Auto Antics

film no. 183

availability:

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by Jack Chertok for M-G-M

The film credit reads: Produced by Loew's Incorporated.

Directed by Edward Cahn

This credit appears in the film.

Photographed by Harold Marzorati, 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

the kids:

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer

as "Alfalfa"

Featured role. He and Spanky must win the race to save Whiskers.

George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky"

Featured role. He's basically in every scene with Alfalfa.

Tommy Bond as "Butch"

Featured role. He and Woim try to win the race by dishonest means.

Darla Hood as "Darla"

Supporting role. She hangs out with the mayor during the race and clues him in on the Whiskers dilemma.

Eugene "Porky" Lee as "Porky"

Supporting role. He shares a car with Buckwheat and ends up rolling down the hill in a trash can. This was his final appearance in the series.

Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat"

Supporting role. He accompanies Porky throughout the film.

Sidney Kibrick as "Woim"

Supporting role. He accompanies Butch throughout the film.

Leonard Landy

Supporting role. He and Mickey inadvertently end up in the race, and basically get in everybody's way.

Mickey Gubitosi

Supporting role. He accompanies Leonard throughout the film.

boy 131

Small part. He's in the first car that goes off the road.

boy 171c

Small part. He's the boy honking his horn.

other kids

Small parts and extras. There are eight additional boys in the race, and at least four kids in the crowd.

the animals:

dog 179 as "Whiskers"

Supporting role. He gets taken to the pound, and the gang must win the prize to save him.

Leo

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

other animals

Extras. There are at least two more dogs in the dogcatcher's wagon.

the adults:

Major James H. McNamara as the mayor

Supporting role. He races to the pound with the kids and pays for the dog license.

Joe Whitehead as the dogcatcher

Supporting role. He reluctantly takes Whiskers away from the kids.

Baldwin Cooke as "Luke"

Bit part. He starts the race.

other adults

Bit parts and extras.
(1.) "Flanagan," the mayor's chauffeur.
(2.) Four more officials on the platform with the mayor.
(3.) At least one cop. There's one next to the platform, who may or may not be the motorcycle cop seen later.
(4.) Perhaps thirty spectators standing in front of the platform. The crowd standing to watch the race includes at least fifteen adults, all of whom may be from the group of thirty.
(5.) Two pedestrians in town as the gang arrives at the pound.

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:

©Nov. 5, 2005, by Robert Demoss.
2006 updates: 2/11, 4/3, 10/25.
2008 updates: 2/26, 4/25, 8/3.

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