Cousin Wilbur

film no. 180

availability:

Laurel And Hardy Collection (2 DVD set) from Warner Home Video: Released Apr. 18, 2006. Includes a documentary entitled "Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story. This documentary contains a clip from this film lasting 0:02, and showing the gang giving each other the high sign.
other releases: This film appeared on at least one bootleg release.

technical details:

Production 2618.

Release no. C-939.

The script number is 13555, submitted by Robert A. McGowan and Hal Law, and okayed by Jack Chertok on Mar. 2, 1939. The original title was "Gang Insurance."

Filmed March 13 to 17, 1939, over five days of shooting.

Released April 29, 1939. It was the 180th film in the series to be released.

Copyrighted May 4, 1939, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP8953. Renewed May 4, 1966, with registration no. R385283. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2034.

All-talking one-reeler, lasting 10 minutes and 24 seconds.

Opening title: 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents Our Gang in "Cousin Wilbur".'

the crew:

Produced by Jack Chertok for M-G-M: The film credit reads: Produced by Loew's Incorporated.
Directed by George Sidney: This credit appears in the film.
Film Editor: Roy Brickner: This credit appears in the film.
Screen Play by Hal Law and Robert A. McGowan: This credit appears in the film, but without McGowan's middle initial.
Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer: Indicated in the opening title card.
Western Electric Sound System: As indicated in the film.
Approved by the Production Code Adminstration of the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America
Passed by the National Board of Review: As indicated in the film.
Teacher: Fern Carter
possible uncredited involvement

the kids:

Carl " Alfalfa" Switzer as "Alfalfa" aka "Alf": Lead role. Wilbur calls him "Cousin Alfie." He's embarassed about having to introduce his cousin to the gang, and has little patience for him.
Scotty Beckett as "Wilbur Nesbitt Newcombe II": Lead role. He suggests to the gang that they found a benevolent society, and eventually protects the organization from Butch. He ends up becoming 'honery president.'
Tommy Bond as "Butch": Featured role. He tries to take over the club, but ends up needing insurance after Wilbur takes care of him.
George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky": Featured role. He's president of the society.
Sidney Kibrick as "Woim": Supporting role. He accompanies Butch throughout the film.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat": Supporting role. Wilbur calls him "Master Buckwheat." He's the doorman at the club.
Eugene "Porky" Lee as "Porky": Supporting role. Wilbur calls him "Master Porky." He's the 'policy giver outer."
Joe "Corky" Geil: Small part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. He's examined by Alfalfa and later arrives with a black eye.
Darla Hood: Small part. She's the nurse who assists Alfalfa.
Leonard Landy: Small part. He's the first kid shown being examined by Alfalfa.
Phillip "Lucky" Hurlic: Bit part. He turns down the insurance, since a black eye would never be visible on his face.
boy 179: Bit part. He's the boy with the fake black eye.
Gary "Slapsie" Jasgur: Extra. Listed by Maltin & Bann as Gary Jasgar. He can be seen in several scenes, but doesn't do anything specific. This was his final appearance in the series.
Freddie Chapman: Extra. He's next in line to be examined after Joe Geil, and is to the right of Payne Johnson in the final scene.
boy 131: Extra. He's second from the right in the scene where the boys return to collect their insurance, and is also in the final scene.
boy 174: Extra. He's to the left of boy 152 in the scene where the boys return to collect their insurance.
Payne Johnson: Extra. He's in the center of the front row in the final scene.
Darwood Kaye: Extra. Maltin & Bann indicate that the "Waldo" moniker was used, but it wasn't. He's at the right end of the front row in the final scene.
Harold Switzer: Extra. He's at the right end of the back row in the final scene.
Tommy McFarland: Extra. According to Maltin & Bann. He may be the boy sitting to the left of Harold in the final scene.
other kids: Extras. There seems to be at least 6 more boys in the film.

the animals:

Leo: Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.

the adults:

Mary Currier as "Aunt Martha," Alfalfa's mom: Bit part. She's shown at the beginning of the film.

the music:

"Our Gang" by David Snell: This is played over the opening titles. This is a medley of three songs:
(1.) "London Bridge" - The earliest reference to this nursery rhyme is in a play from 1659, and it was associated with children by 1720. It may derive from a part of the "Heimskringla" by Snorri Sturluson, which was composed around 1225.
(2.) "Mulberry Bush" - Also known as "So Early In The Morning" and "This Is The Way." It was probably originally called "Here We Go Round The Bramble Tree" in the mid 18th century, with the type of tree changed by inmates of Wakefield Prison, who exercised around a mulberry bush.
(3.) "The Farmer In The Dell" - This nursery rhyme is of uncertain origins.
"The Gang Goes Home" by David Snell: This is a shorter version of "Our Gang," including only "London Bridge."

miscellaneous:

The gang's club is called the All 4 One Club, but changes its name to the All For One Society.

In the category of unseen characters is Alfalfa's "Aunt Penelope," who is presumably Wilbur's mother. This character had previously appeared in "Alfalfa's Aunt" (no. 176).

See page 235 of Maltin & Bann's book for this film's expenses and profits.

Thanks to Joe Moore, Debby Mendelsohn and bigshotjones for assistance on this page.