Production 2631. The script is numbered B973.
Release no. C-941.
Filmed May 1 to 5, 1939.
Released July 1, 1939. It was the 182nd film in the series to be released.
Copyrighted July 13, 1939, by Loew's Incorporated. Registration no. LP9095. Renewed July 13, 1966, with registration no. R389305. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2034.
All-talking one-reeler, lasting 10 minutes and 34 seconds.
Opening title: 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents Our Gang in "Dog Daze".'
Five shooting dates went into the making of this film, from May 1 to 5, 1939. Here's a breakdown of the script activity:
June 8, 1938 - A script by Al Giebler entitled "Finders Losers" derives from this date, nearly a year before shooting began. Spanky was not part of the gang during this
period, so he doesn't appear in this early version. The kids run the Vinegar Hill Athletic Club. Butch is a member, as well as a new kid named "Cookie." The gang's dog
is named "Duke." He's getting very thin, but he disappears out the door with whatever food they give him. Mr. Jackson's dog is missing and is lame in the hind legs.
It turns out that Duke has been feeding it. The Animal Bureau puts up a notice that they will confiscate all stray dogs, so the gang hides both dogs. When Mr. Jackson's chauffeur
finds the lame dog with the kids, he gives them a dollar reward, which gives them the idea of gathering up all the stray dogs in town for reward money.
June 14, 1938 - A treatment by Giebler entitled "Dog-Gone" derives from this date, but also includes the date of Sep. 1, 1939. The only dog in the script is
"Ponto," who belongs to a rich man. This also marks the first appearance of "Jo Jo" the penguin.
June 22, 1938 - A new version by Giebler entitled "Lost Dog" derives from this date. The club is called "The Secret Four" and Butch is still a member, the
other three being Alfalfa, Buckwheat and Porky. The rich dog is trapped in this version.
June 30, 1938 - A new version by Giebler entitled "Finders - Losers" derives from this date. Duke is the injured and lost dog, but is still retrived by the
chauffeur, who works for "Mrs. Jackson," the richest woman in town. The kids form the Harmony Hill Lost Dog Finders, with Waldo as a member. In this version, Butch is more
of an adversary, and Darla mostly sticks around with him. "JoJo" the penguin is owned by a man named "Pete." There is also a chihuahua named "Geraldine"
owned by "Mrs. Jones."
July 6, 1938 - A new version by Giebler entitled "Finders - Losers" derives from this date. Alfalfa is referred to as "Alfalfa Grassbender" in this
version.
July 7, 1938 - An update of the previous day's version derives from this date, also by Giebler and called "Finders - Losers." At this point, the club is called
"The Secret Three," and Alfalfa still has the last name of "Grassbender." Waldo is not one of the three but is included in the story. Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Jackson
are still present, but "Jo-Jo" is now owned by "Captain Smutz." Dog names in this version include "Fifi," "Fido," "Rover" and
"Clarence."
July 12 to 13, 1938 - More work by Giebler was done on "Finders - Losers" on these two dates. The Secret Three, Alfalfa Grassbender, Waldo, Mrs. Jones, and Mrs.
Jackson were all still present, but "Jojo" was now owned by "Captain Emil Smutz."
July 16, 1938 - More work by Giebler was done on "Finders - Losers" on this date. Alfalfa still had the same last name and was still part of The Secret Three. The
rich dog is now named "Rex," but the gang calls him "Duke." Mrs. Jones' chihuahua was now called "Josephine."
Aug. 6, 1938 - A new version by Giebler called "The Abyssinian Duck" derives from this date. Woim is introduced into the story. Alfalfa owes him money, having needed it
to fix Duke's legs. The chauffeur still refers to the dog as "Rex." "Mrs. Horace Jackson" is the commissioner's wife in this version. There is also a cop
named "Corrigan." Mrs. Jones and Josephine are also present. "Jojo the Educated Penguin" is now owned by "Mr. Schmutz" the butcher. The gang's
reward at the end of the story is a racer. Waldo is no longer part of the story, and Spanky is still absent as well.
Aug. 24, 1938 - An update of "The Abyssinian Duck" derives from this date, again by Giebler.
Apr. 28, 1939 - A Giebler script entitled "Pups And Penguins" derives from this date, fully eight months after the previous version. This version was okayed by Jack
Chertok. By this time, Spanky had been added to the story, which is very similar to the finished film. Butch now owns a goat named "Alexander." The cops are
"Riley" and "Sweeney." The penguin is "Jojo," and he's owned by "Captain Pindle." There is also a dialogue continuity deriving from this
date with the same title. At this point, Wilbur was not yet part of the story.
May 2, 1939 - Another Giebler script entitled "Pups & Penguins" derives from this date, and was also okayed by Chertok. In this version, Sweeney is the cop who asks
"Where does that Our Gang bunch hang out?" The dogs in this version include "Cleopatra," "Fifi" and "Pinky."
See page 235 of Maltin & Bann's book for this film's expenses and profits.
© Robert Demoss.