Benjamin Franklin, Jr.

film no. 212

availability:

This film appeared on at least one bootleg release.

technical details:

Production 2795.

Release no. C-492.

Filmed August 3 to 6, 1942, over four days of shooting.

Released January 30, 1943. It was the 212th 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 "Benjamin Franklin, Jr."' The end title design reverted to the design last seen in "Surprised Parties" (no. 207).

the crew:

Produced by M-G-M: The film credit reads: Produced by Loew's Incorporated.
Directed by Herbert Glazer: This credit appears in the film.
Director of Photography: Charles Schoenbaum, 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: Paul Youngblood: 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:

the "Our Gang"
Bobby Blake as "Mickey": Lead role. He changes the kids' attitudes about the war by playing Benjamin Franklin in the play.
Billy "Froggy" Laughlin as "Froggy": Featured role. He's the president of the club and complains about a patch on the seat of his pants. He plays "Squire Laughlin" in the play. He used to be The Dude Of Elm Street.
Janet Burston as "Janet": Featured role. She complains about war stamps and makes announcements in between the acts of the play.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat": Featured role. He complains about sugar and also takes part in the play.
Mickey Laughlin: Supporting role. Maltin & Bann indicate that the "Happy" moniker was used, but it wasn't. He takes part in the play, but is not as prominent as the other four kids.
other kids
boy 212 as "Pinky Smith": Small part. This is the boy that comes up with the idea of letting the gang think for everybody else.
Billy Ray Smith: Small part. Janet puts him in his place. This boy's name may have been Vincent Graeff.
boy 200a as "Big Shot": Small part. He's Buckwheat's little brother.
Frank Lester Ward: Small part. He's the first kid to gripe.
Valerie Lee: Small part. She complains about Jimmy Stewart.
Dickie Hall: Small part. He wonders if the gang are trying to make saps out of everybody.
Barry Downing: Extra. During the play, he sits in the row behind Pinky and Millie.
Elena Savona: Extra. It appears that she's sitting to the right of Frank Ward.
other kids: Small parts, bit parts and extras. There are upwards of forty additional kids in the club, including "Millie Jones," and the boy handling the curtain.

the animals:

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

the adults:

Barbara Bedford as Janet's mom: Small part. She tries to explain to Janet the value of war stamps.
Ernie Alexander as "John," Mickey's dad: Small part. He's seen in the opening scene.
Margaret Bert as "Martha," Mickey's mom: Small part. She's also in the opening scene, talking to her husband about the new food budget.
man 202 as Buckwheat's dad: Small part. He scolds Buckwheat for using too much sugar.
woman 212 as Froggy's mom: Small part. She sews a moon-shaped patch onto the seat of Froggy's pants.
other adults: Bit parts.
(1.) Buckwheat's mom.
(2.) The mailman at Janet's house.

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:

At the start of the film, Mickey is reading Poor Richard's Almanack by Benjamin Franklin.

In the category of unseen characters are Froggy's "Aunt Minnie" and Janet's "Aunt Aurelia."

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