmed Feb. 20 to Mar. 2, 1929. ©Sep. 3, 1929. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
93. Bouncing Babies (small part): Oct. 12, 1929 - Roach/MGM - talkie - 2 reels - prod. G-27 - Our Gang series; Filmed July 5 to 15, 1929. ©Sep. 23, 1929.
88. Saturday's Lesson (supporting role): Nov. 9, 1929 - Roach/MGM - silent - 2 reels - prod. G-22 - Our Gang series; Filmed Mar. 5 to 11, 1929. ©Sep. 9, 1929. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.

1930

Jan. 4, 1930: The Los Angeles Evening Express published an article about dance teacher Joan del Mar. Five famous students, including Jean, are listed. All were from the Our Gang series and all were "now appearing on the Keith Circuit."
Feb. 13, 1930: The Hemingford Ledger (NE) included Jean on a list of celebrities currently living in Culver City.
Feb. 21, 1930: From the Hollywood Daily Citizen: "Players from the Hollywood studios will be the honor guests at the Twentieth National Orange Show in San Bernardino tomorrow, according to Kathryne Campbell, program director." Jean performed at this event.
Mar. 1930: Photos of Jean modeling clothing began appearing in the newspapers during this month.
Apr. 13, 1930: The Los Angeles Times published an article about the recent wave of dancing children, due in part to the emergence of the talkies. Included is the following: "Jean Darling and Reginald Denny Streeter, both of whom are under contract to Gus Edwards at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, are just two of the representatives from the Earle Wallace Studios."
May 21, 1930: The Illustrated Daily News of Los Angeles reported that Goldfield Pal Darling would be entered at the Hollywood Dog Show on May 24th and 25th in the Ambassador Auditorium.
1930: According the Jean's memoirs, Harry Weber offered to put Jean in an act with Scooter Lowry, Peggy Eames and Harry Spear, which would tour the RKO-Orpheum circuit, but her mother refused this and Jean ended up with a solo act. Maltin & Bann state that the four kids actually toured together, but the closest I can find is Scooter and Peggy touring together throughout most of 1931.
July 13, 1930: From the Los Angeles Times: "Jean Darling, leading lady of the popular film series, 'Our Gang,' recently enrolled for a course in special broken-rhythm routine under the direction of Billy Dreyer, head of the Billy Dreyer Studio of Stage Dancing in Hollywood. Jean is preparing for an act to be given on a personal-appearance tour over the various vaudeville circuits, in conjunction with her pictures."
July 21, 1930: From the Los Angeles Evening Express: "The most brilliant political gathering ever held under one roof in southern California is promised by the All-Veteran League when it presents its rally at the Olympic Auditorium Thursday, July 24, at 7:30 p.m. This has been arranged by the league in order to provide information regarding the present gubernatorial race among five outstanding candidates." Jean was among several celebrities providing entertainment.
July 27, 1930: From the Los Angeles Times: "Eleven clever youngsters, headed by Jean Darling, petite leading lady of Our Gang comedies, are now playing vaudeville dates in the juvenile revue produced at the Kirby & DeGage Dance Studio. Tap routines, novelty toe numbers and specially written songs by Joe Seitman, Universal Pictures song writer, are featured throughout the act, which Sid Grauman declared was a 'marvelous aggregation of artists' when he viewed it at the Grauman's Chinese Theater."
Aug. 6, 1930: The Times of Hammond, IN, referred to the juvenile revue as Jean Darling and Her Darlings, and reported that they were playing the first half of this week at the Hippodrome.
Aug. 26, 1930: From the Daily Free-Lance of Henryetta, OK: "Young Miss Betty Lou Schooling, better known as Jean Darling, leading lady of Hal Roach's gang of filmdom, has been a visitor in the city since Sunday night (the 24th) . . . Darling is a very appropriate name for Betty, for in describing her, that name would be most suitable. She is six years old and has blonde curls which reach nearly to her shoulders. She, as well as her parents, are reluctant to discuss her fame as a juvenile movie star; however, when asked a question, the young miss readily answers." Could this be the first Jean Darling imposter?
Sep. 18, 1930: From the Hollywood Daily Citizen: "With Betty Bronson of 'Peter Pan' fame as guest of honor, more than sixty child stars of the screen, stage, and radio, are to participate in the children's premiere of the new Fox Wilshire theater Friday afternoon (the 19th) at 3:30 p.m. With Brenda Hegness as a special guest, the junior premiere is to be staged just like the real thing with the child celebrities broadcasting their greetings to radio audiences via K-M-P-C." Jean was among the child stars who had accepted an invitation to this premiere.
Late 1930: After suffering stage fright in her tryout performance in Elizabeth, NJ, Jean performed 36 (or was it 30?) one-nighters in various New Jersey movie houses to get her used to being on stage alone. After this, she did another tryout and was given a 40-week contract with RKO Theaters.
Late 1930: A four-minute "trailer" was made of film clips of Jean in her Our Gang days, and used to open her stage act. The final clip was the wedding scene from "Wiggle Your Ears." By use of a breakaway screen, Jean would then emerge in a wedding dress.
Late 1930: Jean's 12-minute solo vaudeville act was written by Irving Berlin, who provided her with a song called "If I'd Only Listened To You." She also sang "The Little Things In Life" and "Bye Bye Blues," and did impressions of Mae West and James Cagney.
Late 1930: During rehearsals for the act, Jean attended the Professional Children's School in New York. While on tour, her school work was assigned to her as a correspondence course by the same school. After the tour, she went back to attending the actual school.
Nov. 26, 1930: From The Binghampton Press (NY): "Tomorrow's most popular arrival at the Binghampton theatre is Jean Darling . . . At eight years old, she is a very serious actress with high ambitions and with no doubt that they will be anything but successful. Right now, Jean is in New York with plans to become a member of the cast of some Broadway success and probably there isn't a manager in town who will not be swept right off his feet when Jean steps into his office. This curly blond-haired miss has the whole theatre captivated. She is the center of attention wherever she goes and if Jean isn't listening now, we will let you in on a secret that makes this eight-year-old movie star blush like anything. She has a boy friend out in Hollywood. His name is Freeman and he is nine years old. He puts x's down on the bottom of his letters to Jean. So far he has made her several gifts and they have all been rattles from rattlesnakes."
Nov. 27 to 29, 1930: Jean performed her act at the Binghampton Theatre in Binghampton, NY, prior to the screening of "Soup To Nuts."
Nov. 30, 1930: Jean performed at the Park Lane Theatre in Palisades Park, NJ, prior to the screening of "Worldly Goods."
Dec. 3 to 5, 1930: Jean performed at the R.K.O. Capitol Theatre in Union City, NJ, prior to the screening of "Big Money."
Dec. 7, 1930: From the Sunday Times-Advertiser of Trenton: "Another of the 'Our Gang' kids has been brought before the footlight by RKO. She is Jean Darling, the blonde bundle of loveliness, who has a program of song, dance and patter. Her first appearance was made at Union City."
Dec. 19, 1930: From the Trenton Evening Times: "Followers of 'Our Gang' screen comedies will see one of their tiny stars in person at the RKO Capitol starting tomorrow when Jean Darling, blond 'leading woman' of the Gang crowd, makes a personal appearance on the RKO vaudeville program." A photo caption on the same page reports that Jean "will appear in person at RKO Capitol starting tomorrow, will hold daily receptions in the lobby about 4:15 o'clock and distribute toys, candy and other Yuletide gifts to children." This was a week-long engagement. The feature film was "The Cat Creeps."
Dec. 20 to 26, 1930: From the Trenton Evening Times: "When little Jean Darling, leading lady of 'Our Gang Comedies,' arrived in Trenton today for a week's performance at the RKO Capitol Theatre, she was warmly greeted by representatives of the American Legion, Disabled War Veterans Post, and Trenton Boy Scouts."
Dec. 26, 1930: From the Cleveland Plain Dealer: "If RKO parades the talent named in its publicity, the hour's broadcast from the Leviathan tonight at 10:30, WTAM, should be one of the brightest of the fading year." Jean was among the stars who attended for this episode of NBC Radio's RKO Theatre Of The Air. It was broadcast from the Leviathan, an ocean liner which was currently in port in New York.

Screen Snapshots Series 9, No. 22 (appearance): July 1930 - Columbia - 1 reel - Screen Snapshots series
unspecified title (archival): circa 1931 - Roach - Jean Darling trailer; This was a 4-minute compilation of film clips from Jean's Our Gang days used for her vaudeville act.

1931

Jan. 1 and 2, 1931: Jean performed at the DeWitt Theatre in Bayonne, NJ. The feature film was "River's End."
Circa Early 1931: On Dec. 31, 1945, The Daily Monitor-Leader of Mount Clemens, MI, described a 1930 visit with Jean at the Park Hotel. In part, they wrote: "She was a golden-haired beauty of about seven years of age, and among our souvenirs we still possess a lock of hair, tied with blue ribbon and attached to a small card with her name engraved on it." This was more likely to be in 1931, and since Jean was in Michigan in January, I've placed it here.
Jan. 28 to 30, 1931: Jean performed at the RKO Regent Theatre in Grand Rapids, MI. The feature film was "Once A Sinner."
Feb. 1, 1931: From The South Bend Tribune: "Children of South Bend who have seen Jean Darling, the eight-year-old blonde in the 'Our Gang' comedies and who would like to meet Jean personally, are invited to attend a special reception in the Palace theater lobby at 3 o'clock this afternoon. Andy M. Roy, manager of the Palace, has arranged the reception as a special feature of Jean's opening here as one of the headline attractions on the Palace vaudeville offering for the first half of the week. Jean is eager to meet the children of South Bend and as a special inducement will give her photograph to all who come to her reception. On Monday afternoon (the 2nd) at 4:30 o'clock, Jean will be guest at a reception in the children's department of the George Wyman & Co. store. At that time, the Wyman store will give a Jean Darling model dress to the guest who most closely resembles the little actress."
Feb. 1 to 3, 1931: Jean performed at the Palace Theatre in South Bend, IN. The feature film was "Sit Tight."
Feb. 4, 1931: From The Wisconsin State Journal of Madison: "Jean Darling . . . now playing in person at the RKO Orpheum theater, will be guest artist on the Woman In The Shoe program over W-I-S-J Thursday and Friday (the 5th and 6th) at 5:30 p.m. Jean will also be heard from W-I-S-J during the children's program Saturday (the 7th). Elsewhere in the same issue: "Jean Darling . . . opens at the Orpheum today in vaudeville. Harold Knudsen, local RKO publicity manager, has arranged to have her hold a reception on the stage Saturday afternoon (the 7th). She will hand out autographed photos of herself and also a certain brand of local doughnuts."
Feb. 4 to 7, 1931: Jean performed at the RKO Orpheum Theatre in Madison, WI. The feature film was "Damaged Love." The newspaper ad read: "Singing - Laughing Little Jean of movieland fame - here to set you rocking with laughter with her rare sense of humor!"
Feb. 5, 1931: From The Capital Times of Madison: "Jean Darling . . . entertained the children at the Bradley Memorial hospital this afternoon. After entertaining the children, Jean gave each of them an autographed photo of herself."
Feb. 5, 1931: From The Capital Times of Madison: "The act of Jean Darling, star of 'Our Gang' comedies, might call for a dissertation on the exploitation of children. The child is given no opportunity to be natural, and the songs that have been supplied her are poor stuff. She does her work mechanically, and no wonder, for what she does sing is the sort of stuff that little girls do to imitate their betters. All right for a parlor party, but hardly good entertainment. It was a painful performance and the audience was not receptive."
Feb. 6, 1931: Jean was scheduled to "be in the children's department on the third floor at Manchester's to visit with every little girl who comes to that department accompanied by her mother."
Feb. 7, 1931: From the Rockford Register-Republic (IL): "Eight-year-old Jean Darling...is adding the vaudeville patrons to her 'public' and is enjoying it hugely. The little blonde actress arrives at the Palace theater tomorrow for a three-day engagement. Jean has appeared in 36 pictures, which she thinks is an unusual record for one of her few years. While working in the movies she has studied singing and dancing and she is showing vaudeville audiences that she is clever at both."
Feb. 8, 1931: From the Rockford Morning Star (IL): "Jean Darling, the little blonde star of the Our Gang comedies, will be the featured entertainer on the RKO Little Show over radio station KFLV Monday night (the 9th) from 10:30 to 11 pm. Little Miss Darling is headliner of the Palace theater vaudeville the first part of this week."
Feb. 8, 1931: From The Sioux City Sunday Journal (IA): "(Jean) is 51 inches tall, weighs 52 pounds, has deep blue eyes and golden hair. Her favorite foods are turkey, spinach soup and chocolate pudding."
Feb. 8 to 10, 1931: Jean performed at the RKO Palace Theatre in Rockford, IL. The feature film was "Beau Ideal."
Feb. 9, 1931: The Rockford Register-Republic published a photo with the following caption: "Browning, junior and cub girl scouts were on hand to welcome Jean Darling, juvenile screen star and a Browning girl scout, as she alighted from a bus at the Lafayette hotel station Sunday (the 8th). Patty Johns, Rural Route No. 6, North Main street, is seen presenting a bouquet of sweet peas to Jean . . . "
Feb. 9, 1931: According to the next day's Rockford Morning Star (IL), Jean visited the municipal sanatorium. "Like a bright ray of sunshine on a dull and dark day, Jean invaded the sanatorium and after presenting her vaudeville performance in the assembly room for the patients who are up and about, and via broadcast for those confined to their rooms, she visited all of them. Not only cheery smiles and lilting songs were left the patients to remember Jean by, for she gave each one an autographed photograph of her own winsome self."
Feb. 9, 1931: Jean was scheduled to appear in a meet-and- greet at Sears, Roebuck and Co. at 4:30 p.m. in Rockford.
Feb. 10, 1931: Jean was scheduled to appear in a meet-and-greet at the Block & Kuhl Junior Department at 4 p.m. in Rockford.
Feb. 11, 1931: The Rockford Morning Star reported that Jean "will take the lead part with a moving picture, the name of which has not yet been announced." Elsewhere, it states: "Like other girls of her age, Jean has boy friends. In fact this morning she received a letter from one of her admirers who was crying because he had to part with her. The boy became her especial chum while she was performing in Madison, Wis."
Feb. 14 to 16, 1931: Jean performed at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City, IA. The feature film was "Kept Husbands."
Feb. 17, 1931: In their Lost and Found section, the Des Moines Tribune-Capital published the following: "Finders of lost articles advertised below, please take notice. After you have returned the article to the loser, go to the Want Ad Dept., 715 Locust St., where you will be presented with two guest tickets for the R. K. O. Orpheum Theater, now showing Jean Darling in person." This was done in a number of cities during the tour.
Feb. 18, 1931: The Des Moines Tribune-Capital published an article about Jean, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Feb. 18 to 20, 1931: Jean performed at the RKO Orpheum Theatre in Des Moines. The feature film was "Cimarron."
Feb. 21 and 22, 1931: Jean performed at the RKO Iowa Theatre in Cedar Rapids. Ths feature film was "Millie." The newspaper ad read: "Every school boy and girl attending the first show Saturday matinee (the 21st) will receive an autographed photo of Jean Darling."
Feb. 25, 1931: From The Davenport Democrat and Leader: "Jean Darling, the little blonde star of the 'Our Gang' comedies, who is appearing in person at the Capitol theater, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week, will be heard in a special broadcast over stations WOC-WHO this evening from 6:15 to 6:30 o'clock." The Daily Times specified that Jean would "broadcast a program of popular songs over WOC."
Feb. 25 to 27, 1931: Jean performed at the RKO Capitol in Davenport, IA. The feature film was "Kept Husbands."
Feb. 26, 1931: From The Davenport Democrat: "Youth and age - a woman 106 years old and an eight-year-old girl - were presented on the program for the Kiwanis club at the noon meeting held at the Blackhawk hotel today. The aged woman was Madame Marie Charlotte de Golier Davenport,a Russian by birth and married to an English professor, who spoke briefly and played several numbers on the piano with surprising vigor. The eight year old girl was little Jean Darling . . . The little girl sang and danced on the piano, showing considerable skill for a lady of her years."
Feb. 26, 1931: Jean was scheduled to do a meet-and-greet at 4 p.m. in the children's department of M. L. Parker Company in Davenport, where she would give out autographed photos to each of the children attending.
Feb. 28, 1931: From The Daily Times: "Today was another red letter day for listeners to the Hawkins radio hour over WOC and WHO when Jean Darling...presented songs and dialogue to the club members over the radio. Jean was on the air for about 15 minutes this afternoon and her program delighted thousands of boys and girls in six or more states served by our local radio station. To permit her appearance on the program, it was necessary to arrange to carry the little star and her mother to Iowa City in The Daily Times airship from where they will catch a train to Omaha." This program was called Seckatary Hawkins. As the previous day's issue explained: "Jean and her mother had planned to leave early tomorrow afternoon for Omaha. To permit of her appearance on the program, it was necessary to arrange to carry the little star and her mother to Iowa City in the Daily Times ship, so they may catch their train."
Mar. 1, 1931: Jean performed at the Rivoli Theater in Hastings, NE. The feature film was "Rain Or Shine."
Mar. 1, 1931: From The Lincoln Sunday Star: "(Jean Darling) will make a personal appearance at the Stuart theater all of next week. While in Lincoln, she will stay at the Cornhusker hotel...She will also appear at the Saturday morning (the 7th) matinee for children at the Stuart theater, and will distribute Gooch's doughnuts to her youthful admirers."
Mar. 2, 1931: The Lincoln Evening Journal published an ad for Gold & Co. which included the following: "The Children of Lincoln and vicinity are invited to visit Jean Darling . . . Tuesday afternoon (the 3rd) from 4 to 5 P. M. at Gold's in the Children's Department." This was described two days later by The Lincoln Star this way: "When Gold & Co. announced that Jean Darling . . . would greet her youthful fans at the store on Tuesday afternoon, plans were made to care for about 600 boys and girls. Instead, 1,800 or 2,000 youngsters came to see the little cinema star, and most of the concern's executives and managers were called out to help everybody see small Jean and Jean to see everybody. Jean presented an autographed photograph to each of her admirers, patted the tiniest ones on their cheeks, and shook hands with all those who could possibly squeeze within arm's distance. In addition to her scheduled program of songs, dances and stories, Jean provided an impromptu number. Deciding that she would enjoy modeling a few frocks, she chose several from the stock, put them on, and pointed out the choice points of each one as she saw it. After an hour and a half on the third floor, W. T. Healey, advertising manager, took Jean on a tour of the store. She especially enjoyed the toy department, in which she was presented with a doll. Jean was also presented to many persons in the store."
Mar. 2 to 7, 1931: Jean performed at the Stuart Theater in Lincoln. The feature film was "Stolen Heaven."
Mar. 11, 1931: From the Seckatary Hawkins Club News column of The Daily Times of Davenport: "All members of the Seckatary Hawkins club remember Jean Darling, who so delightfully entertained us during the Hawkins radio hour two weeks ago. Jean and her mother are now staying in Lincoln, Neb., and today the Seckatary received a letter from Jean in which she asks to become a member of our club. In her letter Jean sends regards to all the members of the club and she mentions how she enjoyed an airplane ride to Iowa City after she had appeared on the radio program in Davenport at WOC. The Seckatary is mighty glad to welcome Jean into the club membership and a membership card and club pin have been sent to her."
Mar. 15 to 20, 1931: Jean performed at the Rialto Theatre in Louisville, KY.
Mar. 16, 1931: From The Courier-Journal of Louisville regarding Jean's act at the Rialto Theatre: "Little Miss Darling is a cunning parrot who has learned her lessons well and whose accomplishments prove she was an apt pupil to a painstaking director. She goes through a number of parlor tricks with that precision which robs them of spontaneity, but which, for certain groups in audiences, never fail to arouse admiration. Less offensive than some prodigies, Miss Darling appears to be a sweet little girl who might be happy doing what other normal children do."
Mar. 18, 1931: The Courier-Journal of Louisville reported on the previous day's luncheon of the Optimist Club, at which Jean performed.
Mar. 20, 1931: Jean performed at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis. The feature film was "Ten Cents A Dance." This was reported in The Commercial Appeal of Mar. 15th as the starting date of Jean's engagement at the theatre. However, it conflicts with her final date in Louisville.
Mar. 22, 1931: Jean performed at the Parthenon Theater in Hammond, IN. Each child in attendance was given a free photograph of her.
Apr. 4, 1931: Jean was supposed to open a week's engagement on this date at the Lyric Theatre in Indianapolis, but there's pretty good reason to think that this never happened. Interestingly, on Mar. 28th, The Indianapolis Times had reported that one of the other acts on the bill would be the "Our Gang Kids" featuring Scooter Lowry, Peggy Eames and Harry Spears(sic). The part about Harry being there was an error, though, since Jim "Rube" Wagner was in the act with Scooter and Peggy, as mentioned in the Apr. 3rd issue of the same paper. The Indianapolis Star of Apr. 4th was a bit more specific, saying that Jean would be doing her solo act and would be followed by the other act, after which all four kids would do some sort of "afterpiece." The articles including Jean on the bill continued until Apr. 6th, but the only ad I've found that includes her is from Apr. 1st. All of the subsequent ads list the three Our Gang Kids, but don't mention Jean. A probable explanation for this comes from The Courier-Journal of Louisville on Apr. 8th. That day, The Better Baby Contest was held in connection with the Made-in-Louisville Exposition. Way back on Mar. 27th, the paper announced that Jean, along with Joe Cobb and Farina Hoskins, would award the baby contest trophies. On Apr. 4th, the same paper said nothing about Joe or Farina, but reported the following: "An added award for winners of the first place in the three divisions includes an autographed photograph of Jean Darling...who cannot be present because of illness." So if she was sick on Apr. 4th, and if that meant she couldn't make it to the Louisville event on Apr. 8th, then there isn't much of a chance that she'd be performing in Indianapolis during that week. Adding to this evidence is the fact that Jean wound up performing at this same theater in June, presumably to make up for her earlier absence.
Apr. 12 to 15, 1931: Jean performed at the Hollywood Theatre in Detroit. The feature film was "The Last Parade."
Apr. 15, 1931: From The Detroit Free Press: "Jean Darling, who has been appearing on the stage at the Hollywood...entertained two former picture comrades Tuesday evening (the 14th) in Jane and Harry Warback, 7 and 10 years old, respectively, now living in Detroit. All three children worked before the cameras in 'Our Gang' comedies. The Warback youngsters recently came to Detroit with their parents to reside." Sidenote: The Warback kids don't show up in the payroll ledgers, though the one from 1927 is missing, so there's still a chance they could have worked in the series.
Apr. 30, 1931: The Detroit Free Press published an article about Jean, which can be accessed by clicking here.
May 6, 1931: From United Press out of Mt. Clemens, MI: "That trim Svelte figure, so dear - and necessary - to successful screen beauties, has sent Jean Darling...to the mineral baths here. Jean is dieting. When her weight reached 65 pounds, the Hollywood magnates who issue the edicts ordered her to reduce. 'She just dotes on wheat cakes, maple syrup and candy," mourned Jean's mother. 'Yes, and all I can have is a lamb chop,' sighed the little girl. 'But I've lost three pounds in eight days, and that's something'."
May 10, 1931: The Detroit Free Press published a photo with the following caption: "Jean Darling, eight-year-old motion picture comedy star, in the cockpit of a Selfridge field pursuit plane. Its intricacies are being explained to her by Lieutenant Harry Wilson, former West Point star halfback."
May 29, 1931: Jean was scheduled to visit several stores in Flint, as expressed in a full-page advertisement in The Flint Daily Journal. According to the ads, she would be visiting the new watch shop at the Kelly building between 10:30 and 10:45 a.m. She called for an appointment at Norman Hillier's at Rosenthal's for an Ogilvie Sisters Scalp Treatment at 10:45 a.m. She would be dining at the Capitol Hotel Coffee Shop at noon. She would be receiving visitors in the second floor house furnishing department of Hubbard's between 1:15 and 1:30 p.m. She would be visiting the Neisner Bros. Children's Dept. from 1:30 to 1:45 p.m. The Boston Shoe Store invited the local children to meet Jean in their store at 1:45 p.m. Grinnell Bros., sellers of radios, would be demonstrating their Victor Radio to Jean at 2 p.m. The Miller-Wohl Co. invited the public to meet Jean in their upstairs suit department from 2:15 to 2:30 p.m. We also learn that during her visit in Flint, Jean would be riding around in a Buick Model 90, and drinks Arctic Cream Crest Milk. Making a busy day even busier, elsewhere in the same issue, Jean was scheduled to appear at Kobacker's phonograph store on 4 p.m.
May 29 and 30, 1931: Jean performed at the Michigan Theatre in Flint. The feature film was "The Lottery Bride."
June 8, 1931: During a week's layoff in Chicago, Jean's mother hit on the idea of having Jean disappear for a whole day, so that the evening papers could report the story of her apparent kidnapping, only to have Jean arrive back at the hotel, safe and sound, having spent the day shopping for a present to give to her mother. The plan backfired when Jean arrived back too early. It was still reported, but it didn't become the national headline story Jean's mother hoped it would be. Here's what United Press said the following day: "Eight-year-old Jean Darling, blond Miss of the 'Our Gang' comedies, went out to see a boy friend yesterday, and upset the Sherman Hotel and the Loop police detail, but didn't get spanked when she returned six hours later. Jean, who is making appearances, slipped away from the hotel while her mother, Mrs. Dorothy Darling, was sleeping. She went on a State street shopping tour and then to a movie to admire 10-year-old Jackie Cooper in a Richard Dix picture. The Sherman Hotel was in an uproar when Jean's absence was discovered. She was traced as far as a department store, but despite Mrs. Darling's imploring, police learned no more. They were thinking about kidnappers when Jean demurely walked in. She had stockings, perfume and candy under her arm, and averted parental wrath by explaining she'd left just to buy 'surprises' for mother out of the $5 added to her 'fingernail fund' last week. She gets a dollar a week for not biting her nails."
June 19, 1931: The Indianapolis Times published an article about Jean, which can be accessed by clicking here.
June 19, 1931: From The Indianapolis News: "Rewarded for discipline on the city playgrounds, more than 1,000 school children were guests of the Lyric theater Friday (the 19th). The children who attended were those who had conducted themselves safely and had obeyed the playground instructors...Jean Darling...made a personal appearance and told several amusing stories. She arrived in Indianapolis Thursday night by airplane, and will appear at the Lyric theater for the week beginning Saturday. Miss Darling will become a member of the Ho-Po-Ne Club Monday (the 22nd)...A comedy and an early showing of 'The Black Camel,' a Charlie Chan picture starring Warner Oland, was presented by Manager Kalberer."
June 19, 1931: WFBM in Indianapolis listed Jean Darling for their 5:15 to 5:30 p.m. timeslot.
June 20 to 26, 1931: Jean performed at the Lyric Theater in Indianapolis. The feature film was "The Black Camel."
June 23, 1931: Jean was scheduled to appear in the children's department on the fourth floor of Block's in Indianapolis at 11:30, where she would be modeling dresses.
June 23, 1931: From The Indianapolis Star: "'Gee, you have a swell job.' That was 8-year-old Jean Darling's idea of being Governor. Governor Harry G. Leslie did have a swell job for a while. He forgot the busy day ahead of him and chatted with the blonde, curly headed little motion picture star . . . 'I think you have a swell job, too,' the Governor replied. Jean, perhaps thinking of all the hard work of making pictures to make other folk laugh, only smiled and pinned a rose on the Governor's lapel. She had taken the rose from a large bouquet she had brought. The Governor, who is very fond of children, took the little girl on his lap and the two chatted in a friendly fashion for quite a while. But even a Governor couldn't keep Jean still for long and soon she was running all over the Statehouse, admiring the busts of Washington and Lincoln and spelling out the name plate on the bust of Col. Richard Owen."
June 23, 1931: At 7:30 p.m. at the Lyric Theater, Jean handed out prizes to boys who competed in the sixth annual Indianapolis Times schoolboy golf tournament.
June 24, 1931: Jean was scheduled to appear in the third floor shoe shop of Block's at 11: a.m.
June 24, 1931: The Indianapolis Times reported that Jean was giving away her puppy, "Felecia," to whichever lucky boy or girl wrote the best letter explaining why they wanted the puppy. The winner would receive their puppy on June 26th. This stunt was repeated numerous times throughout the tour. The story invariably went that Jean had recently received a puppy in one of the cities she had recently visited, but that it was too impractical to take care of it on the road. The local kids would write their letters, and then at whichever theater Jean was performing, she would give the puppy to the winner of the contest.
June 24, 1931: Jean was made a member of the Ho-Po-Ne Safety Club at the Lyric Theater at the regular stage show at 1:15 p.m. From 3:40 to 4:30 p.m., she appeared on the Ho-Po-Ne Club radio program broadcast from Station WKBF, where she offered songs and stories.
June 25, 1931: From The Indianapolis Star: "Jean Darling . . . stopped both street and sidewalk traffic yesterday at the noon hour when she took charge of the semaphore at Meridian and Washington streets. She not only filled the shoes of Dan Smith, traffic policeman on duty there, but borrowed his cap as well . . . About a thousand persons gathered at the busy downtown corner to see Jean boss the motorists around. The tiny blonde, who is a great globetrotter for her size, found officiating at the 'cross-roads of America' gave an extra fillip to her travels. She would have stayed on duty all afternoon - but there was the theater, and work to do."
June 25, 1931: An ad for the Lyric indicates that fans could meet Jean on the mezzanine floor of the theater both on this date and the next. Presumably, this had been going on all week.
June 26, 1931: On the final night of Jean's Indianapolis engagement, Harry Spear was beginning his engagement at the Circle Theater in Indianapolis. It isn't known whether or not the two visited with each other. This was the night that Jean gave away her puppy, which had allegedly been given to her by an admirer shortly before she arrived in Indianapolis.
June 28 to 30, 1931: Jean performed at the Logan Theatre in Logansport, IN. The feature film was "Gold Dust Gertie."
June 30, 1931: From The Logansport Pharos-Tribune: "Little Jean Darling . . . delighted the children of the Orphan Home Monday afternoon (the 29th) between her appearances at the Logan theater. Each little member of the home was spic and span for the occasion and each had a host of questions to ask the little heroine, if only she would have time to answer them all. Jean gave them several of the clever song and dance numbers of her act, and told them some of the interesting stories of the gang. The saddest part of the visit came when Jean told them she must leave in order to be in time for her performance."
June 30, 1931: From The Marion Chronicle of Marion, IN: "Jean Darling . . . who has been on tour since Dec. 15, is looking forward to her return to Hollywood and the studio lots, when interviewed in Logansport yesterday. She said 'I thought it gets hot only in the talking stages where we make pictures, but it's nothing compared to this Indiana heat. In Indianapolis, we had nice comfortable quarters in the theatre, and I did not mind the heat, but here it's terrible. I hope Marion will be cool by the time we get there. I expect to play some golf and go swimming there. It's been too hot to do it here.' Jean will travel via auto from Logansport and is expected to arrive here early Wednesday afternoon (July 1st) to take advantage of Suburban Day bargains."
1931: RKO's 40-week circuit was downsized to 31 weeks due to the number of theaters that were closing during the Depression. Jean was then booked on a tour with the Independent Theater Circuit, which was located mostly in the middle of the country. In her first book, Jean mentions embarking on her second vaudeville tour in late 1932, but it seems more likely that she's referring to this 1931 transition from one circuit to the other. I could be wrong, but she seemed to have too many other things going on in late '32.
Circa 1931: From Steven H. Scheuer's syndicated article: "When I was a kid, other children used to follow me around in mobs. They'd press their noses against the windows when I ate in restaurants. I don't mind people staring at me when I work, but I never got used to people staring in public."
July 2, 1931: From The Marion Chronicle (IN): "Jean Darling . . . who arrived in Marion this afternoon, told the Marion Chronicle that this will be her last engagement on the stage for some time. Her director Herbert Lloyd called her on long distance last night from Hollywood and informed her to hold herself in readiness for her new feature length special which is to start in production middle of July. In the meantime, Jean wants to do a lot of swimming and golfing and may go to Northern Michigan to get away frmo this hot spell and stay until her final call." Sidenote: Whatever this film was, it apparently never got off the ground, at least not with Jean in it.
July 2, 1931: Jean was scheduled to have a meet-and-greet at the children's department of Blumenthal's in Marion, IN, at 4 p.m. As The Marion Chronicle reported the next day: "The young actress modeled Jack Tar and Hollywood frocks at the store."
July 2, 1931: From The Marion Chronicle: "What is a Hoosier?" And this is the way Jean Darling started off quizzing her questioner who was detailed to interview the diminutive sweetheart of the 'Our Gang' comedies . . . After it had been explained that a Hoosier is an Indianian, as they say in Jean's native Golden State, she said: 'Anyway, I like the people here no matter what they call them,' Jean shot back - her brows knitted. 'You see, I'm a product of Santa Monica, Calif. - Hollywood's 18 miles away, so I didn't have far to go to join Our Gang. It gets pretty hot here in Indiana, doesn't it? Hotter than even Los Angeles and that town warms up.' Jean sat perched on a wastepaper basket and two books before a typewriter and pondering over her fan mail . . . 'I just love to get letters from people who like to see me on the screen and it makes me tingle all over to meet those who enjoy seeing me in pictures,' she said. 'That's one of the nicest things about making personal appearances - you get to see the people who usually get to see you. Tomorrow afternoon I'm going to get to meet the boys and girls of Marion at the Indiana theater. If the boys and girls get as much of a thrill out of that party as I will get, the affair certainly will be worthwhile'."
July 2, 1931: From the Marion Leader-Tribune: "Popularity has not made any difference to (Jean). She plays with other children anywhere and makes friends immediately. In fact, last night when we were leaving the radio station, nothing would do but Jean should stop and play a few minutes with several girl admirers who had gathered for her broadcast . . . She is only eight years old . . . but her actions are those of a child of twelve or thirteen. Of course in off-moments, the little star becomes playful, perhaps even mean, but this can easily be excused when one considers the strain of being an adult at the age of eight. Last night Jean visited the Leader-Tribune plant and made friends readily with every employee. Moving us from our desk, she took our typewriter and proceeded to write a few letters back to Hollywood. Using Hunt and Peck's method on the machine, she wrote as rapidly as the average newspaperman . . . Jean came to Marion from Logansport in a special Buick, given her for use during her stay here by the Superior Service. While in the city, she will visit several stores between her shows at the Indiana."
July 2 to 4, 1931: Jean performed at the Indiana Theatre in Marion, IN. The feature film was "Black Camel."
July 3, 1931: Jean was scheduled to have a meet-and-greet with local children on the mezzanine floor of the Indiana Theatre at 3:15 p.m. Kids attending this would each be given a photo of her.
July 3, 1931: The Marion Leader-Tribune published an article about Jean, which can be accessed by clicking here.
July 4, 1931: From the Marion Leader-Tribune: "'It's fun!' That's what Jean Darling said while sliding down one of the chutes at the Grant County Orphans' Home, where she presented her act and spent a delightful afternoon playing with the children yesterday. Jean...seemed gloriously happy as she romped gayly with the other children, playing hide-and-go-seek, swinging jauntily on the giant swings, being 'it' in a game of tag played on the sliding board. Yes, Jean had a wonderful afternoon playing to her heart's content - in fact, she so enjoyed her visit at the home that she is trying to arrange her program to remain in the city over Sunday (the 5th). And if she does, you can be certain where she'll spend the greater part of the day. She told us confidentially she was going right back out to the home and play and play and play." About Jean's career, the article says: "Much of the credit for Jean's success goes to her mother. Mrs. Darling, like her daughter, unaffected and herself a former screen and stage favorite, has worked hard to make her daughter the greatest actress of all time. Fighting the battle alone since the death of her husband when Jean was only a year old, Mrs. Darling has succeeded in giving the world a wonderful reproduction of herself. Sacrificing her own career for that of her child, this splendid woman has given everything for one ambition - the success of Jean Darling."
July 4, 1931: From the Marion Leader-Tribune: "Jean Darling's act at the Indiana continues to draw large crowds, and there is little wonder, for Jean's act is more entertaining at each performance. We saw it for the third time yesterday and were still greatly impressed with the serious number during which real tears move down her cheeks. With several little stories about other members of 'Our Gang,' clever songs and a snappy dance number, you are sure to enjoy the offering."
July 7, 1931: From the Marion Leader-Tribune: "Jean Darling, movie star in town recently, will be at the Oriental theater in Chicago in a week or two. The young lady will be featured in 'Poor Little Rich Girl' to be made soon. She gets about $1,000 a week when on vaudeville tour." Sidenote: Could this be the same "Poor Little Rich Girl" project that wound up starring Shirley Temple five years later?
July 12, 1931: The Chicago Sunday Tribune published a photo with the following caption: "Jean Darling, child movie actress, with Greeter George Gaw as they visited the office of Mayor Cermak yesterday. The mayor was not in, but Jean sat in his chair and admired his picture. She was officially welcomed to Chicago by Mr. Gaw, who was recently appointed to his post." Gaw showed Jean around Chicago.
July 25, 1931: From The Waukegan News-Sun (IL): "A delegation of Girl Scouts from Waukegan are planning to greet little Miss Jean Darling when she arrives in Waukegan Sunday (the 26th) at 11 a.m. at the Edison Court station. Jean...is appearing in person at the Genesee theatre Sunday. Many other kiddies and mothers are expected to be on hand to catch a glimpse of this little star. From the station, she will be escorted by auto directly to the theatre. The machine will be a new Buick furnished for the occasion by the local Buick agency. After the first matinee performance which starts Sunday at 1:30, Miss Darling will be in the lobby where she can personally greet some of her Waukegan admirers...She plans to return to Hollywood in a few weeks to resume her roles in the popular 'Our Gang' comedies."
July 26, 1931: Jean performed at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan, IL. The feature film was "The Girl Habit."
July 27, 1931: From the Duluth News-Tribune: "Jean Darling...will be in Duluth Aug. 1, 2, 3 and 4 to fill an engagement at the Garrick theater and to meet boys and girls of the city. She will be met on her arrival in the city by a special committee and taken to the city hall, where she will meet Mayor Snively and city officials. Jean is coming to Duluth from Chicago after completing a 10 months tour over the R-K-O circuit...Jean is a member of The Herald Fair Play club and next Saturday morning (Aug. 1st) will be honored at a Fair Play club open house to be held in The Herald building for club members desiring to meet the little star."
July 31, 1931: From the Duluth News-Tribune: "Jean Darling...is scheduled to arrive in Duluth this morning to meet the boys and girls of The Duluth Herald's Fair Play club. Jean, who is flying here from Chicago with her mother, will visit in Duluth until next Wednesday (Aug. 5th). She will be met at the Boat club at 10:52 a.m., when the air mail plane of the Northwest Airways line arrives this morning and will be escorted to the city hall, where Mayor Snively will welcome her to Duluth. Then Jean will be guest at a public reception in front of The Herald and News-Tribune, where all the boys and girls are invited this morning to meet her. At 2 p.m., Jean will be taken on an automobile tour of the city and will make stops at the public parks and later at the municipal zoo. During her stay in Duluth, Jean will visit the orphan homes and entertain the children. Jean also will broadcast at 4 o'clock this afternoon from station WEBC and will talk with the editor of the Fair Play club as well as entertain with one of her songs for the children in the northwest. Arrangements will also be made to have her on the air again next week."
Aug. 1 to 4, 1931: Jean performed at the Garrick Theater in Duluth. The feature film was "Born To Love."
Aug. 6, 1931: From the Duluth News-Tribune: "Jean Darling...sang and told several stories before members of the Kiwanis club Wednesday noon (the 5th) in Hotel Duluth."
Aug. 6, 1931: From The Minneapolis Star: "Jean Darling...arrived in Minneapolis by plane from Duluth late Wednesday (the 5th). She plans to remain here several days. Miss Darling, accompanied by her mother, makes practically all her journeys using air transportation routes."
Aug. 11 to 13, 1931: Jean performed at the Publix Theatre in Hayfield, MN.
Aug. 14 and 15, 1931: Jean performed at the State Theatre in Eau Claire, WI. The feature film was "Murder By The Clock." On both days, Jean was scheduled to meet with the local kids in the theatre lobby and hand out bags of Karmelkorn. This is revealed in a full page of ads in The Eau Claire Leader on Aug 14th, all making mention of Jean. For instance, we learn that the plan was for Jean to enjoy her meals at the State Cafe, which was right next door to the theater. We also learn the she'd be giving away a Lapin Jacquette from the Conrad Fur Co. at 9 p.m. on the 14th.
Aug. 15, 1931: Jean was scheduled to have a meet-and-greet at Lasker Jewelers in Eau Claire from 12:30 to 12:45 p.m.
Aug. 16, 1931: Jean arrived in St. Cloud, MN, on this day. Between the 13th and the 15th, the Daily Times and Daily Journal-Press variously reported that she was to have been greeted by an official committee upon her arrival at 1:35, that an official welcome by Mayor James H. Murphy was being arranged, that a reception with the children of the community would be held at the theater at 3:15, and that the morning of the 17th would be an opportunity for Jean to meet and play with the children of the city.
Aug. 16 and 17, 1931: Jean performed at the Paramount Theater in St. Cloud. The feature film was "Pardon Us."
Aug. 17, 1931: From the Daily Times and Daily Journal-Press of St. Cloud: "Finding that travel with her little puppy dog became somewhat of a problem, Jean Darling...Sunday (the 16th) offered it to one of her St. Cloud friends and the presentation will be made at the first appearance at the Paramount theatre tonight. In search for the best possible home, Jean has asked her newly made friends here to write her a letter telling just why she should give her pet to that particular kiddie and the one offering the best reasons will get the dog tonight. Jean arrived here yesterday afternoon to be a guest of The St. Cloud Times-Journal for two days. Immediately after her arrival, she went to her hotel to prepare for the reception at which she was guest of honor. Hundreds of her little friends here were present to become personally acquainted with the movie star they have envied for some years. During the afternoon and evening, Jean entertained audiences at the Paramount with her song and dance act, which has been witnessed in all of the principal cities of the country during the past 10 months. This afternoon, Jean went to the St. Cloud orphanage where she entertained the kiddies there at length. She was also scheduled to entertain patients at the U.S. Veterans hospital during the afternoon. She will personally appear at the Paramount during the afternoon and evening performances and will give her pet puppy to some lucky St. Cloud girl at the first show this evening."
Aug. 18 to 20, 1931: Jean performed at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, MN. The feature film was "The Miracle Woman." Between the 14th and the 19th, the Austin Daily Herald variously reported that she was scheduled to arrive on the Great Western train at noon on the 18th, would then be driven to the Herald office in Herald Square, in front of which she'd have her meet-and-greet at 12:30. There would also be a meet-and-greet at the theatre. As it was reported: "As a special attraction, the Federal Bakery is going to give away 500 cakes which have been named after Jean Darling at the Tuesday matinee (the 18th) at the theatre." She would also be staying at the Fox Hotel. On the 19th, she was to appear at Montgomery Ward & Co. at 10:45 a.m., the Benton Shoe Store at 11 a.m., and the Parisian Beauty Parlor at 11:30.
Aug. 19, 1931: From the Austin Daily Herald: "Helen O'Berg entertained nine friends at her home on South Kenwood avenue, yesterday afternoon and evening, the occasion being her birthday anniversary. Little Jean Darling of Hollywood, Cal., who is an attraction here at the Paramount Theatre, was the guest of honor. After the dinner, the girls enjoyed the evening movie."
Aug. 22, 1931: From The Springfield Union (MA): "Jean Darling...has it in her contract that she must not eat ice cream. It is too fattening. Incidentally, she has exactly 39 curls on her head."
Aug. 23 and 24, 1931: Jean performed at the Chateau Theatre in Rochester, MN. The feature film was "Sporting Blood."
Aug. 24, 1931: Jean was scheduled to have a meet-and-greet at 2 p.m. in the children's department of the E. A. Knowlton Company in Rochester. Jean was to present each kid with an autographed photograph. Afterwards, she was to personally greet each winner of the Fun Frolic races in the lobby of the Chateau at 3:15 p.m.
Aug. 24, 1931: From The Winona Republican-Herald (MN): "Jean, accompanied by her mother, is scheduled to arrive in Winona from Rochester at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday (the 25th) in one of the Conrad Flying Service planes...She will be met at the flying field on her arrival by many admirers and will be escorted downtown to her hotel."
Aug. 25, 1931: The Rochester Post-Bulletin published an article about Jean, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Aug. 25, 1931: The Winona Republican-Herald: published an article about Jean, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Aug. 25 to 27, 1931: Jean performed at the State Theatre in Winona, MN. The feature film was "The Public Defender." She was also scheduled to have meet-and-greets on all three days at H. Choate & Co. from 1:30 to 2:15.
Aug. 26, 1931: From The Winona Republican-Herald regarding Jean: "This afternoon at the H. Choate and company store, she modeled clever and intriguing pajama suits for the young lady of the family, whose dignity is just beginning to be appreciated. To young friends who were accompanied by adults, Jean presented her photograph. Jean will model again Thursday afternoon (the 27th) at the Choate store between 1:30 and 2:15 p.m. She will also give away additional pictures of herself at that time...A full program has been arranged for Jean Thursday. In addition to her appearance at Choate's store and at the theater, Jean will be a guest Thursday noon of Mrs. Robert Tearse at luncheon. In the evening, she will be the guest of Allyn S. Morgan at a dinner at the Garden Gate. Upon Jean's return from the present tour, she will start work in a 'Penrod and Sam' series to be filmed by Warner Brothers." Sidenote: There was a "Penrod And Sam" released a little more than a month after this, but Jean wasn't in it.
Aug. 30 and 31, 1931: Jean performed at the State Theatre in Sioux Falls, SD. The feature film was "This Modern Age." On Mar. 13, 1932, The Daily Argus-Leader reported: "Remember Jean Darling, the dainty little actress who made a personal appearance here, accompanied by her mother? While filling her engagement in Sioux Falls, she and her mother had had their meals at the Tip-Top. Her favorite dish was Italian spaghetti, and she declared it was the best she had ever eaten in any cafe."
Aug. 31, 1931: From The Daily Argus-Leader of Sioux Falls: "Little Jean Darling...visited the Argus-Leader office in quest of 'funnies' this afternoon. The little lady misses no opportunity to collect and read all the comic supplements of all newspapers in the towns in which she appears. The back files of the Argus-Leader were placed at little Miss Darling's disposal and in a sure manner she discarded the 'funnies' which she had already seen and quickly assumed possession of those she had not. She also asked for a copy of the paper which 'had my picture in it.' She was persuaded to abandon her quest for comics only after it was impressed upon her that it was nearly time for her to go on for the matinee this afternoon."
Sep. 2, 1931: From the Associated Press out of Mitchell, SD: "Jean Darling, juvenile screen star who is making a personal appearance in Mitchell this week, will be adopted into the Sioux Indian tribe at a ceremony here tomorrow. Medicine Crow and White Bear, chiefs from the Crow Creek reservation, and their wives were expected here today to make preparations."
Sep. 4, 1931: From the Associated Press: "Jean Darling, juvenile film star, left Mitchell today as a member of the lower Yanktoni tribe of the Sioux Indians. They christened her 'Winon Waste,' gave her their blessing and a pair of moccasins, symbolic of her adoption." The Sioux City Journal of Dec. 16th elaborated by saying that Jean "was adopted into the lower Yanktonia tribe of Sioux, Crow Creek reservation, Fort Thompson, S.D., September 3, 1930(sic), with Chief Medicine Crow, 84 years old, officiating. Miss Darling was made an Indian princess with the title, Winon-Waste, which means princess of the plains." According to the Dec. 19th Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, Jean would "present a petition to President Hoover on behalf of the Sioux Indians of South Dakota, who last year suffered serious losses to their crops through the grasshopper scourge and who face severe privation this winter if help is not forthcoming."
Sep. 4 and 5, 1931: Jean performed at the Huron Theatre in Huron, SD. The feature film was "The Star Witness." On the 3rd, The Evening Huronite had reported: "Miss Darling will arrive in Huron tomorrow morning and be officially welcomed by City Attorney John P. Bauer at the Huron theater at 12 o'clock. Children who want to see the actress have been invited to be there for the brief ceremony. Later Jean will be taken for a short tour of the city in an automobile especially decorated for her."
Sep. 8, 1931: From The Evening Huronite (SD): "Little 8-year-old Roberta Harmon of Carthage was the lucky girl who received the puppy given away here Saturday (the 5th) by Jean Darling, juvenile movie actress who was making personal appearances at the Huron theatre. Two other girls won recognition by the letters they wrote to Jean and received bouquets of flowers...When the three girls were called to the stage, Jean asked them a few questions and chose Roberta...to receive the dog, a 2-month-old Spitz."
Sep. 9, 1931: The Daily National Hotel Reporter of Chicago published a column which seems to detail customers who had passed bad checks to the hotels. One was Charles Hagedorn of Hollywood, manager for Jean Darling, while staying in Duluth.
Sep. 20, 1931: The Kalamazoo Gazette (MI) ran an ad for Jean Darling's Art Needlework Outfit, "a child's art needlework outfit complete with China doll, scissors, thimble, needles, silk thread and patterns stamped on fine materials." This is the earliest of several instances in which I've found reference to this item, which was a rare example of an Our Gang-related piece of merchandise that was brought about with no involvement from Hal Roach. Variations on this, including the Jean Darling Sewing Outfit, continued to be sold at least until 1954.
Oct. 7, 1931: From The Evening Telegram of Superior, WI: "Arrangements are being made by Uncle Bob to have Jean Darling visit the Superior Children's Home and Refuge association, and she will also broadcast on the children's hour over WEBC, at 4 p.m. either Thursday (the 8th) or Friday (the 9th)."
Oct. 8, 1931: From The Evening Telegram of Superior: "Jean and her mother, Mrs. Dorothy Darling, landed here Thursday morning (the 8th) in a plane piloted by Jules Berndt of the Superior airport. And just after she stepped off the plane, the young star dared everyone of the 200 kids assembled to greet her, to a race. And she beat them all. The little actress was brought to the city by The Telegram and the Palace theater...Helped out of the plane by Mayor George Dietrich, the youngster bent from her perch on the wing and, to the delight of the milling crowd of Fair and Square Juniors surrounding the plane, kissed his honor heartily. In an instant, the girl had thrown off her fur jerkin and leather helmet, and her short, blond, curly, tousled hair bobbing up and down, lead her admirers a merry chase racing and jumping about on the grass. Romping and skipping with the other youngsters, Jean, bit by bit, declared successively that dolls were her favorite toys, that she has quite a few of them, that she likes to go to school and to rehearse, that she studies French, ancient history, English, spelling, and 'rithmetic, that she is in the fourth grade, and that she only has to spend two hours each day on her school work. 'And I haven't been counted absent from school a single day,' proudly proclaimed the little miss...At last convinced that she must leave the airport and her new friends, Jean gave the mayor one last kiss and was taken in an automobile to the Androy hotel to prepare for a morning rehearsal."
Oct. 8, 1931: From The Evening Telegram of Superior: "Jean Darling...will entertain drive workers at the 'victory' dinner, which will be held Thursday evening (the 8th)." This was in connection to a YMCA drive for new membership.
Oct. 8 to 10, 1931: Jean performed at the Palace Theater in Superior, WI. The feature film was "Alexander Hamilton." In the days leading up to her arrival, The Evening Telegram variously reported that Jean was being brought to Superior by the Telegram and Harvey Buchanan, manager of the Palace, that Jean would be welcomed by Mayor George Deitrich, that she would put in a personal appearance in the afternoon of the 8th at Sampson-O'Connell, that there would be the usual letter writing contest to win a puppy, that there would be a reception at 10 a.m. on the 9th in the lobby of the theater, and that all members of Uncle Bob's Fair and Square Club would get a free photo. On the 5th, Uncle Bob of The Evening Telegram reported "As soon as she lands, Uncle Bob is going to give Jean a membership blank so that she can fill it out and join the Fair and Square club."
Oct. 9, 1931: According to the The Evening Telegram, Jean was scheduled this day to visit the Stack & Co. Beauty Salon at 10:30 a.m., dine at the Capitol Tea Rooms around 4 p.m., visit The $1.88 Hat Store at about 5 p.m., and visit DeFrehn's Pharmacy in the evening.
Oct. 10, 1931: Jean was scheduled to be at Russell Creamery in the morning, model coats during the grand opening of the Fashion Shop around 2 p.m., and visit Panor's shoe store at around 3:15 p.m. The puppy giveaway was to take place in the afternoon.
Oct. 11, 1931: From the Grand Forks Herald (ND): "When Jean Darling...comes to Grand Forks Monday (the 12th) for personal appearances at the theater, she will be met by M. C. Cooper, manager of the showhouse, and Mayor John L. Hulteng. Jean...will arrive at the Great Northern station at 8:30 A. M. Grand Forks children and adults have been asked also to meet her at the train. Jean will present a puppy at 3:30 P. M. Monday to the Grand Forks boy or girl who writes the winning letter in a contest."
Oct. 12, 1931: From The Evening Telegram of Superior: "After a three days' stay in Superior, Jean Darling...left Sunday (the 11th) for Grand Forks, N. D....Friday and Saturday, Jean visited several Superior stores and was greeted in each instance by a crowd of smiling youngsters, who presented her with flowers, toys and candy until the nine-year-old movie queen's arms could hold no more. Saturday, Jean made the rounds of four business places in a sport model Ford roadster which she selected during a visit to the Sampson-O'Connell offices the previous afternoon. The car was loaned by the Ford agency for her use during the entire afternoon Saturday. Jean was treated to some of Superior's famous ice cream while at the Russell Creamery plant and was whisked away from there to greet a crowd of youngsters at the Fashion Shop, 1312 Tower avenue. She later visited Panor's and DeFrehn's Pharmacy. On the previous day, she visited, aside from the Sampson-O'Connell offices, Stack's Beauty salon, the $1.88 Hat store across from The Telegram, and the Capitol tea rooms."
Oct. 12, 1931: The Fargo Forum published an ad for the Hotel Towers Coffee Shop, which included the following from Jean: "Hello Fargo Folks: I have just been informed by my advance manager that when I come to your town to play in person at The Fargo Theatre, I'm to stop at the Hotel Powers. I know it must be the best and I am anxious to meet Mrs. Spalding and Mr. Parrish, whom I understand are going to make me feel at home. Come in and have lunch with me. I'll be there Thursday, Friday and Saturday. P. S. Tell Mr. Parrish I like shredded wheat best for breakfast, with lots of sugar and cream."
Oct. 12, 1931: The Grand Forks Herald (ND) published an article about Jean, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Oct. 12 and 13, 1931: Jean performed at the Paramount Theatre in Grand Forks, ND. On the 12th, the feature film was "Merely Mary Ann." On the 13th, it was "Murder By The Clock."
Oct. 13, 1931: The Grand Forks Herald reported that the black puppy given away by Jean was named Farina. The article goes on about two tears coursing down Jean's face as she parted with the puppy, as though this wasn't something she had done several times already. About her act: "'I'm Keeping Company" was the first song Jean sang to her admirers, and followed with a 'pickout' song, "I Want To Sing About You." She closed her act with "If I'd Only Listened To You," after she had given a few impersonations, told some stories and given a modern version of Mother Goose rhymes. For an encore, she presented a delicate tap dance."
Oct. 14, 1931: From the Grand Forks Herald: "Jean Darling, 9-year-old movie actress who appeared at the Paramount theater in person Monday and Tuesday, will entertain again today at all performances at the theater, M. C. Cooper, manager, announced last night. Jean...was held over because of 'popular demand,' Mr. Cooper said." Elsewhere in the same issue, it was reported that Jean entertained at the local Rotary Club's luncheon the previous day.
Oct. 15, 1931: From The Fargo Forum: "Jean Darling...will arrive in Fargo at 10 a. m. today to spend the remainder of the week here. She will appear at the Fargo theater at 3 p. m., 5 p. m., 7 p. m., and 9 p. m. today, Friday and Saturday and at 5 p. m. today will meet children attending the show on the mezzanine floor, where she will give them her photographs. Jean isn't going to neglect the orphans in Fargo, who might not be able to see her at the theater. Through the Fargo Kiwanis club, it has been arranged for her to visit the St. John's orphanage at noon today and the North Dakota Children's home immediately afterward." Elsewhere in the same issue: "When Jean is in Hollywood working in pictures, she attends a school on the lot with other youngsters of the movies and when she is traveling, as on the trip that brings her to Fargo, she gets her lessons from a school in New York. They come by mail and Jean has to study and say them to her mother...At 5 p. m. Friday (the 16th), she will give away a puppy to the boy or girl who has written her the best letter about what kind of a home Fancy, the pup, will have and why the writer wants it...Jean rides horseback, swims and does many such things when she is at home, but says she is a 'bookworm' while traveling, because she can't carry anything more than a doll and books with her. She likes fairy stories best. Jean arrived this morning with her mother from Grand Forks. She spent a busy morning, called on Mayor A. T. Lynner and gave Chief of Police Charlie Albright a big kiss in exchange for a ticket that will give her visitor's parking privileges. She visited The Fargo Forum office and spent some time practicing. At noon, she went to see the children in St. John's orphanage and the North Dakota Children's Home. She talked to them a moment and gave a little part of the act that she presents on the stage at regular performances."
Oct. 15, 1931: Jean was scheduled to have lunch at the Hotel Powers Coffee Shop. Donovan Motor Co. lent a convertible Ford sedan to Jean's party.
Oct. 15 to 17, 1931: Jean performed at the Fargo Theatre in Fargo, ND. The feature film was "East Of Borneo."
Oct. 16, 1931: From The Fargo Forum: "At noon (on the 15th), Jean went to see the children in St. John's orphanage and the North Dakota Children's Home. She talked to them a moment and gave a little part of the act that she presents on the stage at regular performances.
Oct. 17, 1931: From The Fargo Forum: "Jean Darling...appeared at Friday's (the 16th) luncheon of the Fargo Exchange club."
Oct. 22, 1931: From The Bismarck Tribune: "Jean Darling...says being a movie actress is great fun. She likes it so much that she spends hours after her work is over in playing at being an actress with her family of dolls. She likes games and she loves to ride and to swim and 'do nearly everything,' she said Thursday (the 22nd) when questioned about what she does when she isn't working. Interested in whatever others are doing, Jean is enjoying every minute of her tour about the country. It isn't all play on this trip, however. In addition to her personal appearances, she has to study hard every day, under the direction of her mother. She is proud of the fact that her lessons are secured from a correspondence school in New York and likes to get the work all neatly written as early as possible each morning. Jean's idea of the best thing to eat is a big sirloin steak, 'with heaps of mashed potatoes like we got in Chicago.' She turns up her pretty nose at candy and other sweets and says she loves spinach. It will interest Bismarck mothers to know that she likes milk and all kinds of vegetables, excepting turnips and squash, and she even confessed an unladylike fondness for garlic and onions!"
Oct. 22 to 24, 1931: Jean performed at the Paramount Theatre in Bismarck. The feature film on the 23rd was "Side Show," and on the 24th, it was "Personal Maid." Ads in The Bismarck Tribune reveal that Jean was scheduled to stay at the Prince Hotel, dine at Thorberg's Cafe and travel in a Willys-Knight automobile.
Oct. 23, 1931: From The Bismarck Tribune: "Theater goers had an opportunity to see what a movie actress looks like when she is young Thursday (the 22nd) at the initial appearances of Jean Darling...at the Paramount Theater. Despite the handicaps which any 10-year-old encounters when doing a 'skit in one,' the little girl gave a pleasing and interesting performance. She danced well, sang pleasingly and cracked jokes with an aplomb which ordinarily would be far beyond her tender years. Many of them were real rib-ticklers, too. Miss Darling appears again Friday, and Saturday (the 24th) will entertain Bismarck's children at a special matinee performance. On Saturday afternoon, she will give away her pet dog to a lucky boy or girl, having decided to part with her puppy because it is difficult for her to care for it on her travels. Every child in attendance also will receive a Velvet ice cream bar."
Oct. 24, 1931: From The Bismarck Tribune: "Children from far and near in the Bismarck territory Saturday (the 24th) celebrated with Jean Darling...Approximately 2,000 attended a feature matinee at the Paramount theatre at which Miss Darling gave away a puppy which has accompanied her in her travels. There also was a menu to lend interest to the occasion, the piece de resistance being Ice Cream Pies, given away by the Bridgeman-Russell company. Long before the doors opened for the matinee performance, children had gathered before the entrance to the theatre and soon they were strung out in a line for more than a block. Three policemen and a squad of theatre attaches were required to keep them in line."
Nov. 4, 1931: The Des Moines Tribune-Capital published an article about Jean, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Nov. 4 to 6, 1931: Jean performed at the Paramount Theatre in Des Moines. The feature film was "Blonde Crazy."
Nov. 11, 1931: Legionnaires from posts in northeastern Iowa gathered at the Elks club in Waterloo. As the Waterloo Daily Courier reported: "Little Jean Darling, appearing thru courtesy of the Paramount theatre, sang herself into hearts of the Legionnaires to such an extent that she herself didn't want to leave when her act was completed. Altho the audience applauded and applauded, the little heroine of Our Gang comedies was supposed to get to bed to rest for another hard day of work. 'Let me go tell them a few stories,' she begged of her mother and of Harry Herman, manager of the theatre. She won her way and continued amusing the service men with her little yarns. And even then she could not be induced to leave until Lowell Ransom, post commander, carried her thru the audience where she made some more observations. A basket of roses was presented to her."
Nov. 11 to 13, 1931: Jean performed at the Paramount Theatre in Waterloo, IA. The feature film was "Once A Lady."
Nov. 12, 1931: Jean was scheduled to have a meet-and-greet at Black's in Waterloo at 4 p.m.
Nov. 12, 1931: From the Waterloo Daily Courier: "Seven little girls of Waterloo were to entertain at a party at 6 p.m. Thursday (the 12th) in Black's tearoom for Jean Darling...The hostesses were to be Louise McCoy, Rebecca Rath, Jean Wyant, Betty Brown, Marilyn Miller and Jean Stevenson." Elsewhere in the same issue: "For some time last summer, she appeared on the Radio Keith Orpheum vaudeville circuits in the eastern states and is now on a tour of Paramount-Publix theatres in the middle-west." Also a quote: "I like to read history and geography. One time, just before I had the measles, I read the New Testament."
Nov. 15, 1931: From the Waterloo Sunday Courier: "Little Jean Darling, blonde and bare-legged child star of Our Gang screen comedies, presented Acting Captain DeWayne Guernsey, of the East team, with a football autographed by Peggy Shannon, star of 'Touchdown,' before the kickoff. The oval was booted and then replaced with one of the regulation blank variety. Guernsey's possession was short-lived, however, the ball being presented after the game to Gordon Sampson, who counted for West's touchdown." This took place on the 13th at the East-West High football game on East's home field. The player scoring the first touchdown was awarded the ball.
Nov. 23, 1931: The Des Moines Tribune published a photo with the following caption: "Jean Darling...had six Des Moines youngsters as luncheon guests Saturday (the 21st) at Kirkwood hotel. Guests, members of a Des Moines tap dancing class (were) Virginia Nichols, Barbara Hornaday, Polly Schenk, Barbara Dallas, Virginia Buchanan and Ethel Ruth Flook."
Dec. 10, 1931: From The Des Moines Register: "Little Jean Darling...and her mother, Mrs. Dorothy Darling, have been doing their Christmas shopping in Des Moines. Jean made two appearances in Iowa after her recent showing in Des Moines, and then her contract with Paramount Publix ran out. She came back to this city to await word of a new picture in which she was to star in Hollywood. Word came the picture has been postponed, so Jean and her mother are preparing to leave for New York where Jean plans to appear for R-K-O. Meanwhile, Jean has been visiting Des Moines shops, and Wednesday night (the 9th) she was busily wrapping packages. Jean proudly produced a number of large packages bearing 'Do not open until Christmas' labels which she has received during her stay in Des Moines."
Dec. 16, 1931: From The Sioux City Journal: "Eager to do her share in making Sioux City children happy on Christmas day, Jean Darling...joined the Little Yellow Dogs when she stopped in Sioux City for a brief visit Tuesday (the 15th)...All of the initiation fees of the Little Yellow Dogs are used to buy toys for Sioux City's needy children. The money will be turned over to the Good Fellows. Miss Darling stopped in Sioux City briefly Tuesday while on her way to Washington, D.C., to take a message and some gifts to President Hoover from the Sioux Indian tribe, in which she recently was initiated. Miss Jean carries a message from Chief Medicine Crow and some gifts to President Hoover and a message of greeting from the Rosebud tribe. The gifts include a peace pipe, a tobacco pouch and moccasins. Accompanied by her mother, Miss Jean left Sioux City Tuesday afternoon by Northwest Airways for Chicago by the way of St. Paul, and will continue her journey to Washington by plane, by way of New York city." The Dec. 17th issue mentioned that Jean had visited the Journal office on the 15th as well.
Dec. 17, 1931: From INS: "En route to Washington, Jean Darling...stopped off in Chicago today." According to the Dec. 21st Moon-Journal Pictorial of Battle Creek, MI, Jean was once again greeted by Chicago's official greeter, Colonel George Gaw.
Dec. 18, 1931: The Marion Leader-Tribune related receiving a letter from Jean while she was in Des Moines. It vaguely makes reference to Jean being appointed on some sort of state convention committee.
Dec. 18, 1931: From the Harrisburg Telegraph: "An Indian princess who is also a motion picture actress, Jean Darling, is to be offered the greetings of Harrisburg this afternoon when she passes through on the 4:30 New York bound plane of Transcontinental and Western Air, Incorporated...Daniel Casey, C. Floyd Hopkins and Frank J. Brady are to greet the princess." The Evening News of Harrisburg added that Jean would be arriving in the city "costumed in the regalia of the tribe."
Dec. 19, 1931: From the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph: "'Mama, do I have to entertain the natives?' Jean Darling...waited for a reply to her question yesterday before disembarking from a Trancontinental and Western Air Passenger liner at Bettis airport...Mama - Mrs. Dorothy Hamilton Darling - looking as worried as almost any other mother of an eight-year-old, replied: 'No dear - only the newspaper men.' And then the fun began. As Princess Winon Waste of the South Dakota plains, she danced, war-whooped and scampered all over the place. Between whoops and scampers she breathlessly confided that Mrs. Calvin Coolidge was an honorary member of her tribe. By and by her interviewer got in a question. 'What are you going to tell the President?' To which she found time to reply before scampering off to the plane: "Well - I'm going to tell him what a swell job he has and I'll shake hands and maybe I'll kiss him - oh, lots of things....'"
Dec. 19, 1931: Jean was in New York on this day.
Dec. 23, 1931: From the Associated Press out of Washington: "An adopted Indian princess clad in the heavily ornamented buckskin dress of her tribe, brought three gifts today to President Hoover - one of them a kiss. Jean Darling, 8-year-old movie actress, was the gift bringer. She recently was adopted into the Crow Creek tribe of South Dakota under the name Winon Wade, meaning princess of the prairie. After the President had posed with her for a photograph and received a beaded tobacco pouch and a pair of moccasins from the Crow Creek reservation, she said: 'You have been so kind I'm going to give you a kiss.' He bent down to receive it. Jean wore a black wig to cover her blonde curls. She was accompanied by her mother, Mrs. Dorothy H. Darling of New York, and Representative Williamson, Republican, South Dakota, whose congressional district holds five Indian reservations." United Press explained that there were actually two kisses: "One of these, she admitted, was just a little peck. But the other, Jean insists, was an 'honest-to-goodness' kiss. 'After I made my little speech,' she said, 'I got ahold of the president's lapals and kissed him on the cheek. I was a little excited, you see. But when he took me out to pose for the cameraman I just loved him so much that I said: "Just for that, I'm going to kiss you again." And - I did. It was an honest-to-goodness kiss too. Sure, Mr. Hoover kissed me again.' Jean observed the president seemed a bit worried and decided something ought to be done about it. 'I am going to pray for him,' she said. 'He is the sweetest, dearest, darlingest man in the world'." According to her memoirs, Jean later met with President Roosevelt for the same reason.
Dec. 23, 1931: On Sep. 11, 1942, The Daily Argus-Leader of Sioux Falls reported that it rained the night Jean met with President Hoover, and Jean "was immediately raised to the status of a god" by the Rosebud tribe of Sioux Indians.
Dec. 28, 1931: From The Bergen Evening Record of Hackensack, NJ: "Jean Darling, 12-year-old motion picture player who has appeared in many 'Our Gang' comedies, was among nine persons shaken up when the automobile in which they were riding along State Highway 9W, Alpine, collided with another car and almost dropped over a 350-foot cliff into the Hudson River. The car carrying Miss Darling, driven by Salomon Luber, 4761 Broadway, Manhattan, was struck a glancing blow by an automobile operated by Henry Phillips, 2133 Daly Avenue, the Bronx. Luber's machine crashed through the parapet of stones and stopped ten feet from the edge of the cliff. Luber's party, having received first aid from Alpine police, continued to New York by taxicab."

1932

Jan. 11 to 13, 1932: Jean performed at the Binghamton Theatre in Binghamton, NY. The feature film was "Consolation Marriage." The Binghamton Press from the 11th reported: "She will be met at the station on her arrival and will be escorted to the City Hall."
Mar. 26, 1932: The Evening Telegram of Superior, WI, published an article about Jean, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Apr. 2, 1932: Jean was scheduled to perform at 2:30 p.m. in the auditorium of Gimbel's in Philadelphia, specifically an "amusing little skit written expressly for her by Irving Berlin." Kids in attendance could purchase, for one dollar, "Jean Darling's Art Needlework Outfit," and get it autographed by Jean herself.
May 11, 1932: Jean was scheduled to be a guest on The Market And Halsey Street Playhouse program at 9:45 p.m. on radio station WOR.
June 7, 1932: From The Hartford Daily Courant: "The sixteenth annual banquet will be held by the Travelers Girls Club in the Hotel Bond ballroom tonight. About 350 members are expected to attend." Jean was among the several vaudeville performers for this engagement.
Early 1930s: The Troy Record of July 20, 1959 quoted Jean: "I went on vaudeville tours that kept me working and travelling day and night. I had the most fun when I entertained at orphanages. Then I was allowed to play with the orphans for half an hour. I was in every kind of show business but burlesque and the circus. I almost appeared in a circus once. A circus asked me to lead the parade one day. I wanted to do it more than anything, but my mother wouldn't let me. She said the circus wouldn't pay enough." According to the article, she was making $2,800 a week by this time. "I had made one million dollars before I was 10, but I don't know where it went. I had a mink coat and pretty clothes and lived in the best places, but I never got any of the money." The article also mentions that Jean, in 1959, was "bitter about the way her mother made her work so hard in show business and miss having a happy childhood."
1932: Bookings were becoming fewer and further between, and after being given some offers, such as performing in a circus or touring the UK, Jean's mother opted to turn these down and relocated herself and her famous daughter back to Culver City and the movie business.
1932: Upon returning to the West Coast, Jean was put into a series of six color "fairy tales" for Warner Brothers, playing supporting roles as queens, witches and hags. Jean remembered being "around ten years old" at the time. There is a bit of confusion over this, though, as she also describes this happening after the 1935/36 vaudeville tour.
1932: To live closer to the Warners studio, Jean and her mother moved to a court on Hollywood Boulevard, with a hedge that separated their bungalow from the one in which Bobby "Bonedust" Young lived. She attended Miss Lawlor's Professional Children's School with various other child celebrities.
Late 1932: By this time, Jean was attending the Immaculate Heart of Mary Boarding School as a day student, in spite of being Protestant.

unconfirmed Easter film (appearance): Mar. 1932 - short; According to The Evening Telegram of Superior, WI, on Mar. 26th: "Just this month, Jean made an Easter greeting 'short,' which will be shown in many theaters all over the country. You will see her with her arms full of Easter lilies - and then again with a white dove."

1933

1933: Jean was originally chosen to play the title role in the Paramount production of "Alice In Wonderland," to the extent that she was featured in publicity photos, but at the last minute, she was passed over in favor of Charlotte Henry.
Circa 1933: Jean began appearing in plays put on by the Writers' Club, including Dear Brutus (in which she played Margaret), and Ah Wilderness. On Feb. 23, 1938, The Capital Journal of Salem, OR, stated that, in addition to "Dear Brutus" and "The Father" (detailed below in July 31, 1934, item), she also played "Mary" in Hired Girl, and the leading lady in The Valiant, among others, though it doesn't specify these as Writers' Club productions. It was one of these plays that led her to being offered the role in "Jane Eyre." The May 20, 1945, Brooklyn Eagle made reference to Jean doing legitimate shows at the Pasadena Playhouse in the mid-30's. It's not clear whether or not they're referring to these same shows.
July 28, 1933: From the Hollywood Citizen-News: "Helene Handin and Jean Darling will be heard on the 'Optimistic Do-Nuts' program at KNX tonight at 8." This program appeared in the radio listings as Optimistic Revue.
Late 1933: Jean was contacted by Hal Roach to play the title role in his production of "Peg O' My Heart." After costuming and publicity stills, this project was shelved in favor of "Babes In Toyland."
Nov. 24, 1933: The Post-Record of Los Angeles credited Jean with playing Polly Armstrong on the "H Bar O Ranch" radio program on station KHJ, a CBS affiliate, from 6:00 to 6:15 p.m. The Hollywood Citizen-News repeated this information, but called the show The H-Bar-O Rangers, which is the title usually associated with early episodes of this show. It had initially debuted on the East Coast the previous year, but in 1933, a separate West Coast version was produced. Perhaps this Nov. 24th episode was Jean's debut in the series. The Wikipedia article indicates that the character's last name was Armistead, but perhaps this was only on the East Coast version. In her memoirs, Jean states that she spent about a year in this series, but refers to it as "H-BAR-O Bobby Benson," which derives from the name of the main character. A later version of the show was called "Bobby Benson And The B-Bar-B Riders." Other radio soaps Jean appeared in during this period were The Three Musketeers, Show Boat and an early version of The Lanny Ross Show.
Dec. 3, 1933: This is the earliest date for which I've found an ad for the Jean Darling Baby Doll. Presumably, this is in connection to the former Our Gang kid, but the ad doesn't specify this.

Only Yesterday (role): Nov. 1, 1933 - Universal - 11 reels - feature; ©Nov. 7, 1933. Starring Margaret Sullavan & John Boles.

1934

Jan. 6, 1934: From The Evening Telegram of Superior, WI: "Uncle Bob received a very nice letter this week from Jean Darling, famous member of the Fair and Square club, wishing all the Juniors a Happy New Year...Jean is now on the Columbia network every day except Saturday and Sunday at 5:15 o'clock Pacific Standard time on the "H Bar O" Rangers program. She takes the part of Polly Armstrong."
Jan. 8, 1934: A news item from this date mentions a 20th anniversary party for Hal Roach Studios, which was to include Jean on its guest list.
Apr. 6, 1934: From The San Francisco News: "Jean Darling, Polly on the H-Bar-O program, has been featured in 52 Hal Roach 'Our Gang' comedies. Her air fan mail has developed to the sizeable proportions of her movie fan mail." This is the earliest reportage I've found of Jean appearing in 52 Our Gang films, a claim she was still making in her old age.
Apr. 28, 1934: The Evening Telegram of Superior, WI, printed the following letter from Jean: "I have sent pictures to every member of the Fair and Square club who wrote to me, except a few who forgot to enclose their addresses. Please ask the boys and girls if they failed to receive a picture to write again and not forget to send their addresses. I intend to write a letter, too, to every club member who has written, but with school and radio work there is no time left. However, I will answer them even if it does seem a long time to wait. With lots of love to all my fellow members of the Fair and Square club. Always your true little friend, Jean Darling, Radio Station KHJ, Los Angeles, Cal."
May 15, 1934: The Hollywood Citizen-News reported that Monogram had assembled a large cast for "Jane Eyre," including Jean.
May 19, 1934: From Peter Dixon in his syndicated column: "Did you hear Jean Darling with Bing Crosby last Monday night (the 14th)? A lovely child and a graduate of 'Our Gang' comedies. Too bad she isn't in the cast where she'd be available for more programs." In her memoirs, Jean described plugging Woodbury Soap on Bing Crosby's 15-minute weekday radio series at KHJ, which began airing on June 13, 1932. She stated that she had this gig for months, suggesting that it didn't start with the show's debut. This May 19th mention would suggest that the May 14th broadcast was Jean's first on this program. On Feb. 23, 1938, The Capital Journal of Salem, OR, referred to this as "the Hall of Fame series with Bing Crosby," which explains why Jean mentions appearing on a show called Hall Of Fame in her memoirs.
May 23, 1934: The Herald-News of Passaic, NJ, reported on the upcoming Benjamin F. Turner show on June 6th at the Playhouse in Passaic. Included among the celebrities were the Our Gang Comedy Four, which, if the photos are any indication, included Jean, along with Mary Ann Jackson, Harry Spear and Wheezer Hutchins. There are at least a couple of reasons to doubt their involvement, though. Not only was Harry nowhere near New Jersey at this time, but Jean in later life insisted that she always did a solo act after leaving the Gang.
June 23, 1934: From The Evening Telegram of Superior, WI: "This week, a letter was received from Jean Darling, famous member of the Fair and Square club. Jean has been very busy answering the letters of the Juniors who wrote to her. She is no longer on the radio, but you will soon have an opportunity to see her on the screen once more. Jean...is being brought back to the screen by Monogram Pictures in the picture 'Jane Eyre,' and Jean will play Jane when a child...Since Jean returned to Hollywood after a two year personal appearance tour, she has been on the Columbia network, taking the part of Polly Armstrong on the Hecker H-O Oat program, and she was on the Woodbury Soap program with Bing Crosby several times, a coast to coast program."
July 5, 1934: From the Evening Vanguard of Venice: "Jean Darling...played the part of Jane Eyre as a child in the picture of the same name for Monogram. It was previewed recently and little Jean with her English accent received many compliments. Since leaving Culver City, she has appeared on several nationwide radio hookups, once with Bing Crosby!"
July 7, 1934: From The Evening Telegram of Superior, WI: "Another letter was received from Jean Darling this week...Jean writes that her work in the picture is finished now, and has been reviewed very favorably."
July 31, 1934: From the Hollywood Citizen-News: "Stamping feet and enthusiastic cheers shattered the pristine dignity of the little theater of the Writers' Club last night when the final curtain dropped on Dudley Nichols' production of The Father, brilliant and penetrating play by August Strindberg." Jean played "Bertha" in this production, which was presented for a one week run.
July 31, 1934: In her syndicated column, Louella Parsons reported that Jean Darling and Johnny Downs were both selected to work in "Babes In Toyland."
Aug. 11, 1934: From the Associated Press: "Little Johnny Downs, who isn't so little anymore, and little Jean Darling, ditto, childhood sweethearts, were reunited today on a Hal Roach studio set for the first time in eight years...Recently, unbeknown to each other, they both were signed for roles in...'Babes in Toyland'." Or as United Press put it: "Eight years ago Johnny Downs, 'Little Rascal' in Hal Roach's 'Our Gang' comedies, bade a tearful farewell to Jean Darling, tiny 'Sweetheart,' and they solumnly promised that some day they would play together again in films. Today that dream has been realized." This, of course, is pure studio fluff. Johnny was nearly 9 years older than Jean, and only a few months passed between Jean's debut in the series and Johnny's exit. During "Babes In Toyland," the studio had them pose for photographs together to play up the Our Gang connection.
Aug. 17, 1934: Leicester Wagner of United Press wrote an article about visiting the set of "Babes In Toyland." Here's an excerpt: "I looked down at a charming blonde creature who was nudging me. Guess who: Jean Darling, who eight years ago was the golden-haired sweetheart of Our Gang. Jean proudly admits that she will be 13 next month." This, of course, is incorrect. Jean turned 12 in August 1934. All of the press surrounding this film seems to give 13 as Jean's age, which would suggest an effort to transition from kid roles into ingenue roles.
Circa Late 1934: According to King Features Syndicate in a Mar. 10, 1940, article, Jean had been at Immaculate Heart of Mary for two years, which would mean she moved from there to the Professional Children's School in the latter part of 1934.
Dec. 1934: A press photo of Jean started making the rounds at this point that presents her as a glamorous young ingenue. It's pretty apparent that her mother was rebranding her for more mature roles at this point.

Jane Eyre (supporting role: Jane Eyre as a child): Aug. 15, 1934 - Monogram - 7 reels - feature; Filmed May/June 1934. Previewed early July 1934. Earliest verified screening: July 13, 1934. ©July 14, 1934. Starring Virginia Bruce & Colin Clive.
Babes In Toyland (small part: Curly Locks): Nov. 30, 1934 - Roach/MGM - 9 reels - prod. F-5 - Laurel & Hardy feature; Also listed for Dec. 14, 1934. Filmed Aug. 6 to 16, Aug. 27 and 28, and Sep. 24 to Oct. 17, 1934. ©Nov. 28, 1934. US reissue title: March Of The Wooden Soldiers. Jean was among the cast members singing "Never Mind, Bo Peep." She also remembered singing a chorus of "I Can't Do The Sum," a song that didn't wind up in the release print.

1935

Jan. 26, 1935: From The Evening Telegram of Superior, WI: "Jean Darling, one of the famous Fair and Square club members, wrote this week from her home in Hollywood, Cal. Jean says that she is preparing to enter high school, and is working very hard at her school studies."
1935: Maltin & Bann credit Jean with playing a mermaid in "Bride Of Frankenstein," but Jean denied this.
Circa 1935: According to her memoirs, Jean took and passed the high school exams around the time of her 13th birthday, and after spending two months at the Professional Children's School (where she had returned after leaving Immaculate Heart Of Mary), was able to receive her diploma. This was, in her telling, to remove the burden of schoolwork while she was working in vaudeville. She writes that two colleges offered her scholarships, but her mother wouldn't let her go, since it would keep her from doing her next tour. There are some lines of evidence, however, that suggest she was actually closer to her 15th birthday when this happened. For instance, The Spokane Press of Mar. 20, 1937, mentions her still being in high school, while a syndicated article from May 14th of the same year mentions that she had recently graduated. Also a review of newspapers from 1933 to 1937 (via newspapers.com) shows no trace of vaudeville activity for Jean during those years.
Late 1935: Also according to her memoirs, Jean started a new vaudeville act probably around the latter half of this year. She writes that she was still singing "Bye Bye Blues" and doing impressions of Mae West and James Cagney. The trailer was still in use, but she would no longer emerge through a breakaway screen. Added to the act was "Bye Bye Blackbird" and impressions of Alice Faye and Maurice Chevalier. The song "Marta" was utilized as an encore, and "Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair" was her bow music. However, this would have chronologically followed her graduation from high school, so again, there's a chance that it happened a couple of years later.
Nov. 29, 1935: The Hollywood Citizen-News reported on the nightly Christmas Lane parades that would be staged from Dec. 2nd all the way up to Christmas. Each night, a different celebrity would ride along in the parade with Santa Claus. Jean was scheduled to be one of them. Elsewhere in the same issue was the following photo caption: "Straight from the Land of Make Believe come these gargantuan Gilmore Circus characters to gladden the heart of every youngster along Santa Claus Lane Saturday night (the 30th)." One of the photos shows Jean, along with Sybil Jason, who, along with their circus friends, "inspect the giant arclight provided by Otto K. Olesen as a stellar attraction of the spectacular procession which will mark the opening of the Christmas season."
Dec. 23, 1935: From the Hollywood Citizen-News: "Cans of food, articles of clothing and toys received at the benefit Christmas party at the Marcal Theater given Saturday (the 21st) by the Junior Troupers, today were being sent to the Salvation Army, the Elks Club, the Relief Guild and to churches and families, according to Mrs. Rita Strauther, in charge. Headed by Sybil Jason, Juanita Quigley and Jean Darling, 26 acts, with talented children participating, were presented."
1935/1936: Over the holidays, Jean repeatedly watched "I Dream Too Much" to see Lily Pons singing "The Bell Song." This is what inspired her to take singing lessons.

1936

May 27, 1936: Jean attended a joint breakfast of the Women's Breakfast Club and the Riverside Breakfast Club, which paid tribute to Will Rogers and other screen stars who had passed away. Jackie Condon was also present. KFWB would broadcast these club meetings from Riverside on Sunday mornings from 10:00 to noon in a program called The Breakfast Club (not to be confused with the national broadcast out of Chicago). Jean described herself as a "semi-permanent guest" on the show.
June 21, 1936: Jean won first prize (for best figure and best features) in a beauty contest in Santa Monica, becoming "Miss California Co-ed." The article in The Los Angeles Times of June 22nd doesn't mention her age, but in at least two other newspapers, it was given as 16. She would have actually been a couple of months shy of her 14th birthday at this point. The June 24th Evening Vanguard of Venice, writing about this event, revealed that Jean was currently living at 1554 North Serrano Ave.
June 23, 1936: The Hollywood Citizen-News mentioned Jean being present when writing up that day's "Breakfast Club" broadcast. The next day, the Illustrated Daily News of Los Angeles published a photo with the following caption: "(Jean Darling) was a guest of honor at a barbecue Sheriff Eugene Biscalluz put on for the members of the Mexico City police contingent to the peace officers' convention at Portland, who stopped off here yesterday on their way home...The barbecue was held at the Los Angeles Breakfast Club."
June 24, 1936: The Hollywood Citizen-News again mentioned Jean in connection with that day's "Breakfast Club" meeting at the Ambassador Hotel. Jackie Condon was also present.
June 25, 1936: Jean's name was on a list of honor guests at the "Breakfast Club" meeting set for this date, as reported in the June 21st Los Angeles Times.
July 4, 1936: The Hollywood Citizen-News reported that Jean had just a managerial contract with James V. Barlotti.
July 8, 1936: From the Hollywood Citizen-News: "The Riverside Dr. Breakfast Club will be the scene tonight of a gathering the like of which has never been seen before, when more than 300 persons who have been actively devoted to motion picture work for 10 years or more will gather for a dinner dance. Under the leadership of J. Stuart Blackton, a pioneer in the film industry, those whose names made history in the days of the silent screen will organize during the evening into a social organization to be known as the Associated Cinema Stars." Jean was among the many former silent stars scheduled to attend.
Sep. 24, 1936: From the Hollywood Citizen-News: "Another big moment from a little life, the ball and celebration of the Associated Cinema Stars held last night at the Breakfast Club in honor of the 25th anniversary of the production of the first important feature-length picture 'A Tale of Two Cities'...staged lavishly with an old nickelodeon setting by Commodore J. Stuart Blackton, who produced the picture, and attended by notables of the stage and screen of today and yesterday, civic and social figures, being the third big event staged by this beloved group of senior stars." Later in the article, it mentions that "Creighton Hale, Minta Durfee Arbuckle, Reginald Barlow and little Jean Darling put on a swell sketch." Elsewhere, the same paper mentions that this skit was called It's A Gift.
Oct. 3, 1936: From The Ogden Standard-Examiner: "Last night...it was Cinema Star night at the Los Angeles Elks club. Commodore J. Stuart Blackton, the father of Vitagraph pictures in the good old days when Mabel Normand and Mary Pickford co-starred in the early films and a number of his company were guests of honor at the Elks." Jean Darling and Jackie Condon both attended this event.
Oct. 8, 1936: The Hollywood Citizen-News published a photo with the following caption: "Electrically illuminated floats peopled with beautiful girls, expected to provide one of the most spectacular parades ever staged in Southern California, will be seen tomorrow night as one of the opening festivities of the ten-day celebration of the arrival of Boulder Dam power here." The photo shows a group of girls rehearsing for the pageant, including Jean Darling of 1554 N. Serrano St. Back on Oct. 2nd, a syndicated photo referred to this event at Light On Parade.
Oct. 28, 1936: The Pasadena Star-News reported on the Democratic Party's marching parade and public rally to take place the following night at the Gold Shell in Memorial Park. Several film stars were expected to accompany Commodore J. Stuart Blackton to the meeting, including Jean. Here's an excerpt: "It is stated that the marching paraders will carry torchlights. The parade will form at 7 at Colorado Street and Oakland Avenue and at 8, will march west on Colorado to Raymond and thence to Memorial Park. The mass meeting will begin immediately upon the arrival of the parade."

Gold Diggers Of 1937 (small part: one of the singing girls): prem. Dec. 26, 1936 - Warner Bros. - 12 reels - feature.; Released Dec. 28, 1936. ©Dec. 31, 1936. Starring Dick Powell, Joan Blondell, Victor Moore and Glenda Farrell.; Jean stated in her memoirs that she did two of these Gold Diggers films, but she only goes into detail with this one.

1937

1936/1937: From the Mar. 19, 1980, Evening Herald of Dublin: "When only fourteen, Jean took parts in Lee Schubert's shows - Blossom Time, Student Prince, May Time and others."
Late 1936/Early 1937: In her memoirs, Jean explains that she was given a 2-week engagement in a San Diego nightclub to break in her new vaudeville act. After this, she states that she went back on tour. As she tells it, she was no longer doing impersonations, and from this point forward her act would be strictly singing. Among the songs were "Gianina Mia," "Estrellita" and "Bye Bye Blackbird." It was during this tour that Jean turned down a chance to go back to Hollywood and appear in an Andy Hardy film. This act is presented in Jean's memoirs as distinct from the one she associated with 1935. However, a search of newspapers from this period (at newspapers.com) doesn't yield any vaudeville activity for Jean until early 1938 (though it doesn't rule out the possibility, either), and during that year, Jean's act was described as still including celebrity impressions.
Mar. 1, 1937: From Central Press: "Jean Darling of 'Our Gang' comedies is another who outgrew her roles. For several years, she toured theatre chains with her own act. She lives in Hollywood, goes to school, finds time to play in occasional pictures and poses now and then for advertising photographs."
Mar. 20, 1937: The Spokane Press reported that Jean was currently in high school and "posing for ads."
May 14, 1937: An article about Jean was syndicated in several newspapers. It can be accessed by clicking here.
1937/1938: In her memoirs, Jean mentions working in a radio soap called Tom Sawyer, presumably for KHJ. Such a program existed from March 1937 (at the latest) to March 1938 (at the earliest). The May 20, 1945, Brooklyn Eagle corroborates her involvement on this show.

1938

Feb. 23, 1938: From The Capital Journal of Salem, OR: "Miss Jean Darling, the grownup sweetheart of 'Our Gang' comedies, is billed as one of the four internationally famous vaudeville acts to appear on the State theatre stage this Thursday and Friday (the 24th and 25th)...Jean's ambitions are to study grand opera in Italy, and after completion of her studies, to tour Europe and America, singing opera. Jean is eighteen, blonde and lovely, both in looks and disposition."
Feb. 26, 1938: An ad in The Oregon Statesman reveals that Jean performed a third night at the New State Theatre in Salem. The feature film was "Big City."
Feb. 27 to Mar. 5, 1938: Jean performed at the Capitol Theater in Portland, OR. The feature film was "Something To Sing About."
Mar. 1, 1938: From The Oregon Daily Journal of Portland: "Headlining the bill is a blonde darling, Jean Darling, the average theatregoer probably wouldn't recognize as the former heroine of Our Gang comedies, now quite grownup and sophisticated. In imitating Grace Moore, Deanna Durbin, Alice Faye and Jeanette MacDonald, she displays a remarkable ability of changing voice quality. Her imitations of Miss Durbin and Miss Faye are most nearly perfect." Speaking of Moore, The Brooklyn Citizen of Aug. 18, 1942, reported that Jean's singing "attracted the attention of Grace Moore, who had much to do with the culture of her voice."
Mar. 3, 1938: From The Oregon Daily Journal of Portland: "And she tells of five years of participation in the Hal Roach shorts that have long been the delight of movie audiences. Given time, perhaps, she could name all of the 52 films in which she had part under the Roach banner, but off-hand she's stumped before she gets very far." Elsewhere, the article reports: "Jean's ambition is to study voice in Italy and sing in opera in the land of Mussolini. And she has spunk to back her ambition, for she wouldn't believe Il Duce would bar her from participating in Italy's favorite pastime, as he has done others who hail from America. She has confidence in her winning way - maybe she's right...Since leaving the Roach payroll she has had film offers. 'But I want to be free to study my singing,' she explained in commenting that she had turned these down. So far, her musical studies have extended over some two and a half months."
Mar. 11 to 19, 1938: Jean performed at the W.K. Oriental Gardens in Vancouver, BC.
Mar. 21, 1938: Jean began a week's engagement at the Palomar Theater in Seattle. The double feature was "She Loved A Fireman" and "Missing Witnesses."
Mar. 22, 1938: From The Seattle Star: "Jean Darling...appears in a singing act and gives impressions of Grace Moore, Alice Faye, Deanna Durbin, and last but not least - Snow White."
Apr. 22, 1938: Jean performed at W. J. Gavin's Club Greyhound on Indiana State Route 31-E outside Louisville. She was still there on the 24th, but after that it gets murky.
Circa 1938: Jean and her mother moved to New York, where she was photographed by Murray Korman. She wound up touring Saturdays and Sundays on the Subway Circuit, which was a group of around 35 theaters that could all be reached on the subway. She was always booked on holidays, singing "Eili Eili" for High Holy Days, "Ave Maria" on Easter, and "A Little Bit Of Heaven" on St. Patrick's Day. She also worked the Commerford Circuit in Pennsylvania, and was booked by another agent for a week in Hershey.
Circa 1938: It was also around this time that Jean plugged Jergen's Lotion on Walter Winchell's radio program.
Circa 1938: Jean became a model with the John Robert Powers Model Agency. She posed for artists like Macclellan Barkley, Irving Nurick and Montgomery Flagg. Jean posed for several of Flagg's Saturday Evening Post covers.
1938: Jean also resumed her singing lessons at this time. There is some confusion about the details, however. Did she take lessons from Caesar Sturani starting around this time and continue for the next year, as described in her memoirs? Or did she start with Sturani after winning her scholarship in 1940 and continue with him for two years, as The Troy Messenger of Aug. 21, 1942, reports?
1938: New York also served as a base as Jean toured the neighboring states.
Aug. 15, 1938: The San Francisco Chronicle reported on the wedding of "professional model and former motion picture actress" Jean Darling to a guy named Al Vincent in Reno. It reveals that Miss Darling's real name was Marjorie Pierce, but states that she had formerly been in the Our Gang comedies. This model, a brunette, had been getting a lot of press during the 1930s in San Francisco, but this is the earliest instance I've found of the claim that she was the Our Gang kid.

1939

Feb. 18, 1939: From Dorothy Kilgallen in her syndicated column: "That vocalist at Arcadia, the Broadway dance palace, is Jean Darling, who used to be the pretty little girl with the curls in the 'Our Gang' comedies."
Sep. 29, 1939: The Boston Globe ran an ad for Raymond's department store which included Jean Darling 3-Way Buckle Berets. If there was doubt about which Jean Darling was endorsing these, the Oct. 1st ad for Martin's department store showed a photo of Jean wearing one of the berets.
Late Dec. 1939: Probably directly after Christmas, Jean started two weeks of training with Clemente DiMachi in his studio at Carnegie Hall. This is according to The Knoxville News-Sentinel, which reported that DeMachi "gave her a preliminary fortnight's training" leading up to her Carnegie Salon performance of Jan. 9, 1940. On Mar. 10, 1940, King Features Syndicate explained it this way: "The war in Europe closed the field in Italy and France and Germany, and she settled in New York, where she was placed under the tutelage of the venerable Maestro Clemente de Macchi, who, in his long and distinguished career as a vocal coach, had been associated with such singers as Caruso, Scotti, Bonci and Martinelli. He found that Jean had a three-octave range, and that her voice is what in opera circles is known as a lirico spinto, a sort of welding of the coloratura of Lily Pons and the dramatic fire of Grace Moore."

1940

Jan. 6, 1940: The Buffalo Evening News, reporting out of New York City, reported that Jean would be making her debut on the 9th "as a soprano under the auspices of the Municipal Opera Association in Carnegie Hall." It also reported that she was 17 years old (which is accurate) and had a 2½-octave range.
Jan. 8, 1940: From The Herald Statesman of Yonkers: "Mrs. Charles Edmund Gore of Yonkers, first vice-president and a charter member of the Municipal Opera Association of New York, Inc., is chairman of a program to be presented tomorrow night at Carnegie Salon in Carnegie Hall by the Music and Art Lovers' Club under auspices of the opera association." Jean was listed as one of the three artists performing.
Jan. 9, 1940: Jean was awarded a scholarship by the New York Municipal Opera Association. According to her memoirs, this led to singing lessons with Clemente DiMachi, though newspaper reports establish that he was the one who prepared her for the performance that got her the scholarship. It could be both, though. As the Daily News of New York reported on Jan. 25th: "An advisory board of Rose Bampton, Lotte Lehmann, Ezio Pinza, Lauritz Melchoir and other opera stars voted for the scholarship when it was discovered the 17-year-old Jean has a three-octave range." On Mar. 10th, King Features Syndicate put it this way: "Soon after she had mastered her first role, de Macchi took her before the board of the Municipal Opera Association, which, since 1935 has been assisting young American singers in gaining hearing and recognition, and she was awarded a scholarship by Russell Maguire, president of the board, and Mrs. Katherine Bleeker Meigs, chairman of the scholarship committee of the association." According to The Troy Messenger of August 21, 1942, Jean started her lessons with Caesar Sturani at this time (rather than in 1938 as Jean says) and these lessons lasted for two years (rather than one year as Jean says). According to the Associated Press of May 13, 1945, Jean "was auditioned by Edward Johnson of the Metropolitan Opera, who suggested she study some more under the operatic coach, Caesare Sturani."
Jan. 19, 1940: From George Ross of The Pittsburgh Press: "That comely lass who sits in the next chair with James Montgomery Flagg at the Stork is Jean Darling, the lovely thrush of the Municipal Opera Assn. She's a former model and her luncheon diet is uniform - cookies and milk."
Feb. 1, 1940: The News-Herald of Franklin, PA, published an article about Jean, which included the following quote: "I am going to study until I am good enough for opera. I'll never go back to Hollywood unless I can go as a singer."
Feb. 7, 1940: Jean appeared on WEAF's afternoon radio show Hollywood Newsgirl.
Feb. 12, 1940: The Knoxville News-Sentinel published an article about Jean, who said this about Our Gang: "That type of child has passed. I mean, rather, that you can't assemble enough kids of varied types. Our Gang were all different kinds. Today a boy is either a cowboy or a G-man, while a girl only wants to be grown up like her mother, and maybe go to Reno and win a divorce. When I was playing those kid comedies, and I was 5 when I began my four-year appearances in them, we never thought of such things." She continues with some remarks about radio: "Those awful serials about cowboys and G-men. And those that aren't for the boys are addressed mainly to the housewife. These, of course, the little girls listen to, and so they want to grow up when they are only 8 or 10 years old. I think the radio has made little girls awfully adult." And regarding popular music: "I think the jitterbugs are crazy and that all swing music ought to be tossed into the ash can. Really, the kids look so funny and ungraceful tossing themselves around in such grotesque poses. I think they make awful fools of themselves; they are a lot like young savages."
Mar. 10, 1940: King Features Syndicate published the following quote from Jean: "Just to go back to Hollywood and to sing in a film isn't enough. I want to win success first on the stage of the Metropolitan, and I'm going to work hard until I do. Then, perhaps, after I have earned a place in American opera, I can think of going back into the movies. But not until then. And it may be a long way off, but I can wait. I know I shall become a good singer. And if I don't, it won't be beacuse I don't work hard enough."
Apr. 20, 1940: From The Brooklyn Citizen: "An operatic revue participated in by newly discovered artists trained by the Municipal Opera Association will be given under its auspices on Thursday evening, May 9, at Town Hall for the benefit of the scholarship fund of the educational division of the association, it was announced yesterday by Russell Maguire, president. The revue will present Mozart's opera, 'Bastien and Bastienne,' and operatic arias from 'Don Giovanni,' 'Lakme,' 'The Garden of Mystery,' 'I Pagliacci' and 'Aida'." Jean is listed among the eleven artists scheduled to perform.
May 7, 1940: The Herald Statesman of Yonkers reported on an operatic "revue" presented by the Municipal Opera Association of New York City the previous evening at Hawthorne Junior High School. Jean was scheduled to take part in this, but was unable to attend due to illness.
May 8, 1940: From The Bergen Evening Record of Hackensack, NJ: "The Metropolitan Opera, in conformance with its policy to inject 'oomph' into the box office, is considering offering Jean Darling a contract. She's the former 'Our Gang' sweetheart, and she's been studying voice for the last ten years."
May 9, 1940: Jean was scheduled to take part in an operatic revue put on by the Municipal Opera Association at the Town Hall in Brooklyn. As the Apr. 28th Brooklyn Eagle reported: "Society debutantes will sponsor the concert of three young singers, all scholarship winners at the Municipal Opera Association, Carnegie Hall, at Town Hall, Manhattan, Thursday evening, May 9. Announcement of the 'adoption' by the debutantes was made yesterday by Russell Maguire, banker and president of the association. The singers are Arson Tarpoff, Jean Darling and Frank Gamboni." On the 10th, the same paper reported: "Something of a preview of its future activities was given by the Municipal Opera Association, Inc., in Town Hall last night, in what was called an Operatic Revue, featuring the artists to be associated with the organization next season. The program included a performance of Mozart's first opera, 'Bastien and Bastienne,' directed by Paul Weiner and sung by Jean Darling, Flora Shennan and Lloyd Harris in English..." The article then lists several people who sang various other selections.
May 19, 1940: The Des Moines Sunday Register published a photo spread featuring Jean. Among other things, it includes this quote: "I got to be quite a tomboy before I left the 'Gang'." It also mentions her being a John Powers model, and that "she hopes to have a reunion of 'Our Gang' when she makes good at the Metropolitan - maybe this fall."
June 5, 1940: From the Washington Daily News about how Dwight Claar and John D. Hawkins, two San Quentin inmates, wrote the song "I'm On The Verge Of A Merge," which was the winner of the latest Song Writers Guild contest: "It seems that Claar and Hawkins attended harmony classes in the prison, both being interested in music. Hawkins himself is quite an expert on a guitar. It seems also that from the rotogravure section of a Sunday newspaper, someone tore the picture of a pretty blonde girl. It was pasted on the wall. 'I was in the tailor shop,' explains Claar in a letter to the Guild, 'and as we paused to stare at it I said, "Did you ever see anything that looked more like an angel?" That gave us the idea for a title, and we at once commandeered the picture. We hadn't any idea who she was, but we ransacked every newspaper we could find until finally we found another picture of her and identified her. She was Jean Darling, the little ex-blond girl in the Our Gang Comedies. Later, after we had worked awhile on the song, I was gazing off into space and failed to hear a remark that was addressed to me. "Don't bother with him," Hawkins said. "He's on the verge of a merge with an angel." And that was the title'."
June 26, 1940: From The Jersey Journal of Jersey City: "Movie-goers with long memories will remember Jean Darling as the tiny, blonde-haired girl of 'Our Gang' film fame. Last Saturday (the 22nd), Jean, a young woman now, showed up as a contestant on Ralph Edwards' Truth Or Consequences program. She was selected, by chance, from the studio audience."
July 1940: Jean appeared on the cover of True Story magazine.
July 24, 1940: Jean appeared at the Lyric Theater in Honesdale, PA. The feature film was "Andy Hardy Meets Debutante."
July 25, 1940: Jean appeared at the Family Theatre in Scranton, PA. The feature film was "Girl In 313." This engagement lasted at least until the 27th.
Aug. 8 to 10, 1940: Jean performed at the Irving Theater in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The feature film was "Pop Always Pays." She was advertised as a "Dresden Doll Prima Donna in Modern Melodic Hits." On Aug. 9th, The Wilkes-Barre Record had this to say about Jean's act: "Miss Darling showed definite possibilities of becoming a prima donna with her pleasing rendition of musical comedy numbers such as 'Donkey Serenade,' 'One Love' and 'Will You Remember'." Jean was also scheduled to perform at the Irving's Saturday morning Semi-Final Bo-Lo Contest on the 10th.
Aug. 19, 1940: The Daily Record of Long Branch, NJ, reported on the entertainment given in the Emerald Room at the West End Casino on the 17th. One of the acts was Jean Darling, who "was enthusiastically received as she sang the Victor Herbert songs, 'One Kiss,' 'Will You Remember' and 'Kiss Me Again' as well as the popular 'Donkey Serenade.' She will be starred in a new show opening this week at the Capitol Theatere in Washington, D.C."
Aug. 22, 1940: From The Evening Star of Washington: "Tomorrow won't be just the day she opens at the Capitol for Jean Darling. It also will be the 18th birthday of the blond singer who, between the ages of 3 and 8, was the 'love interest' of 52 issues of 'Our Gang' comedies. The Fs below middle C and above high C represent the range of the voice in which Miss Darling will sing for the customers. Backstage there will be a cake in celebration of her birthday." On Aug. 26th, The Washington Daily News mentioned that Jean wouldn't have been able to perform at the venue that night if her birthday had come any later.
Aug. 23 to 28, 1940: Jean performed at Loew's Capitol Theater in Washington, DC, as part of an act called Cocktail Time. The feature film was "The Golden Fleecing." On the 24th, The Washington Daily News had this to say: "Jean Darling...shares the head billing with the amazing Mr. Hoffman, but the semi-classical songs she sings do not go over very well with the youthful guests after a rousing jam session by Sam Jack Kauffman and the boss." On the 26th, Harold Phillips of the Times-Herald wrote: "Jean Darling, an original Our Gang girl, has succumbed to the enervating mold of advancing years, and this week is celebrating, in completely Christian fashion, her eighteenth birthday. Fancy that! Only a stone's throw in retrospect, I dawdled her on my knee, vicariously speaking. She has with her eight men who sing; also, they look like snappy dressers 'on and off'." This engagement lasted at least until the 28th.
Aug. 24, 1940: According to The Evening Star of Aug. 16th, Jean was scheduled to perform this evening at the Silver Theater in Washington in a show organized by the Silver Spring Branch of the Montgomery County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Aug. 24, 1940: The Evening Star of Washington published a photo with the following caption: "Jean Darling, first heroine of 'Our Gang' comedies, took time out from rehearsal at the Capitol Theater yesterday to present a medal to Eddie Crandall, 14, captain of the Johnson Powell Playground baseball team, winner of a semi-final game in the city playground series."
Aug. 26, 1940: The Washington Daily News reported that Jean was still studying for the opera under Clemente de Macchi. About her favorite movie star: "Jeanette MacDonald is her favorite movie personality and Miss Darling would like nothing better than to pattern her career after Miss MacDonald's." Asked whether she prefers films, vaudeville or radio, she said: "Any part of this business is so thrilling that I don't know which I'd rather do." About recent developments: "Like a lot of other people, Miss Darling had some of her plans slightly upset by the coming of the war. She had been booked for appearances in England and she had planned to study in Italy, when the Munich war scare got into the headlines. Her bookings were cancelled and now she doesn't know when, if ever, she'll get to Europe." About hobbies: "She likes to roller skate in general and jitterbug on skates in particular. Hasn't broken any bones yet, either."
Sep. 30 to Oct. 2, 1940: Jean performed at the Hippodrome Theater in Pottsville, PA. The feature film was "Ladies Must Live."
Oct. 3, 1940: Jean performed at the Capitol Theater in Binghampton, NY. The feature film was "Dulcy." This engagement lasted at least until the 4th, and probably to the 5th.
Oct. 16, 1940: Jean peformed at Loew's Poli Theatre in Waterbury, CT.
Oct. 18, 1940: Jean performed at the Loew Poli Palace Theatre in Meriden, CT. The feature films were "Haunted Honeymoon" and "Dulcy."
Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, 1940: Jean performed at the State Theater in Poughkeepsie, NY. The feature film was "Three Men From Texas."
Nov. 4 to 6, 1940: Jean performed at Comerford's Feeley Theatre in Hazleton, PA. The feature film was "Wildcat Bus."
Nov. 6, 1940: The Standard-Sentinel of Hazleton, PA, published an article about Jean, which can be accessed by clicking here.

Three Magic Words (featured role: Mrs. Newlywed): Feb. 15, 1940 - Wilding/Handy - 1 reel - short; Promotional film for John P. Squire's Arlington Brand Meats. IMDb lists it as a 1939 film, but none of the numerous Squire's newspaper ads from that year mention it. The earliest mention in 1940 is from Feb. 15th, with the ad given an address from which the film could be rented.

1941

Circa 1941: Jean served as an atmosphere extra for several Soundies, including ones featuring Smith and Dale, Willie and Eugene Howard, Olsen and Johnson, and Cab Calloway. Her memoirs state that she sang a duet with Lanny Ross on the song "Moonlight And Roses," but I haven't been able to find any other reference to this.

There's Nothing Like The Smile Of The Irish (supporting role): 1941 - Soundies - 3 min. - Soundie Musical Movie; Starring Lanny Ross. Jean appears in the final shot.

1942

May 16, 1942: From Louella Parsons in her syndicated column: "Jean Darling, New York, says: 'Don't suppose you remember me, but I was the "heart interest" in "Our Gang" comedies years ago - the blonde with the curly hair. I'm 18 now and studying voice in New York - but I sure miss Hollywood and I'm homesick'."
Early Aug. 1942: Jean wrote a letter to Lee Shubert requesting an audition, which she passed a couple of days later. Shubert's company owned several theaters across the country. She was quickly cast as the ingenue lead in the musical Count Me In. Jean's memoirs state that the signing of the contract happened in 1940.
Aug. 19, 1942: The Associated Press published an article about Jean, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Aug. 19, 1942: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that "Count Me In" would go into rehearsal in a couple of weeks.
Sep. 10, 1942: The Springfield Daily News (MA) of Sep. 23rd reported that Count Me In had opened at the Shubert Theater in Boston on the 10th.
Sep. 11, 1942: The Daily Argus-Leader of Sioux Falls reported the following on a story having to do with Jean becoming a Sioux princess back in 1931: "Then complications set in last year - just after Pearl Harbor. One section of the Rosebud tribe enlisted en masse. They submitted the tribal roster. On the tribal roster was the name Winonwaste, which was duly recorded as Private Winonwaste, U.S. Army. Now the war department is having a helluva time trying to get the thing straightened out." Winonwaste was the name bestowed upon Jean by the Rosebud tribe of Sioux Indians. The author of the article expressed skepticism that this recent development was true.
Sep. 23 and 24, 1942: The Boston Daily Globe published an ad for the Sep. 24th All Star Victory Rally organized by the Jordan Marsh Company. Jean, along with others from the "Count Me In" cast, was featured. The ad also mentions that Count Me In was currently playing at the Majestic Theatre in Boston.
Oct. 8, 1942: Count Me In opened at the Barrymore Theatre on at 47th Street, west of Broadway. This was Jean's Broadway debut.
Nov. 15, 1942: The Brooklyn Eagle published a photo with the following caption: "This is the army of 'Count Me In,' the show at the Ethel Barrymore Theater, which Luella Gear, the star, is planning to bring to the war bond rally Nov. 23 in front of Borough Hall." Jean is among the young women in the photo.
Nov. 21, 1942: Count Me In closed on this date after 61 performances.
1942: Jean joined the USO Camp Shows and set out on a tour of Army Camps along with Harlan Dixon, Broso the Great and his wife, and Rex Ford. Perhaps in connection with these activities, she also worked at one of the Stage Door Canteens.
1942: After this, Jean returned to New York to rehearse "The Milky Way," the first show to tour the Service Commands. In order to do this, she had to drop both her Shubert and Municipal Opera Company contracts.
Dec. 14, 1942: The Springfield Daily News (MA) published an article on the whereabouts of former Our Gang kids and stated that Jean was currently a nightclub singer. This was probably outdated information, especially by the time Virginia Vale repeated in her syndicated column in Feb. 1943.

1943

Feb. 5, 1943: The Cincinnati Enquirer of this year followed up on a previous story regarding the whereabouts of former Our Gang kids, by reporting that several readers had pointed out that Eileen DePratt, whose professional name was Jean Darling, was currently working as an escort at the Wright Aeronautical Corporation in Cincinnati. On Mar. 5th, The Cincinnati Post elaborated by stating that Eileen had replaced the original Jean after a nationwide contest had been held back in 1928, and that she played the role for about a year. As the article says: "The pictures at that time were filmed in Dayton at the Lyric Theater and Lakeside Park. Miss DePratt dropped from the picture's juvenile cast when the film company decided to make the comedies in Hollywood." A search of 1928 newspapers reveal that Eileen had won a lookalike contest which resulted in her playing Jean Darling in the Dayton version of "Pie Eatin' Champeens." This film was made about two dozen different times in about two dozen different cities with the involvement of Hal Roach Studios. The grand prize winner of the whole effort was Norman "Chubby" Chaney, who got to work with the real Our Gang as a result, ultimately becoming a regular member himself. Of the remaining contest winners, only Georgie Billings is known to have appeared in any of the genuine Our Gang shorts, though not as a contract player.
Apr. 13, 1943: From The Sarasota Herald-Tribune regarding the previous evening's U.S.O. Camp show: "One hundred and twenty soldiers from Bradenton were our guests last night...The star of the Camp show is Jean Darling, who was the cute little 'Darleen,' as she was called when she was the heroine of all the Our Gang pictures. Remember? She is 'more cuter' than ever, and has a very lovely soprano voice, besides. We will be glad to hear her again tonight...The program will be repeated tonight for the benefit of those who were unable to attend last night."
Apr. 25, 1943: A newspaper ad for Model Smoking Tobacco began appearing across the U.S. Inserted into the ad were instructions for obtaining a 7⅞ x 9⅞ full-color print of one of the ten models pictured in the ad. One of these was Jean.
Apr. 29, 1943: The Barstow Printer-Review (CA) printed a letter from Cpl. Jeese R. Noriega dated Apr. 15th. He was from California, but stationed in Florida. As he writes: "Speaking of California, the other night some entertainers from Tampa's U.S.O. came here to our site to give us a show. Well, it seems that one of the girl entertainers was from California. She used to be in pictures. Maybe you remember Jean Darling who used to play in Our Gang comedies. Well, she's grown up now and is she a good looker. I spoke to her after the show and she likes Calif. better than any other state. I do, myself, for that Calif. has everything."
June 23, 1943: From The Evening Republican of Columbus, IN: "Atterbury Army Air field formally opened its new theater-chapel building for recreational use Tuesday night (the 22nd) with a performance staged by U.S.O. Blue circuit troupe No. 45, featuring as a singer, Jean Darling, who at the age of four played in 'Our Gang' comedies...The U.S.O. show...included a cast of five persons and was received as one of the best performances staged at the field. Members of the troupe, besides Miss Darling, who is in her 'teens, were Harlan Dixon, for some time a dance director with Warner Bros., who did a number of specialty dances; Frank Brosseau and Sandra Manning, in a satire act on magic, and Red Ford, accordionist."
Aug. 30, 1943: From Jack Lait, substituting for Walter Winchell in his syndicated column: "Jean Darling, former 'Our Gang' gal, now a popular magazine model, is 'Jean, darling' to Paul Nurick, son of Irving Nurick, the famous illustrator for whom she poses."
Sep. 11, 1943: From the McCook Daily Gazette (NE): "Tonight at 8:30 a United Service Organization (USO) show will be held at the Post theater at the McCook Air base. The show includes several stars of radio, stage and screen from California and New York. One of the favorites traveling with the show is Jean Darling." Brosseau, Manning and Ford were still in the act. Ford, incidentally, has been listed both as Red and as Rex.
Sep. 14, 1943: From the Grand Island Daily Independent (NE): "Two Hollywood notables will be at Clayton's pharmacy tonight and tomorrow night to sell tickets to 'This Is the Army,' which will have its premiere showing in Grand Island Friday night (the 17th) at the Capitol theater. Jean Darling...will be at the store from 7:15 to 7:45 tonight to sell tickets, while Fifi D'Orsay, famous French musical comedy star, will be there at the same time tomorrow night. Both appear through the courtesy of the army air base."
Sep. 17, 1943: From the Kearney Air Base News (NE): "A capacity crowd heartily applauded the USO performers Wednesday night (the 15th) at the Recreation Hall who substituted for the unit featuring Jean Darling, former 'Our Gang' movie actress, which was transferred overseas at the last moment." This was previously announced on Sep. 10th in an article that referred to Jean as the "Darling of Song." That article had claimed that Jean had "given concerts throughout England and France," which was probably a miscommunication regarding her earlier unrealized goal of going to Europe. How ironic that this engagement was cancelled because of a sudden reassignment overseas. Oddly, the group turned up in Wyoming a few days later, so perhaps that's what the Army means by "overseas."
Sep. 22, 1943: From the Casper Tribune-Herald (WY): "Personnel of the Army Air base, Casper, will have opportunity to witness another USO Camp Shows production when a troupe consisting of Jean Darling, Frank Brosseau, Sandra Manning and Rex Ford appear in person at the base theater. The performance will be held next Tuesday, September 28, at 8 p.m." The article goes on to claim that Jean had "studied singing in Italy and given concerts throughout England and France."

1944

Jan. 10, 1944: Marianne opened at the National Theater in Washington, DC. Jean was initially credited as one of the villagers. During its short run, the girl Jean was understudying walked out on the show and Jean got to take over her part. It closed by the end of the month, never making it to Broadway.
Feb. 14, 1944: Jean departed New York by plane to do a 21-week tour. She was part of the USO-Camp Shows Unit No. 209 and initially stopped in Casablanca, but also spent time in Algiers and Italy. The other stars in her unit were John Garfield, Eddie Foy, Olya Klem and Sheila Rodgers. On Apr. 22nd, The Charlotte Observer reported: "The troupe played all its shows in front line areas, appearing within three miles of the lines at Cassino, and entertaining at forward Air Force bases."
Feb. 24, 1944: From The Springfield Daily Republican (MA): "John Garfield and Eddie Foy, Jr., have arrived in North Africa with Jean Darling and Sheila Rogers, singers; Olya Klem, accordionist." The Apr. 12th Los Angeles Examiner reported the following: "His U.S.O. unit was giving a show in Naples one night when Jerry came over the harbor, intent upon bombing a convoy they knew was coming in. But the Allied camouflage was too much for them, so they jettisoned their bombs over the city and went home. 'They really wrecked us,' John grinned, 'and, believe me, I was scared to death'." On May 8th, The Cleveland Press reported: "They arrived in Naples during an air raid and were plenty scared. But they went on to work seven days and nights a week during their two-month tour. About half of their time was devoted to hospital appearances." According to Hedda Hopper in her Apr. 25th column: "They didn't give a show in Naples; they wanted to get closer to the front. That was arranged for them and soon they were giving performances in mud up to their middles. They gave shows under flapping hospital tents, off trucks, on stages and, if there wasn't a board to stand on, in the mud itself." Alice Hughes, in her Aug. 4th syndicated column, said this: "Jean Darling...tells me...that the song most requested by the boys is 'Lili Marlene,' the schmaltzy ballad the British Tommies adopted from the Germans, and which we borrowed from the Tommies."
Early 1944: On Apr. 29th, The Greeley Daily Tribune (CO) published a letter from Captain Ray J. Thompson to his wife, which described the erupting Mt. Vesuvius: "Sunday, John Garfield, Eddie Foy, Jr., Jean Darling and Sheila Rogers were here and three of us officers were appointed to escort them. We flew over Vesuvius, about 500 yards from the crater itself to take pictures. It was a tremendous sight and one never to be forgotten."
Apr. 9, 1944: On Mar. 29, 1948, The Boston Daily Globe reported: "Her most thrilling Easter Day, she says, was singing 'Ave Maria' at Catholic and Protestant churches in Italy, back in 1944 when the war was still on." The May 20, 1945, Brooklyn Eagle reported that Jean "last Christmas sang 'Ave Maria' at the service in six different churches in Algiers for the boys in uniform." Since Jean was back in the U.S. by early August, the Boston Globe claim seems to be the accurate one.
Apr. 12, 1944: The Los Angeles Examiner reported on the return to Hollywood of John Garfield and Eddie Foy, Jr., after a two months' tour of the Mediterranean war theater. The article reports that Jean Darling and Olya Klem remained in Europe. According to Jean's memoirs, she returned to Italy as part of a new special unit that would entertain troops that were in the hospital. Since it was a new idea, it was called Hospital Unit 1.
May 4, 1944: From The Saltsburg Press (PA): "S. Sgt. Rudy N. O'Bradovich of Saltsburg had the Purple Heart placed on his tunic by two USO show girls, Jean Darling and Sheila Rogers. Both girls are members of John Garfield's USO troop which visited American units in Italy."
Aug. 4, 1944: Alice Hughes, in her syndicated column, reported that Jean had returned from Europe, where she had been for six months. It was actually about 5 months. In her memoirs, Jean states that she remained in Italy until late September.
Aug. 7, 1944: NANA published an article about Jean, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Sep. 13, 1944: A letter of commendation was written by Col. Leon T. David to Jean for her service with the USO-Camp Shows Unit No. 209. The tour is described in the letter as a "21-week tour of NATUOUSA", which means it would have ended in early-to-mid July. (NATOUSA, by the way, stands for North African Theater of Operations, United States Army.) But perhaps John Garfield's wish to be sent home ended things prematurely, leading Jean to become part of the hospital unit.
Sep. 23, 1944: From The Plain Speaker of Hazleton, PA: "Jean Darling...will be the extraordinary vaudeville attraction at the Feeley Theatre on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (the 25th, 26th and 27th). This is one of the unit of five acts to be offered. Just home from a six months tour of overseas Army camps, Jean Darling has been given the cognomen of 'Angel of the Wards' because of the many visits that she made to base hospitals. Her retinue of songs, as presented for the wounded soldiers, and for the fighting men at the front, will be the feature of her act while in Hazleton." The feature film was "Twilight On The Prairie."
Sep. 24, 1944: A new ad for Model Smoking Tobacco began making the rounds of the newspapers. This time, Jean is the only model shown in the ad, and is the only one whose pin-up photo was still available through the address given. Jean was also quoted as saying: "Model smells better in the home."
Sep. 28, 1944: Jean performed at the Penn Theatre in Wilkes-Barre, PA. The feature film was "South Of Dixie." This engagement lasted at least until the 29th.
Oct. 8, 1944: From This Week Magazine: "This war is being won by GI Joe. And it is the GI entertainer, the 'regular' of the Foxhole Circuits, who is doing the greatest job of morale-building in the history of any war. Doing it humbly and with gratitude for the opportunity. Let 19-year-old Jean Darling, just back from six months on the Italian front, speak for some of these little people of USO-Camp shows: 'Don't let anyone talk to you about sacrifices. For my part I got more than I gave. In a Naples hospital, a wounded soldier grabbed my hand as I passed and pressed it to his cheek without saying a word. Do you suppose I'll ever forget that? At Cassino, a soldier who had lost both his arms gave me his ring. "I guess I won't need this any more," he said. I won't forget that either'."
Late 1944: Jean auditioned for the Theatre Guild production of "Sing Out Sweet Land," which was already being performed outside of New York. She got the part, but because the show wasn't much of a success, it was closed before it got to Broadway, and Jean never did perform in it. Alternately, on May 13, 1945, the Associated Press described it this way: "For the last two years the blond sprite entertained GI's in Italy. On her return, she auditioned for the guild's 'Sing Out Sweet Land.' She was told to take a little more coaching and get the kinks out of her voice, a direct result of as many as a dozen shows a day overseas under conditions not exactly conducive to correct vocal effect."
Late 1944: After this, Jean began taking voice lessons with a Mrs. Munday.

1945

Feb. 25, 1945: The Cincinnati Enquirer made reference to "Pvt. Myrtle Cutler, remembered as the 'Jean Darling' of 'Our Gang' comedies." On Feb. 27th, The Cincinnati Post reported that she was 6 at the time.
Mar. 3, 1945: From The Evening Telegram of Toronto: "The Theatre Guild has begun rehearsals of 'Carousel,' the Richard Rodgers-Oscar Hammerstein 2nd musical version of Ferenc Molnar's 'Liliom.' The Guild is peopling the show largely with little-known players, among them Jean Darling and Eric Mattson, who will play the roles of Marie and Mr. Snow." In reality, Jean played the role of Carrie Pipperidge.
Mar. 10, 1945: From the Meriden Record (CT) in regard to the cast members of "Carousel": "...just returned from the Aleutian Islands, where she entertained for servicemen, comes pert Jean Darling." The article states that the show was currently in rehearsal.
Mar. 22 to 24, 1945: Carousel played at the Shubert Theater in New Haven.
Mar. 24, 1945: From the Meriden Record regarding "Carousel": "So stern is the stuff of which it is made, so impressively is it produced that New Haven's Thursday night (the 22nd) 'guinea pig' audience left Shubert's thoroughly exhausted."
Mar. 26, 1945: The Boston Daily Globe published the following quotes from Lawrence Langner and Jean Darling: "Keep your eye on this girl, she's going places." "Well, I've been freelancing since I was two."
Mar. 27, 1945: Carousel opened at the Colonial Theatre in Boston. This engagement lasted at least until Apr. 8th.
Apr. 19, 1945: Carousel opened at the Majestic Theatre in New York. The following day's critiques were overwhelmingly positive.
Mid-1945: Not long after the show was up and running, Jean began taking voice lessons from William Herman. In addition to doing the show, she also visited veteran's hospitals and took part in benefits organized by the Theater Guild.
May 2, 1945: From the Brooklyn Eagle: "'Carousel' singer, Jean Darling, is due to guest-star soon with Maggi McNellis on WEAF."
May 17, 1945: From the Brooklyn Eagle: "Jerry Wayne has whipped up a neat little combo consisting of A. J. Cantu, the Waldorf magician, Harmonicist Eddy Manson, Jean ('Carousel') Darling, Art Mooney's Pelham Heath orch. and the Airlane Trio...To be his bond-selling troupe."
May 20, 1945: The Brooklyn Eagle reported that Jean would shortly have her own radio show. On the same day, the Associated Press reported that Jean "still aims for the Metropolitan."
June 1, 1945: From the Daily News of New York: "Jean Darling, John Raitt, Jan Clayton and Christine Johnson go through their 'Carousel' paces for the 50th time tonight at the Majestic."
June 6, 1945: From The Scranton Tribune: "Eric Mattson...one of the stars of the Theater Guild's spectacular new musical hit 'Carousel,' will be among the participants in a rally, the biggest yet to be staged in the Seventh War Loan, today at noon on the steps of the Sub-Treasury Building, Wall St., New York. The program, which will mark the anniversary of D-Day...will be sponsored by the New York Sun's Victory Van. Mattson will join with Jean Darling in the singing of 'When the Children Are Asleep,' one of the hits from the colorful Broadway show by Rodgers and Hammerstein, which is expected to surpass the success of 'Oklahoma'."
July 6, 1945: From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: "The Richard Rogers-Oscar Hammerstein music for 'Carousel,' the Theater Guild's musical hit in New York, is being readied for distribution by Decca in a show album similar to the one that took the music of 'Oklahoma!' into the country's living rooms. 'Carousel' has been playing in New York to delighted audiences since April."
July 12, 1945: By this date, the Original New York Production 5-disc album of Carousel was released. Jean sang "You're A Queer One, Julie Jordan" and "Mister Snow," both with Jan Clayton. She also sang "June Is Bustin' Out All Over" with Christine Johnson, "When The Children Are Asleep" with Eric Mattson, and "Blow High, Blow Low" and "This Was A Real Nice Clambake," both with Murvyn Vie and Eric Mattson. Each of the five discs was a 12-inch record. It was Decca album no. DA-400.
July 20, 1945: Jean appeared on the NBC radio show Calling All Girls between 6:30 and 7:00 p.m.
July 24, 1945: The Dayton Daily News reported that "Carousel" was "leading the list of Broadway hits with a top gross of $48,000 for last week's box-office return."
Aug. 17, 1945: The cast of "Carousel," including Jean, were used in a newspaper ad for Piel's Light Beer, which began appearing on this day.
Aug. 25, 1945: From Ed Sullivan in his syndicated column: "In her backstage mirror, 'Carousel's' Jean Darling prefers an 'Our Gang' photo showing her as a Hal Roach moppet."
Aug. 29, 1945: From the Society page of the Times-Herald of Washington: "Lovely Jean Darling of 'Carousel,' whose blond beauty is breathless, also wore her honey colored hair sweeping long. But her looks are deceiving. A few days before, Sherman Billingsley had given her a birthday party when she was all of twenty." So basically, Jean was being passed off as three years younger than she really was. On this occasion, she was spotted at the Stork Club Cub Room at the Waldorf.
Sep. 13, 1945: The Oakland Tribune published the following quote from Jean regarding her days in Our Gang: "It kind of tickles me that people remember. If they do, it means that they must have liked me. Well, of course, it makes me feel old. After all, I'm not so very young any more."
Sep. 24, 1945: Jean read a statement of "greetings" from the cast of "Carousel" at the Salute To Spain rally at Madison Square Garden. Four other performers from Broadway shows read similar statements, and all five would soon suffer accusations for it. The others were Margo from "A Bell For Adano," David Brooks from "Bloomer Girl," Luba Malina from "Marinka," and Sono Osato from "On The Town." This was due to a controversial speech by Prof. Harold Laski, leader of the British Labor party, which was broadcast later in the evening to MSG from London. (Sources: Sep. 29th Daily News of New York, Oct. 20th Associated Press and Oct. 23rd Chicago Tribune.) On Oct. 26th, the Chicago Tribune reported: "He spoke of the possibility of a 'Vatican sponsored King of Spain trying hastily to learn the vocabulary of the four freedoms.' He asked whether a Spanish monarchy 'is likely to prevent the Catholic church in Spain from remaining a rich monopolist at the expense of mass poverty.' 'The five players had been invited to the rally originally to give entertainment,' (Actors' Equity assistant president Alfred) Harding explained, 'but the theater authority, which has charge of all benefit performances by Equity members, ruled that if they gave entertainment the authority would have to cut in on the proceeds. Therefore, it was decided that the five would merely speak and then leave for their shows. They had no knowledge of what Laski said until they read it in the newspapers the following morning'."
Sep. 27, 1945: The Oct. 24th Chicago Tribune reported: "(Frank) Fay entered the picture about three weeks after the rally when he told Howard Rushmore, a New York newspaper reporter who is a reformed Communist and authority on communist infiltration, that he was going to ask the Equity council for an investigation of whether the five performers actually brought 'greetings' from their casts or whether they read statements prepared for them by fellow travelers who invited them to the rally. Rushmore printed the story the day before the council meeting..." Sidenote: I'm pretty sure when they say "three weeks," that it means something more like three days.
Sep. 29, 1945: From the Daily News of New York: "Frank Fay, star of 'Harvey,' yesterday demanded at a meeting of 600 members of Actors' Equity, that the organization's Council investigate the action of five fellow Thespians who, he claims, made speeches at a Spanish Republican rally at the Garden Monday night (the 24th) during which attacks on the Catholic Church were applauded...They in turn took exception to remarks attributed to Fay and filed charges against Fay on the ground that his demand for an inquiry violated Equity's constitutional ban on 'conduct prejudicial to the welfare of the association and its members.' Both sides of the argument will be considered by Equity's Council Tuesday (Oct. 2nd). 'The appearance of actors at a Red meeting which condemned religion,' Fay was quoted Thursday (the 27th) in a newspaper article, 'is a far cry from the tradition and tolerance of the theatre. It deserves a full investigation. Those who appeared at the Garden from Broadway shows claimed they brought full endorsement of the meeting from the entire casts of their respective shows. I want to canvass each member of the five casts and find out if each had given his endorsement of a meeting of this type. I doubt it'." The Oct. 23rd Chicago Tribune elaborated: "He barely got the word 'investigate' out of his mouth when he was booed down. He asked Paul Turner, legal adviser of the Equity council, for the right to speak. Turner told Fay he couldn't 'bring charges.' Fay explained he merely asked for an investigation. Then Philip Loeb, an actor who has been identified as a member of the 'liberal forces' by the leftist publication PM and who recently appeared in a Russian play billed as an attack on fascism and 'the people's prize play,' interrupted Fay. He waved papers in Fay's face and told him he couldn't talk at all because he was 'under chargers.' There was another interchange between Fay and Paul Robeson, Negro singer and prominent leftist, before President Lytell gaveled Fay down." On Oct. 26th, the Chicago Tribune reported: "Prior to this meeting, (Alfred) Harding said, the five performers filed charges against Fay under a clause of Equity's constitution concerning conduct prejudicial to the association or its members. He said Fay was invited to file charges against the five under the same clause but refused. 'The council felt that it had to accept the charges against Fay for hearing because they were in writing and met all the conditions set forth in the constitution,' Harding said."
Oct. 3, 1945: From United Press: "Frank Fay...was slated today for a hearing Oct. 16 before the council of Actors Equity Association on charges preferred by five fellow-members of the Players' Union...The case is an outgrowth of the Spanish refugee appeal rally at Madison Square Garden Sept. 23(sic)...Fay, a Catholic, interpreted press reports of the meeting as indicating the Catholic Church was attacked during the proceedings, a view which some participants, themselves Catholics, say is erroneous...Fay's petition was denied then and again yesterday when the Council met and accepted charges by the five other players accusing Fay of 'conduct prejudicial to the welfare of the association, or its membership.' The Oct. 16 hearing date was set. Fay refused to comment. In a statement, actor Bert Lytell, president of Equity, said: 'Our traditions and our practice in Equity, based on our laws and our American heritage, do not permit us to engage in a vague general investigation of our members in their non-professional activities as American citizens and in the communities of which they are a part'."
Oct. 7, 1945: From Walter Winchell in his syndicated column: "The controversy raging among Equity players (over some stars attending a meeting for Spanish refugees) has depressed the targets, namely Margo, Luba Malina, Sono Osato and Jean Darling. They emphasize that it was not a religious rally, as charged; that J. Bartley Crum (Willkie's campaign manager), Chairman at the meeting, is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church, and that he informed Equity officials it was not anti-religious."
Oct. 17, 1945: From the Chicago Daily Tribune: "Stars of five New York shows, who attended a Spanish refugee rally here Sept. 24, are getting protection from a special squad of detectives after reporting they have received threatening letters and been otherwise molested, it was learned today." This group, of course, included Jean. On Dec. 31st, The New Republic of New York elaborated: "As Jean Darling started to walk down the alley to the stage door of the theatre in which she is appearing, a man jumped at her yelling threats. She escaped by running into the house entrance."
Oct. 18, 1945: From the Daily Worker of Chicago: "Equity last night adjourned until tomorrow 10 a.m. its hearings on charges preferred by five leading Broadway actors against Frank Fay...While the Council did not officially rebuke Fay or uphold all of the contentions by the five actors, it did issue a statement on one specific issue of the case. The statement was released last night by Bert Lytell, Equity president. It said that the 'Council is completely convinced that these five members...are in no way a part of an attack upon persons, faith or religion; that they were not even present at the Madison Square Garden meeting when the speech of Prof. Laski which has aroused so much comment occurred'." The Daily News of New York added: "Fay yesterday made public the gist of his message to the Council in which he refused to attend the second day of the trial. He said he had been arbitrarily denied the presence of counsel, that the trial board obviously was hostile and prejudiced, that incomplete and partial minutes were being kept, that time was being wasted in an attempt to justify Laski's remarks, and that he had been consistently denied a bill of particulars. He implied that unless he is granted a different sort of investigation, he would take his case to the press and public. The Equity Council, in clearing the five players of Fay's accusations, stressed the fact that they were all at work in their respective theatres when Laski's speech was heard."
Oct. 19, 1945: From The Decatur Review (IL) in the category of "Faces & Places": "Johnny Downs and Jean Darling, the grown up Our Gang-sters, reminiscing about their youth over a soda at Nick's."
Oct. 20, 1945: From the Associated Press: "The Council of Actors' Equity Association upheld today charges by five Broadway actors that Frank Fay...had engaged in conduct 'prejudicial to the welfare of the association and its members.' The council's ruling constituted a 'censure' and carried with it no penalties...When Fay heard the decision read over a telephone, he said: 'This is really too bad. Now we have to choose up sides. I am going to take this question to the membership which is composed of pro-American members who believe in equity. I am not going to take such a reprimand when I know I am right for defending my faith.' Fay had contended that the five actors participated in an attack on his religion, but the council, in a formal statement, declared 'evidence which he (Fay) has not contested has proved to the council that these five members were not present when the disputed address was made and knew nothing about it'." The next day, The Worker of New York quoted the Equity statement: "Under the circumstances, the Council, composed of men and women of all faiths, could do nothing less than sustain the charges against Mr. Fay. But when Mr. Fay challenges the integrity of this Council in its conduct of this hearing, he is derelict to his obligations as an Equity member and certainly as a member of the Council itself. And when, in addition, he continues to denounce his five fellow members in the public press, as he does, it is the judgment of this Council that his conduct is both unjust and reprehensible." The Oct. 24th Chicago Tribune reported: "The council voted 14 to 3 to 'censor' him, although two of its members since have resigned in protest...(Fay) points out that while the total membership of the Equity council is 50, only 17 persons participated in the vote of censure against him, and only 14 voted in the affirmative."
Oct. 23, 1945: The Chicago Tribune reported that Frank Fay spoke on this night before the Catholic Institure of the Press at the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York. A telegram from the five accused performers was read: "We attended that meeting purely because we were interested in a humanitarian cause. We took no anti-religious stand nor would we ever take such a stand. We believe in freedom of worship for all."
Oct. 24, 1945: From the Daily Worker of New York: "Frank Fay, Equity red-baiter, would not have enjoyed the One Hundred Dollar Luncheon of the Women's Division of the Spanish Refugee Appeal at the Hotel Plaza yesterday. The five stars whom he has tried to frighten into deserting the Spanish Republican Refugees were there, honored for their steadfastness by Dame May Whitty, Margaret Webster, Helen and George Papashvily, John T. McManus and many other notables of the theater world and screen."
Oct. 29, 1945: On Nov. 3rd, The Tablet of Brooklyn reported: "Catholic War Veterans on Monday (the 29th) wired the five actors who participated in the 'Spanish Refugee Appeal' meeting at Madison Square Garden Sept. 24 asking that they publicly condemn the attack on the Catholic Church by Harold Laski. Frank J. Manley, C.W.V., N.Y. State Department Commander advised (the five) that their presence at the meeting was an endorsement of everything that took place."
Oct. 30, 1945: From the Daily News of New York: "Jan Clayton, Jean Darling, Christine Johnson, Johan Raitt and Eric Mattson of 'Carousel'; Nanette Fabray and David Brooks of 'Bloomer Girl,' Gertrude Niesen and cast of 'Follow the Girls,' Frank Fay and Josephine Hill of 'Harvey,' plus Susan Reed, Mary Lou Williams and Josh White are the first stars named as dancing and recording partners for the public at the huge Bizarre Bazaar. The big benefit is being sponsored by the theatrical managers and press agents at the Henry Hudson Hotel Nov. 8." On Nov. 2nd, The Newark Star-Ledger (NJ) elaborated: "Cabaret shows, to be given every hour on the hour, from 2 P.M. until 2 A.M., will constitute one of the unusual features of the Bizarre Bazaar, to be held by the Association of Theatrical Agents and Managers for the benefit of its welfare fund Thursday (the 8th). The Bizarre Bazaar, a unique theatrical event, which has been described as a monster melange of cabaret, ball, county fair, variety entertainment and giant auction, will be housed in the grand ball room of the Henry Hudson Hotel. Stars of Broadway's top attractions will participate. The public also will have the opportunity to dance with their favorites and make phonograph records with them."
Dec. 8, 1945: The Hollywood Citizen-News made reference to Jean as a student of the Carl Sibert Vocal Studio, perhaps at some point in the past.
Dec. 15, 1945: The Daily Worker of Chicago: "Frank Fay...took a lacing from his fellow actors last night. More than 1,200 members of Actors' Equity Association met at the Hotel Astor, and by a vote of 470 to 72, upheld Equity Council's sharp censure of Fay for publicly attacking five show people who took part in a rally for Spanish Refugee Relief last Sept. 24."
Dec. 31, 1945: From The Daily Monitor-Leader of Mount Clemens, MI: "Last night, on station WXYZ, we listened to a New York program, a play by the American Theatre Guild starring Jean Darling."

1946

Jan. 7, 1946: The Newark Star-Ledger reported that Jean "has had two fine screen offers since Broadway rediscovered her."
Jan. 13, 1946: Jean began appearing in newspaper ads for Jergens Twin Make-up. As Jean says: "You have that new 'flawless-beauty' look, instantly, with Jergens Twin Make-up."
Jan. 22, 1946: From The Brooklyn Citizen: "Jean Darling...will be guest of honor in the March of Dimes Fashion Show presented for the benefit of The National Foundation of Infantile Paralysis today at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel." Jean's presence was confirmed in the following day's issue.
Mar. 10, 1946: Jean began appeared in newspaper ads for the Darling Half Hat. As Jean says: "I like to wear a Half-Hat - they're smart with any hair-do."
Mar. 24, 1946: The Sunday Call-Chronicle of Allentown reported that Jean and fellow "Carousel" star Eric Mattson (of Allentown) both appeared on the cover of Stage Pictorial magazine.
June 20, 1946: Jean appeared, along with Johnny Downs, in Fetridge's syndicated illustrated panel Where In The World Is..?.
June 21, 1946: From the Rochester Times-Union: "Bidding fair to match the record of 'Oklahoma!' the Theater Guild's companion musical hit, 'Carousel,' celebrates its 500th performance at the Majestic Theater, Thursday matinee, June 27. Earlier this season, the Rodgers-Hammerstein musical became the recipient of the only award given this year by the New York Drama Critics Circle. By the anniversary matinee, 'Carousel' will have played to 837,964 people (seated) and 15,060 standees. According to Jack Pearl, treasurer, the till of the Majestic Theater will have clinked to the tune of $3,134,212 since that gala opening night of Apr. 19, 1945."
Aug. 25, 1946: From the Sunday Star-Ledger of Newark: "It will be the renewal of a long overseas friendship when Jean Darling and Bob Barry meet on a radio show Tuesday (the 27th)."
Sep. 22, 1946: The Sunday News of New York reported that "Carousel" had reached 600 performances the previous day.
Oct. 6, 1946: In Memphis, the WHHM radio program "Southland Theatre Of The Air" broadcast "Carousel" with the original cast members, including Jean. This seems to have been a local program, sponsored by Southland Motors, which may mean that they simply played the album.
Oct. 15, 1946: From L. L. Stevenson in his syndicated column: "Jean Darling, 'Carousel' song bird, brushed off reference to a particularly annoying wolf with, 'I only know him to say goodbye to'."
Nov. 8, 1946: The Bayonne Times (NJ) published an advertisement posing as an article for The American Shops in Newark. It starts off giving the standard bio of Jean Darling, and then she says: "The Hollywood styles of the American Shops are the real thing. It's just like taking a shopping trip to movieland itself to visit American's beautiful store."
Nov. 22, 1946: From L. L. Stevenson in the "Here and There" section of his syndicated column: "Jean Darling, beautiful blonde 'Carousel' songbird, eating dinner with a motion picture publicist at the Sherry-Netherland."
Dec. 15, 1946: From The Sunday Star-Ledger of Newark: "The nation's two top musicals, 'Oklahoma!' and 'Carousel,' presented by The Theater Guild, continue to establish attendance records seldom equaled in the history of the theater. On Wed. evening (the 18th), 'Carousel' will play its 700th performance at the Majestic theater, while, across the street, at the St. James, 'Oklahoma!' chalks up 1,600. With Wednesday's performance, 'Carousel' will have played to 1,175,964 people (seated) and 15,060 standees, since its opening night."

1947

Jan. 14, 1947: From the Akron Beacon Journal: "Kenny Delmar's guest lineup on Hollywood Jackpot for weeks includes Louise Albritton of the movies, Mary Hatcher and Jean Darling of the stage." Delmar had a program on WABD in Akron, which was probably a network feed from CBS.
Mar. 11, 1947: From The Brooklyn Citizen: "Carousel, the Theatre Guild's hit musical, now in its 100th week on Broadway, will play its 800th performance at this Saturday's (the 15th) matinee at the Majestic Theatre." On the 16th, the Daily News of New York specifically cited it as Jean's 800th performance.
Mar. 20, 1947: The Associated Press published a photo with the following caption: "1947 model playthings for children at a toy fair in New York City interest Jean Darling between performances on Broadway."
Mar. 31, 1947: From the Daily News of New York: "After 806 successive performances in Carousel, Jean Darling is bedded at Lenox Hill Hospital, under doctor's orders that she is not to stir for at least a month." According to her memoirs, this was a case of hepatitis, though she wrote that it happened after her 850th performance. Her role was taken over by Connie Baxter.
Apr. 16, 1947: From Ed Sullivan in his syndicated column: "Jean Darling...is off the critical list at Lenox Hill Hospital."
Apr. 20, 1947: From the Miami Daily News: "Jean Darling, star of the Broadway hit, "Carousel," is in Lenox Hill hospital. Jean collapsed after a two-year run in the show without a day off. She hopes to fly to Miami for a rest when she leaves the hospital."
May 8, 1947: The Bergen Evening Record of Hackensack, NJ, published an article by Bernard Willett, who was visiting his mother at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, and chatted with Jean in her room. As he wrote: "Surrounded in her flower bedecked room by many teddy bears and dolls, there she was, knitting a pair of Argyle socks, which she designed for herself...Her hobbies, when she is not in the hospital, are collecting fans, knitting, needlework, collecting toys, and roller skating. While in the hospital, she passes her day either designing and knitting socks or sweaters. She also entertains the patients in the wards with her coloratura soprano voice, and sings all the hit songs from 'Carousel,' 'Oklahoma' and other shows...All in all, she was charming, and her plans for the immediate future were to get well and get back to 'Carousel'." The article claims she was 19 years old. She was actually 24 by this time.
May 18, 1947: The Chicago Sunday Tribune reported that "Carousel" would be coming to the Shubert Theater on May 28th. The implication from the accompanying photo is that Jean would be part of the cast. This idea was laid to rest by the May 23rd Daily Worker of Chicago, which stated that Ann Crowley would be playing Carrie Pipperidge in the road version of the show. The May 26th Chicago Tribune reported that Jean had withdrawn from the show.
May 28, 1947: From the Daily News of New York: "Oklahoma's Jean Darling is out of the hospital after a rough nine-week siege." Just to be clear, Jean was in "Carousel," and not "Oklahoma." Jean never did return to the cast of "Carousel," as it closed on May 24th, and she didn't join the road version.
May 28, 1947: A syndicated article began making the rounds having to do with the "Canyon Wave," a new hairdo for women based on the comic strip character Steve Canyon. Jean was among the celebrities who had gotten one.
1947: According to her memoirs, Jean took part in a revival of Knickerbocker Holiday (as Tina) shortly after her convalescence. She also says that Walter Huston was in it, but it appears that he didn't do a revival of this show in 1947, though he was the star of the original run in 1938/39.
July 26, 1947: An ad for Solitair Cake Make-Up began to appear in newspapers featuring cast members from "Carousel," including Jean.
Aug. 15, 1947: The Brooklyn Eagle published a photo with the following caption: "Picked out of 300 rivals, Joan Foster of 130 Avenue P was named winner last night of a beauty contest in Century's Patio Theater. Here she is flanked by two of the judges, Frances Fordon and Jean Darling, musical comedy actresses."
Sep. 6, 1947: The Hollywood Citizen-News listed Jean among students of Carl Sibbert, a singing instructor, though it seems to refer to some time in the past.
Sep. 25, 1947: From The Standard-Star of New Rochelle, NY: "The Third Army Association will hold a general 'get-together' party for men and women of the New York area who served with the late General George S. Patton Monday night (the 29th) at the 77th Division Association Club, 28 East 39th Street, New York City, the association announced today. Miss Jean Darling, star of 'Carousel,' the Empire Entertainers, and Col. Robert S. Allen, author of 'Lucky Forward,' will be featured on the program. All former Third Army men and women are invited."
Sep. 30, 1947: In her syndicated column, Dorothy Kilgallen asked: "Is Jean Darling of 'Carousel' going into 'High Button Shoes' as a replacement?"
Oct. 23 to 28, 1947: Jean performed at the RKO Boston Theater. The feature film was "Singapore." On the 24th, The Boston Daily Globe reported: "Jean Darling, late of the cast of 'Carousel,' sings agreeably such things as a 'Carousel' medley, 'Temptation,' and 'Jealousy' with feeling and style."
Nov. 26, 1947: Jean performed at the Chez Paree in Chicago. Also on the bill were Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. This engagement lasted at least until Dec. 7th.

1948

Jan. 11, 1948: As a prelude to the Florida convention of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, set to open the next day at the Palm Beach Biltmore, a concert was given on this night in the ballroom of the hotel. Jean was among the entertainers.
Jan. 12, 1948: From Dorothy Kilgallen in her syndicated column: "Jean Darling is a good bet for the role of Annie Laurie in 'Auld Lang Syne,' the musical biog of Robert Burns."
Jan. 22, 1948: From the Daily News of New York: "Jean Darling, Marion Bell, Vicki Cummings, Pamela Britton, Suzanne Lloyd and other Broadway players invaded the Stock Exchange this morning to sell tickets for Tuesday's (the 27th) fashion show at the Ambassador for the National Cancer Foundation."
Feb. 25, 1948: From The Boston Daily Globe: "Hold It! Sammy Lambert's new musical show, is scheduled for a Boston engagement beginning March 30. The chief performers will be Red Buttons, Johnny Downs, Larry Douglas, Jean Darling, Ada Lynn and Patricia Wymore." The next day, the Daily News of New York reported that the show was currently in rehearsal, but the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported: "Rehearsals start next week for a New Haven tryout on March 25."
Mar. 25 to 27, 1948: Hold It! was performed at the Shubert Theatre in New Haven, CT. The review in The Hartford Daily Courant on the 26th was a negative one, and read in part: "The fact that neither Jean Darling nor Johnny Downs, to whom the leads have been entrusted, have much ability to sing or sell a song, does not help the music, either." The Bridgeport Post was a little more positive in their review, but nevertheless said this: "Blonde Jean Darling of the movies made a beautiful and glamorous feminine lead, but her lack of a powerful singing voice was very noticeable."
Mar. 30, 1948: Hold It! opened at the Shubert Theatre in Boston. This engagement lasted at least until Apr. 10th.
Apr. 2, 1948: From The Boston Daily Globe: "Jean Darling, curley-headed blonde sweetheart of Hollywood's famous 'Our Gang' comedies, will appear as guest on tomorrow's Boston Globe-WCOP Quizdown at Needham High School...Contestants tomorrow will be the Carter and Stephen Palmer Schools of Needham. The program will be recorded in the Senior High School auditorium at 10 in the morning and broadcast between 7 and 7:30 over WCOP." Jean signed autographs for the kids afterwards.
Apr. 13, 1948: From the Courier-Post of Camden, NJ: "Jean Darling is out of 'Hold It' and her place is taken by Jet MacDonald." On June 6th, The Courier-Journal of Louisville reported: "Jean Darling...was scheduled for the leading role opposite Johnny Downs. But when the show was rehearsing for its pre-Broadway run in Boston, the producers decided Miss Darling wouldn't do." The show began a two-week engagement in Philadelphia on Apr. 13th, and then moved on to Birmingham starting Apr. 28th. Its run on Broadway lasted from May 5th to June 12th.
July 3, 1948: There was, at some point, an NBC network show out of New York called Have A Date With Jean Darling (aka A Date With Jean Darling), but the only reference I've found so far is a listing for a 15 minute WNBT show called Jean Darling on this date - and only this date.

Fashions On Parade episode (guest appearance): May 7, 1948 - DuMont - 30 min. - TV episode; This episode was broadcast locally several months before the series started airing over the DuMont network.
The Fourth Mrs. Phillips (lead role): Aug. 8, 1948 - NBC - TV program; This was a stage comedy that was no doubt being broadcast on live television. It appears to have been an episode of NBC Playhouse, which appears to have been a half-hour program.

1949

Jan. 10 to 14, 1949: Jean Darling performed at Loew's Orpheum Theater in New York. It's not clear if this is our Jean, but she was in New York during this year and it doesn't conflict with anything else we've got listed here.
Jan. 16, 1949: From the Sunday Times-Advertiser of Trenton: "The Du Mont Television Network will introduce a new comedy series Thursday titled Hotel Broadway. The program will be telecast at 8:30 to 9 p.m. Hotel Broadway will feature Jean Darling, the Striders and Harry Ranch and his Kernels of Korn." The article goes on to specify that this Jean Darling is the one from Our Gang and "Carousel." This show was aired each Thursday night until Mar. 17th.
Jan. 25, 1949: Jean performed at Loew's Theatre in Yonkers, NY. The feature films were "Big Town Scandal" and "Waterfront At Midnight." This engagement definitely involved Jean of Our Gang.
Feb. 1, 1949: Jean performed at Loew's Theater in New Rochelle, NY. The feature films were "In The Navy" and "Pardon My Sarong." This engagement definitely involved Jean of Our Gang.
Mar. 1, 1949: Jean Darling performed at Loew's Gate Theater in Brooklyn. But was she the same Jean?
Mar. 5 to 7, 1949: Jean played the role of "Linda" in the Equity Library Theatre production of Pal Joey at the Walton Community Center in the Bronx. There was also a matinee performance on the 5th.
Mar. 14, 1949: Jean Darling performed at Loew's National Theater in New York. But was she the same Jean?
Mar. 29, 1949: Jean Darling performed at Loew's Coney Island Theater. But was she the same Jean?
Apr. 30, 1949: From The Daily Times of Davenport: "Jean Darling, honey-blonde musical comedy singing star, and boy soprano Bobby White will assist tenor Lanny Ross on his Mutual network morning program beginning Monday at 8:15 a.m. Miss Darling will be heard each Tuesday and Thursday, Bobby White on Monday, Wednesday and Friday." A less detailed version of this announcement had been reported on Apr. 25th, so the arrangement was made by then.
May 3, 1949: Jean made her debut on The Lanny Ross Show on this day.
May 10, 1949: This day's episode of The Lanny Ross Show featured Jean and Lanny in scenes and songs from "Alice In Wonderland."
Circa 1949: At some point, Jean had an advice show on WNEW in Los Angeles, which she gradually took over as Agnes Ayres grew ill. Frank Sinatra guested on this show.
Circa 1949: Jean briefly worked in a radio program for WOR with Frank Sinatra. I'm not sure about the beginning and end dates for this series, but listings from December of this year include a WOR program called Frank Sinatra.
Aug. 5, 1949: The Enquirer and News of Battle Creek, MI, reported on the Polack Bros. Circus at Post Park, saying: "At performances Wednesday night (the 3rd), the circus had as its guests members of The Milky Way cast, an army hospital circuit show, which presented the three-act play at Percy Jones General hospital and made ward appearances for two days." Jean played "Mae" in this act, which also featured Danny Leone. It was a stage version of the 1936 Harold Lloyd film, which was remade with Danny Kaye as "The Kid From Brooklyn" in 1946.
Aug. 18, 1949: From the Elmira Star-Gazette out of Bath, NY: "The Veterans Hospital Camp Shows will bring The Milky Way, the latest in its presentation of Broadway shows, to entertain Bath VA Center Veterans Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 24 and 25. Directed by Ezra (Henry Aldrich) Stone, the play is the smash hit boxing comedy that recently served Danny Kaye in the movies."
Sep. 7, 1949: The Milky Way was performed at the Togus Veterans Administration Hospital in Augusta, ME.
Nov. 23, 1949: From The Bridgeport Post (CT): "Bridgeport's first Wishing Well In The Fight For Sight campaign to raise funds for the National Council to Combat Blindness, Inc., was formally dedicated last night at a benefit show in the Club Rio featuring 'Big Joe' Rosenfield, conductor of WOR's 'Happiness Exchange'." Jean was featured in this show. In her memoirs, she states that she occasionally appeared, along with Frank Sinatra, on Rosenfield's advice show, which aired in the wee hours of the morning, and which Jean refers to as Big Joe's Happiness Exchange. This show was airing on WOR by June of this year at the latest, but the star, Big Joe, left WOR in January of 1950.
Dec. 9, 1949: Jean was among many stars scheduled to take part in the Carnival For Capracotta aka Carnival Of Stars at the Jersey City Armory.
Dec. 16, 1949: Jean Darling performed at Loew's Bedford Theatre in New York. But was she the same Jean?

Hotel Broadway episode (appearance): Jan. 20, 1949 - DuMont - 30 min. - TV episode
Hotel Broadway episode (appearance): Jan. 27, 1949 - DuMont - 30 min. - TV episode
Hotel Broadway episode (appearance): Feb. 3, 1949 - DuMont - 30 min. - TV episode
Hotel Broadway episode (appearance): Feb. 10, 1949 - DuMont - 30 min. - TV episode
Hotel Broadway episode (appearance): Feb. 17, 1949 - DuMont - 30 min. - TV episode
Hotel Broadway episode (appearance): Feb. 24, 1949 - DuMont - 30 min. - TV episode
Hotel Broadway episode (appearance): Mar. 3, 1949 - DuMont - 30 min. - TV episode
Hotel Broadway episode (appearance): Mar. 10, 1949 - DuMont - 30 min. - TV episode
Hotel Broadway episode (appearance): Mar. 17, 1949 - DuMont - 30 min. - TV episode
Kathi Norris episode (guest appearance): Sep. 13, 1949 - DuMont - 60 min. - TV episode; This show was variously titled Kathi Norris' Television Shopper, TV Shopper and Your Television Shopper.

1950

Jan. 14 and 15, 1950: Jean Darling performed at Loew's Melba theater in Brooklyn. But was it the same Jean?
Mid-Feb. 1950: A Valentine Ball was held at Sherry's in New York a few days before St. Valentine's Day, perhaps on the 12th. Proceeds were donated to child heart patients at Irvington House. Jean attended.
Feb. 22, 1950: From the Bergen Evening Record of Hackensack, NJ, out of Englewood: "Mayor M. Leslie Denning praised the courage and service mindedness of Betty Clark of Englewood, 13-year-old blind vocalist, and Marcia Mendelsohn, 13-year-old blind pianist, who performed last night before 400 persons attending the Fight For Sight benefit for the National Council to Combat Blindness held at the Englewood Theater." Jean was one of several celebrities who entertained at this event.
Apr. 9, 1950: From the Chicago Sunday Tribune: "The author (of "Freddie The Great"), Phil Arthur, is soon to appear in Elsa Shelley's new play, With A Silk Thread, with Claire Luce and Jean Darling." This is another one where we have to ask whether or not this is Jean Darling of Our Gang. The fact that the article is in a Chicago paper doesn't mean much, since this same company, without Jean, was in Massachuesetts in July performing a different play.
Apr. 23, 1950: The Chicago Sunday Tribune published a photo with the following caption: "Jean Darling is a member of the dramatic cast of WGN-Mutual's Wednesday (8 p.m.) science-fiction series 2,000 Plus." I've found additional references to Jean being on this show as late as June 11th. And again, the fact that it's listed in Chicago doesn't necessarily mean she was in that city, since Mutual was one of the radio networks. However, there's also nothing in conflict with placing Jean in Chicago during early-to-mid 1950.
Aug. 31, 1950: The Troy Daily News (NY) published a photo with the following caption: "Ed Lopat of the N.Y. Yankees, and the guy with the best curve in the American League, met Jean Darling, the gal with some of the best curves anywhere, when they were guests on a television program devoted to 'breaking the bank'." This is the earliest reference I've found of Jean's involvement on the NBC program Break The Bank.
Sep. 24, 1950: The New Orleans Item published a photo with the following caption: "Bert Parks, lucky guy, who also emcees WDSU-NBC's television show Break The Bank, Tuesday at 10 p.m., plays big brother to Janis Gilbert, the paying teller on the cash quiz show, and Jean Darling, former 'Our Gang' girl, now a TV actress. The trio are sitting on the Wish Bowl from which are drawn the names of contestants brought to New York for the cash contest." Other variations refer to the two young women as Parks' 'pretty aides' on the show.
Sep. 30, 1950: The Globe and Mail of Toronto reported that the original cast album of "Carousel" was now available in the LP format. During this year, a 45rpm 5-disc album was also released.
Nov. 15, 1950: Newspaper ads for the Jean Darling Toy Make-Up Kit began to appear. These continued to appear at least until 1955.
Dec. 15, 1950: The Independence Examiner (MO) ran an ad for "Tookie" Cronenbold playing with Jean Darling and Her Hollywood Trio at the Scenic Inn. This again brings up the question of which Jean Darling this is. The possibility of Jean having formed a "Hollywood Trio" is conceivable when we consider the high likeliness that she was in Los Angeles as of October. If so, then perhaps she spent the last part of the year on the road.

Designed For Women episode (guest appearance): Oct. 20, 1950 - KNBH - 30 min. - TV episode; This was the NBC affiliate in Los Angeles, but it appears to be a local program.

1951

Feb. 23, 1951: In her syndicated column, Louella Parsons mentioned Jean being present at the Writers Guild Awards dinner on the 20th.
Sep. 23, 1951: Oddly, a newspaper photo promoting "The Bert Parks Show" is the same one used a year earlier to promote "Break The Bank," showing Bert with Jean Darling and Janis Gilbert. We're told that Jean and Janis are helping Bert read some of the fan mail he'd been receiving since starting the new show. So far, I've found no other evidence that Jean was part of this newer show.
Nov. 8, 1951: The Rapid City Daily Journal published an article on Don Marlowe, who falsely claimed to be Porky of Our Gang. Giving information on the whereabouts of his fellow Our Gang members, he mentioned that Jean was now a housewife. Apparently, he hadn't gotten the memo about Porky joining the Gang six years after Jean left.
Nov. 13, 1951: The Los Angeles Times ran an ad for Jean's new television series, which they refer to both as The Jean Darling Show and Singing And Sewing With Jean Darling. It aired Tuesdays at 5:15 on KHJ-TV and the sponsor was Relaxacizer. It appears that the show only lasted for four episodes. According to the Citizen-News, Ted Lenz was the emcee and Bob Brown the pianist. This may be the same program Jean refers to in her memoirs as The Singing Knitwitch. Jean also mentions that she designed knitware for a yarn company at some point. Jean also mentions doing a TV program with Ernie Kovacs sometime in the early 1950s, but the only thing I can find to corroborate this is the 1959 "Take A Good Look" appearance.
Dec. 19, 1951: From INS out of Hollywood: "Four troupes of Hollywood entertainers leave tomorrow to give U.S. military forces throughout the world Christmas and New Year's entertainment. One troupe leaving for Alaska will include Jean Darling, George Dolenz, Virginia Hall, Leonid Kinsky, Irene Martin, Ray Milland, Ava Norring, Ann Robin and Akim Tamiroff." On Dec. 21st, the Los Angeles Times added more names to the list: Gloria Foster, Harry Kahne, Vivian Marshall, Channing Pollock, Joyce Wellington, Oliver Harris, Chich Mercado, Robin Devour and Bill Loyd. This was sponsored by the Hollywood Coordinating Committee, which assembled the entertainers in cooperation with the Army Special Services Division and the USO Camp Shows." Jean was featured singing "Come Back To Sorrento." Sidenote: Dolenz was the father of Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees.

The Jean Darling Show episode (host): Nov. 13, 1951 - KHJ-TV - 15 min. - TV episode; Local program.
The Jean Darling Show episode (host): Nov. 20, 1951 - KHJ-TV - 15 min. - TV episode; Local program.
The Jean Darling Show episode (host): Nov. 27, 1951 - KHJ-TV - 15 min. - TV episode; Local program.
The Jean Darling Show episode (host): Dec. 4, 1951 - KHJ-TV - 15 min. - TV episode; Local program.

1952

Jan. 6, 1952: From the Los Angeles Times: "Four troupes of entertainers, including 68 motion picture, radio and television personalities, came home yesterday from four corners of the earth."
May 20, 1952: From the Pasadena Star-News: "Wilding Pictures has signed Broadway actress Jean Darling as femme lead in a commercial film U.S. Steel is planning."
Circa 1952: Jean was featured on a CBS radio serial called Road Of Life, which Tampa Daily Times of December 30th of this year announced was returning to CBS in its 16th year of broadcasting. The series continued for several years, but it isn't clear just when Jean was a part of it. The serial seems to have lasted until Jan. 1959. One notable point, though, is that during 1955, she was consistently reported to be in the serial "Hilltop House," with no mention of Road Of Life.
Aug. 29, 1952: From the South Gate Daily Press Tribune (CA): "Comedian Bert Wheeler and magician Richard Himber will headline the variety bill to be featured on NBC-TV's "All Star Summer Revue" Aug. 30. The highlight of the program will be the appearance of eleven Congressional Medal of Honor heroes of the Korean war." Jean was among the entertainers scheduled to appear.

All Star Summer Revue episode (guest appearance): Aug. 30, 1952 - NBC - 60 min. - TV episode; Jean sings "Serenade To A Lemonade." A kinescope survives of this sketch, running 8 to 9 minutes.

1953

Jan. 22, 1953: The Evansville Press (IN) reported on Show Of Stars, an industrial roadshow organized by Servel, "manufacturers of refrigerators and other appliances." As it says, "Servel has engaged two complete show units. They opened the five-hour extravaganza yesterday afternoon in New York and in Boston. The troupes will do their razzle-dazzle show in 30 cities at a cost to Servel of $17,000 per engagement. That runs the total, as Variety figures it, to $510,000. Radio's 'Mr. District Attorney,' Jay Jostyn, heads the cast of the unit that will wind up its junket in Evansville on Feb. 21 and 22 and Indianapolis on Feb. 24. Sid Stone, late of the Milton Berle TV show, Sonny Sparks, Jean Darling and Diane Marsh - all prominent Broadway personalities - are also putting on the greasepaint for our hometown product...Each of the two companies will travel in two Pullman cars with a baggage car loaded with 200 costumes, 50 lights, eight curtains and 25 pieces of scenery. 'For the actor,' reports Billboard, 'this represents a bonanza. The company is paying well above road scale, with all transportation and hotel (where necessary) expenses paid. Each troupe will do 15 shows in five weeks which represents a breeze for most troupers'...Each showing will be of marathon matinee proportions, say the show-biz papers. They'll start at 1 p.m. and run to 6 p.m. with a half-hour break at 3:30. After the final curtain there'll be a few fast rounds of cocktails and buffet stuff. Distributors will then scoot back to their display rooms to hold open house and show off the Servel products plugged in the revue."
1953: The Carousel 5-disc album of 7-inch records was reissued.
Oct. 18, 1953: From The Sunday Star-Ledger of Newark: "Just back from the West Coast, Jean Darling, the blonde lead of the musical 'Carousel,' added lustre and charm to Mayfair Farms under the escort of maestro Ernie Warren."

The I Don't Care Girl (small part: Lilyan Tashman): prem. Jan. 14, 1953 - 20th Century-Fox - 78 min. - feature; Filmed late 1951/early 1952. ©Jan. 5, 1953. Released Jan. 20, 1953. Starring Mitzi Gaynor, David Wayne & Oscar Levant. Filmed in Technicolor.
Where Was I? (guest appearance): Jan. 25, 1953 - White-Rosenberg/DuMont - 30 min. - TV episode; Quiz show.
The Comeback Story episode (guest and featured subject): Nov. 27, 1953 - ABC - 30 min. - TV episode; This was a documentary series that focused each week on people who had overcome adversity. Jean was both a guest on this show, as well as the subject of a dramatization of her life.

1954

Jan. 14, 1954: From the Brooklyn Eagle: "Loew's Melba Theater will feature vaudeville tomorrow night and all day Saturday and Sunday (the 16th and 17th). Jean Darling, musical comedy star, and one of the original 'Our Gang Comedy' kids, heads the all-star bill." The feature films were "Take The High Ground" and "The Actress."
May 11 to 14, 1954: Jean Darling, "The Darling of Show Business," and "Original Star In Our Gang Comedies and Many Feature Films," performed at the Mayfair Theater in Scranton, PA.
June 14, 1954: Jean married Reuben Bowen, known professionally as Kajar the Magician. At some point, she began assisting him in his act, though this might not have happened regularly until 1964.
Sep. 21, 1954: From The Pittsburgh Press: "One of several stage stars appearing in a special performance at the Horizon Room tonight and tomorrow night, Jean Darling is the former child star of the 'Our Gang' comedies. The performance is being staged principally for a group of dealers of the Pittsburgh natural gas companies."
Dec. 4, 1954: From The Wichita Eagle: "Television and radio performers will be brought from New York City to Wichita Saturday, Dec. 18, for the annual Christmas party for the children of the Institute of Logopedics staged by McConnell Air Force Base. The entertainers include Jean Darling, motion picture actress and Broadway vocalist; Kajar, known as America's most televised magician, and members of the "Have a Heart" radio quiz show...The Have A Heart radio show will be tape recorded during McConnell's Christmas party for the Institute of Logopedics and then will be broadcast over the Mutual network's 570 outlets at 8:30 Christmas Eve. Wichita, the Air Base and the Institute of Logopedics will be featured on the broadcast."
Dec. 4, 1954: The same article from The Wichita Eagle lists some TV programs that Jean had done up to this time. It lists the aforementioned "Break The Bank" and "All Star Revue." It also mentions The George Jessel Show, but this could be in reference to "The Comeback Story," which was hosted by Jessel. It also reveals that Jean had appeared on ABC Mystery Theater, The Robert Alda Show, Theater Guild Of The Air and I've Got A Secret. The June 20, 1987, Evening Herald of Dublin also made reference to an ABC chat show which Jean inherited from Robert Alda, but it doesn't gave a clue about what year it happened.

1955

Mar. 20, 1955: Jean appeared on the half-hour NBC radio series The Adventures Of The Abbotts in an episode called Canary Yellow Sack.
Apr. 20, 1955: From The Springfield Daily News (MA): "Jean Darling is presently playing the lead in Hilltop House, a radio serial on the CBS network." This series had been in existence for a couple of decades, so it's pretty clear that Jean was in the cast for only a fraction of that time.
May 18, 1955: A syndicated article by Steven H. Scheuer was published about Jean. She was being passed off as 29 during this period, though she was actually 32. The local New York version of "The Little Rascals" was called "Clubhouse Gang," and the interviewer asked her what she thought of it. Jean: "I've never seen a Clubhouse Gang show. I don't have a television set. But I'm looking forward to seeing myself soon. I'm going to be a guest star on the show on WPIX (local New York City outlet). It'll be the first time I've appeared on the show live and old."
June 3, 1955: Starting on this day, a series of articles of varying length published quotes from Jean in which she ranted about the British TV productions airing on American TV and the fact that teenagers were going around speaking in phony accents. One of the shows she cited was called "The Vise." Getting their wires crossed, The San Francisco News of June 4th actually credited Jean with being one of the stars of that show. The preponderance of the evidence, however, suggests that Jean had nothing to do with it. These articles went on for months, and in a lot of cases, the quotes were included in items written by bemused columnists, who thought the much bigger trend at the moment was coonskin caps.
July 5, 1955: From the Detroit Free Press: "Jean Darling, former 'Our Gang' baby star, is in her third week at Club 509 in exotic dance routines." This was actually an engagement for Gilda, which was the name Shirley Jean Rickert was using in her burlesque act. It isn't clear whether this was a mistake on the part of the paper, or whether Shirley's publicist was passing her off as Jean Darling, but the ad in the same paper simply calls her Gilda.
Late 1955: Jean and Kajar appeared in a Look magazine photo in which he's levitating her on the terrace of their apartment.
Oct. 23, 1955: Jean's son, Roy Hamilton Bowen, was born. Jean: "Until he was eight, I didn't do anything except two commercials a year." This is in reference to her decision to be a part of her child's life during his formative years, though it seems that it's not strictly accurate.
Oct. 30, 1955: The Daily News of New York reported that Jean was currently living in New York.

American Inventory episode: The 13 Million (appearance): Jan. 2, 1955 - Sloan/NBC 30 min. - TV episode
Clubhouse Gang episode (guest appearance): May 14, 1955 - WPIX 11 - TV episode; This program featured Little Rascals films. The date of this episode is according to tvparty.com.

1956

May 6, 1956: It was reported in several newspapers that Lenny Kent was dating former Our Gang kid "Baby Jean Darling," who was currently a stripper named Gilda. So the confusion between the two former Our Gang blonde girls continued.

1959

Jan. 25, 1959: The Daily News published an article on the whereabouts of former Our Gang kids. About Jean, it simply says she was "in show business in New York."
May 3, 1959: The San Antonio Light reported that the "Carousel" cast album was now available in reprocessed stereo.
July 20, 1959: From The Troy Record: "As the cute little blonde of the series, Jean Darling points out, it's a strange feeling to be sitting in your living room, holding your own child on your lap, and watching yourself as a youngster on the television revival of an 'Our Gang' comedy...Jean says frankly that she didn't consider herself 'a stable adult' until she was 28 and was married. She's 33 now, and happy, with a fine husband and wonderful son. But she says, 'It took a long time for me to achieve happiness. I'm afraid it's the same story with those other kids I appeared with in the Our Gang comedies, and some of them never did'." Sidenote: Jean was actually 36 at this time.
Oct. 3, 1959: A syndicated article was published about 3-year-old Roy Hamilton Bowen, with emphasis on his status as the son of Kajar the Magician. And since his mother was the singer Jean Darling, the boy had aspirations of growing up to be a singing magician.

Tonight Starring Jack Paar episode (appearance): Apr. 22, 1959 - NBC - 105 min. - TV episode; In addition to being interviewed, Jean was scheduled to sing a song or two from "Carousel."
Take A Good Look episode (appearance): Oct. 22, 1959 - Mansfield-Arnell/ABC - 30 min. - TV episode; Hosted by Ernie Kovacs. Jean appeared along with Farina Hoskins, Jay R. Smith, Jack Davis, Sherwood Bailey and Johnny Downs.

1960

Circa 1960: A single was released on Gametime Records by Jeanne Darling with "Tell Me All About Yourself" on the A-side and "Waltz Of Romance" on the B-side. So was this Jean with a label misspelling, or was it somebody else? Well, a demonstration disc was made by Nola Recording Studios of "Waltz Of Romance," and Jean's name is spelled correctly on that. Another Jean Darling song that turned up on a Nola disc was "Money, Money." I asked Jean about it at the Our Gang Follies site, and she wrote, "It very well could be me as I often recorded in that studio to check on how I was progressing or just to listen to how I sounded in a new project. I used the studio until 62 or 63."

1961

Dec. 31, 1961: The Wisconsin State Journal published an article on dancer June Glory, who claimed to have been a member of the Our Gang during the era of Farina, Fatso and Spanky McFarland. "Due to her remarkable likeness to Jean Darling, youthful blonde-haired feminine star of Our Gang, June took the 'leading lady's' place when that youngster became ill." Of course, none of this is actually true.

1963

Oct. 16, 1963: From the Alameda Times Star: "Annual program of the Old Time Vaudeville and Dramatic Artists Club will be presented Friday (the 18th) at 8:15 p.m. in the Oakland Auditorium Theater. Music for the show will be presented by Walter Rudolph and his orchestra. Dance numbers are being produced by Marvel Walt, Delores Nichols, Benton Wigney and Evelyn Zurfluh." Jean is listed among the "old time vaudeville stars taking part in the show."

1964

July 1964: Jean and her husband, Reuben Bowen aka Kajar the Magician, departed for South Africa to tour with a magic show called Magicadabra. Jean sang some songs and served as her husband's assistant in his magic act. This led to several tours that would take them all over the world over the next ten years.

1967

Early 1967: Prior to Easter, Jean and her family moved to Dublin. A few years earlier, they had left South Africa for La Palmas, Canary Islands (where they lived for about a year and a half), and then moved to London and then Antwerp (for seven or eight or nine months). Basically, since they were on the road so much, they didn't spend much time living in these places, but rather, used each as a base of operations. Somewhere along the line, they toured the Caribbean, and at some other point in time, they played in Fiji.
Mar. 4, 1967: From the Evening Herald of Dublin: "A unique husband-and-wife show comes next week to the Olympia. During the greater part of the evening, Kajar, the American magician, will present feats of legerdemein, including a demonstration of 'sawing a woman in half.' During the second portion of the show, Jean Darling, who in private life is Kajar's wife, and who was in the original Broadway production of 'Carousel,' will sing numbers from Broadway shows."
Mar. 6 to 18, 1967: Jean, along with Kajar in their Magicadabra act, performed at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin. The Mar. 7th Evening Herald described Jean getting into a small basket which Kajar then prodded with blades. About her musical act: "As a brief interlude in the magic, Jean Darling sang songs from 'Carousel,' in which she appeared on Broadway. Her vocal style is perhaps too emphatic for the late 1960's, and someone in the Olympia might have warned her about singing 'A Little Bit of Heaven' as a song from Ireland, then embroidering it with an unwittingly funny 'brogue' of American origin."
Apr. 22, 1967: The Irish Independent of Dublin ran an ad for Magicadabra in which Kajar and Jean were looking for bookings. It reads: "Sensational attraction available May, 1967...direct from Olympia Theatre, Dublin, and prior to 18 months' tour of Japan." This would mean that, if everything went to plan, they were in Japan from mid-1967 to the end of 1968. However, the next entry throws some doubt on this.
Dec. 19, 1967: From the Irish Independent of Dublin: "It is all magic at the special children's show, Magicadabra, which is being held this week at the Mansion House, Dublin. The magician is Kajar and there are five shows each day, starting at 11:30 a.m. Proceeds go to the Conquer Cancer Campaign and Central Remedial Clinic."

1969

Aug. 17, 1969: In a new twist on the usual "Our Gang imposter" phenomenon, the Green Bay Press-Gazette mentioned that entertainer Jane Roberts was the sister of former Our Gang star Jean Darling. In reality, Jean was an only child.
Late 1969: Kajar did performances in Dublin on Sep. 14, Sep. 15, and Nov. 30 of this year, though it isn't clear if Jean was assisting him.

1970

Early-to-Mid 1970: Kajar is confirmed to have performed in the Dublin area on Mar. 22, May 20, June 5 to 7, and Aug. 9, but it isn't clear whether or not Jean assisted him on these occasions.
Circa 1970: According to the June 18, 2000, Sunday Independent of Dublin, hypnotist Barry Sinclair took acting lessons from Jean around this time, as well as seeking tutelage from Kajar.
Aug. 17 to 21, 1970: White's Hotel in New Ross, Ireland, presented the Barn Cabaret. Among the acts were "Jean Darling, Gaul Troupe of Dancers, Stars of TV, Stage and Radio," as well as Kajar, Man of Mystery. The Aug. 22nd New Ross Standard said this about Jean: "She's a terrific personality, and made many friends in Wexford, a town which she says she likes very much, as does her husband. She was delighted to have the pleasure of playing here."

1971

1971: According to her memoirs, Jean and her family returned to South Africa to live for another three years. However, the local papers place them in Ireland during this period, including engagements in Dublin for Kajar on Nov. 19 and 29 of this year.

1972

Jan. 19, 1972: Jean performed as part of the Gala Caberet Show at The Lower Deck, 1 Portobello Harbour, Dublin.
Jan. 26, 1972: Jean performed as part of the Gala Cabaret Show at The Lower Duck, 1 Portobello Harbour, Dublin.
Mar. 3, 1972: From the Evening Herald of Dublin: "Next week sees a new star at the Embankment, Jean Darling, acclaimed on Broadway for her performance in Carousel, will be in the limelight of one of the city's most popular entertainment spots."
Mar. 6, 1972: Both Jean and Kajar performed their respective acts at the Embankment in Dublin.
Apr. 2, 1972: Jean performed at St. Anthony's Theatre, Merchant's Quay, Dublin, as part of a bill called Easter Parade.
Circa 1972: Jean states in her memoirs that she was with her husband Reuben for 18 years, which means they must have separated (or perhaps divorced) during this year. However, in her 2015 obituary, the New York Times News Service reports that they separated after 19 years. Also, the June 9, 1975, Evening Herald of Dublin, reports that they were still married, but this could be nothing more than outdated information. Jean also says that the two of them were touring South Africa with their magic act during 1972 and 1973, though, so perhaps something needs a slight adjustment in the timeline. One thing that's clear, though, is that Kajar was performing in Ireland pretty much throughout 1972, especially in the first half of the year. Also, the Mar. 19, 1980, Evening Herald of Dublin, which published an article with plenty of Jean quotes, reported that she had been living in Dublin for the past eight years, which backdates to 1972, though this doesn't necessarily mean the marriage was over at this point. And even if it was, the act could have conceivably continued.
1972/1973: In her memoirs, Jean states that she and Kajar were touring South Africa and Rhodesia during these years. While in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, their son, Roy, bought Jean a gift of watercolors and paper, and she took up painting.

1974

1974: Jean settled in Dublin again and embarked on a writing career. Her son was with her, but not her husband, who later died on Aug. 22, 1980. According to Jean's 2015 obituary in The Guardian of London, the two of them were divorced in 1974. In her AP obit, her son corroborated the 1974 move to Dublin.

In her memoirs, Jean lists several undated short stories which would had been written over the next twenty odd years. Stories published in Woman's Way magazine included The Poteen Problem, Always An Excuse, Doeskin Gloves, To Kiss A Ghost, The Ten Pence Drum, Bewitched, When The Kissing Began and The Last Job. She states that many more stories were published in the Annuals. The Ten Pence Drum was also published in Women's Choice magazine. She also wrote 29 different children's stories for Women's Way. Two other children's stories she wrote were Finny Finnegan, which included her own illustrations, and How Perkie Came To Perk's Fun Fair. She wrote the radio plays The Carousel, The Gambler, Comb My Hair and Love Buds for SABC and RTÉ Radio. Many of her short stories were adapted for radio on BBC World Service and Radio Telefís Éireann. She also wrote over 150 celebrity profiles for It magazine and Woman's Way Backstage. Also, on Sep. 7, 2015, New York Times News Service, in their obituary of Jean Darling, mention a novel she wrote called Marinda.

1975

June 1, 1975: Tony Kenny presented Whit Fun at St. Anthony's Theatre, Merchant's Quay, in Dublin. Jean was one of the performers.
June 9, 1975: From the Evening Herald of Dublin: "Last week's competition certainly inspired a noble entry. We asked readers to make a two-line rhyming couplet in their own names and they came in cartloads...Now we are honoured with something from the pen of Jean Darling, of Sandymount...Jean is an authority on the proverbs of the world and in the August issue of "Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine' you'll read her first crime story. More than anything else, Jean Darling is a wonderful person. Jean is married to Kajar the Magician and she herself sometimes sings in cabaret and she was a star of the musical 'Carousel.' For our competition she sent us a neat greeting: 'Hi there, Tony, recall Jean Darling, Who long ago was once a starling?' We send Jean a special book prize as a token of our admiration and regard."
Aug. 1975: One of Jean's short stories, Never To Be Lost Again, was published in this month's issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.
Aug. 6, 1975: From the Evening Herald of Dublin: "We talked to Brendan Balfe, who runs the RTE interview-cum-request programme at the Show. We congratulated him on the excellent interview he did with Jean Darling, author, actress, singer and once the joy of so many as the little girl of 'Our Gang'."

1976

Apr. 19, 1976: From the Evening Herald of Dublin: "Our light-hearted poem this week comes from Jean Darling, Tritonville Road, Sandymount, Dublin 4, and Jean is, of course, a very famous person....
'As I sit here beneath the sky
Watching starlings fly on high
Oh, gentle breeze upon my cheek
Help soothe away the troubled week.
Bring dreams of where I long to go
And all the joys I wish to know
But one darned thing just keep from me,
A bird that's crossed with a bumble bee!'
We send a Pound Prize to Jean and we note the sting in the tail of her poem."

1977

Mar. 1977: One of Jean's short stories, The Man Who Embezzled From Himself, was published in this month's issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.
Sep. 1977: One of Jean's short stories, Sgt. Flanagan And The Conlon Brothers, was published in this month's issue of Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.
Oct. 1977: One of Jean's short stories, The Seventh Son, was published in this month's issue of Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.

1978

Apr. 1978: Two of Jean's short stories, Private Ear and Little Girl Lost (the latter written under the name Cara Sell), were published in this month's issue of Mike Shayne's Mystery Magazine.
May 1978: One of Jean's short stories, Angel Baby, was published in this month's issue of Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.
Dec. 1978: One of Jean's short stories, All You Need Is Luck, was published in this month's issue of Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.

1979

Mar. 1979: One of Jean's short stories, Dying In Dublin, was published in this month's issue of Mike Shayne's Mystery Magazine.
Sep. 1979: One of Jean's short stories, Farewell Performance, was published in this month's issue of Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.
Sep. 29, 1979: According to the Mar. 19, 1980, Evening Herald of Dublin, one of Jean's stories, The Barren Tree, was scheduled to appear on the RTE TV network on this date, but it never made it to air.
Oct. 1979: One of Jean's short stories, The Ten Thousandth Visitor, was published in this month's issue of Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.
Dec. 1979: One of Jean's short stories, The Centaur And The Centerfold, was published in this month's issue of Executive Magazine.

1980

Feb. 1980: Jean began writing stories for RTÉ radio and TV and reading them on the air in Aunty Poppy's Story Time, in which she appeared as "Aunty Poppy." This was a regular segment contained within the TV series Anything Goes.
Mar. 19, 1980: The Evening Herald of Dublin published an article about Jean, which can be accessed by clicking here.
Apr. 1980: One of Jean's short stories Where There's A Will, There's A Way was published in this month's issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.
Apr. 1980: One of Jean's short stories, Siege In Dublin, was published in this month's issue of Mike Shayne's Mystery Magazine.
Aug. 1980: One of Jean's short stories, The Matchstick Hut, was published in this month's issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.
1980: Jean visited New York City for ten days during this year. It was her first time back in the U.S. in 16 years.

Early 1980's: After the debut of Aunty Poppy's Story Time on Irish television, various Aunty Poppy titles were published between 1980 and 2002. In addition to Aunty Poppy's Story Time, detailed below in 1984, there was a cassette called Aunty Poppy's Farley's Fables. She also wrote (and told) over 450 Aunty Poppy stories on the RTÉ Radio 2 program Poparama.
1980's: At some point, Jean also wrote 11 stories for the BBC program Listen With Mother.
1980's: At some point, Jean also wrote Starsong for John Creedon's Show on RTÉ Radio 1.
1980's: Jean's memoirs also list three more items produced for RTÉ Radio 1 at some point over the next several years. One of these is listed as Matins - Just A Thought - Sunday Miscellany, but I can't tell if there's a story in that title written for a show that's also in the title, or what. The other two items are Kevin Hough's Theater Nights and Late Date With Val Joyce, both of which may simply be appearances on talk shows.

1981

Jan. 1981: One of Jean's short stories, The Fifty Thousand Pound Joke, was published in this month's issue of Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.
Mar. 1981: One of Jean's short stories, Tell Me True, was published in this month's issue of Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.
June 1981: One of Jean's short stories, Billionaires Die Too, was published in this month's issue of Mike Shayne's Mystery Magazine.
July 22, 1981: Jean's story The Barren Tree was performed on the RTE1 radio program The Wednesday Play.
1981: Jean's 1975 short story Never To Be Lost Again was reprinted in Doors To Mystery.

1982

Jan. 17, 1982: Aunty Poppy - Teeny Tiny Tots aired on RTE Radio 2 in Ireland.
Mar. 7, 1982: Aunty Poppy - Teeny Tiny Tots aired on RTE Radio 2 in Ireland.
May 1982: One of Jean's short stories, Homer's Odyssey, was published in this month's issue of Mike Shayne's Mystery Magazine.
June 13, 1982: Aunty Poppy - Teeny Tiny Tots aired on RTE Radio 2 in Ireland.
Aug. 1982: One of Jean's short stories, Murder In Dublin, was published in this month's issue of Mike Shayne's Mystery Magazine.
1982: Jean's 1975 short story Never To Be Lost Again was reprinted in Ellery Queen's Book Of First Appearances.
1982: One of Jean's short stories, Chrysalis, was published in Fantasy Book.
Dec. 1982: One of Jean's short stories, I Never Saw His Face, was published in this month's issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.
1982: Jean began publishing seasonal Aunty Poppy Stories in the RTÉ Guide. This lasted for over a decade.

Off The Beat episode (guest appearance): Mar. 9, 1982 - RTE-2 - 30 min. - TV episode

1983

Mar. 20, 1983: Aunty Poppy's Storytime aired on RTE Radio 2 in Ireland.
Apr. 1983: One of Jean's short stories, Harry Houdini's Trousers, was published in this month's issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.
May 1983: One of Jean's short stories, The Tinker's Legs, was published in this month's issue of Mike Shayne's Mystery Magazine.
May 29, 1983: Aunty Poppy's Storytime aired on RTE Radio 2 in Ireland.
1983: One of Jean's short stories, Bite Of The Pie, was published in Ellery Queen's Prime Crimes.
Nov. 29, 1983: The Evening Herald and the Irish Independent of Dublin both ran the following in their classified ads: "AUNTY POPPY'S BOOK Autographed. Send child's name / address and £1.75 to Aunty Poppy Ltd., 294 S.C. Rd., D.8. DK2." This ad continued through Dec. 10th.

1984

Feb. 1984: One of Jean's short stories, Two Peas In A Pod, was published in this month's issue of Mike Shayne's Mystery Magazine.
May 1984: One of Jean's short stories, Two Of A Kind, was published in this month's issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.
Sep. 1984: One of Jean's short stories, Carousel, was published in this month's issue of Mike Shayne's Mystery Magazine.
Dec. 1984: One of Jean's short stories, Comb My Hair, Please Comb My Hair, was published in this month's issue of Whispers magazine, which Jean described in her memoirs as No. III in an anthology series. This particular anthology won the World's Fantasy Award.
Dec. 23, 1984: The Sunday World of Dublin, providing a survey of the latest audio releases, reported the following: "Aunty Poppy's Storytime is a Radio 2 Cassette and colouring book and for toddlers, this and the Bosco package are both worth a hard look." In Jean's memoirs, we find that this title existed in two separate editions, one with both the book and the cassette, and the other with only the cassette. She doesn't refer to the book as a coloring book, and it may be that the reviewer mistook it for a coloring book because of the "simple black and white drawings," as described by the Mar. 28, 1986, Evening Herald of Dublin. Jean wrote, read, composed, sang and illustrated.

Our Gang: Inside The Clubhouse (archival): May 8, 1984 - Lang/Camellia City Telecasters - 93 mins. - TV documentary; Includes footage from "Boxing Gloves."

1985

June 3, 1985: From the Evening Herald of Dublin: "The monkey population of Dublin Zoo increased by 30 last Saturday (the 1st). . . . all due to the storytelling of Auntie Poppy and the youthful enthusiasm of enthralled children. It was Auntie Poppy's first storytelling visit to the Zoo's Pet's Corner. And every Saturday morning at 11 throughout the summer, Auntie Poppy, the popular personality from RTE's Poparama radio programme, will read stories for youngsters. For her first guest spot, Auntie Poppy, alias actress Jean Darling, read aloud tales of monkeys and crows - and her audience of youngsters, seated on a vast carpet in front of her, aped and mimicked the animals she described. Full of enthusiasm, the children pretended to be monkeys and gibbons and minutes later, they were crows and birds flapping their wings. Before she left Pet's Corner, Auntie Poppy distributed badges and autographed photographs to her legion of pint-sized fans." An accompanying photo shows Aunty Poppy reading to a couple of kids from "Aunty Poppy's Storytime."
Aug. 1985: One of Jean's short stories, Revenge In Dublin, was published in this month's issue of Mike Shayne's Mystery Magazine.
Nov. 7, 1985: The Evening Herald of Dublin reported on the press reception in Solomon Grundy's restaurant for the opening of Children's Book Week, set to happen from Nov. 9th to 16th. Aunty Poppy attended the press reception.
Nov. 9, 1985: Aunty Poppy was scheduled to take part in the Christmas parade from College Green to Clery's in Dublin.
Dec. 1985: One of Jean's short stories, 1944 Diary, was published in this month's issue of Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine.
Dec. 16, 1985: From the Evening Herald of Dublin: "Former Ethiopian kidnap victim Terina Kelly has led over forty collectors in to Dublin's city centre for the annual Concern Christmas fund-raising drive. Terina has just returned from Sudan, where she found the situation worse than Ethiopia. But the generosity she - and helpers like RTE's Auntie Poppy - witnessed has lifted her heart."

1986

Mar. 28, 1986: The Evening Herald of Dublin published the following review: "Aunty Poppy's Storytime" is an enjoyable package for your little brother or sister just starting to read. The tiny tot reads the stories while listening to Aunty Poppy tell them on the tape which comes with the book. The young reader who enjoys hearing her stories on RTE Radio will appreciate this book and tape combination published by RTE and selling at £3.99. The simple black and white drawings are also by Aunty Poppy. The tiny tot may prefer colour, but the tape must surely make up for that."
June 7, 1986: From the Evening Herald of Dublin: "RTE's Poparama personality Aunty Poppy today begins her second year of visits to the Zoo. She will be in the Zoo, dressed in her familiar outfit, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. each Saturday, telling stories, singing songs and handing out special Aunty Poppy stickers. Aunty Poppy is, in fact, actress Jean Darling."
June 20, 1986: From the Evening Herald of Dublin: "For the young kids, Aunty Poppy from Radio 2's Poparama programme will be making an appearance at Clery's ballroom. She will be reading stories and families can view the hundreds of carnival posters entered in the Radio 2 competition."
June 29, 1986: Aunty Poppy was scheduled to do a meet-and-greet at the Mount Argus Garden Fete in Dublin.
1986: Jean's 1977 short story The Seventh Son was reprinted in Alfred Hitchcock's Anthology.
Sep. 6, 1986: From the Evening Herald of Dublin: "When Celine Naughton, the editor of Woman's Way magazine, announced a competition for children's short stories, she wasn't prepared for the response. Over 1,700 entries flooded in, leaving her and her fellow judges - who included Poparama's Aunty Poppy - snowed under."
Oct. 16, 1986: The Irish Independent reported that Jean was still living on South Circular Road in Dublin.
Nov. 8, 1986: From the Evening Herald of Dublin: "Santa beat the bombers in downtown Dublin today and was mobbed by hundreds of children in O'Connell St. A short while before a New York style parade led by the Artane Boys Band, hundreds of children had gathered to see Christmas's Mr. Wonderful in Clery's store. And when O'Connell St. was given the 'no-bombs' all clear by gardai, a special Santa parade arrived at the huge department store. In the process, it signaled the arrival of Christmas in the city. On the parade floats were well known children's characters, such as Auntie Poppy, He Man and Donald Duck. The jolly parade styled on the 'Back to the Future' film was received by the Deputy Lord Mayoress, Councillor Olga Bennett and senior Clery's staff."
Dec. 7, 1986: RTE 2 radio aired Poparama, which included a story from Aunty Poppy.

1987

Jan. 18, 1987: RTE radio 2 aired Poparama, which included a story from Aunty Poppy.
Feb. 22, 1987: RTE radio 2 aired Poparama, which included a story from Aunty Poppy.
Mar. 1, 1987: RTE radio 2 aired Poparama, which included a story from Aunty Poppy.
Mar. 8, 1987: RTE radio 2 aired Poparama, which included a story from Aunty Poppy.
Mar. 22, 1987: RTE radio 2 aired Poparama, which included a story from Aunty Poppy.
Mar. 29, 1987: RTE radio 2 aired Poparama, which included a story from Aunty Poppy.
Apr. 5, 1987: RTE radio 2 aired Poparama, which included a story from Aunty Poppy.
June 28, 1987: Aunty Poppy appeared at the Garden Fete in Mount Argus Grounds in Dublin.
1987: Jean's 1984 short story Comb My Hair, Please Comb My Hair was reprinted by Doubleday.
Summer 1987: Jean's short story The Perfect Gift was published in Night Cry.
July 16, 1987: The Irish Independent of Dublin reported the Aunty Poppy would be back on RTE's Autumn schedule.
Aug. 2, 1987: RTE radio 2 aired Poparama, which included a story from Aunty Poppy.
Sep. 18, 1987: From The Wicklow People: "Aunty Poppy, the lovable radio personality, comes to television for the first time with her fund of original stories on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays."
Dec. 1, 1987: Aunty Poppy made an appearance at Belfield in Dublin for the beginning of Concern's Christmas campaign.

Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Sep. 21, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Sep. 23, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Sep. 25, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Sep. 28, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Sep. 30, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Oct. 2, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Oct. 5, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Oct. 7, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Oct. 9, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Oct. 12, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Oct. 14, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Oct. 16, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Oct. 19, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Oct. 21, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Oct. 23, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Oct. 26, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Oct. 28, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Oct. 30, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Nov. 2, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Nov. 4, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Nov. 6, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Nov. 9, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Nov. 11, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Nov. 13, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Nov. 16, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Nov. 18, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Nov. 20, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Nov. 23, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Nov. 25, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Nov. 27, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Nov. 30, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Dec. 2, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Dec. 4, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Dec. 7, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Dec. 9, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Dec. 11, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Dec. 14, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Dec. 16, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Dec. 18, 1987 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode

1988

June 19, 1988: Aunty Poppy was scheduled to appear at the Mount Argus Annual Garden Fete in the monastery grounds of Harold's Cross, Dublin.
June 26, 1988: Aunty Poppy read stories at the Childrens' Day Literary Festival at St. Stephen's Green in Dublin, though the biggest draw turned out to be Pajo the Puppet.
1988: Jean's short story The Right Thing was published in Whispers magazine.
July 5, 1988: Aunty Poppy of RTE's Poparama appeared at the Children Talk To The Authors event at the Library in Bray, Ireland, sponsored by Warner Lambert Ltd.
Dec. 11, 1988: The Buffalo News reviewed a book called Distant Danger, a 1988 Mystery Writers of American anthology, which included one of Jean's stories from 1980. As it says, "The Matchstick Hut, sited in a seedy Liberian port city, offers a neat irony: those who steal a cache of uncut South African diamonds are unable to remove the loot, and thus become perpetual prisoners of their greed."
Dec. 23, 1988: From the Bray People of Bray, Ireland: "Hundreds of local children turned up at the DART Station to take up an invitation to take a ride on a specially commandeered train. The price of a 'ticket' was a donation towards the annual RTE Radio 2 Food Appeal organized in conjunction with the St. Vincent de Paul." Aunty Poppy was one of several stars who made appearances.

Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Jan. 1, 1988 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Jan. 4, 1988 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Jan. 6, 1988 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Jan. 8, 1988 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Jan. 11, 1988 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Jan. 13, 1988 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Jan. 15, 1988 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Jan. 18, 1988 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Jan. 20, 1988 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode
Aunty Poppy's Storytime episode (host): Jan. 22, 1988 - RTE-1 - 5 min. - TV episode

1989

1989: Jean's short story Cooking By Ouija Board was published in Plots And Plans.
July 2, 1989: The RTE child care co-op organized a picnic in celebration of the teddy bear. As the Irish Independent of Dublin reported the next day: "A bonny baby competition was judged by RTE's Teresa Lowe, Barry Devlin and Auntie Poppy."
Oct. 15, 1989: Aunty Poppy appeared at the Children's World Fair at the Mansion House in Dublin. As the Irish Independent reported the next day: "Aunty Poppy was afraid the flowers on her bonnet would shoot up towards the heavens, so much rain was falling in St. Stephen's Green yesterday. She was there to cheer on the thousands of Irish children who had been expected to join hands around the railings of the Green in a bid to raise funds for UNICEF's Children's appeal."
Dec. 15, 1989: The Bray People of Bray, Ireland, published a photo with the following caption: "Auntie Poppy had a busy time signing autographs at Bray Dart Station for the Lions Club/Radio 2 Food Appeal." It doesn't give the date of the event.

1990

Jan. 10, 1990: 9-year-old Paula Dobson won a writing competition for primary school children run by Royal Life Ireland and the ICA. Jean "Aunty Poppy" Darling and John Murphy chose her story among 27 regional finalists.
Jan. 26, 1990: From the Bray People of Bray, Ireland: "A somewhat surprising invitation, which perhaps illustrates the suddenness of the crisis to have befallen Nixdorf, was winging its way through the post this week. For friends of the local computer company were receiving invitations from the firm to a day of jollity and entertainment, culminating in a trip to The Gaiety Theatre's panto 'Babes in the Wood' as late as Wednesday of this week (the 31st). Organised by the marketing division of the company, the invitation from the firm includes a visit to The Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, for a day of kiddies fun with The Lambert Puppet Theatre, Charlie Chaplin, Auntie Poppy and others."
June 16, 1990: Jean attended the Stan Laurel centenary celebration in Ulverston, England. Among the festivities was a parade and Laurel & Hardy films shown at the Roxy Cinema.
1990: The Original Cast Recording of Carousel was released on CD.
July 13, 1990: Aunt Poppy was scheduled to read stories at the Bray Library. This event was sponsored by Warner Lambert.
Sep. 29, 1990: The Evening Herald of Dublin, published a photo of Aunty Poppy with Ronald McDonald at the recent reception to announce details of the upcoming McHappy Day. Proceeds from this promotion went to the Children's Research Centre in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, Dublin. The day of the event was the 29th, and Aunty Poppy was one of many celebrities working behind the counter.

1991

Feb. 1991: Jean's 1982 short story I Never Saw His Face was reprinted in this month's issue of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine.
June 26, 1991: From the Evening Herald of Dublin: "Who should turn up at the launch reception of Michael Scott's forthcoming 'Carousel' but Jean Darling, better known to younger readers as 2FM's Auntie Poppy. Darling explains that she was in the original Broadway production in 1945!"
July 16, 1991: The Evening Herald of Dublin reported on the opening of Michael Scott's production of "Carousel." As it says: "Over in another corner Michael Praed - star of the show - is being treated to some tips from 'Carousel' veteran Jean Darling, aka Auntie Poppy. 'I'm just telling him a few things to make it better,' says Darling, who starred in the original 1945 production."

1992

Sep. 8, 1992: The San Francisco Chronicle reported on a new magazine called Grand Times, the first issue of which contains an interview with Jean Darling.

1994

1994: The last of the seasonal Aunty Poppy Stories for the RTÉ Guide was published.
Aug. 5, 1994: A feature film called "The Little Rascals" was released, and included among the kids was a character named Jane, who appears to be an updated Jean Darling. She was played by Heather Karasek.

The Our Gang Story (use of photos): 1994 - Film Shows/GoodTimes - 120 min. - video documentary

1995

1995: Jean published her first book of memoirs during this year, A Peek At The Past.

1998

Hal Roach: The Lot Of Fun (archival): June 27, 1998 - Film Preservation Associates/Kino Lorber - 133 min. - video documentary; Released on "Slapstick Encyclopedia Vol. 6."

1999

Feb. 6, 1999: The Press & Sun-Bulletin of Binghampton, NY, mentioned that Tony Villecco had recently interviewed Jean over the phone. This was two years before the interview was printed in Villecco's 2001 book.
Oct. 9, 1999: From the Irish Independent of Dublin: "Two senior citizens who have taken the plunge into the World of IT were presented with state of the art multi-media PCs by Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment Mary Harney, at the end of September. The presentation took place at the Microsoft European Product Development Centre. The Microsoft award was to mark the United Nations International Year of the Older Person." One of the two recipients was Jean: "Jean Darling is a former child star from the much-loved American hit show 'The Little Rascals.' She developed her own e-commerce business, and from her website (http://indigo.ei/~jdarling/) she sells autographed pictures of herself from her days as a Little Rascal and also original art works by herself."

2000

Sep. 17, 2000: The Ventura County Sunday Star published an article about Helen Bell Stockdale, who had been passing herself off as Jean Darling for decades. Unlike most articles about Our Gang imposters, the journalist did her research and realized Helen wasn't on the level. When confronted, Helen claimed that she never said she was Jean Darling, just that she was in the Gang and her name was Jean. But there was enough testimony from other people interviewed for the article that it was abundantly clear that Helen had signed Jean's name on photos, in addition to fooling a guy that was engaged to her. From the looks of it, it appears that the real Jean was contacted for this article.

2001

Circa Mar. 1, 2001: An interview with Jean was published in the book Silent Stars Speak by Tony Villecco. March 1st is the date of the book's review in the Press & Sun-Bulletin of Binghampton, NY.
July 26 to 29, 2001: Jean took part in the 5th annual Thelma Todd Celebration at Lawrence Heritage State Park in Massachusetts. Joining her were Jerry Tucker and Shirley Jean Rickert.

2002

July 11 to 14, 2002: Jean attended the Sons of the Desert 13th International Convention in Nashville, and was featured with Dorothy DeBorba, Jay R. Smith and Jerry Tucker on the 12th.

2003

June 8, 2003: A revised and expanded version of A Peek At The Past was published.

2004

July 15 to 18, 2004: Jean attended the Sons Of The Desert 14th International Convention in Columbus, OH, and was featured with Mildred Kornman on the 17th.

2005

Circa 2005: Jean began attending Italy's "Pordenone Silent Film Festival" each year, and continued to do so for about a decade. She regularly sang at these festivals, accompanied by Donald Sosin.
Sep. 3, 2005: Jean was scheduled to attend the Sons Of The Desert annual Laurel and HarDAY at the Beer Engine, Poolstock in Wigan, England.

Die größten TV-Hits aller Zeiten - Die 25 beliebtesten Kinderserien (appearance): Feb. 26, 2005 - I&U/RTL - 120 min. - TV special; Made in Germany.

2006

2006: Jean attended a meeting of the Another Fine Mess tent of Sons Of The Desert in Belfast.
July 14, 2006: Jean attended the Sons Of The Desert 15th International Convention in Augusta, GA. Also in attendance was Payne Johnson. The convention ran from July 12th to 16th.
July 18, 2006: Radio 2 in England broadcast Another Fine Mess - 80 Years Of Laurel And Hardy, a one-hour documentary, which included anecdotes from Jean Darling.

2007

2007: Jean took part in The Third Annual Silent Comedy Festival in Bristol, England, and hosted A Date With Jean Darling, in which she discussed her Our Gang past with David Wyatt.

2008

Jan. 17 to 20, 2008: Jean took part in the silent comedy film festival taking place in Bristol.
2008: Jean published her second book of memoirs, Buttercakes And Banana Oil.
July 9 to 13, 2008: Jean took part in the Sons Of The Desert 16th International Convention in Amsterdam. On the 12th, she judged the best costume at the "Fancy Dress Banquet."

Nova episode (appearance as guest of honor): July 12, 2008 - Nederlandse Omroepstichting - 30 min. - TV episode; Made in the Netherlands.
The Story Of Hal Roach And Our Gang (appearance): Nov. 2008 - b1 Media-Genius - 29 min. - video documentary; Included as a bonus feature on disc 8 of The Little Rascals: The Complete Collection.

2009

Apr. 27, 2009: From Clem Richardson of the Daily News of New York: "Clarification: Several readers wrote to question last week's column subject Lorenzo Fuller's claim that he played Buckwheat in 'Our Gang,' including Jean Darling, who was a cast member for several years. I will look into it further and let you know what I find out."
2009: Jean attended the Sons Of The Desert 9th European Convention.

Presto! Sons Of The Desert 16th International Convention 2008 (appearance): Feb. 4, 2009 - McIntyre - 35 min. - video documentary; Made in the UK.
De rode loper episode (guest appearance): Aug. 13, 2009 - TV series; Made in Belgium.
Jean's Golden Memories: An Interview With Jean Darling (appearance): Sep. 1, 2009 - Riva - 37 min. - video interview; Made in the Netherlands. Jean received a "special thanks" in the credits.
Jane Eyre As A Child: An Interview With Jean Darling (appearance): Sep. 1, 2009 - Riva - 18 min. - video interview; Made in the Netherlands. Jean received a "special thanks" in the credits.

2011

Dizzy Spells: Sons Of The Desert 9th European Convention 2009 (appearance): Mar. 1, 2011 - McIntyre - 13 min. - video documentary; Made in the UK.
Laurel & Hardy: Die komische Liebesgeschichte von 'Dick & Doof' (appearance): Dec. 28, 2011 - Exit - 92 min. - TV movie documetary; Made in Germany. UK and US title: Laurel & Hardy: Their Lives And Magic. Jean was also credited under "additional crew" for providing archival material.

2013

Feb. 25, 2013: Radio 2 in England aired the documentary Silent Film, which included an interview with Jean Darling.
2013: In her 2015 AP obituary, Jean moved to Germany two years earlier, according to her son.

The Butler's Tale (featured role: Lady Cavendish - also contributing writer): Nov. 6, 2013 - Riva - 15 min. - short

2014

Hollywoods Spaßfabrik - Als die Bilder Lachen lernten (archival): May 29, 2014 - Exit Film-und Fernsehproduktion-ZDF/ARTE - 90 min. - TV documentary; Also released in English as Hal Roach - The Lot Of Fun: Where The Movies Learned To Laugh. Includes footage from "Barnum & Ringling, Inc.," "Fast Freight," "Cat, Dog & Co." and "Saturday's Lesson."

2015

2015: At the time of Jean's death, she had been living in a nursing home in Rödermark, Germany, after previously living in nearby Rodgau, where she had moved from Ireland to live near her son, Roy (some sources say she lived WITH him). According to what Roy told AP: "His mother remained active up until her death and recently had finished writing a crime novel."

Jean Darling's payroll history

The following is a list of most of Jean's history at the Roach studio, with the amounts she was making from week to week. The dates given are Saturdays, the last day of each week at the studio. The only exceptions would be Saturdays that were also holidays, in which case the Friday date is used for those weeks.

Oct. 9, 1926 - 30.00 charged to prod. K15 (Bring Home The Turkey)
Starting as a day worker, Jean was given checks for $7.50 on Oct. 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th.
Oct. 16, 1926 - 37.50 charged to prod. K15
On Oct. 13th, Jean was given a check for $22.50, which covered $7.50 a day for Oct. 11th, 12th and 13th. On Oct. 15th, she was a given a check for $15 to cover $7.50 a day for Oct. 14th and 15th.

After this, it would be about two weeks before Jean returned to the studio.

Nov. 6, 1926 - 15.00 - 10.00 charged to prod. B16 (Are Brunettes Safe?), 5.00 charged to prod. K13 (Seeing The World)
Jean was given $5 checks on Nov. 2nd and 3rd for her work in B16, and another $5 check on Nov. 5th for her work in K13.

After this, it would be over a month before Jean worked at the studio again.

Dec. 11, 1926 - 30.00 charged to prod. K16 (Ten Years Old)
Jean was given a $7.50 check on Dec. 8th, and then a $22.50 check on Dec. 11th, which covered $7.50 a day for Dec. 9th, 10th and 11th.
Dec. 18, 1926 - 200.00 charged to prod. K16
Dec. 25, 1926 - 200.00 charged to prod. K17 (Love My Dog)
Jan. 1, 1927 - 200.00 charged to prod. K17

The payroll ledger for 1927 has gone missing, which makes some of the details for these dates unavailable. There are, however, datebooks and payroll summaries that have survived, and these verify most of the information about Jean's salary that would be found in the ledger. The main exception is that, during the interim between films, it isn't clear which production the player's salary is being charged to. A bigger problem, though, is that Jean was still a day player in the early part of the year, so no information whatsoever is available prior to the week ending Apr. 23rd. However, we do know that she was absent from the studio for the last three weeks of 1926, and that while still a day player, she appeared in Tired Business Men, Baby Brother and Chicken Feed from late January to mid-April 1927.

Apr. 23, 1927 - 35.00 charged to prod. K21 (Olympic Games)
Jean was put under long-term contract starting this week. However, there's some doubt about her involvement in production K21.
Apr. 30, 1927 - 35.00 charged to prod. K21
May 7, 1927 - 35.00 charged to prod. K21
May 14, 1927 - 35.00 charged to prod. K22 (The Glorious Fourth)
Jean didn't appear in production K22.
May 21, 1927 - 35.00 charged to prod. K22
May 28, 1927 - 35.00 charged to prod. K23 (Playin' Hookey)
June 4, 1927 - 35.00 charged to prod. K23
June 11, 1927 - 35.00 charged to prod. K23
June 18, 1927 - 35.00 charged to prod. G1 (Yale Vs. Harvard)
June 25, 1927 - 35.00 charged to prod. G1
July 2, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. K24 (The Smile Wins)
It appears that Jean didn't work in production K24.

As distribution was shifting from Pathé to MGM, the Kid Co. transitioned into the Gang Co. During the weeks ending July 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th, the studio was closed. The datebooks indicate that Jean wasn't paid during this stretch, but the payroll summaries indicate that she was.

Aug. 6, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. K24
Aug. 13, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G2 (The Old Wallop)
Aug. 20, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G2
Aug. 27, 1927 - 45.00
Sep. 3, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G3 (Heebee Jeebees)
Sep. 10, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G3
Sep. 17, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G3 and G4 (Dog Heaven)
It isn't clear whether Jean's salary was split in half between the two productions, or perhaps 1/3 for G3 and 2/3 for G4.
Sep. 24, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G4
Oct. 1, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G3 and G4
It isn't clear whether Jean's salary was split 5/6 for G4 and 1/6 for G3, or 11/12 for G4 and 1/12 for G3.
Oct. 8, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G4
Oct. 15, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G4 and G5 (Spook-Spoofing)
It appears that Jean's salary was probably split 5/12 for G4 and 7/12 for G5. She also didn't appear in production G5.
Oct. 22, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G5
Oct. 29, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G5
Nov. 5, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G4 and G6 (Rainy Days)
It appears that Jean's salary was probably split 1/3 for G4 and 2/3 for G6.
Nov. 12, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G6
Nov. 19, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G6
Nov. 26, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G6
Dec. 3, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G6
Dec. 10, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G6
Dec. 17, 1927 - 45.00 charged to prod. G6 and G7 (Edison, Marconi & Co.)
It appears that Jean's salary was probably split 5/6 for G6 and 1/6 for G7. It isn't clear whether or not Jean worked in production G7.
Dec. 24, 1927 - 50.00 charged to prod. G6, G7 and G8 Barnum & Ringling, Inc.)
It appears that Jean's salary was probably split 14/36 for G6, 11/36 for G7 and 11/36 for G8.
Dec. 31, 1927 - 50.00 charged to prod. G6, G7 and G8
It appears that Jean's salary was probably split 1/6 for G6, 1/6 for G7 and 4/6 for G8.

With the start of 1928, we can return to the payroll ledgers for a more accurate picture of Jean's history.

Jan. 7, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G8
Jan. 14, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G8
Jan. 21, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G9 (Fair And Muddy)
Jan. 28, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G9
Feb. 4, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G9
Feb. 11, 1928 - 50.00 - 33.33 charged to prod. G9, 16.67 charged to prod. G10 (Crazy House)
Feb. 18, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G10
Feb. 25, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G10
Mar. 3, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G11 (Growing Pains)
Mar. 10, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G11
Mar. 17, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G11
Mar. 24, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G11

The studio was closed during the spring, resulting in Jean not being paid for five weeks.

May 5, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G12 (The Ol' Gray Hoss)
May 12, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G12
May 19, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G12
May 26, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G12
June 2, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G12
June 9, 1928 - 50.00 - 25.00 charged to prod. G12, 25.00 charged to prod. G13 (School Begins)
June 16, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G13
June 23, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G13
June 30, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G13
July 7, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G14 (The Spanking Age)
July 14, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G14
July 21, 1928 - 50.00 - 25.00 charged to prod. G14, 25.00 charged to prod. G15 (Election Day)
July 28, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G15
Aug. 4, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G15
Aug. 11, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G15
Aug. 18, 1928 - 50.00 charged to Gang Tour
Jean and her fellow Gangsters spent a couple of months on a personal appearance tour.
Aug. 25, 1928 - 50.00 charged to Gang Tour
Sep. 1, 1928 - 50.00 charged to Gang Tour
The payroll ledger doesn't list Jean for this week, but the payroll summary and the studio datebook indicate that she still got paid.
Sep. 8, 1928 - 50.00 charged to Gang Tour
Sep. 15, 1928 - 50.00 charged to Gang Tour
Sep. 22, 1928 - 50.00 charged to Gang Tour
Sep. 29, 1928 - 50.00 charged to Gang Tour
Oct. 6, 1928 - 50.00 charged to Gang Tour
Oct. 13, 1928 - 50.00 charged to Gang Tour
Oct. 20, 1928 - 50.00 charged to Gang Tour
Oct. 27, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G16 (Noisy Noises)
Nov. 3, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G16
Nov. 10, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G16
Nov. 17, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G16
Nov. 24, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G17 (The Holy Terror)
Dec. 1, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G17
Dec. 8, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G18 (Wiggle Your Ears)
Dec. 15, 1928 - 50.00 - 12.50 charged to prod. G18, 37.50 charged to prod. G19 (Fast Freight)
Dec. 22, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G19
Dec. 29, 1928 - 50.00 charged to prod. G19

For the weeks ending Jan. 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th, the studio was closed and Jean didn't receive her salary. When she returned, she had received a raise.

Feb. 2, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G20 (Little Mother)
Feb. 9, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G20
Feb. 16, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G20
Feb. 23, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G21 (Cat, Dog & Co.)
Mar. 2, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G21
Mar. 9, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G22 (Saturday's Lesson)
Mar. 16, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G22
Mar. 23, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G22
Mar. 30, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G23 (Small Talk)
Apr. 6, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G23
Apr. 13, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G23
Apr. 20, 1929 - 60.00 - 20.00 charged to prod. G23, 40.00 charged to prod. G24 (Railroadin')
Apr. 27, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G24
May 4, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G24
May 11, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G24
May 18, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G25 (Boxing Gloves)
May 25, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G25
June 1, 1929 - 25.00 charged to prod. G25
During this interim between films, Jean received a lower salary.
June 8, 1929 - 25.00 charged to prod. G25
June 15, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G26 (Lazy Days)
June 22, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G26
June 29, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G26
July 6, 1929 - 25.00 - 16.67 charged to prod. G26, 8.33 charged to prod. G27 (Bouncing Babies)
It's apparent that Jean didn't work on production G27 for very long, considering her lowered salary in 3 out of 4 weeks.
July 13, 1929 - 60.00 charged to prod. G27
July 20, 1929 - 25.00 charged to prod. G27
July 27, 1929 - 25.00 charged to prod. G27

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