The Big Show (1923 film)

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The Big Show
The Big Show FilmPoster.jpeg
Directed by Robert F. McGowan
Written by Hal Roach
H. M. Walker
Produced byHal Roach
Starring Joe Cobb
Jackie Condon
Mickey Daniels
Jack Davis
Allen Hoskins
Mary Kornman
Ernie Morrison
Andy Samuel
Dick Gilbert
Billy Lord
Lincoln Stedman
Cinematography Len Powers
Distributed by Pathé
Release date
  • February 25, 1923 (1923-02-25)
Running time
20 minutes
CountryUnited States
Language Silent (English intertitles)

The Big Show is the ninth Our Gang short subject comedy to be released. The Our Gang series (later known as "The Little Rascals") was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944. [1]

Contents

Plot

After being chased away from the county fair, the gang decides to open their own junior version of the fair, complete with wild animal displays, rides, and animal stunts. To top it off, they give a live performance set inside a giant movie frame, and impersonate several popular film stars of the day.

Notes

When the television rights for the original silent Pathé Our Gang comedies were sold to National Telepix and other distributors, several episodes were retitled. This film was released into TV syndication as Mischief Makers in 1960 under the title "County Fair". About two-thirds of the original film was included.

The second half of the film features a sequence with a handful of the "Our Gang" kids impersonating various popular movie stars of the day. Hal Roach had the idea for this scene after auditioning newcomer Andy Samuel. Andy decided to show Roach his impersonation of Charlie Chaplin; he also does his Chaplin impersonation in this film. In addition, Mickey Daniels imitates Douglas Fairbanks, Jack Davis imitates William S. Hart, Mary Kornman impersonates Mary Pickford, an unidentified kid impersonates Harold Lloyd, and Ernest Morrison imitates Uncle Tom (from the play Uncle Tom's Cabin ).

Cast

The Gang

Additional cast

Filming Locations

The Gang's circus was set up on what was then a vacant lot taking up the entire northeast corner of Motor Avenue and National Blvd in the Palms section of Los Angeles. This was the same location used for the Our Gang short The Sun Down Limited. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Kornman</span> American actress (1915–1973)

Mary Kornman was an American child actress who was the leading female star of the Our Gang series during the Pathé silent era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mickey Daniels</span> American actor (1914–1970)

Richard Daniels Jr. 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 regular in the popular Our Gang comedies during the silent era of the series, between 1922 and 1926.

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<i>The Cobbler</i> (1923 film) 1923 film

The Cobbler is the eighth Our Gang short subject comedy to be released. The Our Gang series was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944.

<i>A Pleasant Journey</i> 1923 film

A Pleasant Journey is a 1923 silent short comedy film and the tenth Our Gang short subject comedy to be released. The Our Gang series was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944.

<i>Boys to Board</i> 1923 film

Boys to Board is the 11th Our Gang short subject comedy to be released. The Our Gang series was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944.

Giants vs. Yanks is the 12th Our Gang short subject comedy to be released. The Our Gang series was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944.

<i>Lodge Night</i> 1923 film

Lodge Night is the 15th Our Gang short subject comedy to be released. The Our Gang series was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944.

<i>July Days</i> (film) 1923 film

July Days is the 16th entry in the Our Gang short subject comedy series. The Our Gang series was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944.

<i>No Noise</i> 1923 film

No Noise is the 17th entry in the Our Gang short subject comedy series. The Our Gang series was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944.

<i>Stage Fright</i> (1923 film) 1923 film

Stage Fright is the 18th entry in the Our Gang short subject comedy series. The series was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944.

<i>Big Business</i> (1924 film) 1924 film

Big Business is a 1924 American short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 22nd Our Gang short subject to be released.

<i>High Society</i> (1924 film) 1924 film

High Society is a 1924 American short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 29th Our Gang short subject to be released.

<i>The Sun Down Limited</i> 1924 film

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 to be released. The title is a play on the Southern Pacific Railroad's Sunset Limited train service. The Sun Down Limited was remade in 1929 during the sound era as Railroadin'.

<i>Fast Company</i> (1924 film) 1924 American short film

Fast Company is a 1924 short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 32nd Our Gang short subject to be released.

References

  1. Maltin, Leonard; Bann, Richard W. (1977). Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals. Crown Publishers. pp. 25–26. ISBN   978-0-517-52675-0 . Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  2. Now, Chris Bungo Studios Filming Locations Then and. "Chris Bungo Studios Filming Locations Then and Now". Chris Bungo Studios Filming Locations Then and Now. Retrieved October 22, 2024.