More on 1925 "Our Gang" movie showing KHJ

[radiohistory]

According to the book "The Little Rascals:The Life and Times of Our Gang", written by Leonard Maltin and Richard Bann, the cast list for the film "Mary, Queen of Tots" shows that James Finlayson portrayed a "KHJ radio actor."

So, I'm inclined to believe that the real Uncle John Daggett of KHJ radio did not play himself in the movie, but that he was played by Finlayson. The plot has the kids hearing a radio broadcast for the first time, after they accidentally turn on a radio! The radio just happens to be tuned to KHJ.

I suspect that KHJ was chosen because the Our Gang series featured kids, and KHJ's nightly kiddie program with Uncle John was very popular with children, parents and grandparents at that time. In fact, on Tuesday nights, KHJ's Children's Hour featured a segment with "Queen Titania and her Radio Fairies", which is somewhat similar to Mary, Queen of Tots, or may be a take off on the KHJ segment.

I have an Our Gang expert checking for me to see if the KHJ sequence was filmed at the Hal Roach Studio in Culver City or if there was any location shooting, which would explain the shot of the KHJ antenna towers on top of the Times Building.

I'll pass on anything new I learn about this.

Jim<P ID="signature">______________
Jim Hilliker</P>

 

[allisonmarie]

> According to the book "The Little Rascals:The Life and Times
> of Our Gang", written by Leonard Maltin and Richard Bann,
> the cast list for the film "Mary, Queen of Tots" shows that
> James Finlayson portrayed a "KHJ radio actor."
>
> So, I'm inclined to believe that the real Uncle John Daggett
> of KHJ radio did not play himself in the movie, but that he
> was played by Finlayson. The plot has the kids hearing a
> radio broadcast for the first time, after they accidentally
> turn on a radio! The radio just happens to be tuned to KHJ.
>
>
> I suspect that KHJ was chosen because the Our Gang series
> featured kids, and KHJ's nightly kiddie program with Uncle
> John was very popular with children, parents and
> grandparents at that time. In fact, on Tuesday nights,
> KHJ's Children's Hour featured a segment with "Queen Titania
> and her Radio Fairies", which is somewhat similar to Mary,
> Queen of Tots, or may be a take off on the KHJ segment.
>
> I have an Our Gang expert checking for me to see if the KHJ
> sequence was filmed at the Hal Roach Studio in Culver City
> or if there was any location shooting, which would explain
> the shot of the KHJ antenna towers on top of the Times
> Building.
>
> I'll pass on anything new I learn about this.
>
> Jim
>
Hello there after watching the short film Mary, Queen of Tots again. I have to agree with what you said about James Finlayson being in the film. Mr. Finlayson is one of
two radio actors that step up to the microphone after "Uncle John" gives the station ID and introduces the playlet about to be broadcast by KHJ. The short film also gives Uncle John credit as "Speaking to tens of thousands and takes no back talk." Also on the wall of the studio are the KHJ call letters and underneath has Uncle Johns name. We are only able to see Mr. Finlayson in profile and he has the easily recognized bald head along with his trademark black mostache. As you know if you ever watched any of the Laural and Hardy two-reelers from the thirties James Finlayson was shown in many of them and had a starring role in the classic Laural and Hardy full length feature film "Way Out West." My question is who were the two ladies in the studio and who is the other gentleman that steps up to the microphone with Mr. Finlayson? Uncle John in the film has a pair of black framed glasses on and what looks to be a full head of salt and pepper hair. Uncle John Daggett most certainly was playing himself! How many of you have seen the film?