Mary Kornman

Mary Kornman (born Mary Agnes Evans, December 27, 1915 – June 1, 1973) was an American child actress who was the leading female star of the Our Gang series during the Pathé silent era.

Our Gang She was born as Mary Agnes Evans, and was 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 Scooter Lowry spent a couple of years performing as a vaudeville duo. They were later joined by Johnny Downs, who played Kornman's love interest.

Mildred Kornman Her younger sister, Mildred, was also a child actress. 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." but they divorced approximately five years later.

Throughout the 1930s, she continued to appear in many features such as the serial Queen of the Jungle (1935), and The Desert Trail (1935) starring John Wayne. 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."

Filmography Our Gang Shorts

The Champeen (1923) - Mary The Cobbler (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 (1923) - Mary No Noise (1923) - Mary Stage Fright (1923) - Mary Derby Day (1923) - Mary Tire Trouble (1924) - Mary Big Business (1924) - Mary The Buccaneers (1924) - Mary Seein′ Things (1924) - Mary Commencement Day (1924) - Mary Cradle Robbers (1924) - Mary Jubilo, Jr. (1924) - Mary It′s a Bear (1924) - Mary High Society (1924) - Mary The Sun Down Limited (1924) - Mary Every Man for Himself (1924) - Mary Fast Company (1924) - Mary The Big Town (1925) - Mary Circus Fever (1925) - Mary Dog Days (1925) - Mary The Love Bug (1925) - Mary Shootin′ Injuns (1925) - Mary Ask Grandma (1925) - Mary Official Officers (1925) - Mary Boys Will Be Joys (1925) - Mary Mary, Queen of Tots (1925) - Mary Your Own Back Yard (1925) - Mary Better Movies (1925) - Mary One Wild Ride (1925) - Mary Good Cheer (1926) - Mary Buried Treasure (1926) - Mary Monkey Business (1926) - Mary Baby Clothes (1926) - Mary Uncle Tom′s Uncle (1926) - Mary Thundering Fleas (1926) - Mary Shivering Spooks (1926) - Mary The Fourth Alarm (1926) - Mary Fish Hooky (1933) - Mary (Guest Appearance) Reunion in Rhythm (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? (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 (1933) - Mary McGrath Please (1933, Short) - Beth Sawyer Flying Down to Rio (1933) - Belinha's Friend (uncredited) Just an Echo (1934, Short) The Quitter (1934) - Annabelle Hibbs Picture Brides (1934) - Mataeo Rogers Strictly Dynamite (1934) - Party Girl (uncredited) Madame Du Barry (1934) - Sweet Pea (uncredited) Smokey Smith (1935) - Bess Bart The Quitter (1934) - Annabelle Hibbs Roaring Roads (1935) - Mary McDowell The Desert Trail (1935) - Anne Adventurous Knights (1935) - Annette Queen of the Jungle (1935, Serial) - Joan Lawrence / Mary Lawrence The Calling of Dan Matthews (1935) - Kitty Marley Swing It, Professor (1937) - Joan Dennis Youth on Parole (1937) - Mae Blair King of the Newsboys (1938) - Peggy That Certain Age (1938) - Friend (uncredited) I Am a Criminal (1938) - Alice Martin Zenobia (1939) - Townswoman (uncredited) On the Spot (1940) - Ruth Hunter Shiny (1963) - Lady (final film role)

Errata There is some discrepancy concerning which of the early Our Gang 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 (1922), listed by the Internet Movie Data Base Young Sherlocks (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 (1922), listed by the Internet Movie Data Base