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Our Gang filmography

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The following is a complete list of the 220 Our Gang short films produced by Hal Roach Studios and/or Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer between 1922 and 1944, numbered by order of release along with production order.[1]


1922 - 1923 - 1924 - 1925 - 1926 - 1927 - 1928 - 1929 - 1930 - 1931
1932 - 1933 - 1934 - 1935 - 1936 - 1937 - 1938 - 1939 - 1940 - 1941 - 1942 - 1943 - 1944


The Roach/Pathé silents (1922–1928)

[edit]

These two-reel silent Our Gang shorts were produced by Hal Roach Studios and distributed to theaters by Pathé.

Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
001 004 One Terrible Day Charles Parrott
Robert McGowan
Tom McNamara
September 10
002 002 Fire Fighters Charles Parrott
Robert McGowan
Tom McNamara
October 8
  • Filmed in between Our Gang and Young Sherlocks.
  • Remade as The Fourth Alarm! (1926) and Hook and Ladder (1932).
003 001 Our Gang Charles Parrott
Fred Newmeyer
Robert McGowan
Tom McNamara
November 5
  • First short to be produced.
  • Original version directed by Newmeyer; reshoots by McNamara and McGowan after One Terrible Day and Fire Fighters.
004 003 Young Sherlocks Charles Parrott
Robert McGowan
Tom McNamara
November 26
  • Filmed in between Fire Fighters and One Terrible Day.
005 006 Saturday Morning Tom McNamara
Robert McGowan
December 3
  • Filmed in between A Quiet Street and The Big Show.
006 005 A Quiet Street Tom McNamara
Robert McGowan
December 31
  • Filmed in between One Terrible Day and Saturday Morning.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
007 009 The Champeen Robert McGowan January 28
008 008 The Cobbler Tom McNamara February 18
  • Joe Cobb does not appear.
009 007 The Big Show Robert McGowan February 25
  • Filmed in between Saturday Morning and The Cobbler.
010 011 A Pleasant Journey Robert McGowan March 18
  • Filmed in between Boys to Board and Giants Vs. Yanks.
011 010 Boys to Board Tom McNamara April 8
  • Final short directed by Tom McNamara
  • Mary Kornman does not appear.
  • Filmed in between The Champeen! and A Pleasant Journey.
012 012 Giants vs. Yanks Robert McGowan May 13
  • Filmed in between A Pleasant Journey and Back Stage.
  • Mary Kornman does not appear.
013 013 Back Stage Robert McGowan June 3
  • Mary Kornman does not appear.
014 014 Dogs of War! Robert McGowan July 1
015 015 Lodge Night Robert McGowan July 29
  • Filmed in between Dogs of War! and early filming of Fast Company.
016 018 July Days Robert McGowan August 26
  • Filmed in between Stage Fright and Sunday Calm.
017 020 No Noise Robert McGowan September 23
  • Filmed in between Sunday Calm and Derby Day.
018 017 Stage Fright Robert McGowan October 21
  • Filmed in between early production of Fast Company and July Days.
019 021 Derby Day Robert McGowan November 18
  • Filmed in between No Noise and Tire Trouble.
020 019 Sunday Calm Robert McGowan December 16
  • Final appearance of Jack Davis, save for Fast Company.
  • Mary Kornman does not appear.
  • Filmed in between July Days and No Noise.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
021 022 Tire Trouble Robert McGowan January 13
022 023 Big Business Robert McGowan February 10
  • Andy Samuel is promoted from supporting player to replacement for Jack Davis.
023 024 The Buccaneers Robert McGowan
Mark Goldaine
March 9
024 025 Seein' Things Robert McGowan April 6
025 026 Commencement Day Robert McGowan
Mark Goldaine
May 4
026 028 Cradle Robbers Robert McGowan June 1
  • Andy Samuel does not appear.
  • Filmed in between It's a Bear and Jubilo, Jr.
  • Remade as Forgotten Babies (1933).
027 029 Jubilo, Jr. Robert McGowan June 29
  • With Will Rogers and Charley Chase
  • Filmed in between Cradle Robbers and High Society. As a result, Ernie Morrison does not appear.
028 027 It's a Bear Robert McGowan July 24
  • Final appearance of Ernie Morrison, save for Fast Company.
  • Andy Samuel does not appear.
029 030 High Society Robert McGowan August 24
030 031 The Sun Down Limited Robert McGowan September 21
  • Partially remade as Railroadin' (1929).
031 032 Every Man for Himself Robert McGowan October 19
032 016 Fast Company Robert McGowan
Charles Parrott
November 16
  • Shot in spring 1923 with reshoots in summer 1924, features Ernie Morrison and Jack Davis.
  • Originally filmed in between Lodge Night and Stage Fright.
033 033 The Mysterious Mystery! Robert McGowan December 14
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
034 034 The Big Town Robert McGowan January 11
035 035 Circus Fever Robert McGowan February 8
036 036 Dog Days Robert McGowan March 8
037 037 The Love Bug Robert McGowan April 5
038 039 Shootin' Injuns Robert McGowan May 3
  • Final appearance of Eugene Jackson
  • Johnny Downs is now promoted from a supporting player to a replacement for Andy Samuel.
039 038 Ask Grandma Robert McGowan May 31
  • Filmed in between The Love Bug and Shootin' Injuns.
040 040 Official Officers Robert McGowan June 28
  • With James Finlayson
  • Filmed in between Shootin' Injuns and Mary, Queen of Tots.
041 042 Boys Will Be Joys Robert McGowan July 26
  • First appearance of Jay R. Smith.
  • Filmed in between Mary, Queen of Tots and Better Movies.
042 041 Mary, Queen of Tots Robert McGowan August 23
  • With James Finlayson
  • Johnny Downs does not appear.
043 044 Your Own Back Yard Robert McGowan September 27
  • Filmed in between Better Movies and One Wild Ride.
044 043 Better Movies Robert McGowan November 1
045 045 One Wild Ride Robert McGowan December 6
  • Filmed in between Your Own Back Yard and Good Cheer.
  • Jay R. Smith does not appear.
  • Remade in 1932 as Free Wheeling.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
046 046 Good Cheer Robert McGowan January 26
047 047 Buried Treasure Robert McGowan February 14
  • With Charlie Hall
048 048 Monkey Business Robert McGowan March 21
  • With Charlie Hall
049 049 Baby Clothes Robert McGowan April 25
  • With Charlie Hall
  • Jay R. Smith does not appear.
050 050 Uncle Tom's Uncle Robert McGowan May 30
  • Bobby Young is now a main player.
051 051 Thundering Fleas Robert McGowan July 18
052 052 Shivering Spooks Robert McGowan August 8
053 053 The Fourth Alarm Robert McGowan September 12
  • Final appearance of Mary Kornman.
  • Remake of Fire Fighters; remade as Hook and Ladder (1932).
054 054 War Feathers Robert McGowan
Anthony Mack
November 21
055 056 Telling Whoppers Robert McGowan
Anthony Mack
December 19
  • Filmed in between Seeing the World and Bring Home the Turkey.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
056 057 Bring Home the Turkey Robert McGowan
Anthony Mack
January 16
  • First appearance of Jean Darling
  • Bobby "Bonedust" Young does not appear.
057 055 Seeing the World Robert McGowan
Anthony Mack
February 13
  • With Stan Laurel and James Finlayson.
  • Bobby "Bonedust" Young does not appear.
  • Johnny Downs' last appearance, save for a guest appearance in Chicken Feed.
058 058 Ten Years Old Anthony Mack March 13
  • Filmed in between Bring Home the Turkey and Love My Dog
  • Remade as Birthday Blues (1932).
059 059 Love My Dog Robert McGowan April 17
  • Remade as The Pooch (1932).
060 060 Tired Business Men Anthony Mack
Charles Oelze
May 15
061 061 Baby Brother Anthony Mack
Charles Oelze
June 26
062 064 The Glorious Fourth Robert McGowan June 26
  • With Charley Chase
  • Filmed in between Olympic Games and Playin' Hooky.
  • First appearance of Harry Spear and Pete the Pup.
  • Jean Darling, Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins, Scooter Lowry, and Bobby Young do not appear.
063 063 Olympic Games Anthony Mack September 11
  • Filmed in between Chicken Feed and The Glorious Fourth.
  • Jean Darling, Scooter Lowry, and Bobby "Bonedust" Young do not appear.
066 062 Chicken Feed Anthony Mack
Charles Oelze
November 6
  • With Johnny Downs.
  • Last appearance of Scooter Lowry and Bobby "Bonedust" Young. Young would later return as a supporting player, first in 1928, and again in 1930.
  • Pete the Pup does not appear.
  • Released in between The Old Wallop and Heebee Jeebees.
  • Remade as A Lad An' A Lamp (1932).
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
069 065 Playin' Hookey Anthony Mack January 1
  • Filmed in between The Glorious Fourth and The Smile Wins.
072 066 The Smile Wins Robert McGowan February 26
  • Jean Darling and Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins do not appear.

The Roach/MGM silents (1927–1929)

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These silent Our Gang shorts were produced by Hal Roach Studios and distributed to theaters by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. All films are two reels (20 minutes) long, except Spook Spoofing, which is three reels (30 minutes) long. Shorts marked with an asterisk (*) were originally released with a synchronized music and sound effects track.

Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
064 067 Yale vs. Harvard Robert McGowan September 24
  • Currently lost.
065 068 The Old Wallop Robert McGowan October 22
067 069 Heebee Jeebees Robert McGowan
Anthony Mack
November 19
  • Currently lost.
068 070 Dog Heaven Anthony Mack December 17
  • Harry Spear does not appear.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
070 071 Spook–Spoofing Robert McGowan January 14
  • While running the standard length of a two-reeler (20 minutes), this film was also released as a three-reeler.
  • Jean Darling does not appear.
071 072 Rainy Days Anthony Mack February 11
073 073 Edison, Marconi & Co. Anthony Mack March 10
  • Currently lost.
  • Jean Darling and Mildred Kornman do not appear.
074 074 Barnum & Ringling, Inc. (*) Robert McGowan April 7
  • With Oliver Hardy
  • First silent Our Gang short released with a synchronized music and sound effects disc.
  • Mildred Kornman does not appear.
075 075 Fair and Muddy Charley Oelze May 5
  • With Bobby "Bonedust" Young.
  • Last appearance of Mildred Kornman.
076 076 Crazy House Robert McGowan June 2
077 077 Growing Pains Anthony Mack September 22
078 078 The Ol' Gray Hoss Anthony Mack October 20
  • Released with synchronized music and sound effects, on disc only.
079 079 School Begins Anthony Mack November 17
  • A copy exists in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.[2]
  • Released with synchronized music and sound effects, on disc only.
080 080 The Spanking Age (*) Robert McGowan December 15
  • Released with synchronized music and sound effects, on disc only.
  • Rediscovered in 1990.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
081 081 Election Day Anthony Mack January 12
  • Jackie Condon and Jay R. Smith return.
  • Final appearance of Jackie Condon.
  • Final appearance of Jay R. Smith as a main player. He would appear as a supporting player in two more shorts.
  • Jean Darling does not appear.
082 082 Noisy Noises (*) Robert McGowan February 9
  • Released with synchronized music and sound effects, on disc only.
  • With Jay R. Smith.
083 083 The Holy Terror Anthony Mack March 9
  • Currently lost.
  • Released with synchronized music track.
084 084 Wiggle Your Ears (*) Robert McGowan April 6
  • Released with synchronized music and sound effects, on disc only.
085 085 Fast Freight Robert McGowan May 9
  • With James Finlayson
087 086 Little Mother Robert McGowan June 1
091 087 Cat, Dog & Co. (*) Anthony Mack September 14
  • Released with synchronized music and sound effects, on disc only.
093 088 Saturday's Lesson (*) Robert McGowan November 9
  • Released with synchronized music and sound effects, on disc only.

The Roach/MGM talkies (1929–1938, The Little Rascals)

[edit]

These sound Our Gang shorts were produced by Hal Roach Studios and distributed to theaters by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. These 80 films, excepting some that have been removed for content, are the Our Gang shorts that King World Productions have packaged and syndicated as The Little Rascals.

All shorts through Arbor Day in 1936 are two reels (approximately 17 to 20 minutes) long except Small Talk, which is three reels (26 minutes) long. Subsequent shorts (1936's Bored of Education through 1938's Hide and Shriek) are one reel (10 minutes) in length, except for Our Gang Follies of 1938, a one-shot return to the two-reel format. Also in 1936, an Our Gang feature-length film, General Spanky, was released.

Many of the shorts were edited for television over the years, and distributor King World Productions removed several of the shorts from their Little Rascals television package. Shorts that were either edited for, or withheld from, television broadcast are noted as such.

Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
086 089 Small Talk Robert McGowan May 18
  • First sound film; release dates of first five sound shorts overlap with those of final three silents shorts.
  • Television prints heavily edited for time and sound quality. Initially in the Little Rascals television package, but eliminated in the early 1980s due to sound quality.
  • Released as a three-reel (thirty minute) short.
088 090 Railroadin' Robert McGowan June 15
  • First appearance of Norman "Chubby" Chaney.
  • Cameo by director Robert F. McGowan
  • Never shown on television because the film's sound track, released only on separate phonographic records, was presumed lost since the mid-1940s. Railroadin's sound track turned up in the MGM vaults in 1982; while it was released on home video, it never became part of the television package.
089 092 Lazy Days Robert McGowan August 24
  • Withdrawn from television package due to racial humor involving African-Americans.
  • Filmed in between Boxing Gloves and Bouncing Babies
090 091 Boxing Gloves Anthony Mack September 9
  • First appearance of Jackie Cooper, appearing at this point as a supporting player.
  • Final appearance of Joe Cobb[3]
  • Television prints edited due to time and to add sound to originally silent scenes.
  • Filmed in between Railroadin' and Lazy Days.
  • Motion picture trade journals from 1929 give this film's release date as July 13, 1929.
092 093 Bouncing Babies Robert McGowan October 12
  • Final appearances of Jean Darling and Harry Spear.
  • Joe Cobb was credited to have been on this film and may appear in a Halloween costume.
  • Television prints edited due to content considered in bad taste.
094 094 Moan and Groan, Inc. Robert McGowan December 7
  • With Edgar Kennedy and Max Davidson.
  • Final appearance of Jay R. Smith.
  • Jackie Cooper is promoted to main player status.
  • Withdrawn from television package due to racial/ethnic humor involving Jewish-Americans and African Americans.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
095 095 Shivering Shakespeare Anthony Mack January 25
  • With Edgar Kennedy
  • First appearance of supporting players Donald Haines, Douglas Greer, and Georgie Billings.
  • Television prints edited due to content considered in bad taste.
  • Last short directed by Anthony Mack.
096 096 The First Seven Years Robert McGowan March 1
  • With Edgar Kennedy
  • Television prints edited for racial humor involving African Americans.
097 097 When the Wind Blows James W. Horne April 5
  • With Edgar Kennedy
  • First "Our Gang" short released with background music.
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving African Americans.
098 098 Bear Shooters Robert McGowan May 17
  • With Leon Janney.
  • Television prints edited due to content considered in bad taste, as well as racial humor involving African Americans.
099 099 A Tough Winter Robert McGowan June 21
  • With Stepin Fetchit
  • Withdrawn from television package due to racial humor involving African-Americans.
  • Last appearance of the original Pete the Pup.
100 100 Pups Is Pups Robert McGowan August 30
101 101 Teacher's Pet Robert McGowan October 11
  • First appearance of Matthew Beard.
  • First appearance of June Marlowe as schoolteacher Miss Crabtree.
  • First appearance of the Our Gang theme song, "Good Old Days".
  • Pete the Pup does not appear.
  • Television prints edited due to content considered in bad taste.
102 102 School's Out Robert McGowan November 22
  • With June Marlowe and Bobby "Bonedust" Young.
  • Television prints edited due to stereotyping of women and racial humor involving African Americans.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
103 103 Helping Grandma Robert McGowan January 3
  • With Bobby "Bonedust" Young.
  • First appearance of Shirley Jean Rickert
  • Pete the Pup does not appear.
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving African Americans.
104 104 Love Business Robert McGowan February 14
  • With June Marlowe and Bobby "Bonedust" Young.
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving African Americans.
105 105 Little Daddy Robert McGowan March 28
  • Final appearance of Bobby "Bonedust" Young.
  • With June Marlowe
  • Withdrawn from television package due to racial humor involving African-Americans.
106 106 Bargain Day Robert McGowan May 2
  • Final appearance of Jackie Cooper.
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving African Americans.
107 107 Fly My Kite Robert McGowan May 30
108 108 Big Ears Robert McGowan August 29
  • First entry for 1931 – 32 film season.
  • First appearance of Sherwood Bailey
  • Withdrawn from television package for centering on divorce.
109 109 Shiver My Timbers Robert McGowan October 10
  • First appearance of Jerry Tucker, who wouldn't return until 1933.
  • With Billy Gilbert and June Marlowe
  • Television prints edited for verbal descriptions of violence.
110 110 Dogs is Dogs Robert McGowan November 21
  • With Billy Gilbert.
  • Television prints edited due to negative treatment toward children and racial humor involving African Americans.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
111 111 Readin' and Writin' Robert McGowan January 2
  • First appearance of Kendall "Breezy Brisbane" McComas.
  • Final appearance of June Marlowe.
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving African Americans and content deemed to be in bad taste.
112 112 Free Eats Raymond McCarey February 13
113 113 Spanky Robert McGowan March 26
  • With Billy Gilbert.
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving African Americans.
114 114 Choo-Choo! Robert McGowan May 7
115 115 The Pooch Robert McGowan June 11
  • Final appearance of the second Pete the Pup.
  • Television prints edited due to negative treatment toward children and racial humor involving African Americans.
116 116 Hook and Ladder Robert McGowan August 27
  • First entry for 1932 – 33 film season.
  • First appearance of Dickie Moore and the third Pete the Pup.
  • Final appearances of Sherwood Bailey, Harold "Bouncy" Wertz, and supporting player Buddy McDonald.
  • Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins does not appear.
  • Semi-remake of Fire Fighters and The Fourth Alarm.
117 117 Free Wheeling Robert McGowan October 1
  • Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins and Pete the Pup do not appear.
  • Television prints edited due to stereotyping of women and racial humor involving African Americans.
  • Semi-remake of One Wild Ride.
118 118 Birthday Blues Robert McGowan November 12
  • Final appearances of Kendall "Breezy Brisbane" McComas
  • Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins does not appear.
  • Television prints edited due to negative treatment toward children and racial humor involving African Americans.
  • Semi-remake of Ten Years Old.
119 119 A Lad an' a Lamp Robert McGowan December 17
  • First appearance of supporting player John Collum
  • Withdrawn from television package due to racial humor involving African-Americans.
  • Semi-remake of Chicken Feed.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
120 120 Fish Hooky Robert McGowan January 28
121 121 Forgotten Babies Robert McGowan March 11
  • First appearance of Tommy Bond.
  • Semi-remake of Cradle Robbers.
122 122 The Kid From Borneo Robert McGowan April 15
  • Withdrawn from television package due to racial humor and negative treatment of handicapped people.
123 123 Mush and Milk Robert McGowan May 27
124 124 Bedtime Worries Robert McGowan September 9
125 125 Wild Poses Robert McGowan October 28
  • With Emerson Treacy, Gay Seabrook, Franklin Pangborn, Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy
  • Production hiatus until early 1934 following this short.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
126 126 Hi'-Neighbor! Gus Meins March 3
  • First appearance of Scotty Beckett and Jackie Lynn Taylor.
  • Television prints edited due to scenes deemed to be in bad taste.
  • Remade as Three Men in a Tub in 1938.
127 127 For Pete's Sake! Gus Meins April 14
  • Willie Mae Taylor (a girl) plays "Buckwheat", who at first was a female character.
  • First appearance of Leonard Kibrick, Marianne Edwards, and Billie Thomas, all uncredited as general Our Gang kids. Later in the series, Billie Thomas would become famous for playing Buckwheat when the character was changed to male.
  • Jerry Tucker does not appear.
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving African Americans.
128 128 The First Round-Up Gus Meins May 5
  • Willie Mae Taylor (a girl) plays "Buckwheat", who at first was a female character, identified in this episode as "Stymie's kid sister". Billie Thomas, who would later become famous as Buckwheat when the gender was changed to a boy, appears briefly in this episode as a mischievous little boy emptying the gang's canteens.
  • Jerry Tucker, Leonard Kibrick, and Marianne Edwards do not appear.
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving African Americans.
129 129 Honky Donkey Gus Meins June 2
  • With Don Barclay
  • Willie Mae Taylor (a girl) again plays "Buckwheat".
  • Billie Thomas, Jerry Tucker, Leonard Kibrick, Marianne Edwards, Jackie Lynn Taylor, and Pete the Pup do not appear.
130 130 Mike Fright Gus Meins August 25
  • First entry for 1934 – 35 film season.
  • Joy Wurgaft appears as a Hula Dancer.
  • Wally Albright, Jerry Tucker, Jackie Lynn Taylor, Marianne Edwards, and Billie Thomas do not appear.
131 131 Washee Ironee James Parrott November 13[6]
  • Final appearance of Wally Albright.
  • Only Our Gang film directed by Roach veteran James Parrott, who also appears in this film.
  • Marianne Edwards does not appear.
  • Tommy Bond departs series after this short; will return to Our Gang as "Butch" in 1937
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving Asian Americans.
  • Billie Thomas makes his third Our Gang appearance, but not yet as Buckwheat. He plays a football game spectator.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
132 132 Mama's Little Pirate Gus Meins January 5[6]
  • Billie Thomas, a male, now plays "Buckwheat" wearing a dress. "Little Buckwheat" is referred to as "she".[7]
  • Leonard Kibrick, Jackie Lynn Taylor, Marianne Edwards, and Pete the Pup do not appear.
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving African Americans.
133 133 Shrimps for a Day Gus Meins February 20[6]
  • Final appearance of Jackie Lynn Taylor.
  • Pete the Pup does not appear.
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving African Americans.
134 134 Anniversary Trouble Gus Meins March 13[6]
  • First appearance of Sidney Kibrick
  • Marianne Edwards does not appear.
  • With Johnny Arthur as John, Spanky's father; Hattie McDaniel as Mandy, the maid (both uncredited).
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving African Americans.
135 135 Beginner's Luck Gus Meins April 8[6]
136 136 Teacher's Beau Gus Meins April 27
  • Final appearance of Matthew "Stymie" Beard
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving African Americans.
  • Leonard and Sidney Kibrick do not appear.
137 137 Sprucin' Up Gus Meins June 1
  • Leonard and Sidney Kibrick do not appear.
138 139 Little Papa Gus Meins September 21
  • First appearance of Patsy May
  • First entry for 1935 – 36 film season.
  • Leonard Kibrick, Marianne Edwards, Jerry Tucker, and Pete the Pup do not appear.
139 140 Little Sinner Gus Meins October 26
  • First appearance of Eugene "Porky" Lee.
  • Scotty Beckett, Leonard Kibrick, Marianne Edwards, and Pete the Pup do not appear.
  • Withdrawn from television package from the early 1970s to early 1980s due to racial humor involving African-Americans. The short was later reinstated, though edited heavily for the same reasons.
140 141 Our Gang Follies of 1936 Gus Meins November 30
  • With Dickie Jones.
  • First appearance of Darla Hood.
  • Joy Wurgaft Appears as a Supporting Cast.
  • Marianne Edwards and Pete the Pup do not appear.
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving African Americans.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
141 143 The Pinch Singer Fred Newmeyer January 4
  • Filmed in between Divot Diggers and Second Childhood.
  • Last short in which Jerry Tucker plays a supporting player. From here until 1938, he would only occasionally appear as an extra.
  • Sidney Kibrick also reduced to extra roles, until 1937.
  • Scotty Beckett does not appear.
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving African Americans.
142 142 Divot Diggers Robert McGowan February 8
  • Filmed in between Our Gang Follies of 1936 and The Pinch Singer
  • Scotty Beckett and Marianne Edwards do not appear.
143 138 The Lucky Corner Gus Meins March 14
144 144 Second Childhood Gus Meins April 11
  • With Zeffie Tilbury
  • Pete the Pup does not appear. Beginning with this short, Pete would begin to make fewer appearances in the series.
145 145 Arbor Day Fred Newmeyer May 2
  • Final regular two-reel short in series.
  • Eugene "Porky" Lee does not appear.
  • First appearance of Rosina Lawrence as schoolteacher Miss Lawrence.
  • With Hattie McDaniel.
146 146 Bored of Education Gordon Douglas August 20
147 147 Two Too Young Gordon Douglas September 26
148 148 Pay as You Exit Gordon Douglas October 24
149 149 Spooky Hooky Gordon Douglas December 5
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
150 150 Reunion in Rhythm Gordon Douglas January 9
151 151 Glove Taps Gordon Douglas February 20
152 152 Hearts Are Thumps Gordon Douglas April 3
  • First appearance of Shirley Coates, who would later become a supporting player in 1938.
  • Tommy "Butch" Bond does not appear.
  • With Rosina Lawrence.
153 154 Rushin' Ballet Gordon Douglas April 24
  • Darwood Kaye appears, but not as Waldo.
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving African Americans.
154 153 Three Smart Boys Gordon Douglas May 13
  • Tommy "Butch" Bond and Sidney "Woim" Kibrick do not appear.
  • Final appearance of Rosina Lawrence.
  • Television prints edited due to racial humor involving African Americans.
155 155 Roamin' Holiday Gordon Douglas June 12
  • One of Pete the Pup's few appearances during this period.
  • Butch, Woim, and Waldo do not appear.
156 156 Night 'n' Gales Gordon Douglas July 24
157 157 Fishy Tales Gordon Douglas August 28
  • Darwood Kaye appears, but not as Waldo.
158 158 Framing Youth Gordon Douglas September 11
  • First entry for 1937 – 38 film season.
  • Waldo and Woim do not appear.
159 159 The Pigskin Palooka Gordon Douglas October 23
  • With Dickie Jones.
  • Tommy "Butch" Bond does not appear.
  • Darwood Kaye appears, but not as Waldo.
  • One of Pete the Pup's few appearances during this period.
160 160 Mail and Female Fred Newmeyer November 13
  • First appearance of Henry Lee as "Spike".
  • Darwood Kaye appears, but not as Waldo.
  • Butch and Woim do not appear.
  • Final Fred Newmeyer directed film.
161 161 Our Gang Follies of 1938 Gordon Douglas December 18
  • Two-reel musical special.
  • With Henry Brandon and Dickie Jones.
  • Darwood Kaye appears, but not as Waldo.
  • Butch, Woim, and Gary "Junior" Jasgur do not appear.
  • Edited slightly due to racial humor involving African Americans.
  • Final appearance of Patsy May
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes/Content edits for television
162 162 Canned Fishing Gordon Douglas February 12
  • Darla, Waldo, Butch, Woim, and Spike do not appear.
163 163 Bear Facts Gordon Douglas March 5
  • Butch, Woim, Waldo, Junior, and Spike do not appear.
164 164 Three Men in a Tub Nate Watt March 26
165 165 Came the Brawn Gordon Douglas April 16
166 166 Feed 'em and Weep Gordon Douglas May 7
167 167 The Awful Tooth Nate Watt May 28
  • Darla, Butch, Woim, Waldo, Leonard, and Junior do not appear.
  • One of Pete the Pup's few appearances during this period.
168 168 Hide and Shriek Gordon Douglas June 18
  • Final Roach short. Final two entries for 1937 – 38 film season completed by MGM.
  • Butch, Woim, Waldo, and Spike do not appear.

The MGM talkies (1938–1944)

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These one-reel sound Our Gang shorts were produced and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes
169 169 The Little Ranger Gordon Douglas August 6
  • First film produced by MGM
  • Leonard and Junior do not appear.
  • Shirley Coates now plays "Muggsy"
170 170 Party Fever George Sidney August 27
  • Final appearance of Pete the Pup.
  • Leonard, Junior, and Muggsy do not appear.
171 171 Aladdin's Lantern Gordon Douglas September 17
172 172 Men in Fright George Sidney October 15
  • With Sonny Bupp.
  • Butch, Woim, Waldo, and Muggsy do not appear.
173 173 Football Romeo George Sidney November 12
  • Waldo and Muggsy do not appear.
174 174 Practical Jokers George Sidney December 17
  • Waldo and Muggsy do not appear.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes
175 175 Alfalfa's Aunt George Sidney January 7
  • Darla, Butch, Woim, Waldo, and Muggsy do not appear.
176 176 Tiny Troubles George Sidney February 18
  • Butch, Woim, Waldo, Muggsy, Junior, and Leonard do not appear.
177 177 Duel Personalities George Sidney March 11
  • Leonard and Junior do not appear.
178 178 Clown Princes George Sidney April 15
  • Butch, Woim, and Waldo do not appear.
179 179 Cousin Wilbur George Sidney April 29
  • Guest appearance by Scotty Beckett as Cousin Wilbur.
  • Muggsy does not appear.
  • Darwood Kaye appears, but not as Waldo.
  • Final appearance of Gary Jasgur.
180 180 Joy Scouts Edward Cahn June 24
  • First appearance of Mickey Gubitosi (Robert Blake).
  • Darla, Muggsy, Butch, Woim, and Waldo do not appear.
181 181 Dog Daze George Sidney July 1
  • Guest appearance by Scotty Beckett as Cousin Wilbur.
  • Leonard, Muggsy, and Mickey do not appear.
182 182 Auto Antics Edward Cahn July 22
  • Final appearance of Eugene "Porky" Lee.
  • Waldo and Muggsy do not appear.
183 183 Captain Spanky's Show Boat Edward Cahn September 9
  • First entry for 1939 – 40 film season.
184 184 Dad for a Day Edward Cahn October 21
  • Darla, Butch, Woim, and Muggsy do not appear.
  • Darwood Kaye appears, but not as Waldo.
185 185 Time Out for Lessons Edward Cahn
Bud Murray
December 2
  • Final appearance of Sidney Kibrick.
  • Butch does not appear.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes
186 186 Alfalfa's Double Edward Cahn January 20
  • Butch, Waldo, and Muggsy do not appear.
187 188 The Big Premiere Edward Cahn March 9
  • Last appearance of Shirley "Muggsy" Coates.
  • Butch and Leonard do not appear.
  • Filmed in between Bubbling Troubles and All About Hash.
188 189 All About Hash Edward Cahn March 30
  • First appearance of Janet Burston, who is a supporting player at this point.
  • Butch and Waldo do not appear.
189 190 The New Pupil Edward Cahn April 27
  • With Juanita Quigley.
  • First appearance of Billy "Froggy" Laughlin, at this point a supporting player.
  • Darwood Kaye appears, but not as Waldo.
  • Butch and Leonard do not appear.
  • Final appearance of Harold Switzer.
  • Filmed in between All About Hash and Goin' Fishin.
190 187 Bubbling Troubles Edward Cahn May 25
  • Filmed between Alfalfa's Double and The Big Premiere.
  • Waldo does not appear.
  • Final appearance of Tommy "Butch" Bond.
191 192 Good Bad Boys Edward Cahn September 7
  • First entry for the 1940 – 41 film season.
  • Filmed in between "Goin' Fishin" and "Waldo's Last Stand".
192 193 Waldo's Last Stand Edward Cahn October 5
  • Final appearance of Darwood "Waldo" Kaye.
  • With Billy "Froggy" Laughlin and Janet Burston.
193 191 Goin' Fishin' Edward Cahn October 26
  • With Paul Hurst.
  • Filmed in between The New Pupil and Good Bad Boys
194 194 Kiddie Kure Edward Cahn November 23
  • With Thurston Hall.
  • Final appearance of Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer.
  • Billy "Froggy" Laughlin now promoted as a main player.
  • Leonard does not appear.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes
195 195 Fightin' Fools Edward Cahn January 25
  • Darla does not appear.
  • Final appearance of Leonard Landy.
196 196 Baby Blues Edward Cahn February 15
  • Darla does not appear.
  • With Janet Burston.
197 197 Ye Olde Minstrels Edward Cahn
Bud Murray
March 18
  • With Walter Wills.
198 199 1-2-3-Go! Edward Cahn April 26
  • Darla does not appear.
199 200 Robot Wrecks Edward Cahn July 12
200 201 Helping Hands Edward Cahn September 27
  • First entry for the 1941 – 42 film season.
201 198 Come Back, Miss Pipps Edward Cahn October 25
202 202 Wedding Worries Edward Cahn December 13
  • Final appearance of Darla Hood.
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes
203 203 Melodies Old and New Edward Cahn January 24
  • With Walter Wills.
  • Janet Burston now promoted as a main player.
204 204 Going to Press Edward Cahn March 7
205 205 Don't Lie Edward Cahn April 4
  • Janet does not appear.
206 206 Surprised Parties Edward Cahn May 30
207 207 Doin' Their Bit Herbert Glazer July 18
  • With Walter Wills.
208 208 Rover's Big Chance Herbert Glazer August 22
  • First entry for the 1942 – 43 film season.
209 209 Mighty Lak a Goat Herbert Glazer October 10
  • Janet does not appear.
210 210 Unexpected Riches Herbert Glazer November 28
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes
211 211 Benjamin Franklin, Jr. Herbert Glazer January 30
  • Mickey "Happy" Laughlin added as a replacement for Spanky.
212 212 Family Troubles Herbert Glazer April 3
213 214 Calling All Kids Sam Baerwitz April 24
  • Happy does not appear.
214 215 Farm Hands Herbert Glazer June 19
  • Janet does not appear.
215 213 Election Daze Herbert Glazer July 31
  • Mickey Laughlin's last appearance. Dickie Hall plays the role of "Happy".
  • Filmed in between Family Troubles and Calling All Kids.
216 216 Little Miss Pinkerton Herbert Glazer September 18
217 217 Three Smart Guys Edward Cahn October 23
Release# Production# Film Director Original release date Notes
218 218 Radio Bugs Cyril Endfield April 1
219 220 Tale of a Dog Cyril Endfield April 15
  • Released as part of the MGM Miniatures series rather than an Our Gang comedy.
  • Only entry for 1943 – 44 film season.
220 219 Dancing Romeo Cyril Endfield April 29
  • Final film in series. Planned follow-up Home Front Commandos canceled during production.

Foreign-language versions

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During the early days of sound American motion picture companies often made foreign-language versions of their films. The following is a list of known foreign-language versions of Our Gang films.

Foreign language versions of short films
Year English French German Spanish
1930 The First Seven Years Title unknown Title unknown Los Pequeños Papas
(The Little Fathers)
1930 When the Wind Blows Las Fantasmas
(The Ghosts)
1930 Bear Shooters Title unknown Title unknown Los Cazadores De Osos
(The Bear Hunters)
1930 A Tough Winter Temps d'Hiver
(Winter Time)
Winter Wetter
(Winter Weather)

Cameos/appearances in other films

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Our Gang as a unit appeared in a handful of other Hal Roach films, and in a few outside productions as well.

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Home media

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Blackhawk/Republic releases

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For many years, Blackhawk Films released 79 of the 80 Roach talkies on 16 mm film. The sound discs for Railroading' had been lost since the 1940s, and a silent print was made available for home movie release until 1982, when the film's sound discs were located in the MGM vault and the short was restored with sound. Like the television prints, Blackhawk's Little Rascals reissues featured custom-created title cards in place of the original Our Gang logos, as per MGM's 1949 arrangement with Hal Roach not to distribute the series under its original title.

In 1983, with the VHS home video market growing, Blackhawk began distributing Little Rascals VHS tapes available through catalogue only. The 80 sound shorts were made available across twenty-seven VHS volumes (one volume had the MGM short Waldo's Last Stand which was public domain to round out to 81), three shorts to a tape. Half a dozen silent episodes were also available across three additional VHS volumes. Four volumes on VHS went out of print by 1986, then leaving only 69 out of 80 episodes available.

National Telefilm Associates, later renamed Republic Pictures, purchased Blackhawk in 1983, and continued the catalogue releases while also making The Little Rascals available on retail home video collections in 1984. 30 Little Rascals shorts were released in a set of five VHS compilations, with six shorts to a volume: Little Rascals Comedy Classics 1, Little Rascals Comedy Classics 2, Best of the Little Rascals, Little Rascals on Parade, and Adventures of Little Rascals. Each of these tapes contained two volumes of the 1983 catalogue releases, making each tape contain six episodes. In addition, Republic made the first two catalogue volumes available for retail.

Twelve Little Rascals shorts made their way to home video through Spotlite Video in 1986. These also were all previously released on the catalogue Blackhawk releases and contained none of the ones that had been out of print. These were available through retail. Meanwhile, MGM released 20 of its 52 Our Gang shorts in a five-volume VHS set with four shorts per tape.

In 1991, Republic repackaged 30 Little Rascals shorts for a fifteen-volume VHS set, with two shorts per tape. Out of the 30 episodes released, only one of them (Night 'n' Gales) had been previously unreleased.

Cabin Fever/Hallmark releases

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In 1993, Republic sold the home video rights to the 80 sound Roach shorts and some of the available silent shorts to Cabin Fever Entertainment. Cabin Fever also acquired the rights to use the original Our Gang title cards and MGM logos; for the first time in over 50 years, the Roach sound Our Gang comedies could be seen in their original format. In June 1994, Cabin Fever released a 12-volume set of Little Rascals VHS tapes, hosted by Leonard Maltin. With four shorts per tape, Cabin Fever made 48 Roach sound shorts available for purchase, uncut and with digitally restored and remastered picture and sound.

Due to the success of these volumes, Cabin Fever released nine more volumes in June 1995, which made the other 32 Roach talkies available for purchase (some of which had never been available on home video before). Five of these volumes contained four sound shorts, while the other four featured three sound shorts and a silent short.

Cabin Fever began pressing DVD versions of their first 12 Little Rascals VHS volumes (with the contents of two VHS volumes included on each DVD), but went out of business before the release was announced in late 1998. Early in 1999, they sold their catalog to Hallmark Entertainment.

In April 2000, Hallmark cleared out their warehouse, making all of the Little Rascals DVDs and VHS tapes available for retail, but never did an official launch of the Cabin Fever Little Rascals DVDs. In August, the first 10 volumes were re-released on VHS with new packaging, and the first two volumes were released on DVD as The Little Rascals: Volumes 1-2. In 2003, the VHS tapes went out of print. That spring, Hallmark issued a DVD called Little Rascals Vols. 3–4, which actually did not completely compile volumes three and four of the Cabin Fever VHS set, but included ten Our Gang shorts. On November 13, 2005, ten more Little Rascals shorts were issued on a DVD entitled Little Rascals Collectors Edition III.

MGM/UA releases

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Throughout the early and mid 1990s, MGM/UA released a handful of the 1938-1944 MGM Our Gang shorts on VHS. The 1936 feature film General Spanky received both a VHS and LaserDisc release. Additionally, MGM/UA released a LaserDisc set of Our Gang comedies, consisting of both silent films and sound films.

Later releases

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In 2006, Legend Films released colorized versions of twenty four Our Gang comedies, which were released across five Little Rascals DVDs. Twenty three of these shorts were Hal Roach talkies, while the remaining film is Waldo's Last Stand, a public domain short from the MGM era. These DVDs went out of print in 2009.

RHI Entertainment and Genius Products released an eight-disc DVD box set entitled The Little Rascals - the Complete Collection on October 28, 2008. This set includes all of the Hal Roach sound short films in the Our Gang series (1929–1938), encompassing all of the Our Gang shorts distributed to TV as The Little Rascals (save for a handful of silents). Sixty-four of the shorts are sourced from the Cabin Fever restorations, while the remaining sixteen shorts utilize older Blackhawk Films transfers without their original title cards. On June 14, 2011, Vivendi Entertainment re-released seven of the eight DVDs from the RHI/Genius box set (which encompasses all of the sound Roach Our Gang shorts and excludes the eight "special features" bonus disc), replacing the Blackhawk transfers with their respective Cabin Fever restorations.

Throughout the 2000s, Warner Home Video used individual MGM Our Gang shorts as supplemental features on DVD releases of entries in their classic film library. On September 1, 2009, Warner Bros. released the fifty two MGM Our Gang shorts in a compilation as part of their Warner Archive Collection mail-order series. The collection, Our Gang Comedies 1938–1942 (despite the title, includes the 1943 and 1944 MGM shorts as well), is available for DVD mail order through the Warner Bros. Studio Online Store, and for digital download through both the WB Studio Online Store and the Apple iTunes Store. On January 19, 2016, General Spanky was released on DVD through Warners.

Public domain

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The following Our Gang comedies are in the public domain, and have appeared on many different VHS and DVD releases over the years.

  • All pre-1929 comedies
  • 1930: Bear Shooters; School's Out
  • 1937: Our Gang Follies of 1938
  • 1940: Waldo's Last Stand

Notes

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  1. ^ Production order from The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang by Leonard Maltin and Richard W. Bann, which says on p. ix that "the film entries are ordered according to production sequence, not by release dates or copyright dates." In the book the feature-length film General Spanky is counted as number 150 on the list, whereas this page's list only includes the shorts, so for shorts whose number is over 150 in the book, the production# on this page's list is the number in the book minus one (for example, Reunion in Rhythm is listed as #151 in the book, but #150 for this list).
  2. ^ "Family Jewels: Child Progeny - MoMA". The Museum of Modern Art. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
  3. ^ Demoss, Robert. "Bouncing Babies". theluckycorner.com. Retrieved 2020-10-16.. The Maltin/Bann book credits Bouncing Babies as Cobb's final appearance, but Demoss confirms that he does not appear in the finished film.
  4. ^ Fish Hooky (Our Gang short, 1933) at IMDb
  5. ^ Fish Hooky (1933 Our Gang short) with scenes filmed at amusement park of era, beginning at time mark 8:35 (YouTube)
  6. ^ a b c d e Demoss, Robert (2008-11-09). "The Lucky Corner". Retrieved 2008-11-19.. This is the copyright date for this film. The dates given for shorts 131 through 135 in the Leonard Maltin/Richard W. Bann book The Little Rascals: The Life and Times of Our Gang were based on data prepared at the beginning of the film season as projected release dates. Our Gang director Gus Meins stepped in to take over direction of Laurel and Hardy's Babes in Toyland in mid-1934, leaving him unavailable to direct Our Gang. When Babes ran over schedule, James Parrott was called in to direct short #131 Washee Ironee; the others were delayed in shooting until after Babes wrapped in October, pushing the shooting and release dates for much of the 1934 – 35 season back several months from the projected and planned dates. This is based upon information from the Hal Roach Studios archives and the Library of Congress, including filings of documents (cutting continuity, title sheets, film copyright) done during the processes of production.
  7. ^ Mama's Little Pirate (1934) video, time mark 8:10 (YouTube)
  8. ^ Maltin, Leonard; Bann, Richard W. (1977). Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals. Crown Publishers. pp. 197–199. Retrieved 3 March 2024.

References

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  • Maltin, Leonard & Bann, Richard W (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life & Times of Our Gang. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press. ISBN 0-517-58325-9.
  • Demoss, Robert (2008-11-28). "The Lucky Corner". Retrieved 2008-11-28.
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