Mildred Kornman


This filmography was made in collaboration with Matthew Lydick.


full name: Mildred Gene Kornman
childhood professional name: Mildred Kornman
adult professional name: Ricki VanDusen
born July 10, 1925, in Beverly Hills, CA
died Aug. 19, 2022, in Mt. Vernon, WA


Special note: Much of the information about Mildred's career away from the Roach studio derives from John Frank's excellent tribute to Mildred at mildredkornman.com.

Also of note: Since Mildred changed her name to Ricki VanDusen upon reaching adulthood, I'll be referring to her as Ricki starting with the year 1943.


1925


1926

49. Baby Clothes (undetermined extra part)
Apr. 25, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-7 - Our Gang series
Filmed Dec. 7 to 20, 1925, with retakes Jan. 11, 1926. ©Mar. 15, 1926.
51. Thundering Fleas (small part)
July 4, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-9 - Our Gang series
Also listed for July 28, 1926. Filmed Mar. 8 to 25, 1926. ©May 26, 1926.
53. The Fourth Alarm! (supporting role: Mildred)
Sep. 12, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-11 - Our Gang series
Filmed May 24 to June 14, 1926. ©Sep. 17, 1926.
Bromo And Juliet (bit part: baby on bus)
Sep. 19, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. B-11 - Charley Chase series
Filmed May 11 to 25, 1926, with added scenes June 8, 1926. ©July 26, 1926.
54. War Feathers (small part)
Nov. 21, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-12 - Our Gang series
Filmed Aug. 5 to Sep. 4, 1926. ©Dec. 13, 1926.
The Nickel-Hopper (supporting role: Edsel)
Dec. 5, 1926 - Roach/Pathé - 3 reels - prod. H-11 - Mabel Normand series
Also listed as prod. H-13. Filmed Aug. 19 to Sep. 3, 1926. ©Nov. 11, 1926.

1927

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.
58. Ten Years Old (supporting role: Mildred)
Mar. 13, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-16 - Our Gang series
Filmed Nov. 24 to Dec. 14, 1926. ©Feb. 14, 1927.
59. Love My Dog (small part)
Apr. 10, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-17 - Our Gang series
Also listed for Apr. 17, 1927. Filmed Dec. 21, 1926, to Jan. 4, 1927. ©Apr. 11, 1927.
61. Baby Brother (supporting role)
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 (bit 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.
68. The Old Wallop (undetermined role)
Oct. 22, 1927 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-2 - Our Gang series
Filmed Aug. 8 to 20, 1927. ©Oct. 22, 1927. Mildred doesn't appear in the available print, but is present in at least one promotional photo.
69. Heebee Jeebees (small part)
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

65. Playin' Hookey (bit 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.
71. Spook-Spoofing (small part)
Jan. 14, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 3 reels - prod. G-5 - Our Gang series
Filmed Oct. 11 to 27, 1927. ©Jan. 14, 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.
66. The Smile Wins (small part)
Feb. 26, 1928 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-23 - Our Gang series
Filmed May 24 to June 7, 1927. ©Sep. 2, 1927.
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.

1930

102. School's Out (extra)
Nov. 22, 1930 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-36 - Our Gang series
Filmed June 17 to 25, 1930.

1931


1932

111. Readin' And Writin' (extra)
Jan. 2, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-4 - Our Gang series
Also listed for Feb. 2, 1932. Filmed Sep. 30 to Oct. 10, 1931. ©Dec. 17, 1931.
113. Spanky (extra)
Mar. 26, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-6 - Our Gang series
Filmed Dec. 14 to 22, 1931. ©Mar. 29, 1932.
118. Birthday Blues (small part)
Nov. 12, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-11 - Our Gang series
Filmed July 30 to Aug. 4, 1932. ©Oct. 24, 1932.

1933

120. Fish Hooky (extra)
Jan. 28, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-13 - Our Gang series
Filmed Oct. 17 to 22, 1932. ©Jan. 16, 1933.

1935

140. Little Sinner (extra)
Oct. 26, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-33 - Our Gang series
Filmed July 8 to 16, 1935. ©Sep. 4, 1935.
141. Our Gang Follies Of 1936 (extra)
prem. Nov. 27, 1935 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-34 - Our Gang series
Filmed Sep. 9 to 14, and Sep. 23 to 28, 1935. ©Oct. 29, 1935. Released Nov. 30, 1935.

1936

143. The Pinch Singer (extra)
Jan. 4, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-35 - Our Gang series
Filmed Dec. 11 to 21, 1935. ©Feb. 6, 1936. Working title: King's Gong.
145. Arbor Day (extra)
May 2, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-38 - Our Gang series
Filmed Feb. 12 to 18, 1935. ©Apr. 9, 1936.
Neighborhood House (extra)
May 9, 1936 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. C-39 - Charley Chase series
Previewed in April at 58 minutes, and then cut to 55 minutes before finally being released as a short. Filmed around Mar 9 to 25, 1936. ©July 8, 1936.

1937

Hoosier Schoolboy (role: schoolgirl)
July 7, 1937 - Monogram - 6 reels - Mickey Rooney feature
©July 7, 1937.
Way Out West (extra)
Apr. 16, 1937 - Roach/MGM - 6 reels - prod. F-14 - Laurel & Hardy feature
Filmed Aug. 27 to early Nov. 1936. ©Apr. 9, 1937. This film was reissued in the early '50s as a two-reeler entitled The Whacky West. Oscar nominee for Best Musical Score.

1938

Mr. Boggs Steps Out (undetermined role)
prem. Jan. 26, 1938 - Zion Meyers/Grand National - 68 min. - Stuart Erwin feature
©Nov. 12, 1937. Released Feb. 18, 1938.
Mad About Music (role: schoolgirl)
Feb. 27, 1938 - Universal - 10 reels - Deanna Durbin feature
©Mar. 11, 1938.

1942


1943


1944

The Bridge Of San Luis Rey (undetermined role)
Feb. 11, 1944 - Bogeaus/UA - 107 min. - Lynn Bari feature
©Feb. 11, 1944.
Up In Arms (role: Goldwyn Girl)
prem. Feb. 17, 1944 - Goldwyn/Avalon/RKO - 6 reels - Danny Kaye feature
#169;Mar. 2, 1944.
Atlantic City (role: woman at racetrack)
prem. July 29, 1944 - Republic - 10 reels - Constance Moore & Brad Taylor feature
©Aug. 16, 1944. Released Sep. 15, 1944.

1945

Diamond Horseshoe (bit part: chorine)
prem. May 2, 1945 - 20th Century-Fox - 11 reels - Betty Grable & Dick Haymes feature
©May 2, 1945 as Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe. Released May 1945. Filmed in Technicolor. Ricki is the "lemon souffle" during one of the musical numbers.
The Dolly Sisters (role: lady in booking office)
prem. Oct. 5, 1945 - 20th Century-Fox - 13 reels - feature
©Oct. 5, 1945. Released Nov. 14, 1945. Starring Betty Grable, John Payne, and June Haver. Filmed in Technicolor.

1946

Cinderella Jones (role: junior leaguer)
Mar. 9, 1946 - Warner Bros. - 90 min. - Joan Leslie & Robert Alda feature
©Mar. 9, 1946.

1947

I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now (role: chorine)
prem. July 23, 1947 - 20th Century-Fox - 104 min. - June Haver & Mark Stevens feature
©July 3, 1947. Released Aug. 1947. Filmed in Technicolor.
T-Men (role: girl on plane)
prem. Dec. 25, 1947 - Small/Foy/Eagle-Lion - 10 reels - Dennis O'Keefe feature
©Jan. 10, 1948. Released Jan. 22, 1948.

1948


1949


1951


1953

Abbott And Costello Go To Mars (role: girl)
Apr. 6, 1953 - Universal International - 77 min. - Abbott & Costello feature
©Mar. 10, 1953.

1954


1957


1962

The Interns (role: model)
prem. Aug. 8, 1962 - Cohn/Columbia - 120 min. - feature
©June 27, 1962. Starring Michael Callan, Cliff Robertson, James MacArthur, Nick Adams, Suzy Parker, Haya Harareet, Anne Helm, Stefanie Powers, Buddy Ebsen, Telly Savalas and Kay Stevens.

1966


1970s


1978

Rascal Dazzle (archival)
1978 - King World/Picture Scores - 93 min. - documentary feature
©1978. Seems to have debuted on TV, followed by a theatrical release in late 1979. Includes footage from "Our Gang Follies Of 1936."

1980


1984

Our Gang: Inside The Clubhouse (still photo)
May 8, 1984 - Lang/Camellia City Telecasters - 93 mins. - TV documentary
No footage of Mildred was used in this film, but at least one still photo appeared, as well as another one from her Ricki VanDusen days.

1986

Classic Comedy Teams (archival)
1986 - Bergamn-Harris/Movietime/GoodTimes - video documentary
Includes footage from "School's Out."

1994

The Our Gang Story (archival)
1994 - Film Shows/GoodTimes - 120 min. - video documentary
Includes footage from "School's Out."

2000

Bamboozled (archival)
Oct. 20, 2000 - 40 Acres/New Line - 135 min. - color - Dolby
Includes footage from "School's Out."

2002


2004


Mildred Kornman's payroll history

The following is a list of Mildred'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.

After this, it would be three months before Mildred worked at the Roach studio again.

After this, it would be two months before Mildred worked at the studio again.

After this, it would be nearly two weeks before Mildred worked at the studio again.

After this, it would be more than a month before Mildred worked at the studio again.

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 Mildred'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.

Mildred was missing from the payroll for the next four weeks due to a leave of absence that involved her traveling with sister Mary while the latter was on her vaudeville tour.

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 Mildred wasn't paid during this stretch, but the payroll summaries indicate that she was.

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

After this, it would be over two years before Mildred worked at the Roach studio again.

After this, it would be over two years before Mildred worked at the Roach studio again.

After this, it would be about a month and a half before Mildred worked at the Roach studio again.

After this, it would be over two and a half years before Mildred worked at the Roach studio again.

After this, it would be two months before Mildred worked at the Roach studio again.

After this, it would be over two months before Mildred worked at the Roach studio again.

After this, it would be over a month and a half before Mildred worked at the Roach studio again.

After this, it would be nearly a month before Mildred worked at the Roach studio again.

After this, it would be six months before Mildred worked at the Roach studio again.

I've yet to research the 1937 and 1938 payroll ledgers, so it's possible that Mildred did some additional extra work during those years.


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


© Robert Demoss and Matthew Lydick.


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