Mighty Lak A Goat

film no. 210

technical details:

Production 2783.

Release no. C-400.

Filmed May 6 to 13, 1942.

Copyrighted October 6, 1942, by Loew's Incorporated. Registration no. LP11665. Renewed October 7, 1969, with registration no. R469616. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2037.

Released October 10, 1942. It was the 210th film in the series to be released, and the last of the 1941/42 season.

All-talking one-reeler, lasting 9 minutes and 39 seconds.

Opening title: 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents Our Gang in "Mighty Lak A Goat".' The end title is the same as in "Rover's Big Chance" (no. 210).

the crew:

Produced by M-G-M: The film credit reads: Produced by Loew's Incorporated. It's likely that Richard Goldstone okayed the script for this short, which would indicate that he was still running the short subject department. Jack Chertok may have still been around as well, but his name disappears from the scripts during this period.
Directed by Herbert Glazer: 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: 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: direction - Robert Blake recalled that Mickey Rooney directed the scene in which his then-wife, Ava Gardner, appeared.

the kids:

Billy "Froggy" Laughlin as "Froggy": Featured role. He uses his chemistry set to clean the boys' clothes.
George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky": Featured role. He seems to be the leader among the boys, and has the most dialogue after Froggy.
Bobby Blake as "Mickey": Supporting role. He has a fair amount of dialogue, but is mainly going along with the other boys.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat": Supporting role. He doesn't do much of the talking, but is with the other boys throughout the film.
other kids: Small parts and extras. There appear to be twenty-three kids in the classroom, most notably classroom monitor "Jimmy Wilson."

the animals:

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

the adults:

Anne O'Neal as the teacher: Small part. She sends the boys home for the day because of the smell.
Robert Emmett O'Connor as "Detective King," one of the serial characters: Small part. He discovers a dead body in the closet.
John Dilson as "Banker Stone," one of the serial characters: Small part. He's the dead body, but gets up when he notices the smell.
Joe Yule, Sr. as one of the movie patrons: Small part. He wants to stay for one more murder.
George B. French as one of the movie patrons: Small part. He's with Yule.
William Tannen as the bus driver: Bit part. He won't let the boys on his bus.
Ava Gardner as the box office girl: Bit part. She closes the box office after the boys buy their tickets.
George Washington: His portrait is hanging in the classroom.
other adults: Small parts, bit parts and extras. Maltin also lists Charles Evans in his earlier book, The Great Movie Shorts, but apparently changed his mind later on.; (1.) The remaining two serial characters, "Tess" and "Killer Joe."; (2.) The five cops, including Lee Phelps, according to Maltin & Bann, but I can't tell.; (3.) Several bus passengers. Maltin & Bann list Charlie Sullivan among them, but I still need to familiarize myself with him.; (4.) The ticket taker at the theater, whose face is not seen.; (5.) Perhaps another twenty-five movie patrons, most notably the man with the head cold.; (6.) Various pedestrians and drivers.

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:

Seven shooting dates went into the making of this film, from May 6 to 13, 1942. There was probably no shooting on Sunday, May 10th. A dated photo reveals that the scene in which the bus drives off, leaving the kids behind, was shot on the 11th.

The title of this film is a spoof on the 1923 feature "Mighty Lak' A Rose."

At the start of the film, Froggy is practicing Patrick Henry's famous 'give me liberty or give me death' speech.

The film-within-a-film is "Don't Open That Door," chapter 13 of the Detective King serial from Climax Pictures.

See page 236 of Maltin & Bann's book for this film's expenses and profits. This film suffered a net loss at the box office.

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 Best Of Buckwheat (VHS) from MGM/UA Home Video: Released July 27, 1994. Also included as part of The Best Of Alfalfa 3 Pack (3 VHS set) released 2002. This is a complete original print with excellent picture quality. This version has also appeared in bootleg form.
Our Gang Comedies (3 LD set) from MGM/UA Home Video: Released 1994.