Mary Kornman
Mary Kornman was an American child actress who was the leading female star of the Our Gang series during the Pathé silent era.
''Our Gang''
Born as Mary Agnes Evans, the daughter of Verna Comer, who appeared in several films, and David Lionel Evans. Her stepfather, Hal Roach′s still-photo cameraman Eugene Kornman adopted Mary after he and Mary's mother were married in 1921. After Peggy Cartwright, who appeared in only four or five Our Gang 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. After outgrowing the Our Gang series, she and fellow Our Gang alumnus Johnny Downs spent several years performing as a team on the college and vaudeville circuits.Mildred Kornman
Her younger sister, Mildred was also a child actress. Mildred was featured as a regular in Our Gang 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 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 into adulthood, as evidenced by some publicity shots from the era. She appeared with Mickey in the teen version of Our Gang, The Boy Friends. In 1934, she married Leo Tover, a cameraman, but divorced approximately five years later.Throughout the 1930s, she continued to appear in features such as Queen of the Jungle and The Desert Trail, starring John Wayne, until 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. She died on June 1, 1973, aged 57. Her widower died two years later. They are interred at Linn Grove Cemetery, Greeley, Colorado.
Filmography
''Our Gang Shorts">Our Gang filmography">Our Gang Shorts''
- The Champeen - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- The Cobbler - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- The Big Show - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- A Pleasant Journey - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Dogs of War - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Lodge Night - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- July Days - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- No Noise - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Stage Fright - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Derby Day - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Tire Trouble - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Big Business - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- The Buccaneers - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Seein′ Things - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Commencement Day - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Cradle Robbers - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Jubilo, Jr. - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- It′s a Bear - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- High Society - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- The Sun Down Limited - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Every Man for Himself - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Fast Company - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- The Big Town - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Circus Fever - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Dog Days - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- The Love Bug - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Shootin′ Injuns - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Ask Grandma - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Official Officers - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Boys Will Be Joys - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Mary, Queen of Tots - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Your Own Back Yard - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Better Movies - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- One Wild Ride - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Good Cheer - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Buried Treasure - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Monkey Business - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Baby Clothes - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Uncle Tom′s Uncle - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Thundering Fleas - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Shivering Spooks - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- The Fourth Alarm - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Fish Hooky - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Reunion in Rhythm - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
''The Boy Friends Shorts">The Boy Friends">The Boy Friends Shorts''
- Doctor′s Orders - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Bigger and Better - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Ladies Last - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Blood and Thunder - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- High Gear - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Love Fever - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Air-Tight - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Call a Cop! - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Mama Loves Papa - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- The Kick-Off! - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Love Pains - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- The Knock-Out - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Too Many Women - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
- Wild Babies - Mary, 'Little Miss Riches'
Other Shorts and Feature Length Films
- Are These Our Children? - Agnes "Dumbbell"
- Exposure - Eileen Foster - Socialite
- Me and My Pal - Bridesmaid
- Bondage - Bit in Record Store
- College Humor - Amber Davis
- Neighbors' Wives - Mary McGrath
- Please - Beth Sawyer
- Flying Down to Rio - Belinha's Friend
- Just an Echo
- The Quitter - Annabelle Hibbs
- Picture Brides - Mataeo Rogers
- Strictly Dynamite - Party Girl
- Madame Du Barry - Sweet Pea
- Smokey Smith - Bess Bart
- Roaring Roads - Mary McDowell
- The Desert Trail - Anne
- Adventurous Knight - Annette
- Queen of the Jungle - Joan Lawrence / Mary Lawrence
- The Calling of Dan Matthews - Kitty Marley
- Swing It, Professor - Joan Dennis
- Youth on Parole - Mae Blair
- King of the Newsboys - Peggy
- That Certain Age - Friend
- I Am a Criminal - Alice Martin
- Zenobia - Townswoman
- On the Spot - Ruth Hunter
Errata