The Old Wallop

film no. 68

availability:

A 9.5mm copy of this film was discovered at a library in Paris back in the 1970s. The preservation copy that's been reported to exist in Munich probably derives from the French copy. So far, the film has not been available to the general public, and most of the information below derives from the cutting continuity filed with the Library of Congress for copyright purposes.

technical details:

Production G-2.

Filmed August 8 to 20, 1927.

Cutting continuity received from Hal Roach Company on September 13, 1927.

Copyrighted October 22, 1927, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP25228. Renewed July 11, 1955, with registration no. R152704. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2022.

Released October 22, 1927. It was the 65th film in the series to be released.

Silent two-reeler.

Opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "The Old Wallop".'

the crew:

Produced by Robert F. McGowan for Hal Roach: This is the way Maltin & Bann put it. The film lists Roach as the presenter, and reads "A Robert McGowan Production."
Directed by Robert F. McGowan: This credit appears in the film, but without his middle initial.
Photographed by Art Lloyd: This credit appears in the film.
Edited by Richard Currier: This credit appears in the film.
Titles by H. M. Walker: This credit appears in the film.
Story by Robert F. McGowan: Indicated in the cutting continuity.
Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer: Indicated at the opening of the film.
Passed by the National Board of Review: As indicated in the film.
studio personnel
possible uncredited involvement

the kids:

Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins as "Wheezer": Featured role. He takes after his prize-fighting father and punches everybody that gets near him. Later, the gang has to rescue him from a highrise building under construction.
Joe Cobb as "Joe": Featured role. He passes off his babysitting duties to Farina and is later featured strongly during the highrise sequence.
Allen "Farina" Hoskins: Featured role. He gives up on babysitting Wheezer, only to have to retrieve him from the building site. He's given a lot of the gag material during this sequence.
Jackie Condon as "Jackie": Featured role. He's Wheezer's older brother, and has to endure nose-punches until he recruits Joe for babysitting duties.
Harry Spear: Supporting role. He's given the name "Toughy" in part of the continuity, but not in the actual titles. He spends a large part of the film pulling Joe's pants down, and is also featured early in the film playing leapfrog with Jackie.
Jay R. Smith: Supporting role. He's given some individual attention during the highrise sequence.
Jean Darling: Supporting role. She's at the controls of the elevator at the construction site, making things very difficult for the boys.

the animals:

monkey 004: Supporting role. Presumably the same monkey normally seen. He jumps into Wheezer's carriage and becomes the next victim. Later he takes part in the highrise sequence.
Pete (no. 1): Supporting role. He mostly reacts to the highrise activities by covering his eyes, but is the one who ultimately rescues Farina and Jay.
Leo: Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.

the adults:

Anita Garvin as Wheezer's mother: Small part. She appears briefly instructing Jackie to mind the baby, and to let the baby punch him on the nose.
Charles A. Bachman as one of the cops: Small part. He gets punched by Wheezer and then meets up with his captain.
other adults: Small parts and bit parts.
(1.) Wheezer's prize fighting father, who's seen at the opening of the film boxing with his toddler son.
(2.) The lady who says 'cootsy cootsy' before getting walloped.
(3.) An old man who gets walloped, and a younger man who spits out his teeth after getting walloped.
(4.) The police captain, who also gets walloped.
(5.) Perhaps ten construction workers.
(6.) Numerous pedestrains and drivers in the background.

the locations:

Western Costume Building, Los Angeles: The construction site was built on the roof of this building on South Broadway. Fans familiar with the Laurel & Hardy film "Liberty" should immediately recognize the background, which is south of the site. The street on the right is Broadway, while Main Street is to the left. The triangular intersection is created by a short easement called Broadway Place. The Western Pacific Bldg. is shown to the right at 939 South Broadway. Signs on the left side of Broadway advertise the Sunday Examiner and Western Auto Supply.
Motor and Woodbine Avenues, Palms district, Los Angeles: Bachman walks up to the northeast corner of this intersection. The brick building is the People's Water Company of Palms at 3392 Motor Avenue. The gang is sitting on the curb of Woodbine Avenue directly across the street from this building while eating ice cream. Behind them is the Masonic Hall at the 3402 Motor Avenue, which housed an ice cream parlor, among other things.
barber shop: As shown in "Monkey Business" (no. 48) and "Love My Dog" (no. 59), with the hardware store to the left. The location where Wheezer is in his carriage and punches several people is to the left of the hardware store.

Thanks to Robin Cook, Rob Stone and Joe Moore for assistance on this page.