Classic Film Tours May: Joe Cobb
Joseph “Joe” Frank Cobb was among the many children starring in the early episode of Our gangHe spent his time in hit comedies from 1922 to 1929. He was born on November 7, 1916 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to James Cobb and Florence “Flossie” Jewel McComas Cobb. He was discovered as a new talent when he was five years old while vacationing with his father in Los Angeles, California. His father sent him there to audition for Hal Roach Our gangwhich led to his appearing in some of the earliest short films, including The Champeen (1923) and The Big Show (1923). Notably, he appeared in the last silent film in the series titled The lesson on Saturday (1929). In the same year he appeared in the first Our gang sounds short, small talk (1929).
He left the series at the age of 12. His replacement would essentially be Norman Chaney as “Chubby”, which would feature both Chaney and Cobb boxing gloves (1929). His last appearance as a regular on the series was in relaxed days (1929), although he made three more cameo appearances in the following years.
His acting career ended in the 1940s after taking on various minor film roles. He worked for North American Aviation in Downey, California for several decades as a fitter and retired in 1981. During these years he was also master of ceremonies for Our gang Promotional tours and appearances for the Sons of the Desert Laurel and Hardy fan society. He passed away on May 21, 2002 at the age of 85 in a convalescent home in Santa Ana, California. Cobb is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park – Glendale.
In the 1930’s, Cobb and his family resided at 836 S. Spaulding Ave., Los Angeles, California. By this time he was an established child actor. His mother had just died in 1929. Here he lived with his father, his siblings Loretta and Lucile, and his great-aunt and uncle Arvila and Charles Mechler. His father worked as a lawyer. The house stands today.
In the 1940s, Cobb lived at 2175 Broadview Terrace, Los Angeles, California, according to his draft card, which also listed him as unemployed. This house is still standing.
During the same decade he lived with his uncle and aunt George and Mattie Cato at 4328 W. Normandy Ave., Dallas, Texas, and lodger Joe Goldstein. In 1950 he lived at 4353 S. Bonnie Brae, Los Angeles, California while working as a fitter. Both houses have since been razed to the ground.
Today, Cobb is listed on his headstone as a member of Our gang.
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–Annette Bochenek for Classic Movie Hub
Annette Bochenek is the author of our monthly column “Classic Film Journeys”. You can read all articles about Annette’s classic film journeys here.
Annette Bochenek, from Chicago, Illinois, is a graduate student at Dominican University and an independent scholar of Hollywood’s Golden Age. She runs the Hometowns to Hollywood blog, where she writes about her travels to the legacies and hometowns of Golden Age stars. Annette also hosts the “Hometowns to Hollywood” film series in the Chicago area. She has appeared on Turner Classic Movies and is the President of the Chicago Section of TCM Backlot. Not only does she write for Classic Movie Hub, but also for Silent Film Quarterly, nostalgia digestAnd Magazine of the Chicago Art Deco Society.
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