Joy Scouts

This film appeared on at least one bootleg release.

Production 2630.

Release no. C-940.

Filmed April 17 to 21, 1939, over five days of shooting.

Released June 24, 1939. It was the 181st film in the series to be released.

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

Opening title: 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents Our Gang in "Joy Scouts".'

Produced by Jack Chertok for M-G-M: This credit doesn't appear in the film.
Directed by Edward Cahn: This credit appears in the film.
Photographed by Ray June, A. S. C.: 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

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as "Alfalfa" aka "Alfie": Featured role. He doesn't have much luck cooking food for the gang.
George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky": Featured role. He sets up the tent and then tries to cook the fish.
Eugene "Porky" Lee: Supporting role. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He and Buckwheat try to fish, but mostly get junk.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas: Supporting role. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He accompanies Porky throughout the film.
Leonard Landy as "Leonard": Supporting role. He gathers wood and then eats a popcorn-laced flapjack.
Mickey Gubitosi: Supporting role. He helps Spanky set up the tent. This was his first appearance in the series.
other kids: Extras. The remaining kids in the film are all members of The Clark Gable-sponsored Los Angeles Boy Scout Troop No. 59, according to Maltin & Bann. There appear to be somewhere between 25 and 30 of them.

Leo: Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.
other animals: Bit parts. The only other animals in the film are the crow that Alfalfa mistakes for a mockingbird, and the dead fish the kids cook.

Forbes Murray as the scoutmaster: Small part. The kids call him "General." He tells the boys that they're too young for the scouts, and then helps them out at the end of the film.
other adults: Bit parts and extras.
(1.) The man in the painting that Porky and Buckwheat fish out of the water.
(2.) Two men and four women milling about in the background during the boy scout scenes.

"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.
"Listen To The Mockingbird" by Septimus Winner: Winner published this song in April 1855 under the pseudonym Alice Hawthorne. This is sung by Alfalfa as he cooks the flapjacks, and is later hummed by him.
"The Gang Goes Home" by David Snell: This is a shorter version of "Our Gang," including only "London Bridge."

The troop is reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the film.

The gang camps at Geyser Springs Campground, which includes Mammoth Geyser.

Reference is made to Greenpoint, which is 6 miles from where the gang meets back up with the scouts.

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