The city of Escalante, Utah may have a population under 1000, but it just so happens that one of my favorite people lives there. Former Our Gang member Mildred Kornman has been residing there with her son Steve for about five years now. Obviously the region is tiny, but it has a very quaint charm. Upon entering the area, Bob and I gave Mildred a call and asked her where she’d like us to meet her. Bob had made arrangements before our trip and she was excited that we were coming for a visit on Sunday, March 27, as we made our way northwest traveling through Utah.
Mildred and I go way back. Way way back in fact. I had first met her over 30 years ago when she was one of the Our Gang guests at the Hollywood Sons of the Desert convention in 1980. Even at that young age, the beauty and kindness of this model and actress didn’t escape me. But it took about 17 years before I ever got around to getting back in touch with her. We exchanged a couple of notes and she signed some photos for me, and then still a few years later, I would publish an article in my newsletter Dante’s Info about her. We finally got the chance to meet again in 2004 when she came to her second Sons convention in Columbus, Ohio. And then Jimmy and I made a visit to her place in San Diego in 2005, where she sold me the autograph album that she had obtained as a child.
Since then, more than five years had passed. So I was thrilled to be making another visit with Mildred, who apparently could not help acting and looking so ridiculously younger than the number of years that had actually passed.
She asked us to proceed to the Escalante Outfitters (which advertised PIZZA – BEER – CABINS – GEAR) where her son Steve worked, and wait for her to arrive. Bob and I browsed the interesting array of hunting gear and local souvenirs. In no time she drove herself to our location arrived wearing an adorable pink cowboy hat (to get us in the ‘western mood’). It was great to see her again, looking spry as always.
Bob, Mildred, the world’s biggest pizza, and me
Mildred treated us to one of the biggest and best pizzas I have ever seen. Known as King’s Mesa, the pie was adorned with every type of meat imaginable. Even with our sturdy appetites, we had to take some with us. We caught up and chatted about some of her recent travels – and future plans for a long cruise through the Caribbean – on which she invited me to come along. It nearly made me consider an early retirement.
After we finished eating, we drove on to her house – an amazingly beautiful house that her son had built. It had one giant open room in addition to the bedrooms which gave it a great lodge-like feel – an absolutely perfect location for parties. She showed off some of the photos and memorabilia with which she had decorated the walls of the main area and her bedroom. Many of the photos were of her sister, the beautiful and talented Mary Kornman, who had been leading lady in the silent Our Gang comedies and later Boyfriends series. My favorite item was one of Mildred’s baby shoes, which she had had bronzed. It is quite likely that this shoe had been worn in some of the Our Gang films.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
One-of-a-kind sketch of Mildred’s big sister Mary
Array of photos adorning Mildred’s bedroom, among them photos of her father – Hal Roach still photographer Gene Kornman
Photo of Mildred and her son Steve as taken for her 85th birthday. She looks so young that people often think that her son is actually her husband!
Great poster of Mildred (with Pete the Pup) as she looked in the Our Gang of 1928
One of Mildred’s shoes, as she is seen wearing in the photo
I had to get in a photo with this cool relic
Before we left, Mildred signed a couple of photos for us – and offered us a signed photo and calendar that a fan who maintains her website had printed for her. Naturally, Bob and I both eagerly accepted the offer. Mildred even signed a photo for me to take back to Jamie.
Mildred signs some photos for us
Adorable photo of Our Gang member Peggy Ahern holding Mildred. Bob had had Peggy sign several of these photos as well.
Beauty at every age: Mildred in 1928, and again as model Ricki Van Dusen from around 1957
As we rode off into the Utah sunset (figuratively, that is; it was only a bit after 3pm), I reflected on how lucky I am to know someone like Mildred – an amazing woman with an incredible career in acting and modeling, who just happens to have starred in one of the most endearing series of films ever made.
Bidding farewell to Steve and his mom Mildred
The road trip will continue…
I would never have guessed that she was in her 80s.
Chris
June 7th, 2011
amazing lady….she looks so young !
Dan Knoll
May 3rd, 2012
Mildred really ought to get together with Jean Darling and Peggy Ahern, all three need to be interviewed together, the last remaining kids from the OG silent era! Ever since Maltin & Bann’s book Our Gang came out in the 80s, I’ve been an enthusiastic fan – ohhh lordy them was the days! And all the kids, Joe Cobb, Mickey Daniels, Ernie Morrison, Mary – they were just brilliant, they had some real comic talent and appeal, and it just doesn’t die, no matter how many decades pass. I’m thrilled that Ms. Kornman is still going strong, and wish her many more years of health and happiness – rock on Mildred!
Barry Homan
May 18th, 2012
Hello, I am writing this because I have found no other way to reach out to Mildred. I am her biological granddaughter Adrianna Hinsey from her son Stephen Hinsey. This is not a joke, I just really want to get in connection to my family. Please email me or reach out to me as I have some questions for you as I bet you have some questions for me. Thank you.
Adrianna Hinsey
January 25th, 2019