Young Hollywood (1927), A Lost Madeline Brandeis Production

 

Eileen O'Malley daughter of Pat O'Malley and Eric Von Stroheim Jr. in a scene from "Young Hollywood". Image from Motion Picture News, April 22, 1927. 

"Young Hollywood" (1927) produced and directed by Madeline Brandeis

Starring: Eileen O'Malley, Eric Von Stroheim Jr., Billy Reid, Barbara Denny, Mike McCoy, George Bosworth, Tim Holt, and Mary Jo Desmond.

Madeline Brandeis (1897-1937) was a prolific author and producer of books and films about and featuring children. She is still a revered figure in the early history of women filmmakers. Nearly all of the films she produced featured children as the primary cast members. In 1927 she made a two-reel comedy short which might still be considered a novelty in 2023. 

“Young Hollywood” starred the children of well known Hollywood stars of the silent era. Eileen O'Malley (1917-1988) was the daughter of Pat O'Malley. Eric Von Stroheim Jr. (1916 - 1968), was named for his famous director father. "Billy" Reid was the son of the late Wallace Reid, and he was usually credited as Wallace Reid Jr (1917 - 1990).  Reginald Denny's daughter Barbara (1916 - 1948) was also in the cast with Hobart Bosworth's son George. 

Jack Holt would become just as famous, or more so than his father action legend Jack Holt. Tim McCoy's son Mike McCoy was also in the short, but credited in some sources as "D'Archy" McCoy.

Mary Jo Desmond (Walser) (1919 – 2014) was a daughter of William Desmond "King of the Silent Serials" (not to be confused with slain director William Desmond Taylor). Mary Jo was probably the last surviving star of the film. She co-starred with her father and Lon Chaney Jr. in the 1932 serial “The Last Frontier”. 

Also in the cast was child actress Nancy McKee. McKee had appeared in other child comedies in the 1920s. Very little is known about her today, esepcially if she was the daughter of another actor. 

Based on reviews of the time, the short was appealing. It is listed in many papers as part of children's matinees.

In an interview in Screenland Magazine Mrs. Brandeis described how Young Hollywood came to be. "It seemed to me a great idea to use the children of stars in a film. I knew that it would be impossible to get them through casting directors, but I knew their parents, so I suggested that it might be fun to have them work during the holidays. Then they needn’t miss school and they'd have the experience".

“We rented space at the Metropolitan Studios, where no other company was working, which was a very good thing since my small actors were all over the

place. Their parents evidently trusted me for only one mother appeared on the set —mothers are usually the curse of the director!'—‘Darling, what's the matter?— She doesn’t want to play with the doll, she'd rather have the engine!’ and ‘Laugh, lover—show Mrs. Brandeis your dimples!’ or ‘Couldn't you let Gertie do the big scene. She's much cleverer than Elizabeth!’ —Just a sample of the screen mother at times!"

Of the completed film Brandeis remarked, "The picture was a great success and the happiest engagement I ever had.”

According to IMDB, Robert Thornby (1888 - 1953) was the director of at least 96 films in the silent era, Young Hollywood being his very last. 

It is too bad Young Hollywood can not be seen today. Or, even the concept of having a film starring a cast of actor’s children has never been duplicated in nearly a century (not counting teen flicks).

Even more tantalizing, the Screenland article claimed that two sequels. "The Young Visitor" and "The Young Visitor Among the Stars". Even less is known about these films today.