Melodies Old And New

film no. 204

availability:

Ziegfeld Girl (DVD) from Warner Home Video: Released Apr. 6, 2004. This is a complete original print with excellent picture quality.

technical details:

Production 2755.

Release no. C-394.

Filmed October 29 to 31, 1941, over three days of shooting.

Released January 24, 1942. It was the 204th film in the series to be released.

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

Opening title: 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents Our Gang in "Melodies Old And New".'

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.
Dances Staged by Steven Granger and Gladys Rubens: Not listed by Maltin & Bann. This credit appears in the film.
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
possible uncredited involvement

the kids:

George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky": Featured role. He runs the show and takes part in the singing.
Billy "Froggy" Laughlin as "Froggy": Featured role. He asks his Uncle Walt to help out and also sings a song.
Mickey Gubitosi as "Mickey": Featured role. He lets the kids in for free and also sings a song.
Janet Burston as "Janet": Featured role. She's not in the initial scene, but is featured strongly during the show, both singing a song and announcing the various dances.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat": Supporting role. He's with the boys in the opening scene, and is part of the singing quartet, but isn't given a song of his own.
Dickie Humphries: Small part. He's the boy that dances the jitterbug and the boogie woogie.
Kay Tapscott: Small part. She's the girl that dances with Dickie Humphries.
Patricia Wheeler: Small part. She's the girl that does the twirling during the big dance number.
Lavonne Battle: Small part. Of the two tapdancing girls that follow Wheeler, she appears to be the one on the left.
Shirley Jean Doble: Small part. Of the two tapdancing girls that follow Wheeler, she appears to be the one on the right.
boy 186: Small part. He's fifth from the right in the line of dancing boys, and also pairs up with the heavyset boy during the modern rhythm dance.
Donna Jean Edmonsond: Small part. Listed by Maltin & Bann. She seems to be the girl midway between Wheeler and Battle.
boy 204: Small part. He's to the far left during Janet's number, and to the far right during the big finale.
Eddie Ehrhardt: Bit part. He's the violinist in the orchestra.
Frank Lester Ward: Extra. He's seen backstage in a striped shirt. He's not in the dancing scenes, but after the curtain closes, he's made to look as though he was.
James Gubitosi: Extra. He appears to be sitting in the left aisle seat of the fourth row.
other kids: Small parts, bit parts and extras. Maltin & Bann list Dwayne Hickman, but I'd like to see a photo of him from this era before trying to identify him. They also list Sheila Brown, but the only kid that looks like she might be her is the girl sitting in the front row, two seats from the aisle on the right. They also list Roger Morris, but I still need to familiarize myself with him. The dancers in this film were members of the Maurice Rubins dance group.
(1.) There are seven additional boys and eight girls that accompany Janet during her song, at least many of which are in the big dance sequence.
(2.) There are seven additional boys and six additional girls during the dance sequence.
(3.) Five additional orchestra members including one named "Jimmy."
(4.) There are probably around forty-five kids in the audience.

the animals:

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

the adults:

Walter Wills as "Uncle Walt" aka "Mr. Wills": Small part. He helps the kids to organize their show, and then buys them football uniforms.

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.
"Grandma Wore A Bustle": This isn't necessarily the name of the song, but it is the name of the first act, in which the song is sung by Janet. I can't find any information on this tune, which may actually have a title like "In Those Good Old Days."
"While Strolling Through The Park One Day" by Ed Haley and Robert A. Keiser: Published in 1894, and derived from the 1884 song by Haley called "The Fountain In The Park." In this film, it's the first song sung by the four boys in their "Songs Of Long Ago" act.
"Sweet Genevieve" by George Cooper and Henry Tucker: Published in 1869, with words by Cooper and music by Tucker. In this film, it's sung by Mickey.
"Come Back To Erin" by Claribel: John McCormack had a number nine hit with this traditional Irish song in 1910. In this film, it's sung by Spanky.
"Oh What A Pal Was Whoozis!" by Joe Burke and Gus Kahn: Published in 1927, with music by Burke and lyrics by Kahn. In this film, it's sung by Froggy.
"Toot, Toot, Tootsie (Goo'bye)" by Gus Kahn, Ernie Erdman and Dan Russo: Published in 1922. This was a number one hit for Al Jolson in 1923. In this film, it's the final song sung by the quartet of boys.
"Old Folks At Home" aka "Swanee River" by Stephen Collins Foster: Published in 1851. This is played during the soft shoe dance which opens the "Dances Old And New" sequence.
piece 204a: This is the piece played as the kids dance the waltz clog.
piece 204b: This is the piece played as the kids dance the buck dance.
piece 204c: This is the piece played as the kids dance the charleston.
piece 204d: This is the piece played as the kids dance the jitterbug.
piece 204e: This is the piece played as the kids dance the boogie woogie.
piece 204f: This is the piece played as the kids dance the modern rhythm dance.
other music: The only remaining music is the sound of the orchestra tuning.
"The Gang Goes Home" by David Snell: This is a shorter version of "Our Gang," including only "London Bridge."

miscellaneous:

The gang's show is called "Those Good Old Days."

The uniforms are bought at the Greenpoint Sport Shop for the Our Gang Football Team. By the end of the film, they're no longer the "Bums of the Greenpoint Football League."

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

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

Thanks to Ray Frieders for assistance on this page.