All About Hash

film no. 190


technical details:

Production 2674.

Release no. C-136.

Filmed January 10 to 13, 1940.

Released March 30, 1940. It was the 189th film in the series to be released.

Copyrighted April 5, 1940, by Loew's Incorporated. Registration no. LP9589. Renewed April 7, 1967, with registration no. R408313. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2035.

All-talking one-reeler, lasting 10 minutes and 48 seconds.

Opening title: 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents Our Gang in "All About Hash".'


the crew:

Produced by Jack Chertok and Richard Goldstone for M-G-M
The film credit reads: Produced by Loew's Incorporated.
Directed by Edward Cahn
This credit appears in the film.
Director of Photography: Clyde DeVinna, A. S. C.
This credit appears in the film.
Film Editor: Adrienne Fazan
This credit appears in the film.
Screen Play by Hal Law and Robert A. McGowan
This credit appears in the film, without McGowan's middle initial.
Art Director: Richard Duce
This credit appears in the film.
Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Indicated in the opening title card.
Western Electric Sound System
As indicated in the film.
Approved by the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America
Passed by the National Board of Review
As indicated in the film.
Teacher: Fern Carter

the kids:

Mickey Gubitosi as "Mickey"
Lead role. He's very sad, since his parents argue over hash every Monday night.
Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as "Alfalfa"
Featured role. He has the idea to eat all the roast beef on Sunday night, and also plays "Judge Alfalfa" in the gang's play.
George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky"
Featured role. He thinks the gang needs to help Mickey before worrying about their play, and then plays "Mr. Husband" in the play.
Darla Hood as "Darla"
Featured role. She plays "Mrs. Wife" in the gang's play.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat"
Supporting role. He plays the bailiff in the gang's play.
Leonard Landy
Supporting role. He provides the sound effects in the gang's play.
Janet Burston as "Mary Swivens"
Small part. She's the act that goes on before the gang.
Tommy McFarland
Extra. He sits second from the left in the row behind the gang.
Harold Switzer
Extra. He sits to the far left in the row behind the gang.
girl 159
Extra. She sits two seats to the right of Tommy McFarland.
boy 186b
Extra. He's the boy sitting to the right of Tommy McFarland at the radio station.
boy 178
Extra. He sits to the far right in the row behind the gang.
other kids
Extras. There are at least 8 more kids at the radio station.

the animals:

Leo
Bit part. The only animal in this film is the MGM lion.

the adults:

Louis Jean Heydt as "Bob" aka "Mr. Henry," Mickey's dad
Featured role. He hates hash, but insists on roast beef every Sunday.
Peggy Shannon as "Edith," Mickey's mom
Featured role. She can't afford anything better then hash on Mondays.
William Newell as Alfalfa's dad
Supporting role. Hash is his favorite dish.
Barbara Bedford as "Martha," Alfalfa's mom
Supporting role. She also cooks hash on Mondays.
Ferris Taylor as the radio announcer
Small part. He introduces the acts in the radio contest.
other adults
Small parts.
(1.) The piano player at the radio station.
(2.) The sound engineer at the station.

the music:

"Our Gang" by David Snell
This is played over the opening titles. This is the earlier recording, used prior to "The Big Premiere" (no. 189). 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.
"Tippi Tippi Tin"
This is sung by Janet Burston. Also known as "Tippi Tin, Tippi Ton."
"The Gang Goes Home" by David Snell
This is a shorter version of "Our Gang," including only "London Bridge."

miscellaneous:

Four shooting dates went into the making of this film, from January 10 to 13, 1940.

The gang appears on the Greenpoint Bakeries Annual Kiddie Radio Contest on Station G. B. K. Kids entering the contest were to reply to Mr. Hy Hill.

The gang calls their troupe the All For One Acting Company.

See page 236 of Maltin & Bann's book for this film's expenses and profits.


© Robert Demoss.


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