Rainy Days

film no. 72

availability:

Our Gang Volume #10 (VHS) from Grapevine Video and also from The Picture Palace

This is a TV print entitled "Rainy Day" and is from The Little Rascals series produced by Interstate Television Corporation, but with the company name blacked out. The original crew credits and inter-titles are included, but the end title is not original. The picture quality is fair. The print totals 20:39, with 20:29 of it original footage. It appears that almost all of the original film is included. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs.

Our Gang Silent Comedies #2 (VHS) from Nostalgia Family Video

This copy is also the TV print from Interstate Television Corporation, but doesn't black out the company name like Grapevine's does. However, there is some video 'noise' that appears repeatedly, usually at the beginning of each inter-title.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Vol. 7 (VHS) from HenryButch

This copy is essentially the same as Grapevine's.

special note

There's a European video release of this film lasting 20:50. The titles are all remade, with the object of making them appear original. However, the font is not quite the same as on the original prints, and there are one or two mistakes. Nevertheless, this version is superior to the other available versions, especially since there is additional footage at the end of the film. Music is provided by the Beau Hunks with sound effects.

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by Robert F. McGowan for Hal Roach

This is how Maltin & Bann put it. The film probably credits Roach as the presenter, with a credit added reading "A Robert McGowan Production."

Supervised by Robert F. McGowan

This credit appears in the film, but without his middle initial.

Directed by Robert F. McGowan, Anthony Mack and Charles Oelze

Mack was actually Robert A. (for Anthony) McGowan, the nephew of Robert F., and is the only one credited in the film. According to the 1927 studio datebook, he didn't direct until December 23rd, when he was listed as 'McGowan, Jr.' Prior to this, the uncle directed, but was not credited. Oelze was also not credited, but Jean Darling's mother noted his role as co-director. The payroll summaries listed Oelze as an assistant director, but were no longer specifying which unit he worked for.

Photographed by Art Lloyd

This credit appears in the film.

Edited by Richard Currier

This credit appears in the film.

Titles by Reed Heustis

This credit appears in the film.

Story by Robert F. McGowan

This credit doesn't appear in the film.

Props by Thomas Benton Roberts

In his book Roll 'Em, Roberts recalled making the wallpapering machine for this film, as well as putting the brushes on Jay's feet.

Animation by Roy Seawright

This credit derives from Seawright's payroll status as the studio animator during this period. The animation in this film consists of bubbles and crawling wallpaper.

Animal Trainer: Harry Lucenay

He was Pete's owner and trainer.

Teacher: Fern Carter

Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Probably indicated in the opening title.

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 - Bud "Stax" Graves
• transportation director - Bob Davis
• school teacher - Fern Carter

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 and Don Sandstrom were probably involved in this capacity. Maltin & Bann specifically credit Oelze with the 'technical wizardry' in this film.

the kids:

Jay R. Smith as "Jay"

Lead role. He takes the blame for what Wheezer does, and has to wallpaper the house to cover up for him.

Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins as "Wheezer"

Featured role. He chalks up the house and is featured quite a lot during the wallpapering sequence. He also has a featured spot pretending to be Petey.

Joe Cobb as "Joe"

Featured role. He does a lot of sneezing in this film, and is also the one with the wallpaper idea.

Allen "Farina" Hoskins

Featured role. The nickname doesn't appear in this print. He's given most of the funny business in this short.

Harry Spear

Supporting role. He's shown boxing with Farina, but later is mostly part of the ensemble.

Jean Darling

Supporting role. She joins in on the chalking, but also has the idea to add things to the wallpaper paste.

Mildred Kornman

Supporting role. She mostly joins Wheezer and Jean.

Bobby Dean

Supporting role. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. He's seen with Joe at the beginning of the film, but otherwise is just part of the ensemble. The cutting continuity lists him as 'other fat boy.'

Jackie Condon

Supporting role. He's does mostly ensemble acting in this film.

the animals:

Pete (no. 1) as "Petey"

Supporting role. He's shown throughout most of the film, eating sausages, blowing soap bubbles, and getting into the flypaper.

cat 060

Bit part. She gets caught up in the flypaper.

Leo

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

the adults:

Lyle Tayo as the kids' mother

Supporting role. She leaves Jay in charge of his younger siblings, and threatens to skin him alive if he lets Wheezer chalk up the house.

other adults

Undetermined role. A 1928 casting directory lists Charles A. Bachman as appearing in this film, but if so, then his scenes were cut from the available print.

miscellaneous:

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