technical details:
Production 2830.
Release no. C-497.
Filmed March 3 to 16, 1943, over five days of shooting.
Copyrighted September 14, 1943, by Loew's Incorporated. Registration no. LP12332. Renewed September 18, 1970, with registration no. R491295. This copyright is currently due to expire
at the end of 2038.
Released September 18, 1943. It was the 217th film in the series to be released.
All-talking one-reeler, lasting 10 minutes and 40 seconds.
Opening title: 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents Our Gang in "Little Miss Pinkerton".'
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: 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: Paul Youngblood
- 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:
- Janet Burston as "Janet"
- Featured role. O'Toole calls her "Little Miss Pinkerton." When she can't convince the police that the gang has been kidnapped, she enlists the help of the neighborhood
boys.
- Billy "Froggy" Laughlin as "Froggy"
- Featured role. He swallows the car key and saves the day.
- Bobby Blake as "Mickey"
- Featured role. He's kidnapped along with Froggy and Buckwheat, and has his fair share of dialogue.
- Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat"
- Featured role. He's also kidnapped, and has a fair amount of dialogue.
- Tommy Tucker
- Small part. He's the paper boy that gives Janet a ride on his bike. He delivers the Greenpoint News.
- boy 200
- Extra. He's the bike riding boy shown to the right of Robert Ferrero.
- other kids
- Bit parts and extras. There appear to be eighteen more boys that ride their bikes, including "George," the one who's fixing his bike as the others ride
past.
the animals:
- Leo
- Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.
the adults:
- Norman Willis as "Joe," the smart burglar
- Supporting role. He wants to shoot the boys, but his partner doesn't agree.
- Dick Rich as "Pete," the dumb burglar
- Supporting role. He's afraid the boys will come back and haunt him.
- Robert Emmett O'Connor as "Sgt. O'Toole"
- Supporting role. Janet addresses him as "Mr. Officer." He doesn't believe her at first.
- Mark Daniels as the photographer
- Bit part. He's seen in the hospital room.
- other adults
- Small parts, bit parts and extras.
- (1.) "Mr. Jenkins," the janitor that gets killed.
- (2.) The doctor that removes the key from Froggy's stomach.
- (3.) The nurse.
- (4.) The reporter in the hospital room.
- (5.) Three other cops in the car, including the driver, "Frank." The two cops in the station are probably among them.
- (6.) Perhaps thirty extras around the department store window.
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:
On March 5, 1943, the Los Angeles Times reported the following: "Revision of the scope and schemata of the 'Our Gang' comedies is one of the present phenomena of
movieland. They have been going along for years, you know, according to a certain pattern. They were seen in these environs in the past more than now, although in other areas they have
maintained popularity. New plans call for a more adult plot texture. First film of a forthcoming series, titled 'Little Miss Pinkerton,' will be modeled after the 'Crime Does Not
Pay' pictures at Metro, which produces these 'Our Gang' briefies. A historical subject is thereafter set called 'Benjamin Franklin, Jr.' Following that there will be a
musical, 'Calling All Kids,' which is something different for the youngsters."
The murder takes place at The Greenpoint Department Store.
In the category of unseen characters are "Dan" and "Lucy," who are both part of a clue in the window display. Also, "McLeary" is
the cop that calls the sergeant about the murder.
The crooks take the gang to the old mill house on Ross Road.
See page 236 of Maltin & Bann's book for this film's expenses and profits. This film suffered a loss at the box office.