The Mysterious Mystery!

The Mysterious Mystery! is a 1924 short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan.^[2][3] It was the 33rd Our Gang short subject to be released.^[4]

The Mysterious Mystery!
Directed by	Robert F. McGowan
Written by	Hal Roach H. M. Walker
Produced by	Hal Roach
Starring	Mickey Daniels Joe Cobb Jackie Condon Allen Hoskins Eugene Jackson Andy Samuel Sonny Loy Charles A. Bachman Allan Cavan William Gillespie Sam Lufkin Dick Gilbert
Cinematography	Art Lloyd
Edited by	T. J. Crizer
Distributed by	Pathé Exchange
Release date	December 14, 1924 (1924-12-14)
Running time	19:47[1]
Country	United States
Languages	Silent English intertitles

Plot

Little Adelbert, son of a wealthy family, is kidnapped and held for ransom. The gang, led by Mickey, are quickly on the case. Mistaking Detective Jinks as a "suspeck," the gang captures him and notifies the police, who recognize the detective and release him.

One of the kidnappers gives the gang a dollar to deliver a package to Mr. Wallingford: A ransom note attached to a pigeon. The note tells the Wallingfords to attach five $1,000 bills to the pigeon, but the kids accidentally let the pigeon escape. Riding with Mr. Wallingford, the gang goes to an airfield and hides from Det. Jinks in a plane that Mr. Wallingford hires to follow the pigeon. During the flight the pigeon lands on the wing and Joe wing walks to retrieve the bird, but drops it. The pilot tries to rescue Joe, but falls (safely into a body of water), leaving Mickey to fly the plane.

Mickey, along with Joe and Farina, manages to follow the pigeon who returns to the barn where Little Adelbert is being held. With Mr. Wallingford and Det. Jinks following the plane, Mickey crashes into the barn and the kidnappers are pinned underneath the rubble. Mickey handcuffs the crooks as Mr. Wallingford arrives, who tells Det. Jinks to make sure the boys get the cash reward for capturing the kidnappers. As Mr. Wallingford hugs Adelbert, the gang runs away with Det. Jinks in pursuit, waving the reward money at them.

Production notes

The Mysterious Mystery! marks the first appearance of Eugene "Pineapple" Jackson in an Our Gang comedy. Mary Kornman does not appear.

Cast

The Gang

• Joe Cobb – Joe
• Mickey Daniels – Mickey
• Allen Hoskins – Farina
• Eugene Jackson – Snowball
• Andy Samuel – Andy
• Sonny Loy – Sing Joy
• Jackie Condon – Little Adelbert Wallingford

Additional cast

• Charles A. Bachman – Det. Jinks
• Allan Cavan – Adelbert's grandfather
• Dick Gilbert – Henchman
• William Gillespie – Mr. Wallingford
• Sam Lufkin – Henchman
• Charley Young – Butler

Filming Locations

Farina's magnifying glass sets Mickey's pants on fire at the alley between 9372 Culver Blvd and the Culver Blvd side of the Adams Hotel in Culver City, California.^[5]