No Noise

film no. 20

availability:

Our Gang Silent Comedies Volume 1 (VHS) from Video Classics and

Our Gang Comedies I (VHS) from The Picture Palace

Video Classics' copy has generic opening and ending titles generated by themselves. The are no inter-titles in this print, suggesting that perhaps it's a TV print from Mischief Makers. The print totals 15:08, with 14:48 of it original footage. Roughly two-thirds of the original film is included.

special note

I was able to view a home movie digest version of this film. It contains remade titles, which don't seem particularly original, but it includes footage missing from the Video Classics version. I was also able to view another home movie extract which contains some of the original inter-titles.

technical details:

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.

Story by Hal E. Roach

The film probably doesn't include 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.

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 - Bud "Stax" Graves and Gene Kornman
• 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.
• animal training - Tony Campanaro was probably among the animal trainers. C. I. Norris and Cal Norris were providing monkeys for the Dippy Doo Dads series during this period, and may have provided the monkey seen in this film.

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

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

Joe Cobb

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

Jack Davis

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

Jackie Condon

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 boys

Bit parts. According to Maltin & Bann, the gang switches places with some other boys. However, this is not revealed in these prints. They list among them Andy Samuel, who should be familiar to anybody who's seen enough of these early silents, and Lewis De Vore, who is not listed for any other film, and, to me anyway, is a total mystery.

the animals:

monkey 004

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

dog 001

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 Young as the doctor in charge

Supporting role. He gives the gang several phony diagnoses to scare them.

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).

Clara Guiol as one of the nurses

Bit part. She's seen in the parts where the boys are being scared.

Helen Gilmore as one of the nurses

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

Charles Bachman as the police officer

Bit part. According to Maltin & Bann. He's too hard to identify in this print.

other adults

Bit parts and extras.
(1.) The professor teaching the class.
(2.) The doctor that discovers the boys messing around with the equipment.
(3.) The nurse standing next to Helen Gilmore as the doctors conspire against the gang.
(4.) The nurse that helps Beth Darlington hold Mickey down as she gives him his castor oil.
(5.) Several doctors and nurses being instructed by the professor. Also, a few doctors, nurses and patients are seen outside the hospital.

the locations:

Hal E. Roach Studios

Served as the front of Municipal Hospital.

miscellaneous:

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