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:

Production A-33.

Filmed June 30 to July 19, 1924. Retakes shot September 8 to 12, 1924. Additional scenes shot September 13 and 15, 1924. There was a fire at the studio on July 7th at 6:00 p.m.

Copyrighted December 11, 1924, by Pathé Exchange, Inc. Registration no. LU20884. Since the copyright was not renewed, this film is now in the public domain.

Released December 14, 1924. It was the 33rd film in the series to be released.

Silent two-reeler.

Opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "The Mysterious Mystery!".'

Released into TV syndication as Mischief Makers episode no. 1003, "Private Eye," copyrighted Sep. 1, 1960, with registration number LP17308.


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
possible uncredited involvement


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:

Mickey reads Tales Of Sherlock Holmes, published by The International Adventure Library.

There were 32 copies of this film printed for its initial release.


Copyright Feb. 4, 2005, by Robert Demoss.
2005 updates: 2/27, 4/25.
2006 updates: 1/2, 1/9, 6/12, 10/25.
2007 updates: 4/1, 10/17, 10/22, 11/25.
2008 updates: 1/19, 2/21, 3/18, 3/31.


Thanks to Rob Stone, Joe Moore and Mark Brumfield for assistance on this page.


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