Silent Child Stars in Color: Mary Ann Jackson 001

Mary Ann Jackson. Colorized from Exhibitor's Herald, May 26, 1928.

Of all the girls from the Our Gang and Little Rascals film series, Mary Ann Jackson (1923-2003) always stood out for her then current bob hair cut, face full of freckles, tomboy nature, and being a natural "tiny commediane".

In the above and below images, it may never be known what colors were originally on her dress.

Original Image

Prior to appearing in the Our Gang Comedies from 1928 to 1931. Mary Ann and her sister Charlotte "Peaches" Jackson were well known child actresses. At the age of 2, Mary Ann was already considered a possible successor to Baby Peggy Montgomery. Jackson was the baby star of The Smith Family Comedies from the Pathe Studios. She was rare for being a recognizable child actress before joining the Our Gang series.

The next set of images are from a photo of Mary Ann from 1927 that appeared in Motion Picture News and various other publications. It was described as a photo of her with a giant jar of candy that was gifted to her on her 4th birthday. First there is my attempt to colorize it. 

Snippet of Mary Ann Jackson from Motion Picture News, January 28, 1927. 

Image From Media History Digital Library

Now here is an original movie trade ad showing an artisit's rendering of Mary Ann from this photo:

Trade Ad For the Smith Family Series, from Moving Picture World, July 16, 1927. 

Image from Media History Digital Library. 

Logging the Lost "Junior Detectives" Radio Program

Newspaper Ad for the Blue Valley Junior Detectives from the Cleveland Press, February 13, 1931.
From Newspapers.com.

Recently, my research article on the lost Junior Detectives radio series was published in the September-October edition of the Old Radio Times. 

https://otrr.org/FILES/Times_Archive_pdf/2025_05%20September-October.pdf 

Junior Detectives (1931) was a popular, but short lived radio children's series that I believe to have been the first juvenile detective program in broadcasting history. In other words, the first program in any broadcast medium (radio, TV, cable) with young detectives or the first mystery program geared to a child audience. It predates the radio series Dick Tracy, Chick Carter Boy Detective and by decades the TV programs Ghostwriter, The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo, The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, Scooby-Doo Where Are You? and many others.

No scripts or audio from the series are known to exist today, but it was possible to create a log from newspapers listings. As originally printed in my article, the log was compressed with errors. One section of dates I gave were from Sundays instead of Saturdays when the series aired.

Updated Log For the "Junior Detectives" Radio Series - 1931. NBC Network. 

All broadcast dates were on Saturdays at various times. "Unknown" refers to missing information about episode titles and stories. 

1931-01-31 Premiere. unknown

1931-02-07 unknown

1931-02-14 unknown

1931-02-21 unknown

1931-02-28 unknown

1931-03-07 unknown

1931-03-14 "Stolen School Funds". Title from press releases.

1931-03-21 "Stolen School Funds" Title from press releases. 

1931-03-28 unknown

1931-04-04 unknown

1931-04-11 unknown

1931-04-18 unknown

1931-04-25 "The Hoodlum's Hideout". Title from press releases. 

1931-05-02 Plot with stolen gold and a train. Based on a May 06, 1931Variety review. 

1931-05-09 unknown

1931-05-16 unknown

1931-05-23 unknown

1931-05-30 unknown

1931-06-06 unknown

1931-06-13 unknown

1931-06-20 unknown if broadcast. News about removal from air after this date

1931-06-27 unknown if broadcast

1931-07-04 unknown if broadcast. Last date in newspaper radio logs.

Silent Child Stars in Color: Baby Peggy 001

 

Baby Peggy Montgomery, later Diana Serra Cary (1918-2020) was known in recent years as the last surviving major star of the Silent Era. She was the prominent girl child star of the 1920s and an acclaimed chronicler of the histories of child stardom in her later life.

It was interesting to colorize this sepia toned postcard of her. I suspect that her dress had more color, especially the fruit patches. 

Found Mystery Photo of Little Girl From 1928

 

Occasionally in my research on children's media, I will come across lost photos and home movies. This photo of little girl in a fancy white dress seated and leaning on a table stand with a 1928 card was ironically found inside a book on antique advertising and signage. Was it a custom made photo of someone's daughter or was it a mass produced card for News Years of 1928? There are no clues on the back.  It may always be a mystery. 

OTR Child Star of the Month April 2025 - Growing Up With Bob Hastings

Screen capture of "Bobby Hastings" in the short film "Toyland Casino" (1938). This short film marked his live-action debut. 

Bob Hastings (April 18, 1925–June 30, 2014) who was born 100 years ago this month was a prolific star of stage, screen, television and radio. His nearly 80 year career began in radio as a child in the late 1930s. 

Young millennials like myself fondly remember him the most for his commanding voice work as Commissioner James Gordon on “Batman: The Animated Series” and related DC Comics based animation and video games from 1992 - 2004. As it has been said before, Hastings was much more than that role, and he is probably more famous for his work in live action television. While he is not primarily thought of as a major figure in children’s media, it can be accurately said that Hastings played memorable roles in children's media across several generations. 

Bob Hastings was born in New York the elder son of Charles and Hazel Hastings. As a boy Hastings began as a singer on radio and would co-star on NBC's hallmark children's series Coast to Coast on a Bus. Under the direction of Milton Cross, young Hastings sang and performed on the “White Rabbit Line Chorus”. It was during the production of that series that he met Joan Rice would become his wife of 66 years. Among many juvenile roles he was also “Jerry”, the young aid to Captain Silver on “The Sea Hound” radio series.

Crop from a widely printed image of Bob Hastings as Archie Andrews and Gloria Mann as Veronica. Image from Los Angeles Evening Citizen-News, June 22, 1949. 

After serving in Workd War II, Bob Hastings was cast as Archie Andrews on radio, the fourth and most famous of several actors to have played the part. The Adventures of Archie Andrews (1943-1953) was a staple of Saturday morning radio for most of its run. Hastings played the part from 1945 to 1953, and to date only Dal McKennon the voice of Filmation's Archie played the part longer in mass media. At least 20 episodes of this series have survived with Hal Stone as Jughead, Rosemary Rice as Betty, and Gloria Mann as Veronica.

Ad from the St. Louis Dispatch, April 28, 1946.

In the Golden Age of Television he appeared on Captain Video and His Video Rangers where his younger brother Don Hastings (1934 -) was the Video Ranger. Bob also co-starred on the now lost sci-fi series Atom Squad (1953-1954). Atom Squad brought young audience the live adventures of a group of scientists working for a secret government agency who fought radiation and nuclear threats to the United States.  

Bob Hastings (left) and Steve Courtleigh on the set of "Atom Squad". Image from Honolulu Star-Advertiser, November 28, 1953.

In the 1960s and 1970s Hastings began voice over work in animation. He was notably the voice of Superboy for Filmation's The New Adventures of Superman [The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure (1966-1970). At the time, Filmation would launch the hit series "The Archie Show" and it was a lost opportunity that Hastings was not considered for the role of Archie again. Filmation notably had Bud Collyer and most of the cast of the Superman radio program return for the "New Adventures of Superman" animated series. 

He had numerous voicing roles on many Saturday Morning cartoons like "Jeanie", “Clue Club” "Superfriends", and  "Fred Flintstone and Friend. He even appeared as a police detective in the ratings winning 1977 live-action Spider-Man TV Movie with Nicholas Hammond.

"Bob Hastings: 45 Songs Children Love to Sing" (1960). Image from Discogs.com

He also released at least 2 albums for children. In my research, a collection of his songs may have also been syndicated to local radio stations. Hastings was one of several former OTR child stars to create or read for children’s albums after radio’s golden age like Rosemary Rice and Gwen Davies. 

One thing that my generation did not realize while hearing Hasting's voice work on "Batman" was that not only were we growing up in the last era of Saturday morning cartoons, but also the last era of working voice actors from the Golden Age of Radio. Generations grew up with the voice work of Lucille Bliss, Alan Young, June Foray, Jackson Beck, Don Messick, Hans Conried, Ginny Tyler, Mel Blanc, Janet Waldo and many others in television animation, audio books, and children's records. In the cases of Alan Young and Janet Waldo young children could hear them in new radio dramas like Adventures in Odyssey. 

We were listening to the greatest talents who were founded on 30 and even 70 years of voice acting expertise from the Golden Age of Radio. Bob Hastings remains one of the most enduring of those legends.

Lucy Gilman - OTR Star of the Month - March 2025

Image of 11 year old Lucy Gilman. From the Passaic Herald-News, Tuesday, October 13, 1936. The caption claimed that she was talked out of cutting her red curly locks. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-news-radio-child-actress-lucy/167164771/ 

Since many Old Time Radio (OTR) child stars were born in the 1920s, being in the 2020s presents many opportunities to celebrate centennial anniversaries of their birthdays. I tried this last year with Barbara Jean Wong and here is another star on what would have been their 100th birthday. 

Lucy Gilman (Scott) March 4, 1925 - November 23, 2006

Known Juvenile Radio Roles
Today's Children, c. 1932 - 1937
Rainbow Court [a.k.a. "Song of the City"] 1934-1935
First Nighter, c. 1933
Princess Pat Players, c. 1934 - 1936
Sunbrite Junior Nursing Corps 1936 - c. 1938

Guiding Light c.1939

Myrt and Marge c. 1940 

One Man's Family

Right To Happiness 

Lucy Gilman was a prominent child, teen and young adult actress in the world of Chicago radio with several roles on daytime dramas. She may be mostly researched today as the lead of the Dorothy Hart Sunbrite Nursing Corps program. 

Beginnings in Chicago Radio

Radio actress Lucy Gilman was born on March 4, 1925, in Chicago, Illinois. Her father Harry Gilman was a concert violinist and music producer for overseas radio programs. Lucy was the youngest of three sisters. Her sister Toni Gilman (1923-2017) was also a model, radio and stage actress. Lucy began her career as a child actress reportedly at the age of 3. 

Lucy Gilman in a character pose as "Lucy Moran" on "Today's Children". From Radio Stars Magazine, Feburary 1935. From the Media History Digital Library. 

In regional and national press young Lucy was frequently referenced as one of radio's youngest stars and attracted attention for her role as Lucy Moran on the soap opera "Today's Children" with Irna Phillips "Godmother of the Soap Opera", Ireene Wicker who was also known as "The Singing Lady", writer and actor Walter Wicker (Ireene's husband) and several other Chicago radio pioneers. 

With much of the same cast Gilman portrayed "Mary Lou" and orphan girl on the short lived soaper Rainbow Court (Song of the City. Lucy is also credited in a 1935-1936 revamp of "Painted Dreams"; the 1930 version was the landmark series by Irna Phillips some historians credit as the first soap opera. Gilman was also heard in at least one dramatic role for the "First Nighter Program"

Dorothy Hart Sunbrite Nurse Program

Dorothy Hart Sunbrite Junior Nurse Corps Button. Images: Ebay.com

The pinnacle of Lucy's radio career may have been the "Sunbrite Junior Nurse Corps". Also known as "Dorothy Hart Sunbrite Nurse" this radio program premiered on February 17, 1936* over Chicago WBBM for CBS sponsored by Sunbrite Cleanser. The series was directed by Bess Johnson who was Lucy's co-star on the Today's Children series.

Airing three times a week, typically around 5 p.m., each 15-minute episode Gilman as Dorothy Hart who was the "National President" of the Sunbrite Junior Nurse Corps, guiding young listeners through stories and lessons on hygiene, safety, and first aid. The program featured narrative stories about historical figures like Florence Nightingale, Clara Barton, and Sacagawea. 

Image from WorthPoint Auctions --
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/1936-dorothy-hart-sunbrite-junior-1845907898

Girls listening to the series were encouraged to join the Sunbrite Junior Nurse Corps by sending in a Sunbrite Cleanser label. New members received a membership certificate, a Junior Nurse Manual, and an equipment catalog. The catalog offered items such as official uniforms, first aid kits, rings, and other accessories. The Sunbrite Nurse accessories are rare and collectible today especially since audio from the actual program is lost today. Some memorabilia from the program is even in the collections of the National Library of Medicine.  

Left to Right, Charlie Arnold, Jim Ameche, and Lucy Gilman. Notice the Sunbrite Nursing shoulder patch. Image from the Joe Hehn Memorial Collection of Golden Age Radio. https://archive.org/details/photosJHMC

The program's content was supervised by child guidance expert Angelo Patri (1876-1965), ensuring it was both educational and appropriate for its young audience. 

Brief Hollywood Career

Gilman has one documented screen appearance (on IMDB) as Julia Davis in the 1938 film "Gangster's Boy," co-starring Jackie Cooper. 

Before this film was made Gilman was also widely publicized the top contender for the role of Becky Thatcher in David O'Selznick's production of "Adventures of Tom Sawyer". She won the role from over 874 actresses. According to an interview given by Gilman in 1937 she lost the role when the production was delayed and she grew too big for the part by time shooting had resumed. 

Actress Ann Gillis (1927-2018) was ultimately cast as Becky Thatcher for the completed 1938 release. Gillis, a redhead just like Gilman, would also portray Little Orphan Annie on the big screen that year. Since Little Orphan Annie was a redheaded character, and a fixture of Chicago radio, just like Lucy Gilman, one wonder if she could have had this part under different circumstances. 

Other Radio Roles

While Gilman's Hollywood career was brief she continued in radio acting into early adulthood. Among her roles were Eileen O'Brien on "The Guiding Light", Edna Seymour on "Myrt and Marge", the Mrs. on "Mr. and Mrs.", and even as a "co-em-cee" for "The Breakfast Quiz" game show on WGN.  

On December 25, 1948, she married advertising president Jack Scott. The couple were married for over 50 years until Scott's death. Lucy Gilman Scott passed away in her sleep on November 23, 2006, at her home in Northbrook, Illinois at the age 81. 

Lucy Gilman's Legacy Today

As with several of the prolific child stars of the 1930s very few broadcasts with Gilman as a child have survived or are publicly available today. Her career is documented in the collections of several archives, museums and digital collections.  Her versatility at a very young age in the soap operas "Today's Children", "Song of the City" and "Painted Dreams" predates several child and teen stars of the TV soaps like Laurence Fishbourne, Christel Khalil, Bryton McClure and Kimberly McCullough. 

If Irna Phillips was the "Godmother of Soap Operas", and Ireene Wicker "The First Queen of the Soap Operas" then Gillman could be considered "The First Princess of the Soaps Operas" or daytime dramas. 

The Sunbrite Nursing Corps series remains notable as possibly the first broadcasting program designed to engage young girls in a simulation of a STEM or medical field, even if the real goal was to sell cleanser. More research is needed to learn about the programs' impact on women who became nurses between 1940 and 1960. Today it could be seen as a distant ancestor of "Mission Unstoppable". 

Links and Resources. 

*See Larry Wolters article cited below. 

Angelo Patri Papers - Library of Congress, 1904-1962. [Not reviewed for this blog, but is hoped that Patri's papers would contain materials related to this series]  

[Interview with Lucy Gilman]. In This Corner With Cedric Adams. Minneapolis Star February 22, 1937. 

Lucy Gilman Scott (Obiturary) Donnellan Funeral Home. https://www.donnellanfuneral.com/obituaries/Lucy-Gilman-Scott?obId=7468926

Sunbrite Postcard, Collection of History of Medicine, National Library of Medicine Digital Library - http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101627261

Wolters, Larry. News of the Radio Stations. Chicago Tribune. February 17, 1936. Page 20. https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-premiere-of-sunbrite-jun/167166122/

Building A Yolande Langworthy Research Collection

Yolande Langworthy (center), director of Columbia Broadcasting System's children's programs c. 1928 - 1930.  She is picured with Artells Dickson captain of the "Ship of Dreams" on "Land O' Make Believe", and Patricia "Pat" Ryan possibly the first child star on CBS. 
From "What's On The Air, August 1930, from Media History Digital Library

Yolande Langworthy was the earliest known director of children's programs for the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). She held this role from 1928 until 1930 as creator.  , writer and producer of three children's series: "The Adventures of Helen and Mary" (1929-1934) "Littmann's Mountainville True Life Sketches" (1929-1930), and "Land O'Make Believe" (1929 - 1932). "Helen and Mary", a fantasy series with two little girls as the protagonist, was the foundational series for "Let's Pretend" (1929- 1954) the Peabody award winning program that dramatized fairy tales under the direction of Nila Mack.

Langworthy was the nom de plume of Frances Lawson Reade (1882 - 1976) a Canadian singer and writer. As far as is known none of her original scripts for children have survived. Therefore it is hard to judge or research her work as the first children's programming director.

(above) A slowly growing Yolande Langworthy Collection, with original signed book, articles and photos. 

However, it is possible to trace and explore Yolande Langworthy's career from newspapers, auctions of rare items, and radio magazines. From these sources I built a "Yolande Langworthy" collection.

To date I have a signed copy of “Poems from Arabesque”, a collection of writings from her acclaimed primetime CBS radio drama. Also in this collection is an original photo of actor Artells Dickson who was the Captain of the Ship O’ Dreams in “Land O’ Make Believe”. Original images from her career at CBS are rare, but online auctions are have made some of them accessible.

Summary of an episode of "Land O' Make Believe" for Sunday, December 01, 1929. 
From Chattanooga Times, Dec. 01, 1929. Newspapers.com

Online newspapers are full of listings for Langworthy’s programs. There are brief snippets of episode plots for her series. Since radio broadcasts could be interrupted or changed at the last minute, the snippet may not 100% reflect what audience heard, but could give a summary of what was planned for the broadcast. 

With a carefully curated collection of information about Langworthy, I hope to learn more about her career in children's radio and renew appreciation for her impact as the first children's program director for CBS.