The final installment of the autograph book that I acquired from former Our Gang member Mildred Kornman in 2005, if not the most valuable third of the book, is certainly the most interesting. What is also interesting is that there are two pages at the end of the signatures that have been torn out, as well as one in the midst of the signed pages. I asked Mildred if she recalled what these might have been. It makes the imagination run wild, or some celeb might have needed a piece of scrap paper. All part of the fun and mystery of early Hollywood.
The signatures that were likely gathered on the set of the 1936 movie Small Town Girl (Janet Gaynor’s signature was featured in the last posting). The next three come from three legendary performers: James Stewart, Andy Devine, and Robert Taylor. Stewart represents one of three actors from whom I acquired signatures either through the mail or in person – at a much later date of course.
It is only speculation of course, but I assert that the next six autographs were obtained on the set of a Laurel and Hardy film at the Hal Roach Studios. Pick a Star was shot in late 1936 and early 1937 as a musical comedy vehicle for Rosina Lawrence and Patsy Kelly. Also in the cast was Jack Haley, Mischa Auer, and adding comedy relief, Laurel and Hardy.
Two of the minor cast members found in the book are Lyda Roberti and Tom Dugan. These are followed by a cute inscription from Stan Laurel and … Bing Crosby! Why, you may ask, did Bing Crosby sign the book on this set, considering he is not in the film? Well, that’s a question I’ve been asking as well. He and Oliver Hardy were good friends, so it is certainly not beyond the realm of possibility that he was visiting the set with Hardy, but unfortunately conspicuously absent from this set of autographs was Oliver Hardy himself. (And before you ask, the missing page is not located in this section.)
The last two performers to sign Mildred’s book were Patsy Kelly and Rosina Lawrence, who was the only person to sign the book whom I actually met. Clearly from her inscription, Rosina was as kind in 1936 as she was in the 80’s and 90’s when I met her. Her handwriting never changed either.
So this is quite a cool piece of Laurel and Hardy memorabilia and has caused me to speculate that Mildred may have been employed as an extra in this film – although I’ve never been able to spot her. This seems to be validated by the inscription that was left by Patsy Kelly. Or perhaps Mildred was just visiting her father who was employed as a still photographer at the Roach Studios.
The final two signatures are from two Hollywood biggies: Adoph Menjou and Frederic March. These two were appearing in the Janet Gaynor version of A Star Is Born during this time period, so it is likely that Mildred was on this set as well. This film went on to be nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
As a bit of bonus, the inside back page of the book includes the handwriting of Mary and Mildred’s mother Verna Kornman. The purpose of this list of names was to try out some potential screen names for Mildred to employ in her film career. She never hit the one that Mildred would eventually use when she became a fashion model (as seen at the top of the posting): Ricki Van Dusen.
This concludes Mildred’s autograph book. Return to the beginning of the book here or my 2005 visit with Mildred here…
What a wonderful keepsake! I can’t believe she would part with it…you are a very lucky man!
Dave Chasteen
March 7th, 2010