Ye Olde Minstrels

film no. 198

availability:

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by M-G-M

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

Directed by Edward Cahn and Bud Murray

Only Cahn is credited in the film.

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

This credit appears in the film.

Film Editor: Albert Akst

This credit appears in the film.

Story by Sam Baerwitz

This credit doesn't appear in the film.

Dances by Bud Murray

Not listed by Maltin & Bann. This credit appears in the film.

Art Director: Elmer Sheeley

Not listed by Maltin & Bann. 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 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:

George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky" aka "Spank"

Featured role. He convinces the kids to raise money for the Red Cross, and then hosts the resulting minstrel show.

Billy "Froggy" Laughlin as "Froggy"

Featured role. He enlists help from his uncle and provides a comic tune during the show.

Darla Hood as "Darla"

Supporting role. She sings "Auld Lang Syne."

Mickey Gubitosi as "Mickey"

Supporting role. Along with Froggy, he provides the comedy during the show.

Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas

Supporting role. He's given several closeups during the course of the show.

Valerie Lee

Small part. She sits next to Froggy during the show and is also one of the twelve kids that dance with Walter Wills.

Dickie Humphries

Small part. He's the performer sitting just right of center in the second row, and is also just right of center among the twelve kids dancing with Walter Wills.

Joline Karol

Small part. She sits two seats to the right of Spanky, and is clearly seen during Froggy's number.

Ralph Hodges

Small part. A 1941 casting directory states that he appeared in this film. He's shown to the upper left of Spanky, and is also just to the left of Walter Wills during his number. He bears a resemblance to Jackie Salling, who's listed by Maltin & Bann, but it could be that Salling is elsewhere in the film.

Raphael Dolciame

Small part. The 1941 directory states that he appeared in this film. It appears that he's located right above Joline Karol and Valerie Lee.

David Polonsky

Small part. Listed by both Maltin & Bann and the 1941 directory. He think he might be at the far left among the kids that perform with Walter Wills, but I'm not sure.

boy 186

Small part. He's the second performer from the left in the fourth row.

girl 189

Extra. She can be seen in the audience as everybody laughs at Froggy's singing.

Tommy McFarland

Extra. He's sitting in the second aisle seat on the right.

James Gubitosi

Extra. He's in the second row of the audience, but his face is hidden. His identity is revealed by watching the leftover footage in "Calling All Kids."

other kids

Small parts and extras.
(1.) Twenty-three additional kids in the show. They also list Bobby Browning, but I still need to familiarize myself with him. They also list Marlene Mains, but I can't spot her in this. The 1941 directory states that Michael Miller appeared in this film, but I can't spot him, either.
(2.) At least one more girl in the audience, and probably a handful of other kids as well.

the animals:

Leo

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

the adults:

Minstrel Maestro Walter Wills as "Walter Wills"

Supporting role. He agrees to put on a minstrel show with the kids and sings "Lazy Moon."

other adults

Bit parts and extras. There are eight musicians in the pit, and perhaps a hundred adults in the audience.

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.

"Oh! Dem Golden Slippers!" by James A. Bland

Published in 1879. An instrumental version is played at the opening of the minstrel show.

"Carry Me Back To Old Virginny" by James A. Bland

Published in 1878. This was a number two hit for Len Spencer in 1893, and a number one million-seller for Alma Gluck in 1915. It was the state song of Virginia from 1940 to 1997. In this film, it's sung by the ensemble of kids.

"Camptown Races (Gwine To Run All Night)" by Stephen Collines Foster

Published in 1850. Billy Murray had a number nine hit with this song in 1911. An instrumental version of this song is played as the ensemble plays their tambourines.

"Oh! Susanna" by Stephen Collines Foster

Published in 1848. Wendell Hall & Shannon Four had a number eight hit with this song in 1924. In this film, it's the second half of the instrumental medley played as the ensemble plays their tambourines.

"Runnin' Wild" by A. Harrington Gibbs

Published in 1922 with lyrics by Joe Grey and Leo Woods. Ted Lewis and His Band had a number 9 hit with an instrumental version in 1923. In this film, an instrumental version is played as the ensemble tapdances.

"When Big Profundo Sang Low C" by Marion T. Bohannon and George Botsford

Published in 1921, with words by Bohannon and music by Botsford. Not "When De Profundis Sang Low C" as stated by Maltin & Bann. In this film, it's sung by Froggy.

"Lazy Moon" by J. Rosamond Johnson and Bob Cole

Published in 1903, with music by Johnson and words by Cole. Also known as "Lazy Moon, Come Out Soon." In this film, it's sung by Walter Wills.

"Auld Lang Syne"

Robert (or Rabbie) Burns sent a copy of this Scottish song to the British Museum in the 18th century, which he learned from an old man. This was a number seven hit for Frank Stanley in 1907, and a number five hit for the Peerless Quartet in 1921. In this film, it's sung by the ensemble as part of a medley with "Lazy Moon," and continues over the end title.

miscellaneous:

©Nov. 22, 2005, by Robert Demoss.
2006 updates: 4/3, 7/1, 10/25.
2007 updates: 6/15.
2008 updates: 8/3.

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