technical details:
Production G-4.
Filmed September 15 to October 13, and November 1, 1927. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.
The title sheet was prepared by H. M. Walker on Nov. 2, 1927.
The cutting continuity was prepared Nov. 8, 1927, and received by MGM on Nov. 9, 1927.
Released December 17, 1927. It was the 68th film in the series to be released.
Copyrighted November 26, 1929, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP867. Renewed December 19, 1956, with registration no. R182602. This copyright is
currently due to expire at the end of 2024.
Silent two-reeler.
Opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "Dog Heaven".'
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."
- Supervised by Robert F. McGowan
- This credit appears in the film, but without his middle initial.
- Directed by Anthony Mack, Robert F. McGowan
and Charles Oelze
- Mack was actually Robert A. "for Anthony" McGowan, the nephew of Robert F. No onscreen credit was given to Oelze, but Jean Darling's mother noted his role as
co-director. However, the 1927 studio datebook indicates that Oelze wasn't listed as a director for any of the shooting dates. Oelze was being listed in the payroll summaries as an
assistant director during this period, though they were no longer specifying which unit he worked for. The datebook also indicates that Robert F. McGowan directed the retakes, even though he
didn't receive onscreen credit.
- 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
- This credit doesn't appear in the film.
- Location scouting by Jack Roach
- According to Maltin & Bann.
- Animal Trainer: Harry Lucenay
- He was Pete's owner and trainer.
- Teacher: Fern Carter
- Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- As indicated in the film.
- Passed by the National Board of Review
- As indicated in the film.
- studio personnel
- director-general - Leo McCarey
- general manager - Warren Doane
- assistant general manager - L. A. French
- secretary-treasurer - C. H. Roach
- construction supervisor - C. E. Christensen
- laboratory superintendent - Charles Levin
- optical effects supervisor - Roy Seawright
- still photographer - Clarence "Stax" Graves
- transportation director - Bob Davis
- possible uncredited involvement
- assistant cameraman - Probably Clair Boshard.
- cutting - Probably Lloyd Campbell.
- writing - Robert A. McGowan, Jean Yarbrough and Charlie Hall may have been among the gag writers.
- property department - Charles Oelze, Don Sandstrom and Thomas Benton Roberts were probably involved in
this capacity.
the kids:
- Joe Cobb as "Joe"
-
- Lead role. He neglects Pete in favor of Clarabelle, but realizes his mistake in the end.
- Annette de Kirby as "Clarabelle"
- Featured role. She aggresively pursues Joe, and later blames Pete for pushing her in the lake. A 1927 casting directory lists her as appearing in this film (but without a photo),
and an article in The Placer Herald of February 20, 1996 (complete with photos) settles the matter.
- Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins
- Supporting role. The nickname doesn't appear in the film. He has a few funny moments at the drinking fountain and putting worms in Joe's hat.
- Jay R. Smith
- Supporting role. He has a fist fight with Joe, and later exchanges kisses with Jackie.
- Jackie Condon
- Supporting role. Jay calls him "Clementina" before the two of them kiss each other repeatedly.
- Allen "Farina" Hoskins
- Supporting role. The nickname doesn't appear in the film. He fishes using a mousetrap.
- Jean Darling
- Supporting role. She does mostly ensemble acting, but also holds Wheezer while he tries to drink from the fountain.
- Mildred Kornman
- Supporting role. She does mostly ensemble acting, but works the water pressure for the fountain.
the animals:
- Pete (no. 1) as "Pete"
- Lead role. He attempts suicide after losing Joe to a girl.
- cat 060 as "Gertrude"
- Small part. This is Clarabelle's cat, who takes a disliking to Pete. She's also seen in the opening scene with the black cat. Previously seen in "Tired Business Men"
(no. 60).
- dog 034
- Bit part. This is the dog that pushes Clarabelle into the water.
- Leo
- Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.
- other animals
- Supporting roles, bit parts and extras.
- (1.) The dog that listens to Pete's story.
- (2.) The 'lady dog from the Follies' that Pete has the affair with.
- (3.) The five drunken dogs.
- (4.) The black cat that's glad Pete is kicking the bucket.
- (5.) The five chickens on the fence watching Pete hang himself.
- (6.) The seven puppies born to Pete and the lady dog.
- (7.) Farina's fish.
- (8.) Many worms.
- (9.) The white chicken passing in the background while Pete's necking with the lady dog.
- (10.) The duck in the lake.
- bugwatch
- Numerous flies buzzing around, particularly while Pete's drunk.
the adults:
- Charley Lloyd as the man in the wheelchair
- Small part. He reveals that Pete is the hero. Listed by Maltin & Bann as Charley Young.
- Lyle Tayo as Clarabelle's mom
- Small part. Maltin & Bann list her as the "lady at accident scene." She rewards Joe for saving her daughter.
- Charles A. Bachman as the cop
- Bit part. He's the cop that arrives on the scene after Pete rescues Clarabelle.
- Clarence Morehouse as the hardware store proprietor
- Bit part. He lets Pete try on the dog collar.
- Chet Brandenburg as the lover on the park bench
- Bit part. He and his girl get toppled over as Pete jumps over their bench. Maltin & Bann list Ed Brandenberg.
- other adults
- Bit parts and extras.
- (1.) The cop who ties Pete to the tree.
- (2.) The woman who sells the candy and flowers to Joe.
- (3.) The woman on the park bench with Brandenburg.
- (4.) The man picking up litter who gets knocked over by Pete.
- (5.) The man who gets rolled down the hill by Pete.
- (6.) The two men and two women who arrive at the scene after Clarabelle is rescued.
- (7.) The pedestrian in the background during the drinking fountain scene, plus several more at the park.
the locations:
- Hollenbeck Park
- The scene where Clarabelle is pushed into the lake and rescued was shot at this park.
- Mentone Avenue, Palms district, Los Angeles
- The location of Pete's suicide attempt is a barn-like structure in the backyard of a house on Mentone.
- Motor Avenue and Woodbine Street, Palms district, Los Angeles
- The People's Water Company at 3392 Motor and the Masonic Hall at 3402 Motor are both shown as Pete's friend is running to rescue him. The 'water fountain'
location was on the northwest corner of this intersection. There's also a shot of Pete's friend on the north side of Woodbine at the alley west of Motor, with the businesses visible
at the intersection behind him. Towards the end of the film, as Joe is trying to find Pete and meets up with the Gang, they are on the south side of Woodbine just east of Motor, standing at
the entrance to an alley.
- Bacon's Pharmacy and Safeway Stores, Palms district, Los Angeles
- This was located at 3568-3570 Motor Avenue at the corner of Tabor Street. This is where Joe buys the flowers and candy for Clarabelle. We get to see the inside of this business as
well. The next door up the street is S. A. Franklin Hardware at 3566 Motor. This is where Pete tries on the dog collar. To illustrate the difference between available prints, the
'S. A. Franklin' part of the sign is visible only in the Grapevine version.
- 3563 Motor Avenue, Palms district, Los Angeles
- This house was also used in "Heebee Jeebees" (no. 69), and continued to stand until the 2010s. In this film, it served as Clarabelle's house. In the shot where Wheezer
peers over the fence, we can see the Safeway store behind him directly across the street.
miscellaneous:
26 shooting dates went into the making of this film. Two days after shooting finished for "Heebee Jeebees" (no. 69), the 'start' date arrived for "Dog
Heaven" on Sep. 15th. Shooting continued until the 'finish' date of Oct. 13th. However, activity was divided between "Dog Heaven" and retakes for "Heebee
Jeebees" on Sep. 30th. Anthony Mack directed on each of these shooting dates. Also, activity was divided between "Dog Heaven" and "Spook Spoofing" on Oct. 11th, 12th
and 13th, the latter directed by Robert F. McGowan. Filming then continued and finished for "Spook Spoofing." Nearly a week after the finish date, retakes were shot for "Dog
Heaven" on Nov. 1st, but with Robert F. McGowan directing. Three days later, shooting began for "Rainy Days" (no. 72). No shooting took place on Sep. 18th, Sep. 25th,
Oct. 2nd or Oct. 9th, which were all Sundays.
The script submitted to MGM was given the catalog number B395.
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