Mary Kornman (born Mary Agnes Evans, December 27, 1915 – June 1, 1973) was an American

child actress The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting on stage or in movies or television. An adult who began their acting career as a child may also be called a child actor, or a "former child actor". Closely associated t ...

who was the leading female star of the ''

Our Gang ''Our Gang'' (also known as ''The Little Rascals'' or ''Hal Roach's Rascals'') is an American series of comedy short films chronicling a group of poor neighborhood children and their adventures. Created by film producer Hal Roach, also the ...

'' series during the

Pathé Pathé or Pathé Frères (, styled as PATHÉ!) is the name of various French people, French businesses that were founded and originally run by the Pathé Brothers of France starting in 1896. In the early 1900s, Pathé became the world's largest ...

silent era.

''Our Gang''

She was born as Mary Agnes Evans, the daughter of Verna Comer, who appeared in several films, and David Lionel Evans. Her stepfather,

Hal Roach Harry Eugene "Hal" Roach Sr.Randy Skretvedt, Skretvedt, Randy (2016), ''Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies'', Bonaventure Press. p.608. (January 14, 1892 – November 2, 1992) was an American film and television producer, director, a ...

′s still-photo cameraman Eugene Kornman adopted Mary after he and Mary's mother were married in 1921. After

Peggy Cartwright Peggy Cartwright (November 14, 1912 – June 12, 2001) was a Canadian silent film actress and the leading lady of the ''Our Gang'' comedy series during the silent film era. She appeared in four short films released in 1922 (and, possibly, the in ...

, who appeared in only four or five ''

'' episodes, Mary became the leading lady of the series, appearing in more than 40 episodes. Kornman was one of the series′ biggest stars during its early years between 1922 and 1926. Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). ''The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang'', p. 249. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press. After outgrowing the Our Gang series, she and fellow Our Gang alumnus

Johnny Downs John Morey Downs (October 10, 1913 – June 6, 1994) was an American child actor, singer, and dancer. He began his career as a child actor, most notably playing Johnny in the ''Our Gang'' short series from 1923 to 1926. He remained active ...

spent several years performing as a team on the college and vaudeville circuits.

Mildred Kornman

Her younger sister, Mildred. was also a

. Mildred was featured as a regular in ''

'' from 1926–28, and made further appearances until 1935. She had no speaking roles and appeared when many children were needed for a scene such as a classroom. She later achieved a degree of fame as an adult

fashion model A model is a person with a role either to promote, display or advertise commercial products (notably fashion clothing in fashion shows) or to serve as a visual aid for people who are creating works of art or to pose for photography. Thoug ...

known as ''Ricki VanDusen''. When asked in 1960 what she thought of being part of ''Our Gang'', Mildred Kornman replied "It was fun being a gang member. It was play. I have no regrets...We didn't have to be talented, which is natural for kids ... I think we had a privileged childhood working in those films."

Later years and death

Mary continued working with ''Our Gang'' co-star

Mickey Daniels Richard Daniels Jr. (October 11, 1914 – August 20, 1970) known professionally as Mickey Daniels, was an American actor. Signed by Hal Roach in 1921, he was, along with Joe Cobb, Jackie Condon, Jackie Davis, Mary Kornman, and Ernie Morrison, a r ...

into adulthood, as evidenced by some publicity shots from the era. She appeared with Mickey in the teen version of

, ''

The Boy Friends ''The Boy Friends'' is a series of American Pre-Code comedy short films released between 1930 and 1932. The series consisted of fifteen films and was spun off from the long running '' Our Gang'' film series (also known as ''The Little Rascals'' ...

''. In 1934, she married Leo Tover, a cameraman, but divorced approximately five years later. Throughout the 1930s, she continued to appear in many features such as the serial ''

Queen of the Jungle ''Queen of the Jungle'' is a 1935 independent film serial produced by Herman Wohl and released theatrically by Screen Attractions. Plot David Worth travels into Africa to find his old friend Joan Lawrence, who disappeared in a hot air balloon a ...

'' (1935), and ''

The Desert Trail ''The Desert Trail'' is a 1935 American Monogram Western film starring John Wayne and directed by Lewis D. Collins (credited as Cullin Lewis). The movie also features Eddy Chandler, Mary Kornman, and Paul Fix. Plot Rodeo star John Scott an ...

'' (1935) starring

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne and nicknamed The Duke or Duke Wayne, was an American actor who became a popular icon through his starring roles in films made during Hollywood's Gol ...

. She retired from the screen in 1940. She later married Ralph B. McCutcheon, a horse trainer on some of her Western films. Mary spent the rest of her life devoted to him. They had no children. They both spent their remaining years on their ranch with the horses. She kept close with her Hollywood acquaintances and friends. When asked if Mary was as kind and genuine a person as she appeared to be onscreen, her sister Mildred replied, "She was all of that and more." Mary became gravely ill in the early 1970s and was eventually diagnosed with

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...

. She died on June 1, 1973, aged 57. Her widower died two years later. They are interred at Linn Grove Cemetery,

Greeley, Colorado Greeley is the home rule municipality city that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Weld County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 108,795 at the 2020 United States Census, an increase of 17.12% since the 2010 ...

.Official website
marykornman.com; accessed September 7, 2015.

Filmography

'' Our Gang Shorts''

*''

The Champeen ''The Champeen'' is the seventh ''Our Gang'' short subject comedy released. The ''Our Gang'' series (later known as "The Little Rascals") was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944. Plot After getting caught for stea ...

'' (1923) - Mary *''

The Cobbler The Cobbler ( gd, Beinn Artair) is an mountain located near the head of Loch Long in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It is a Corbett, and is an important site for rock climbing in the Southern Highlands. Many maps include the name Ben Arthur (an ...

'' (1923) - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches' *'' The Big Show'' (1923) - Mary *'' A Pleasant Journey'' (1923) - Mary *'' Dogs of War'' (1923) - Mary *'' Lodge Night'' (1923) - Mary *''

July Days The July Days (russian: Июльские дни) were a period of unrest in Petrograd, Russia, between . It was characterised by spontaneous armed demonstrations by soldiers, sailors, and industrial workers engaged against the Russian Provisi ...

'' (1923) - Mary *''

No Noise ''No Noise'' is the 17th ''Our Gang'' short subject comedy released. The ''Our Gang'' series (later known as "The Little Rascals") was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944. Plot Mickey is in the hospital to have hi ...

'' (1923) - Mary *''

Stage Fright Stage fright or performance anxiety is the anxiety, fear, or persistent phobia which may be aroused in an individual by the requirement to perform in front of an audience, real or imagined, whether actually or potentially (for example, when perf ...

'' (1923) - Mary *'' Derby Day'' (1923) - Mary *'' Tire Trouble'' (1924) - Mary *''

Big Business Big business involves large-scale corporate-controlled financial or business activities. As a term, it describes activities that run from "huge transactions" to the more general "doing big things". In corporate jargon, the concept is commonly kn ...

'' (1924) - Mary *''

The Buccaneers ''The Buccaneers'' is the last novel written by Edith Wharton. The story is set in the 1870s, around the time Wharton was a young girl. It was unfinished at the time of her death in 1937 and published in that form in 1938. Wharton's manuscript ...

'' (1924) - Mary *'' Seein′ Things'' (1924) - Mary *'' Commencement Day'' (1924) - Mary *''

Cradle Robbers ''Cradle Robbers'' is a 1924 short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 26th ''Our Gang'' short subject released. Synopsis The boys cannot go fishing because they have to take care of their baby brothers and sisters. ...

'' (1924) - Mary *''

Jubilo, Jr. ''Jubilo, Jr.'' is a 1924 short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 27th ''Our Gang'' short subject released. Synopsis A hobo, played by Will Rogers tells of his adventure as a child when he tried to raise the money ...

'' (1924) - Mary *'' It′s a Bear'' (1924) - Mary *''

High Society High society, sometimes simply society, is the behavior and lifestyle of people with the highest levels of wealth and social status. It includes their related affiliations, social events and practices. Upscale social clubs were open to men based ...

'' (1924) - Mary *''

The Sun Down Limited ''The Sun Down Limited'' is a 1924 American short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 30th ''Our Gang'' short subject released. The title is a play on the Southern Pacific Railroad's ''Sunset Limited'' train service. ...

'' (1924) - Mary *'' Every Man for Himself'' (1924) - Mary *''

Fast Company ''Fast Company'' is a monthly American business magazine published in print and online that focuses on technology, business, and design. It publishes six print issues per year. History ''Fast Company'' was launched in November 1995 by Alan Web ...

'' (1924) - Mary *'' The Big Town'' (1925) - Mary *''

Circus Fever ''Circus Fever'' is a 1925 American short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 35th ''Our Gang'' short subject released. Plot As described in a review in a film magazine, Farina contacts "speckled fever," and, in order ...

'' (1925) - Mary *''

Dog Days The dog days or are the hot, sultry days of summer. They were historically the period following the heliacal rising of the star system Sirius (known colloquially as the "Dog Star"), which Hellenistic astrology connected with heat, drought, sud ...

'' (1925) - Mary *''

The Love Bug ''The Love Bug'' is a 1968 American comedy film directed by Robert Stevenson and the first in a franchise by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution that starred an anthropomorphic pearl-white, fabric-sunroofed 1963 ...

'' (1925) - Mary *'' Shootin′ Injuns'' (1925) - Mary *''

Ask Grandma ''Ask Grandma'' is a 1925 American short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 39th '' Our Gang'' short subject released. Plot Mickey's overprotective mother is trying to raise her son as a gentleman by dressing him li ...

'' (1925) - Mary *''

Official Officers ''Official Officers'' is a 1925 American short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 40th ''Our Gang'' short subject released. Cast The Gang * Joe Cobb as Joe * Jackie Condon as Jackie * Mickey Daniels as Mickey * ...

'' (1925) - Mary *''

Boys Will Be Joys ''Boys Will Be Joys'' is a 1925 American short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 41st '' Our Gang'' short subject released. Cast The Gang * Joe Cobb as Joe * Jackie Condon as Jackie * Mickey Daniels as Mickey * Joh ...

'' (1925) - Mary *''

Mary, Queen of Tots ''Mary, Queen of Tots'' is a 1925 American short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 42nd '' Our Gang'' short subject released. Cast The Gang * Joe Cobb – Joe * Jackie Condon – Jackie * Mickey Daniels – Mickey ...

'' (1925) - Mary *'' Your Own Back Yard'' (1925) - Mary *''

Better Movies ''Better Movies'' is a 1925 American short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 44th '' Our Gang'' short subject released. Cast The Gang * Joe Cobb as Joe * Jackie Condon as Jackie * Mickey Daniels as Mickey * Johnny D ...

'' (1925) - Mary *''

One Wild Ride ''One Wild Ride'' is a 1925 short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 45th ''Our Gang'' short subject released. Synopsis The gang has a taxi, consisting of an old Model T with no engine, pushed by a horse. When the ...

'' (1925) - Mary *''

Good Cheer ''Good Cheer'' is a 1926 American short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 46th '' Our Gang'' short subject released. Plot As described in a film magazine review, the Gang is assembled in front of a big store window ...

'' (1926) - Mary *''

Buried Treasure Buried treasure is a literary trope commonly associated with depictions of pirates, criminals, and Old West outlaws. According to popular conception, these people often buried their stolen fortunes in remote places, intending to return to them ...

'' (1926) - Mary *'' Monkey Business'' (1926) - Mary *'' Baby Clothes'' (1926) - Mary *'' Uncle Tom′s Uncle'' (1926) - Mary *''

Thundering Fleas ''Thundering Fleas'' is a 1926 ''Our Gang'' film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 51st ''Our Gang'' short subject released. Cast The Gang * Joe Cobb as Joe * Jackie Condon as Jackie * Mickey Daniels as Mickey * Johnny Downs as Johnny ...

'' (1926) - Mary *''

Shivering Spooks ''Shivering Spooks'' is a 1926 short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 52nd '' Our Gang'' short subject released. One of the child actors, Johnny Downs, went on to become a successful character actor and starred with ...

'' (1926) - Mary *''

The Fourth Alarm ''The Fourth Alarm'' is a 1926 short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 53rd '' Our Gang'' short subject released. It was later reworked in '' Hook and Ladder'' in 1932. Notes This is Mary Kornman's final '' Our Gan ...

'' (1926) - Mary *''

Fish Hooky ''Fish Hooky'' is a 1933 ''Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 120th (32nd talking episode) ''Our Gang'' short that was released. Plot Wheezer, Dickie, Uh-huh, and Stymie choose to play hooky from school again ...

'' (1933) - Mary (Guest Appearance) *''

Reunion in Rhythm ''Reunion in Rhythm'' (also known as ''Our Gang Follies of 1937'') is a 1937 ''Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Gordon Douglas. It was the 150th ''Our Gang'' short (151st episode and 62nd talking episode) that was released. Plot A fol ...

'' (1937) - Mary (Guest Appearance)

'' The Boy Friends Shorts''

*''Doctor′s Orders'' (1930) - Mary *''Bigger and Better'' (1930) - Mary *''Ladies Last'' (1930) - Mary *''Blood and Thunder'' (1931) - Mary *''High Gear'' (1931) - Mary *''Love Fever'' (1931) - Mary *''Air-Tight'' (1931) - Mary *''Call a Cop!'' (1931) - Mary *''Mama Loves Papa'' (1931) - Mary *''The Kick-Off!'' (1931) - Mary *''Love Pains'' (1932) - Mary *''The Knock-Out'' (1932) - Mary *''Too Many Women'' (1932) - Mary *''Wild Babies'' (1932) - Mary

Other Shorts and Feature Length Films

* ''

Are These Our Children? ''Are These Our Children?'' is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film directed by Wesley Ruggles and written by Howard Estabrook. The film stars Eric Linden, Ben Alexander, Beryl Mercer, Mary Kornman, Arline Judge, and Rochelle Hudson. The film wa ...

'' (1931) - Agnes "Dumbbell" * '' Exposure'' (1932) - Eileen Foster - Socialite (uncredited) * '' Me and My Pal'' (1933, Short) - Bridesmaid (uncredited) * '' Bondage'' (1933) - Bit in Record Store (uncredited) * '' College Humor'' (1933) - Amber Davis * ''

Neighbors' Wives ''Neighbors' Wives'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film directed by B. Reeves Eason and starring Dorothy Mackaill, Tom Moore and Mary Kornman.Dooley, p. 338 Cast * Dorothy Mackaill as Helen McGrath * Tom Moore as John McGrath * Mary Kornma ...

'' (1933) - Mary McGrath * ''

Please ''Please'' is a word used in the English language to indicate politeness and respect while making a request. Derived from shortening the phrase "if you please" or "if it please(s) you", the term has taken on substantial nuance based on its int ...

'' (1933, Short) - Beth Sawyer * ''

Flying Down to Rio ''Flying Down to Rio'' is a 1933 American pre-Code RKO musical film famous for being the first screen pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, although Dolores del Río and Gene Raymond received top billing and the leading roles. Among the fe ...

'' (1933) - Belinha's Friend (uncredited) * ''

Just an Echo ''Just an Echo'' is a 1934 Paramount short starring Bing Crosby and directed by Arvid E. Gillstrom. This was the second of two short films Crosby made for Paramount in May / June 1933, the other being Please. Background Crosby had been working in ...

'' (1934, Short) * ''

The Quitter ''The Quitter'' is a 1916 American silent Western film directed by Charles Horan and starring Lionel Barrymore. It was produced by Rolfe Photoplays and distributed by Metro Pictures. A copy is reportedly held at Nederlands Filmmuseum, now ca ...

'' (1934) - Annabelle Hibbs * ''

Picture Brides ''Picture Brides'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code adventure film, directed by Phil Rosen. The film stars Dorothy Mackaill, Regis Toomey and Alan Hale. Plot Four mail order brides from New Orleans and a young girl conned into a non-existing job in ...

'' (1934) - Mataeo Rogers * ''

Strictly Dynamite ''Strictly Dynamite'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code Hollywood, pre-Code film directed by Elliott Nugent and starring Lupe Vélez and Jimmy Durante. Premise Norman Foster plays a poet whose life changes when he begins writing comedy for Durante an ...

'' (1934) - Party Girl (uncredited) * ''

Madame Du Barry Jeanne Bécu, Comtesse du Barry (19 August 1743 – 8 December 1793) was the last ''maîtresse-en-titre'' of King Louis XV of France. She was executed, by guillotine, during the French Revolution due to accounts of treason—particularly being ...

'' (1934) - Sweet Pea (uncredited) * '' Smokey Smith'' (1935) - Bess Bart * ''

'' (1934) - Annabelle Hibbs * ''

Roaring Roads ''Roaring Roads'' is a 1935 American action film directed by Charles E. Roberts and Ray Nazarro. It featured three actors from the ''Our Gang'' films: David Sharpe, Mary Kornman and Mickey Daniels. It was the second and last film in the series '' ...

'' (1935) - Mary McDowell * ''

'' (1935) - Anne * '' Adventurous Knight'' (1935) - Annette * ''

'' (1935, Serial) - Joan Lawrence / Mary Lawrence * ''

The Calling of Dan Matthews ''The Calling of Dan Matthews'' is a 1935 American crime film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Richard Arlen, Charlotte Wynters and Douglass Dumbrille. It was based on the novel of the same title by Harold Bell Wright.Goble p.510 Plot Cast ...

'' (1935) - Kitty Marley * ''

Swing It, Professor ''Swing It, Professor'' (also known as ''Swing It, Buddy'') is an independently produced 1937 musical comedy directed by Marshall Neilan and starring Pinky Tomlin, Paula Stone and Milburn Stone. The musical numbers were written by Connie Lee, Al ...

'' (1937) - Joan Dennis * ''

Youth on Parole ''Youth on Parole'' is a 1937 American drama film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Marian Marsh and Gordon Oliver. Plot summary "Bobbie" Blake ( Marian Marsh) and Phillip Henderson (Gordon Oliver) are complete strangers looking in a je ...

'' (1937) - Mae Blair * ''

King of the Newsboys ''King of the Newsboys'' is a 1938 American film directed by Bernard Vorhaus. Plot Jerry Flynn's girlfriend leaves him for a gangster with power and money, in order to show her that she made a mistake, Jerry starts his newspaper distribution ...

'' (1938) - Peggy * ''

That Certain Age ''That Certain Age'' is a 1938 American musical film directed by Edward Ludwig and starring Deanna Durbin and Melvyn Douglas. Based on a story by Aleen Leslie (Wetstein) that was adapted by F. Hugh Herbert, the film is about a dashing reporter wh ...

'' (1938) - Friend (uncredited) * ''

I Am a Criminal ''I Am a Criminal'' is a 1938 American crime film directed by William Nigh and written by John W. Krafft. The film stars John Carroll (actor), John Carroll, Kay Linaker, Craig Reynolds (actor), Craig Reynolds, Martin Spellman, Lester Matthews and ...

'' (1938) - Alice Martin * ''

Zenobia Septimia Zenobia (Palmyrene Aramaic: , , vocalized as ; AD 240 – c. 274) was a third-century queen of the Palmyrene Empire in Syria. Many legends surround her ancestry; she was probably not a commoner and she married the ruler of the city, ...

'' (1939) - Townswoman (uncredited) * '' On the Spot'' (1940) - Ruth Hunter (final film role)

Errata

There is some discrepancy concerning which of the early ''

'' films Mary actually appeared in. According to The Lucky Corner website, Mary did not appear in any of the following four films. :*''

One Terrible Day ''One Terrible Day'' is a 1922 American silent short film, the first entry in Hal Roach's ''Our Gang'' (''Little Rascals'') series to be released. Directed by Robert F. McGowan and Tom McNamara, the two-reel short was released to theaters on Se ...

'' (1922), listed by the Internet Movie Data Base :*''

Young Sherlocks ''Young Sherlocks'' is a 1922 American silent short subject comedy film, the fourth entry in Hal Roach's '' Our Gang'' series. Directed by Robert F. McGowan and Tom McNamara, the two-reel short was released to theaters in November 1922 by P ...

'' (1922), listed by the Internet Movie Data Base and by Maltin and Bann :*'' Saturday Morning'' (1922), listed by the Internet Movie Data Base :*''

A Quiet Street ''A Quiet Street'' is the sixth ''Our Gang'' short subject comedy released. The ''Our Gang'' series (later known as "The Little Rascals") was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944. Synopsis A new kid moves into town ...

'' (1922), listed by the Internet Movie Data Base

References

External links

* * * *
The Lucky Corner
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kornman, Mary 1915 births 1973 deaths Actresses from Idaho American film actresses American child actresses Deaths from cancer in California People from Idaho Falls, Idaho Burials in Colorado 20th-century American actresses Hal Roach Studios actors Our Gang