''The Mysterious Mystery!'' is a 1924 short silent

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 33rd ''

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, who also pr ...

'' short subject to be released.

Plot

Little Adelbert, son of a wealthy family, is kidnapped and held for ransom. The gang, led by Mickey, are quickly on the case. Mistaking Detective Jinks as a "suspeck," the gang captures him and notifies the police, who recognize the detective and release him. One of the kidnappers gives the gang a dollar to deliver a package to Mr. Wallingford: A ransom note attached to a pigeon. The note tells the Wallingfords to attach five $1,000 bills to the pigeon, but the kids accidentally let the pigeon escape. Riding with Mr. Wallingford, the gang goes to an airfield and hides from Det. Jinks in a plane that Mr. Wallingford hires to follow the pigeon. During the flight the pigeon lands on the wing and Joe wing walks to retrieve the bird, but drops it. The pilot tries to rescue Joe, but falls (safely into a body of water), leaving Mickey to fly the plane. Mickey, along with Joe and Farina, manages to follow the pigeon who returns to the barn where Little Adelbert is being held. With Mr. Wallingford and Det. Jinks following the plane, Mickey crashes into the barn and the kidnappers are pinned underneath the rubble. Mickey handcuffs the crooks as Mr. Wallingford arrives, who tells Det. Jinks to make sure the boys get the cash reward for capturing the kidnappers. As Mr. Wallingford hugs Adelbert, the gang runs away with Det. Jinks in pursuit, waving the reward money at them.

Production notes

''The Mysterious Mystery!'' marks the first appearance of Eugene "Pineapple" Jackson in an ''

'' comedy. Mary Kornman does not appear.

Cast

The Gang

* Joe Cobb – Joe * Mickey Daniels – Mickey * Allen Hoskins – Farina * Eugene Jackson – Snowball * Andy Samuel – Andy * Sonny Loy – Sing Joy * Jackie Condon – Little Adelbert Wallingford

Additional cast

* Charles A. Bachman – Det. Jinks *

Allan Cavan Allan Cavan (March 25, 1880 – January 19, 1941) was an American film actor. He appeared in 145 films between 1917 and 1941. Cavan was the son of Mrs. Averila Cavan, and he had a brother, Carl. He began working on films with Sam Goldwyn S ...

– Adelbert's grandfather * Dick Gilbert – Henchman * William Gillespie – Mr. Wallingford *

Sam Lufkin Samuel William Lufkin (May 8, 1891 – February 19, 1952) was an American actor. He was known for appearing in small or bit roles in short comedy films. Career Born in Utah, Lufkin spent most of his career at the Hal Roach Studios where he made ...

– Henchman * Charley Young – Butler

Filming Locations

Farina's magnifying glass sets Mickey's pants on fire at the alley between 9372 Culver Blvd and the Culver Blvd side of the Adams Hotel in

Culver City Culver City is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,779. It is mostly surrounded by Los Angeles, but also shares a border with the unincorporated area of Ladera Heights to the ea ...

, California.

References

External links

* 1924 films 1924 comedy films American black-and-white films Films directed by Robert F. McGowan Hal Roach Studios short films Our Gang films 1924 short films 1920s American films Silent American comedy short films 1920s English-language films {{short-silent-comedy-film-stub