Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins


This filmography was made in collaboration with Matthew Lydick.


name: Robert E. Hutchins
childhood nickname: Bobby
professional nickname: Wheezer
adult nickname: Bob
born Mar. 29, 1925, in Tacoma, WA
died May 17, 1945, near Merced, CA, in airplane crash


1927

61. Baby Brother (supporting role: Horatio)
June 26, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-19 - Our Gang series
Filmed Feb. 17 to Mar. 14, 1927. ©May 18, 1927.
63. Olympic Games (featured role: Wheezer)
Sep. 11, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-21 - Our Gang series
Also listed for Sep. 10, 1927. Filmed Apr. 22 to May 6, 1927. ©July 8, 1927.
67. Yale Vs. Harvard (small part)
Sep. 24, 1927 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-1 - Our Gang series
Filmed June 13 to 24, 1927. ©Aug. 17, 1927.
The Lighter That Failed (small part)
Oct. 1, 1927 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. C-1 - Charley Chase series
Filmed June 17 to 24, 1927. ©Oct. 12, 1927. There is some question about whether or not Wheezer actually appeared in this film. Lord Heath's site, which contains vidcaps of the various players, lacks one for Wheezer and puts a question mark next to his name. However, the Standard Casting Directory includes Bobby Hutchins on their list of the main players in the film.
68. The Old Wallop (featured role)
Oct. 22, 1927 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-2 - Our Gang series
Filmed Aug. 8 to 20, 1927. ©Oct. 22, 1927.
62. Chicken Feed (small part)
Nov. 6, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-20 - Our Gang series
Filmed Mar. 28 to Apr. 15, 1927. ©June 9, 1927.
69. Heebee Jeebees (small part)
Nov. 19, 1927 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-3 - Our Gang series
Also listed for Nov. 29, 1927. Filmed Aug. 29 to Sep. 13, and Sep. 30, 1927. ©Nov. 1, 1927.
Assistant Wives (small part: Little Rathbone)
Dec. 4, 1927 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. B-23 - Charley Chase series
Also listed as Dec. 12, 1927. Filmed May 4 to 17, 1927. ©Sep. 2, 1927.
70. Dog Heaven (supporting role)
Dec. 17, 1927 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-4 - Our Gang series
Filmed Sep. 15 to Oct. 13, 1927, with retakes Nov. 1, 1927. ©Nov. 26, 1929.

1928

65. Playin' Hookey (supporting role)
Jan. 1, 1928 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-24 - Our Gang series
Filmed June 27 to 29, and Aug. 1 to 6, 1927. ©Feb. 6, 1928.
71. Spook-Spoofing (small part)
Jan. 14, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 3 reels - prod. G-5 - Our Gang series
Filmed Oct. 11 to 27, 1927. ©Jan. 14, 1928.
72. Rainy Days (featured role: Wheezer)
Feb. 11, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-6 - Our Gang series
Filmed Nov. 4 to Dec. 28, 1927. ©Feb. 11, 1928, and Sep. 4, 1929.
66. The Smile Wins (unconfirmed extra)
Feb. 26, 1928 - Roach/Pathé - 2 reels - prod. K-23 - Our Gang series
Filmed May 24 to June 7, 1927. ©Sep. 2, 1927.
73. Edison, Marconi & Co. (lead role: Wheezer)
Mar. 10, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-7 - Our Gang series
Also listed for Mar. 9, 1928. Filmed Dec. 16 to 22, and Dec. 28, 1927. ©Mar. 10, 1928.
74. Barnum & Ringling, Inc. (small part)
Apr. 7, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-8 - Our Gang series
Filmed Dec. 21, 1927, to Jan. 9, 1928. ©Apr. 7, 1928. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
75. Fair And Muddy (supporting role)
May 5, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-9 - Our Gang series
Filmed Jan. 16 to Feb. 8, 1928. ©May 5, 1928.
76. Crazy House (featured role: Wheezer)
June 2, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-10 - Our Gang series
Filmed Feb. 10 to 24, 1928. ©May 16, 1928.
MGM News (appearance)
Aug. 26, 1928 - MGM - 1 reel - newsreel
This was reviewed the following day, so I'm going with the copyright date that comes closest. Featured is footage of the Our Gang troupe during their cross-country tour.
77. Growing Pains (featured role: Wheezer)
Sep. 22, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-11 - Our Gang series
Filmed Feb. 27 to Mar. 15, 1928. ©Sep. 22, 1928.
78. The Ol' Gray Hoss (featured role)
Oct. 20, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-12 - Our Gang series
Filmed May 7 to 26, 1928, with retakes Aug. 16, 1928. ©Oct. 20, 1928. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
79. School Begins (featured role)
Nov. 17, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-13 - Our Gang series
Premiered Sep. 16, 1928. Filmed June 7 to 28, 1928. ©Nov. 17, 1928. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
80. The Spanking Age (lead role: Wheezer)
Dec. 15, 1928 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-14 - Our Gang series
Filmed July 2 to 14, 1928. ©Dec. 15, 1928. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.

1929

Hollywood - The Movieland Of The World (appearance)
c. early 1929 - California Scenics - 2 reels - travelogue film
Wheezer and the rest of the Gang are shown posing for photos on the set of "Rainy Days." This footage was shot in Dec. 1927, though other footage in the travelogue was shot as late as Nov. 1928. Raw footage taken for this film, including being-the-scenes footage of the making of "Rainy Days," can be found on YouTube.
81. Election Day (supporting role: Wheezer)
Jan. 12, 1929 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-15 - Our Gang series
Filmed July 19 to Aug. 4, 1928, with retakes Aug. 22 to 24, 1928. ©Dec. 10, 1928.
82. Noisy Noises (supporting role: Wheezer)
Feb. 9, 1929 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-16 - Our Gang series
Filmed Oct. 29 to Nov. 10, 1928. ©Mar. 5, 1929. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
83. The Holy Terror (supporting role)
Mar. 9, 1929 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-17 - Our Gang series
Filmed Nov. 19 to 28, 1928. ©July 11, 1929.
84. Wiggle Your Ears (supporting role)
Apr. 6, 1929 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-18 - Our Gang series
Filmed Dec. 4 to 12, 1928. ©Mar. 5, 1929. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
85. Fast Freight (supporting role)
May 4, 1929 - Roach/MGM - silent - 2 reels - prod. G-19 - Our Gang series
Filmed Dec. 10 to 27, and Dec. 29, 1928. ©Apr. 1, 1929.
89. Small Talk (lead role: Wheezer)
May 18, 1929 - Roach/MGM - talkie - 3 reels - prod. G-23 - Our Gang series
Also listed for Apr. 18, 1929. Filmed Mar. 25 to Apr. 6, 1929. ©July 30, 1929.
86. Little Mother (featured role: Wheezer)
June 1, 1929 - Roach/MGM - silent - 2 reels - prod. G-20 - Our Gang series
Filmed Feb. 4 to 13, 1929. ©June 3, 1929.
90. Railroadin' (supporting role)
June 15, 1929 - Roach/MGM - talkie - 2 reels - prod. G-24 - Our Gang series
Filmed Apr. 17 to 25, 1929. ©Dec. 9, 1929.
92. Lazy Days (supporting role: Wheezer)
Aug. 24, 1929 - Roach/MGM - talkie - 2 reels - prod. G-26 - Our Gang series
Also listed for Aug. 15, 1929, and Oct. 24, 1929. Filmed June 10 to 20, 1929. ©Aug. 26, 1929.
91. Boxing Gloves (supporting role: Wheezer aka Bobby)
Sep. 9, 1929 - Roach/MGM - talkie - 2 reels - prod. G-25 - Our Gang series
Filmed May 13 to 25, 1929. ©Sep. 9, 1929.
87. Cat, Dog & Co. (featured role: Wheezer)
Sep. 14, 1929 - Roach/MGM - silent - 2 reels - prod. G-21 - Our Gang series
Filmed Feb. 20 to Mar. 2, 1929. ©Sep. 3, 1929. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
93. Bouncing Babies (lead role: Wheezer)
Oct. 12, 1929 - Roach/MGM - talkie - 2 reels - prod. G-27 - Our Gang series
Filmed July 5 to 15, 1929. ©Sep. 23, 1929.
88. Saturday's Lesson (supporting role)
Nov. 9, 1929 - Roach/MGM - silent - 2 reels - prod. G-22 - Our Gang series
Filmed Mar. 5 to 11, 1929. ©Sep. 9, 1929. Released with a synchronized soundtrack.
94. Moan & Groan, Inc. (supporting role: Wheezer)
Dec. 7, 1929 - Roach/MGM - talkie - 2 reels - prod. G-28 - Our Gang series
Filmed Sep. 3 to 14, 1929. ©Dec. 2, 1929.

1930

95. Shivering Shakespeare (featured role)
Jan. 25, 1930 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-29 - Our Gang series
Filmed Sep. 30 to Oct. 12, 1929. ©Dec. 17, 1929.
96. The First Seven Years (supporting role: Wheezer)
Mar. 1, 1930 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-30 - Our Gang series
Filmed Oct. 28 to Nov. 16, 1929. ©Jan. 20, 1930. Also filmed in Spanish as Los pequeños papas.
97. When The Wind Blows (supporting role: Wheezer)
Apr. 5, 1930 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-31 - Our Gang series
Filmed Nov. 29 to Dec. 10, 1929. ©Feb. 10, 1930. Also filmed in Spanish as Las fantasmas.
98. Bear Shooters (featured role: Wheezer)
May 17, 1930 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-32 - Our Gang series
Filmed Dec. 19, 1929, to Jan. 4, 1930, and Jan. 21, 1930. Also filmed in Spanish as Los cazadores de osos, as well as in French.
99. A Tough Winter (featured role: Wheezer)
June 21, 1930 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-33 - Our Gang series
Filmed Jan. 27 to Feb. 15, 1930. ©Apr. 14, 1930. Also filmed in German as Winter Wetter and in French as Semps d'hiver.
100. Pups Is Pups (lead role)
Aug. 30, 1930 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-34 - Our Gang series
Filmed Apr. 21 to May 9, 1930. ©July 2, 1930. Added to the National Film Registry on Dec. 28, 2004.
101. Teacher's Pet (supporting role: Wheezer)
Oct. 11, 1930 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-35 - Our Gang series
Filmed May 21 to 29, 1930. ©Nov. 24, 1930. Also made as Spanish version entitled Comenzo la escuela, which used the English original with full-frame cut-in titles, but wasn't accepted by MGM for release in this format.
102. School's Out (featured role)
Nov. 22, 1930 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-36 - Our Gang series
Filmed June 17 to 25, 1930.

1931

103. Helping Grandma (featured role: Wheezer)
Jan. 3, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-37 - Our Gang series
Filmed July 28 to Aug. 6, 1930. ©Oct. 1, 1930.
104. Love Business (supporting role: Wheezer)
Feb. 14, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-38 - Our Gang series
Filmed Sep. 3 to 15, 1930, with retakes Sep. 20, 1930. ©Oct. 26, 1930.
105. Little Daddy (small part: Wheezer)
Mar. 28, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-39 - Our Gang series
Filmed Oct. 30 to Nov. 13, 1930. ©Feb. 6, 1931.
The Stolen Jools (small part)
Apr. 4, 1931 - Masquers Club/National Variety Artists/Paramount - 2 reels
The Our Gang kids are among the multitude of stars featured in this short.
106. Bargain Day (featured role: Wheezer)
May 2, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-40 - Our Gang series
Filmed Dec. 14 to 23, 1930, with retakes Jan. 26 to Feb. 2, 1931. ©Mar. 23, 1931.
107. Fly My Kite (supporting role: Wheezer)
May 30, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-41 - Our Gang series
Filmed Mar. 2 to 14, 1931. ©May 7, 1931.
108. Big Ears (lead role: Wheezer)
Aug. 29, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-1 - Our Gang series
Filmed May 25 to June 5, 1931. ©Aug. 17, 1931. Also released with Spanish subtitles as Orejas de burro.
109. Shiver My Timbers (supporting role: Wheezer)
Oct. 10, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-2 - Our Gang series
Filmed June 29 to July 9, 1931. ©Oct. 1, 1931. Also released with Spanish subtitles as Piratas infantiles.
110. Dogs Is Dogs (lead role: Wheezer)
Nov. 21, 1931 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-3 - Our Gang series
Filmed Aug. 12 to 28, 1931. ©Oct. 27, 1931.

1932

111. Readin' And Writin' (featured role)
Jan. 2, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-4 - Our Gang series
Also listed for Feb. 2, 1932. Filmed Sep. 30 to Oct. 10, 1931. ©Dec. 17, 1931.
112. Free Eats (supporting role: Wheeze)
Feb. 13, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-5 - Our Gang series
Also listed for Feb. 18, 1932. Filmed Nov. 6 to 19, 1931. ©Feb. 11, 1932.
113. Spanky (supporting role: Wheezer aka Wheeze)
Mar. 26, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-6 - Our Gang series
Filmed Dec. 14 to 22, 1931. ©Mar. 29, 1932.
114. Choo-Choo! (supporting role)
May 7, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-7 - Our Gang series
Filmed Jan. 25 to Feb. 4, 1932. ©May 2, 1932.
115. The Pooch (supporting role)
June 11, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-8 - Our Gang series
Also listed for June 4, 1932. Filmed Mar. 9 to 17, 1932. ©June 13, 1932.
Exposed (supporting role: Danny)
Sep. 1932 - Eagle/Greenblatt - 6 reels - feature
UK title: Strange Roads. Featuring William Collier, Jr., Barbara Kent and Raymond Hatton.
Yoo-Hoo (featured role: Rooster)
Oct. 5, 1932 - Universal - 2 reels - James Gleason series
©Sep. 13, 1932. Credited as Bobby Hutchins.
119. A Lad An' A Lamp (supporting role: Wheezer)
Dec. 17, 1932 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-12 - Our Gang series
Filmed Sep. 3 to 10, 1932. ©Dec. 12, 1932.

1933

120. Fish Hooky (supporting role: Wheezer)
Jan. 28, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-13 - Our Gang series
Filmed Oct. 17 to 22, 1932. ©Jan. 16, 1933.
121. Forgotten Babies (small part)
Mar. 11, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-14 - Our Gang series
Filmed Dec. 3 to 10, 1932. ©Mar. 13, 1933.
122. The Kid From Borneo (supporting role)
Apr. 15, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-15 - Our Gang series
Filmed Jan. 9 to 16, 1933. ©Mar. 13, 1933.
123. Mush and Milk (small part)
May 27, 1933 - Roach/MGM - 2 reels - prod. G-16 - Our Gang series
Filmed Jan. 27 to Feb. 3, 1933. ©Apr. 17, 1933.
Pie For Two (supporting role)
Dec. 13, 1933 - Universal - 2 reels - James Gleason series
©Dec. 5, 1933.

1934


1935


1940


1942


1943


1944


1945


1959


1978

Rascal Dazzle (archival)
1978 - King World/Picture Scores - 93 min. - documentary feature
©1978. Seems to have debuted on TV, followed by a theatrical release in late 1979. Includes footage from "Readin' And Writin'" and "Choo-Choo!"

1984

Our Gang: Inside The Clubhouse (archival)
May 8, 1984 - Lang/Camellia City Telecasters - 93 mins. - TV documentary
Includes footage from "Bouncing Babies," "Teacher's Pet," "School's Out," "Helping Grandma," "Love Business," "Bargain Day," "Readin' And Writin'" and "Free Eats."

1986

Classic Comedy Teams (archival)
1986 - Bergamn-Harris/Movietime/GoodTimes - video documentary
Includes footage from "School's Out" and "The Stolen Jools."

1994

Hal Roach: Hollywood's King Of Laughter (appearance)
Apr. 7, 1994 - RHI/Disney Channel - 49 min. - TV documentary
Includes footage from "Bear Shooters" and "School's Out."
The Our Gang Story (archival)
1994 - Film Shows/GoodTimes - 120 min. - video documentary
Includes footage from "The First Seven Years," "Bear Shooters," "School's Out," "The Stolen Jools," "Fly My Kite," "Dogs Is Dogs" and "The Kid From Borneo."

1997


1998

Hal Roach: The Lot Of Fun (archival)
June 27, 1998 - Film Preservation Associates/Kino Lorber - 133 min. - video documentary
Released on "Slapstick Encyclopedia Vol. 6."

2000

Bamboozled (archival)
Oct. 20, 2000 - 40 Acres/New Line - 135 min. - color - Dolby
Includes footage from "School's Out."

2002

Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story (appearance)
Feb. 5, 2002 - Jones/TCM - 89 min. - TV documentary
Shows a 1992 interview with Roach. Includes footage from "The Pooch."
E! True Hollywood Story episode: Curse Of The Little Rascals (archival)
Nov. 24, 2002 - E! Entertainment Television - 60 min. - TV documentary

2014

Hollywoods Spaßfabrik - Als die Bilder Lachen lernten (archival)
May 29, 2014 - Exit Film-und Fernsehproduktion-ZDF/ARTE - 90 min. - TV documentary
Also released in English as Hal Roach - The Lot Of Fun: Where The Movies Learned To Laugh. Includes footage from "Fast Freight" and "Semps d'hiver."

Wheezer Hutchins' payroll history

The following is a list of most of Wheezer's history at the Roach studio, with the amounts he was making from week to week. The dates given are Saturdays, the last day of each week at the studio. The only exceptions would be Saturdays that were also holidays, in which case the Friday date is used for those weeks.

The payroll ledger for 1927 has gone missing, which makes some of the details for these dates unavailable. There are, however, datebooks and payroll summaries that have survived, and these verify most of the information about Wheezer's salary that would be found in the ledger. The main exception is that, during the interim between films, it isn't clear which production the player's salary is being charged to. That being said, Wheezer didn't start off as a salaried player, but instead was a day worker, and details of this earlier activity can only be found in the missing ledger. During this period between mid-February to the beginning of April, he worked in Baby Brother, and may have been involved in the first week of shooting for Chicken Feed, though his involvement in that film is minimal enough to be covered by the two weeks of shooting in which he was salaried. He was listed in studio documentation as Bobby Hutchins.

As distribution was shifting from Pathé to MGM, the Kid Co. transitioned into the Gang Co. During the weeks ending July 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th, the studio was closed. The datebooks indicate that Wheezer wasn't paid during this stretch, but the payroll summaries indicate that he was.

With the start of 1928, we can return to the payroll ledgers for a more accurate picture of Wheezer's history.

The studio was closed during the spring, resulting in Wheezer not being paid for the week ending Mar. 31st, and then receiving a lower salary for the rest of the break.

The studio was closed for the week ending July 19th, and Wheezer was given a reduced paycheck. His usual interim pay of $50 a week was doubled, perhaps having to do with not getting a check the week ending July 26th. Or perhaps it was to compensate for the $300 he got the week ending July 12th.

Much of the week ending Dec. 20th and the entirety of the week ending Dec. 27th are missing from the payroll ledger, but filming began on Bargain Day during this period.

Wheezer was not given a check for the week ending Mar. 12th, but he was listed in the ledger in the "one-picture" category. This means he was no longer under long-term contract, but rather would make a weekly salary on a short-term basis.

After this, Wheezer was absent from the Our Gang series (and the Roach studio) for about five and a half months. When he returned, he did so as a day worker.

After this, it would be over a month before Wheezer worked at the studio again.

After this, it would be over a month before Wheezer worked at the studio again.

After this, it would be a month before Wheezer worked at the studio again.

After this, it would be two weeks before Wheezer worked at the studio again.


See anything that needs changing? Contact me at BtheW@aol.com.


© Robert Demoss and Matthew Lydick.


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