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.

Animal trainer: Tony Campanaro

He was Pal's trainer.

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 was probably away from the studio while this film was being made, though the payroll summaries reveal that she was receiving her salary during this period.

possible uncredited involvement

• photography - Since Len Powers co-directed for a few days, he may have also done some photography.
• writing - Robert F. McGowan, Carl Harbaugh, Hal Yates, Frank Terry and James Parrott may have been among the gag writers.

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.) Two black girls who tease Farina because of the hole in the seat of his pants.
(3.) 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:

Pal

Supporting role. He's one of the dogs who's given dental cream, only to be mistaken for a mad dog. His highlight occurs when he 'freezes' in front of a taxidermist's office.

Dinah the Mule

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

other animals

Small parts.
(1.) The little white goat named Narcippus, who follows Farina everywhere. An alternate print of the film with non-original titles calls him 'Narcissus.'
(2.) The third 'mad dog.'
(3.) Two chickens that have a tug of war over a worm, plus several other chickens, chicks, ducks and geese, 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.

William Gillespie as half of the quarrelsome couple

Small part. He and Fay Wray have words with each other.

Fay Wray as the other half of the quarrelsome couple

Bit part. According to Maltin & Bann. The surviving footage isn't clear enough for me to tell.

Charley Oelze as the man with the samples

Bit part. According to Maltin & Bann. He's giving away the samples of dental cream. I can't positively identify him in the footage I've seen.

Harry Bowen as the donor

According to Maltin & Bann. Presumably they mean one of the people who put money into Farina's cup.

other adults

Small part and bit parts.
(1.) Several cops chase after the dogs. Farina thinks they're after him.
(2.) Several people exiting a building through a revolving door.
(3.) The man setting down the hot rod of metal.
(4.) Several pedestrians and drivers.

the music (sort of):

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

Written in 1899 with lyrics by Kennett 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. This later issue of the sheet music mispelled Kennett's last name as Kenneth.

miscellaneous:

The Lucky Corner Homepage