Robot Wrecks

film no. 201

availability:

This film appeared on at least one bootleg release.

technical details:

Production 2732.

Release no. C-299.

Filmed May 6 to 9, 1941, over four days of shooting.

Released July 12, 1941. It was the 200th film in the series to be released, and the last of the 1940/41 season.

All-talking one-reeler, lasting 10 minutes and 53 seconds.

Opening title: 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents Our Gang in "Robot Wrecks".' This is the last film in the series in which the titles had the earlier design with the sideview MGM lion in relief.

the crew:

Produced by 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: Jackson Rose, A. S. C.: This credit appears in the film.
Film Editor: Leon Bourgeau: 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.
Art Director: Richard Duce: 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": Featured role. Vogan addresses him as "Sonny." He's the leader of the gang.
Billy "Froggy" Laughlin as "Froggy": Featured role. The robot does his yard work for him.
Freddie Walburn as "Slicker": Supporting role. He fools the gang into buying a shoebox full of rays from him.
Billy Ray Smith as "Boxcar": Supporting role. He climbs into the robot outfit and pretends to obey commands. During all of this, the gang addresses him as "Rowboat." This boy's name may actually be Vincent Graeff.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat": Supporting role. He has some occasional dialogue, but is mostly part of the group.
Mickey Gubitosi: Supporting role. He has a few lines here and there, but is mostly part of the ensemble.
Darla Hood: Supporting role. She isn't given much dialogue at all, and is almost entirely an ensemble player.
other kids: Extra. There is at least one additional kid in the crowd watching the robot demonstration. It appears that girl 189 is in front to the far right.

the animals:

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

the adults:

Billy Bletcher as "Mr. Laughlin," Froggy's dad, and as the voice of "Julia," Froggy's mom: Small part. He comes home to find the yard in a mess and exposes the fraud.
Emmett Vogan as the robot owner: Small part. He demonstrates the real robot at the beginning of the film.
Margaret Bert as "Julia," Froggy's mom: Bit part. She arrives home with her husband.
other adults: Small parts, bit parts and extras.
(1.) The person inside the robot costume and playing "Volto."
(2.) Vogan's female assistant.
(3.) Perhaps 25 spectators at the demonstration.

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.
"The Gang Goes Home" by David Snell: This is a shorter version of "Our Gang," including only "London Bridge."

miscellaneous:

The working title for this film was "Frankenstein, Jr."

The robot demonstration is held at Black's Department Store.

In the category of unseen characters, Froggy quotes his "Aunt Tess."

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