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.[1] 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.[2]
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."[1]
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.[citation needed] In 1934, she married Leo Tover, a cameraman,[3] but 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."[4]
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.[4]
On the Spot (1940) - Ruth Hunter (final film role)
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.
A Quiet Street (1922), listed by the Internet Movie Data Base
References
^ abMaltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang, p. 249. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press. ISBN0-517-58325-9
