Your Own Back Yard

film no. 44

availability:

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Probably credited in the film as a presenter.

Supervised by F. Richard Jones

Probably credited in the film as supervising director.

Directed by Robert F. McGowan and Len Powers

Maltin & Bann list only McGowan, and the film probably reflects this, but without his middle initial. He's credited on the cover of the sheet music mentioned below. According to Rob Stone's list, McGowan and Powers co-directed July 10 to 13.

Edited by Richard Currier

This credit probably appears in the film.

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

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
• laboratory superintendent - Charles Levin
• still photographer - Bud "Stax" Graves
• transportation director - Bob Davis
• school teacher - Fern Carter

possible uncredited involvement

• assistant direction - Possibly Charles Oelze.
• photography - Credits during this period went to Art Lloyd, but since Len Powers co-directed for a few days, he may have also done some photography.
• editing - Bert Jordan was among the cutters during this period.
• writing - Robert F. McGowan, Carl Harbaugh, Hal Yates, Frank Terry and James Parrott may have been among the gag writers.
• property department - Charles Oelze was probably involved in this capacity, and possibly Ted Driscoll, Sherbourne Shields and Roy Seawright.
• animal training - Tony Campanaro was probably among the animal trainers.

the kids:

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Lead role. He's the star of the film. His mother tells him to stay in his own back yard to avoid being picked on by the white kids.

Mickey Daniels

Supporting role. He cons Farina out of his ice cream cone.

Johnny Downs as "John Downs"

Supporting role. He's the one that sets up the trick camera. His name appears on his scooter, which Farina tries to ride without permission.

Joe Cobb as "Joe"

Supporting role. He excitedly runs home to tell his mother that the doctor has delivered a baby, but she already knows.

Jackie Condon

Supporting role. He assists Johnny with his camera.

Mary Kornman

Supporting role. Like everybody, she falls victim to the trick camera.

other kids

Bit part and extra.
(1.) The Mexican boy who sells the jumping beans to Farina.
(2.) A background kid who gets out of the way of Joe as he runs by, and another background kid roller skating down the street.

the animals:

Dinah the Mule

Apparent small part. She's seen in Farina's back yard.

other animals

Small parts. Robin Cook has verified that Pal the Dog does NOT appear in the first reel. Stay tuned for reel two....
(1.) The little white goat named Narcissus, who follows Farina everywhere.
(2.) Three dogs who get their teeth brushed and are subsequently mistaken for mad dogs.
(3.) Two chickens that have a tug of war over a worm, plus several other chickens in Farina's yard.
(4.) A dog shown in the background accompanying pedestrians.

the adults:

woman 044 as Farina's mom

Supporting role. She tells him to stay in his own back yard.

Harry Bowen as the donor

According to Maltin & Bann. Not shown in the footage that I've seen.

William Gillespie as half of the quarrelsome couple

According to Maltin & Bann. Not shown in the footage that I've seen.

Fay Wray as the other half of the quarrelsome couple

According to Maltin & Bann. Not shown in the footage that I've seen.

Charley Oelze as the man with the samples

According to Maltin & Bann. Not shown in the footage that I've seen.

other adults

There are some cops that Farina thinks are chasing him. Also, several drivers and pedestrians are shown in the background of various shots.

the music (sort of):

"Stay In Your Own Back Yard" by Karl Kenneth and Lyn Udall

Written in 1899 with lyrics by Kenneth and music by Udall. The sheet music for this song is shown at the beginning of the film. Subsequent to this film's production, the front cover of the sheet music was changed to include a photograph of Farina and his mother in the back yard, with the gang looking over the fence behind them.

the locations

Motor and Woodbine Avenues, Palms district, Los Angeles

The ice cream is eaten in front of the Masonic Temple at 3402 Motor Avenue, which housed an ice cream parlor among other things. This building was at the southeast corner of Motor and Woodbine. Seen in the background on the northeast corner is the People's Water Company of Palms, located at 3392 Motor Avenue.

Micholithic Mfg. Co.

Joe runs past this building.

miscellaneous:

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