No Noise

technical details:

Production A-20.

Filmed June 1 to 20, 1923. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Released September 23, 1923. It was the 17th film in the series to be released.

Copyrighted September 24, 1923, by Pathé Exchange, Inc. Registration no. LU19443. Since the copyright was not renewed, this film is now in the public domain.

Silent two-reeler.

Opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "No Noise".'

Released into TV syndication as Mischief Makers episode no. 1041, "Operation: Tonsils!!!," copyrighted Sep. 1, 1960, with registration number LP17346. Footage also went into episode no. 1061, "The Rival Clinic," copyrighted Sep. 1, 1960, with registration number LP17764. The remainder of this latter episode was made up of footage from the Hey Fellas! short "The Klynick" from 1925.

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Probably credited in the film as a presenter.

Directed by Robert F. McGowan

The film probably includes this credit, but without his middle initial.

Assistant Director: Clarence Morehouse

This credit derives from Morehouse's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period. Until the week ending June 2nd, Tom McNamara was also listed in the payroll summaries as an assistant director, which means he may have assisted McGowan on the first two days of shooting.

Photographed by Harry W. Gerstad

This credit derives from the weekly studio payroll summaries, which indicate that Gerstad was the regular Our Gang cameraman during this period.

Titles by H. M. Walker

The film probably includes this credit.

Props by Dick Gilbert, Charles Oelze and L. Barker

This credit derives from their payroll status as Our Gang prop men during this period. Oelze is missing from the payroll summaries after the week ending June 9th. Barker's name is added the week ending June 23rd, which means he may have worked on the last three shooting dates for this film.

Story by Hal E. Roach

The film probably doesn't include this credit.

Teacher: Fern Carter

Released by Pathé Exchange, Inc.

Passed by the National Board of Review

Probably indicated in the film.

studio personnel

general manager - Warren Doane

assistant general manager - L. A. French

secretary-treasurer - C. H. Roach

construction supervisor - C. E. Christensen

purchasing superintendent - John L. Murphy

still photographer - Gene Kornman and Chester "Bud" Graves

driver - Bob Davis joined the Roach studio the week ending June 9th.

possible uncredited involvement

editing - Credit usually went to Thomas J. Crizer during this period.

writing - Robert F. McGowan, Tom McNamara, Thomas J. Crizer and Leo McCarey may have been among the gag writers.

the kids:

main players

Mickey Daniels as "Mickey"

Lead role. The gang's homemade sign spells his name "Micky Daniels." He's the star of the film, appearing in most of the scenes.

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Featured role. Or more specifically, "Little Farina." He's a 'she' in this film. As usual, he's the comedy relief in this comedy, eating everything he gets his hands on, and getting into the chloroform. His hair is combed out in this short, giving him a rather peculiar look.

Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison as "Ernie"

Supporting role. Maltin & Bann indicate that the "Sunshine Sammy" nickname was used. His big scene is with the skeleton.

Joe Cobb as "Joe"

Supporting role. He has a good moment with his hair standing on end, but most of what he does is ensemble acting.

Jack Davis as "Jack"

Supporting role. He seems to be the kid in charge in Mickey's absence. Mostly, though, he does ensemble acting.

Jackie Condon as "Jackie"

Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble acting in this short.

Mary Kornman as "Mary"

Small part. She's on her way to see Mickey at the hospital when the gang decides to join her. She's left out of most of the chaos, though.

other kids

Andy Samuel as "Lewis De Vore"

Small part. He's among the boys with the vaccination orders that trade places with the gang. He's the first to pull the piece of paper out of his pocket, and an insert shot of the order reveals that his character name is "Lewis De Vore," a name included in Maltin & Bann's cast listing for this film.

Kenneth Johnson

Small part. He's to the far left among the five boys with the vaccination orders, and does most of the talking with the gang. He was the oldest of the seven Johnson children, all of whom managed to appear in this series over the years.

Sammy Josephs, Charles Oelze, Jr. and David Kirby, Jr.

Small parts. These are the three remaining boys with vaccination orders and are to the right of Andy and Kenneth.

the animals:

monkey 004

Small part. He appears off and on throughout the short.

Bill

Small part. He's seen at the beginning flattening the gang's football, and then at the end chasing the cop.

Dinah the Mule

Bit part. In this print, she's briefly seen pulling the wagon as the gang journeys to the hospital.

other animals

Bit parts.

(1.) The black cat with white markings on its face and neck. He joins Farina in the chloroform scene.

(2.) Experimental mice and guinea pigs.

the adults:

Beth Darlington as Mickey's nurse

Supporting role. She's featured fairly strongly, particularly at the beginning of the film, trying to give Mickey castor oil.

Charley Lloyd as the doctor in charge

Supporting role. He gives the gang several phony diagnoses to scare them. Listed by Maltin & Bann as Charley Young.

Charles Stevenson as one of the other doctors

Small part. He's mainly seen chasing the gang around.

Roy Brooks as one of the other doctors

Small part. As usual, Maltin & Bann list Lincoln Stedman, but I'm guessing that it's Roy Brooks. He's seen in the same scenes with Stevenson.

Madge Hunt as Mickey's mom

Small part. She's seen near the beginning of the film visiting Mickey. Previously seen in "Stage Fright" (no. 17).

Vera White as one of the nurses

Bit part. She's seen in the parts where the boys are being scared. Listed by Maltin & Bann as Clara Guiol.

Helen Gilmore as one of the nurses

Bit part. She's seen in the same scenes with Guiol.

Charles A. Bachman as the police officer

Bit part. He chases the kids out of the hospital, only to get attacked by their dog.

Don Maines as one of the doctors

Bit part. He catches the boys playing with the electrical equipment and chases them off.

Grace Woods as one of the nurses

Extra. As the professor is holding a guinea pig in front of the rows of nurses, she's in the lower left-hand corner.

other adults

Bit parts and extras.

(1.) The professor teaching the class.

(2.) The nurse standing next to Helen Gilmore as the doctors conspire against the gang.

(3.) The nurse that helps Beth Darlington hold Mickey down as she gives him his castor oil.

(4.) Several doctors and nurses being instructed by the professor. Also, a few doctors, nurses and patients are seen outside the hospital.

the locations:

Master Mfg. Co.

The gang practices football behind the building at 3316 Motor Avenue, which by 1927 was where the Master company was located. Beyond the building can be seen the tops of the buildings on the opposite side of Motor. A bit of the sign for Arden Grocery can be made out, which didn't exist when its distinctive brick arch was last seen in "The Champeen" (no. 9). The brick building next to this property is the Palms Garage at 3304 Motor. When Mary arrives at this location, she's behind the Master property, at the point where the back alley meets National Boulevard. Behind her, we see Palms Lumber Company at 10321 National Boulevard. As the kids leave this location, they're in the alley behind the Master property, and we get a view of the alley looking south.

Hal E. Roach Studios

Served as the front of Municipal Hospital.

Bank of Culver City

This is where the kids switch places with the boys carrying the vaccination orders.

miscellaneous:

17 shooting dates went into the making of this film. Robert McGowan began the shooting of this film on June 1st, the day after he shot the last retakes for "July Days" (no. 18). Filming continued until the 'finish' of June 20th. No shooting took place on June 3rd, 10th, or 17th, which were all Sundays. The day after shooting wrapped, McGowan began the retakes for "Stage Fright" (no. 17).

The 1923 studio datebook reveals what the weather was like on the various shooting dates. On most days, it was described as 'clear,', though on June 15th, it was described as 'clear PM rain AM.' It was described as 'foggy' on the 5th and 6th, and 'foggy AM' on the 8th. No description was given for the three Sundays.

This film was the fifth of six in the third 'series' of Our Gang films.

40 still images were printed into numerous press photos to promote this film.

The gang's team is called Dugans Allie Football Teem. The team the gang is scheduled to play is called the Goose Alley Juniors.

The physician on Lewis De Vore's vaccination order is named S. S. Herrman MD.

The Sep. 22nd issue of Motion Picture News published the following review by Roger Ferri: "Hal Roach has been Babe-Ruthing with his 'Our Gang' comedies, but 'No Noise' is a laugh hit that will find a comfortable spot on any bill, for it is replete with rip-roaring action that is original. There is no waste of footage in this two-reeler, every foot being put into material play and the whole constituting entertainment that should have no trouble getting over. These 'Our Gang' comedies have struck a popular note and 'No Noise' is no exception. It deals with the determination of the gang to recruit the football services of Mickey Daniels, convalescing from tonsilitis. This expedition to the hospital prompts a series of humorous adventures that should keep your audiences in a continual roar of laughter. The chase through operating rooms, medical cabinets and wards uncover incidents that everybody should enjoy. Every member of the gang is in his glory in this issue with little Farina possibly grabbing a few more laughs than the others, but for real laughs 'No Noise' will suit the comedy spot nicely."

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

© Robert Demoss.