Buster Brown

Buster Brown was a popular comic strip created in 1902 by Richard Felton Outcault. The series was well-known for its association with the Brown Shoe Company. The name "Buster" is believed to have derived from comedian Buster Keaton, than a child vaudeville performer.

The character was a mischievous lad from the upper class. He was based on a real boy named Granville Hamilton Flesher from Outcault's neighborhood. Buster's physical appearance was largely based on Flesher's.

The series followed the adventures of Buster, his girlfriend Mary Jane and Buster's pit bull Tige.

Buster Brown made his way to film as early as 1904, when Thomas Edison utilized the character for a series of early experimental films.

From 1925 to 1929, the Stern Bros. produced a series of two-reel Buster Brown comedies for Universal Pictures. The series notoriously rivaled Our Gang. Ironically, playing the role of "Tige" in these shorts was future Our Gang star Pete the Pup. Pete was required to have a ring drawn around one of his eyes in order to resemble Outcault's version of "Tige". Pete was later replaced by a different dog after he joined the Our Gang series.

Yet another connection to Our Gang was that Gus Meins, who would later direct several of the sound Our Gang shorts directed the majority of the Buster Brown shorts. Later on in the Buster Brown series, Sam Newfield would take over the role of director.

Playing the lead role was child actor Arthur Trimble. Playing "Mary Jane" was Doreen Turner. She was later replaced by Lois Hardwick. Among the other kids to appear in the series were Hannah Washington, also known for her role as "Oatmeal" in The McDougall Alley Kids, and (according to some sources) Bobby Newman, also known for his role as "Tiny Tim" in the same series.

Several of the shorts were released in edited forms alongside Our Gang silents in the television series Mischief Makers.

Cast[]

Buster Brown - Arthur Trimble
Mary Jane - Doreen Turner (1925-1928), Lois Hardwick (1928-1929)
Tige - Pete the Pup (1925-1927), Unknown (1927-1929)
Buster's rival - Bobby Newman (undetermined)
Little kid in latter day shorts - Hannah Washington

Filmography[]

Educating Buster - September 23, 1925
Buster Be Good - October 28, 1925
Oh! Buster! - November 25, 1925
Buster's Nightmare - December 23, 1925
Buster's Bust-Up - January 13, 1926
Buster's Nose Dive - February 24, 1926
Buster's Hunting Party - March 17, 1926
Buster's Skyrocket - April 14, 1926
Buster's Mix-Up - May 12, 1926
Buster's Heart Beat - June 9, 1926
Buster's Orphan Party - July 21, 1926
Buster Helps Dad - August 18, 1926
Buster's Girl Friend - September 15, 1926
Buster, Watch Tige - October 3, 1926
Buster's Narrow Escape - November 1, 1926
Buster's Prize Winner - December 6, 1926
Buster's Picnic - January 3, 1927
Buster's Sleigh Ride - February 7, 1927
Buster's Dark Mystery - March 7, 1927
Look Out Buster - April 4, 1927
Buster Don't Forget - May 2, 1927
Buster's Frame Up - June 6, 1927
Buster's Initiation - July 4, 1927
Buster's Handicap - August 1, 1927
Buster, Come On! - September 14, 1927
Buster's Home Life - October 12, 1927
Buster, What's Next? -November 16, 1927
Run Buster! - December 14, 1927
Buster's Big Chance - January 11, 1928
Buster Steps Out - February 8, 1928
Buster Shows Off - March 14, 1928
That's That - April 11, 1928
Buster's Whippet Race - May 23, 1928
Buster Minds the Baby - June 27, 1928
Good Scout Buster - July 25, 1928
Busting Buster - August 15, 1928
Halfback Buster - September 19, 1928
Buster's Trips Up - October 17, 1928
Teacher's Pest - November 14, 1928
Watch the Birdie - December 12, 1928
Out at Home - January 9, 1929
Have Patience - February 6, 1929
Knockout Buster - March 6, 1929 (later appeared on Mischief Makers as Summer Daze)
Tige's Girlfriend - April 3, 1929
Magic - May 1, 1929
Delivering the Goods - May 29, 1929
Buster's Spooks - June 26, 1929
Buster's Choice - June 26, 1929
Getting Buster's Goat - July 24, 1929
Stop Barking - August 21, 1929