The Mysterious Mystery!

film no. 33

availability:

Rascals Silents Vol. 1 (VHS) from A-1 Video

This copy is a home movie print from Pathescope in Boston. It includes the original opening title, and the inter-titles, but is missing the crew credits, and has a Pathescope end title. The footage totals 19:47, with 19:45 of it original. It appears that almost all of the original film is included.

The Our Gang Collection - Volume 3 (DVD) from Reelclassicdvd.com

Released July 2007. This version is comparable to the A-1 version, but replaces the Pathescope end title with a new Pathé end title. The footage totals 19:51, with 19:46 of it original.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Vol. 4 (VHS) from HenryButch

This is the same version as the print released by A-1.

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Credited in the film as a presenter.

Directed by Robert F. McGowan

This credit probably appears in the film, but without his middle initial.

Titles by H. M. Walker

This credit probably appears in the film.

Story by Hal E. Roach

This credit probably doesn't appear in the film.

Released by Pathé Exchange, Inc.

Passed by the National Board of Review

As 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
• laboratory superintendent - Charles Levin
• publicity director - Garrett Graham
• purchasing agent - Clyde Hopkins
• still photographer - Bud "Stax" Graves
• transportation director - Bob Davis
• school teacher - Fern Carter

possible uncredited involvement

• photography - Credits during this period went to Art Lloyd.
• editing - Credit usually went to Thomas J. Crizer during this period, but Richard Currier and Bert Jordan were also in the editorial department.
• writing - Robert F. McGowan, Thomas J. Crizer and James Parrott may have contributed gags.
• property department - Charles Oelze was probably involved in this capacity, and possibly Sherbourne Shields and Roy Seawright.
• animal training - Tony Campanaro was probably among the animal trainers.

the kids:

Mickey Daniels as "Mickey"

Featured role. Also referred to as "Sherlock Hawkshaw," his detective nickname. He's the leader of the gang's detective agency and gets at least as much screen time as anybody else.

Jackie Condon as "Little Adelbert Wallingford"

Featured role. He's the kidnap victim, but wins the hearts of his kidnappers.

Joe Cobb as "Joe"

Featured role. His detective nickname is "Watson." He's the second-in-command in the detective agency, and gets quite a bit of screen time.

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Featured role. His detective nickname is "Hawk-Eye," but Maltin & Bann imply that this was used in place of "Farina," which it isn't. He provides comic punctuation throughout, particularly with his magnifying glass.

Eugene "Pineapple" Jackson as "Snowball"

Supporting role. Maltin & Bann indicate that his screen name was "Pineapple," but it's "Snowball." He's already a main player in this, his first short, but is overshadowed by a few of the others.

Andy Samuel as "Andy"

Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble acting in this short. This was essentially his last appearance, unless you count "Boys Will Be Joys" (no. 42).

"Sonny Boy" Warde as "Sing"

Supporting role. Listed as "Sing Joy" by Maltin & Bann. It appears to me to be Sonny Boy.

the animals:

Pal

Supporting role. He belongs to Gene and Farina in this one. He wears a disguise and gets a bit of abuse from Farina and his magnifying glass.

other animals

Supporting role. The pigeon that figures strongly in the plot.

the adults:

Charles A. Bachman as "Detective Jinks"

Supporting role. He falls victim to the gang's ingenuity and vows revenge.

William Gillespie as "Mr. Wallingford"

Supporting role. He's Adelbert's father, and is given a substantial role.

Sam Lufkin as the leader of the kidnappers

Supporting role. He's basically the heartless one among the kidnappers.

Dick Gilbert as one of the kidnappers

Supporting role. He's seen mostly in the scenes with Adelbert and the third kidnapper.

Allen Cavan as Adelbert's tutor

Small part. He's the victim of Adelbert's pranks at the beginning of the film. Maltin & Bann indicate that he's the grandfather, but I think this might be a mistake.

Charley Young as the butler

Bit part. Shown briefly letting the gang into the mansion.

other adults

Supporting roles and bit parts.
(1.) The third kidnapper, who helps Gilbert babysit Adelbert.
(2.) "Sam," the cop, who meets up with Farina early on, then frees Jinks from the gang's clutches.
(3.) The pilot, who isn't seen too clearly in this print.
(4.) Adelbert's mother, who's seen briefly at the mansion.
(5.) The maid, who's seen in the background at the mansion.
(6.) The guy that starts the propellor on the plane.

the locations:

Adams Hotel

Located at 3896 Main Street in Culver City. Andy walks past this, and Detective Jinks follows him through the alley.

the park bench

This reads "United Builders General Contractors, 7030 Cardiff St."

the brick building on the corner

Not the same one as usual, but there's a bill posted with various pieces of information. The only thing I can make out is something for a fashion show.

Stone's

This is all I can make out. Mickey is waiting here as Jinks walks by.

airfield

Next to where the plane takes off is a sign that reads "Bros."

real estate office

Gillespie and Bachman drive past this.

miscellaneous:

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