''Cradle Robbers'' is a 1924 short silent

comedy film The comedy film is a film genre that emphasizes humor. These films are designed to amuse audiences and make them laugh. Films in this genre typically have a happy ending, with dark comedy being an exception to this rule. Comedy is one of the o ...

directed by

Robert F. McGowan Robert Francis McGowan (July 11, 1882 – January 27, 1955) was an American film director and producer, best known as the senior director of the ''Our Gang'' short subjects film series from 1922 until 1933. Career Before moving to Los Angeles, ...

. It was the 26th ''

Our Gang ''Our Gang'' (also known as ''The Little Rascals'' or ''Hal Roach's Rascals'') is an American series of comedy short films chronicling a group of poor neighborhood children and their adventures. Created by film producer Hal Roach, who also pr ...

'' short subject to be released.

Synopsis

The boys cannot go fishing because they have to take care of their baby brothers and sisters. After trying unsuccessfully to sell their babies to some traveling gypsies, Mary shows up and tells them that her little sister just won a prize at the baby show. The boys decide to enter their babies in the show, only to discover that all the prizes are gone except the one for the fattest baby. Mickey comes up with the idea to enter Joe as a baby. After Joe escapes, the gang decides to make their own baby show. When the parents discover their babies are missing they assume that the gypsies stole them. When the gang finds out that their parents are after them, they hide in the gypsy wagon, which drives off. As the police and parents chase the wagon down the street, the babies start falling off the wagon and the parents stop and pick them up as they continue running. The adults finally catch up with the wagon, the gypsy is arrested, and the kids reunited with their parents.

Production notes

''Cradle Robbers'' marked the final appearance of

Ernie Morrison Ernest Fredric Morrison (December 20, 1912 – July 24, 1989) was an American child actor, comedian, vaudevillian, and dancer who also performed under the stage-name Sunshine Sammy Morrison. He was the only black member of the ''East Side Kids'' ...

as "Sunshine Sammy." It also marked the first appearance of Peggy Ahern. The early scene of gang entertaining their younger siblings with fishing poles was reworked in 1933's '' Forgotten Babies''. When the silent Pathé ‘’Our Gang’’ comedies were syndicated for television as "The Mischief Makers" in 1960, ''Cradle Robbers'' was retitled ''The Baby Show''. Two-thirds of the original film was included.

Cast

The Gang

Joe Cobb Joe Frank Cobb (November 7, 1916 – May 21, 2002) was an American child actor, most notable for appearing as the original "fat boy" in the ''Our Gang'' comedies from 1922 to 1929. Early life and career Born in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on Novemb ...

— Joe * Jackie Condon — Jackie * Mickey Daniels — Mickey * Allen Hoskins — Farina * Mary Kornman — Mary *

— Sunshine Sammy * Dick Henchen — Dick * Sonny Loy — Sing Joy * Pal the Dog — Himself

Additional cast

Lassie Lou Ahern Lassie Lou Ahern (June 25, 1920 – February 15, 2018) was an American actress. Originally discovered by Will Rogers, she was best known for her role as Little Harry in the 1927 silent film ''Uncle Tom's Cabin'' and also for her recurring appear ...

— little girl in attic * Peggy Ahern — girl at baby show * Jannie Hoskins — Ernie and Farina's sister * Gabe Saienz — boy at baby show *

Allan Cavan Allan Cavan (March 25, 1880 – January 19, 1941) was an American film actor. He appeared in 145 films between 1917 and 1941. Cavan was the son of Mrs. Averila Cavan, and he had a brother, Carl. He began working on films with Sam Goldwyn S ...

– police officer/baby show official * Beth Darlington – woman with bald boyfriend * William Gillespie – officer chasing Joe/Gypsy * Helen Gilmore – Jackie's mother * Clara Guiol – baby show official *

Lyle Tayo Lyle Tayo (born Lyle Minnie Shipman; January 19, 1889 – May 2, 1971), aka Lyle Barton, was an American film actress who appeared in more than 50 films between 1921 and 1948, appearing in many short comedies at the Hal Roach Studios, severa ...

– angry mother * Dorothy Vernon – angry mother

References

External links

* 1924 films American black-and-white films Films directed by Robert F. McGowan Hal Roach Studios short films 1924 comedy films Our Gang films 1924 short films 1920s American films Silent American comedy short films 1920s English-language films English-language comedy short films {{short-silent-comedy-film-stub