Cradle Robbers

Cradle Robbers
Directed by	Robert F. McGowan
Produced by	Hal Roach
Written by	Hal Roach H. M. Walker
Cinematography	Blake Wagner
Distributed by	Pathé Exchange
Release date(s)	1 June 1924
Running time	20 minutes
Country	United States
Language	Silent English intertitles

Cradle Robbers is a 1924 short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. ^[1][2] It was the 26th Our Gang short subject 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.

Notes

• The early scene of gang entertaining their younger siblings with fishing poles was reworked in 1933's Forgotten Babies.
• When the television rights for the original silent Pathé Our Gang comedies were sold to National Telepix and other distributors, several episodes were retitled. This film was released into television syndication as "Mischief Makers" in 1960 under the title The Baby Show. About two-thirds of the original film was included.
• This was Ernie Morrison's final appearance in the series.

Cast

• Mary Kornman – Mary
• Joe Cobb – Joe
• Allen Hoskins – Farina
• Ernest Morrison – Ernie 'Sunshine Sammy'
• Mickey Daniels – Mickey
• Jackie Condon – Jackie
• 'Sonny Boy' Warde – Sing Joy
• Unknown - Dick
• Pal the Dog - Himself
• Beth Darlington – Young woman with bald boyfriend
• Helen Gilmore – Jackie's mother
• Nanette Fabray (unconfirmed)
• Jannie Hoskins - One of Ernie and Farina's siblings
• Peggy Ahearn - Girl at the gang's baby show
• Allan Cavan – Officer / Baby show official
• William Gillespie – Officer chasing Joe / Gypsy
• Clara Guiol – Baby show official
• Lyle Tayo – Angry mother
• Dorothy Vernon – Angry mother

See also

• Our Gang filmography

References

1. ^ "Silent Era: Cradle Robbers". silentera. http://www.silentera.com/PSFL/data/C/CradleRobbers1924.html. Retrieved 2008-09-13. 
2. ^ "New York Times: Cradle Robbers". NY Times. http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/226144/Cradle-Robbers/overview. Retrieved 2008-09-13. 

External links

• Cradle Robbers at the Internet Movie Database