Waldo's Last Stand

technical details:

Production 2686.

Release no. C-292.

Filmed April 22 to 25, 1940.

Copyrighted October 2, 1940, by Loew's Incorporated. Registration no. LP10010. Since the copyright was not renewed, this film is now in the public domain.

Released October 5, 1940. It was the 193rd film in the series to be released.

All-talking one-reeler, lasting 10 minutes and 39 seconds.

Opening title: 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents Our Gang in "Waldo's Last Stand".'

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 and Steven Granger

Only Cahn is credited in the film. The direction credit appears on its own title card, separate from the other crew credits.

Director of Photography: Jackson Rose, A. S. C.

This credit appears in the film.

Film Editor: Albert Akst

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.

Dances Staged by Steven Granger

This credit appears in the film.

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

possible uncredited involvement

choreography - It seems likely that Gladys Rubens assisted Granger with the staging of the dances, since both names are credited in "Melodies Old And New" (no. 204), and both films feature kids from the Maurice Rubens dance school.

the kids:

George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky"

Featured role. He has the idea to do the floor show and is basically in charge, spending most of the film trying to get Froggy to buy some lemonade.

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as "Alfalfa"

Featured role. He's the bandleader and also is a featured singer in the floor show.

Billy "Froggy" Laughlin

Featured role. He repeatedly refuses the lemonade, and doesn't reveal his trick voice until the end of the film.

Darla Hood as "Darla"

Supporting role. She appears in the opening scene with the lemonade stand, and is then given a song to sing during the floor show.

Darwood Kaye as "Waldo"

Supporting role. He's not doing too well with his lemonade stand, so the gang puts on a floor show to promote it. This was his final appearance in the series.

Mickey Gubitosi as "Mickey"

Supporting role. He's given a fair amount of the dialogue and also takes part in the Singing Waiters act.

Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat"

Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble work, but is also one of the Singing Waiters.

Leonard Landy as "Leonard"

Supporting role. He's missing from the opening scene, but is one of the waiters during the floor show.

Marilyn Kay

Small part. I believe this is the girl who replaces Darla on stage to do a tapdancing routine.

Janet Burston as "Jeanette"

Small part. She and Clyde Willson linger on the stage for too long at the end of the big finale. Mickey calls her "Jeanette."

Clyde Willson as "Clyde"

Small part. He's arm-in-arm with Janet. Maltin & Bann list him as Clyde Wilson.

Mary Ann Such

Small part. It looks very much like she's the girl who sings 'Now you-ou-ou can have the twilight, and you-ou-ou can have the moon.'

The Rubenettes

Small parts. This is a troupe of tapdancing girls managed by Maurice Rubens and credited with appearing in this film. It appears that their involvement is limited to Darla's number. At least two casting directories credit these girls with appearing in this film, but one of these shows ten girls while the other shows seven. These seven are the only ones listed by Maltin & Bann, and are Helen Guthrie, Patricia Wheeler, Lavonne Battle, Shirley Jean Doble, Patsy Irish, Donna Jean Edmonsond and Jackie Krenk. The three additional girls in the other directory, and not listed by Maltin & Bann, are Rae-Nell Laskey, Loree Lee Foxx and Maretta Light. In the film, there are only eight girls backing up Darla. Without a doubt, Wheeler is second from the left, Laskey is third from the left, Foxx is fourth from the right, and Doble is third from the right. It looks like Edmonsond might be second from the right, and perhaps Krenk is to the far right. Battle is probably the girl fourth from the left, and just maybe, Guthrie is to the far left.

Ned Norman

Small part. It appears that he's the piano player in this short. Within months, he would be known as Norman Willner.

boy 184

Small part. He's the drummer in the band.

other kids

Small parts. Maltin & Bann also list a few names that I'm not familiar with: Patsy Anne Thompson, Bobby Sommers and Betty Jean Striegler. Here's a breakdown of the remaining kids seen in the film:

(1.) The boy operating the record player.

(2.) Five additional musicians in the band.

(3.) The nine remaining girls and ten boys in the big finale.

the animals:

mule 170

Small part. This mule drinks the lemonade and provides the final gag. This may be the same mule from "The Little Ranger" (no. 170).

Leo

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

the adults:

There are no adults in this film.

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.

"All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" by Bronislaw Kaper and Walter Jurmann

Published in 1937 with lyrics by Gus Kahn, and introduced in the film "A Day At The Races." In "Waldo's Last Stand," an instrumental version serves as the first piece of music played during the floor show. Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra had a number 14 hit with this song in 1937.

"My Wonderful One, Let's Dance" by Nacio Herb Brown, Arthur Freed and Roger Edens

Published in 1940. Featured in the MGM feature "Two Girls On Broadway." In this Our Gang short, it's Darla's featured song.

"Linger Awhile" by Vincent Rose

Published in 1923 with lyrics by Harry Owens. Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra had a number one hit with this song in 1924. In this film, an instrumental version is played during the tapdancing routine in a medley with the previous song.

"Chords"

This uncopyrighted piece is listed in the cutting continuity and comprises the three chords played just prior to Alfalfa's first number.

"How Dry I Am"

This is the first song sung by Alfalfa and the other boys.

"Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes" by Ben Johnson

Originally published in 1616 as part of Johnson's poem "To Celia." The melody was added no earlier than the late 18th century, but the composer is unknown. Emilio DeGogorza had a number six hit with this song in 1907, and John McCormack repeated this feat in 1911. In this film, Alfalfa sings it with help from the other boys.

"I've Been A Long Time Looking For A Girl Like You" by Albert Von Tilzer and Harry Porter

Published in 1911. This begins the finale of the floor show, and is sung by several boys and girls.

"On A Sunday Afternoon" by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed

Published in 1935, with music by Brown and lyrics by Freed. Introduced in the film "Broadway Melody Of 1936." In "Waldo's Last Stand," it's the second part of the finale and played in a medley with the previous song.

"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 April 22 to 25, 1940.

The singing and dancing children were provided by Professional Children's School. In the film, it's called Mlle. Murphy's Dancing School.

The original poster, which the gang writes over with their own names, promoted a floor show at Hamilton Gardens featuring Terry Downs & His Famous Band, and The Singing Waiters. The gang's venue is Waldo's Lemon Gardens

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

availability:

The Our Gang Collection (5 DVD-R set) from Warner Home Video

Released Sep. 1, 2009. This is from the WB Archive Collection and available in a limited edition.

The Little Rascals: Bear Shooters/Waldo's Last Stand/Dogs Of War! (VHS/DVD) from GoodTimes Home Video

Released Mar. 1 or 21, 2001. Presumably released initially on VHS. Included as part of The Little Rascals 4-Pack DVD, released May 29, 2001, and probably also Our Gang Collection (10 VHS set/8 DVD set), released May 7, 2002. This version has also appeared in bootleg form.

The Little Rascals - Funniest Episodes (5 VHS set) from GoodTimes Home Video

Released June 25, 2002.

The Best Of Our Gang Volume 1 (2 DVDs) from GoodTimes Home Video

Released June 1, 2004. Also included as part of The Best Of Our Gang Volumes 1 & 2 ( 2 DVD set).

The Little Rascals & Our Gang Collection Vol. 1 (DVD) from Janus Entertainment, Inc.

Also compiled with Vol. 2 into a 2 DVD set entitled The Little Rascals Our Gang Collector's Edition.

The Little Rascals Collection (5 DVD set) from Passport Video

Released July 13, 2004. The entire film is included, but there are also 2 clips included in the main menu, each lasting 0:02. The 1st shows Mickey, Buckwheat, and Leonard, and the 2nd shows Darla.

The Little Rascals Two Pack (2 VHS set) from Brentwood Home Video

The second VHS is Little Rascals Scrapbook Volume Two, and contains a complete print. Also included is a clip lasting 0:02 showing Froggy, and a clip lasting 0:02 showing Mickey, with narration added.

The Our Gang Collection (VHS)

Hollywood Favorites - Our Gang Comedies (VHS)

Our Gang Volume 2 (DVD) from TV Classics

Released Sep. 5, 2003.

TV Time Comedy 100 TV Episodes (10 DVD set) from TV Time

"Our Gang" Comedies Presents The Little Rascals (3 VHS set) from AmVest Video

Released 1989.

Three Stooges, Little Rascals & East Side Kids Collection (5 DVD set) from Diamond Ent. Corp.

Released Aug. 30, 2005.

Classic Troublemakers (3 DVD set) from St. Clair Entertainment

Released Oct. 25, 2005.

Our Gang (DVD) from Quality Television

Released July 24, 2006. Also included as part of Our Gang: Terrific Tot Tales (2 DVD set) released Apr. 24, 2007.

Superstars Of Our Gang (DVD) from Genius Entertainment

Released Mar. 27, 2007. Also included as part of The Little Rascals In Color! (3 DVD set). This is an original print, but is missing the MGM lion. It's included both as a colorized print, and in the original black-and-white.

The Kids Of Old Hollywood (DVD) from Alpha Video

Released Apr. 24, 2007.

Jackie Remembers Our Gang - Memories From Little Rascals Family Theater (VHS/DVD) from Jackie Taylor

A clip lasting 3 seconds is included, showing Janet Burston and Clyde Willson.

Jackie Remembers Our Gang - The Silent Era (VHS/DVD) from Jackie Taylor

A clip lasting 0:02 is included, showing Janet Burston and Clyde Willson.

The Our Gang Story (VHS/DVD) from GoodTimes Home Video

VHS released 1994. DVD released May 21, 2002. Also included as part of Our Gang Collector Series 4 Pack (4 DVD set), released Mar. 21, 2001, Our Gang Collector Series 5 Pack (5 VHS/DVD set), released Feb. 2002 (VHS) and Mar. 2004 (DVD), and The Best Of Our Gang Volume 1 (DVD) released June 1, 2004. A clip lasting 0:15 is included, showing Waldo selling lemonade. Another clip lasting 1:50 is included, showing different parts of the film. Another clip lasting 1:02 seconds is included, showing the beginning of the finale number. Another clip lasting 0:25 is included, showing Froggy speaking. All four clips have narration added.

Our Gang Comedy Festival (VHS/DVD) from GoodTimes Home Video

Copyrighted in 1986 by Movietime Inc. Released on VHS in 1987, it was made available on DVD in 2000. The VHS is also part of a collection called Our Gang Collector Series 5 Pack in 2002. The DVD was also part of a collection called Our Gang Collector Series 4 Pack in 2001, which was superseded by Our Gang Collector Series 5 Pack in Mar. 2004. It was also included as part of the Our Gang Double Feature released June 25, 2002, The Best Of Our Gang Volume 2 (DVD) released June 1, 2004, and The TV Laugh Pack DVD (released Dec. 6, 2005). A clip lasting 1:23 is included, showing the beginning of the film. This is followed by a clip lasting 1:14, showing Froggy's entrance and Darla's song. This is followed by a clip lasting 4:39, showing the singing waiters act and most of the finale.

Our Gang Comedy Festival II (VHS/DVD) from GoodTimes Home Video

VHS first released 1989. The initials 'GT' are superimposed in the right-hand corner throughout the print, and the VHS is in LP mode. This VHS was included as part of the Our Gang Collector Series 5 Pack released Feb. 2002, while the DVD was included as part of a 5 DVD set of the same name released Mar. 2004. A clip lasting 0:10 is included, showing Alfalfa leading the band. This is followed by a clip lasting 2:05, showing Darla's number.

Hal Roach's Rascals 3-Tape Set (3 VHS set) and

Hal Roach's Rascals (DVD) from Brentwood Video

VHS released Feb. 2000. DVD also available in a 2 DVD set with another same-named DVD. Included is a documentary entitled Hollywood Hall Of Fame, with 4 clips from this film. The 1st lasts 0:03, and shows Froggy. The 2nd lasts 0:08, and shows Froggy talking. The 3rd lasts 0:05, and shows Mickey. And the 4th lasts 0:32, and shows the musical numbers.

100 Years Of Comedy (DVD) from Passport Video

Released June 24, 2003. Included in this documentary is a clip from this film lasting 0:06, showing the gang meeting up with Waldo.

© Robert Demoss.