Little Daddy

technical details:

Production G-39.

Release no. C-336.

Filmed October 30 to November 13, 1930. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Copyrighted February 6, 1931, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP1956. Renewed December 2, 1958, with registration no. R225695. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2026.

Released March 28, 1931. It was the 105th film in the series to be released.

All-talking two-reeler.

Opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "Little Daddy".'

the crew:

Produced by Robert F. McGowan for Hal Roach

This is the way Maltin & Bann put it. The film credits Roach as a presenter, with a separate credit reading "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.

Dialogue by H. M. Walker

This credit appears in the film. Studio documentation credits him as a story editor.

Recording Engineer: Elmer Raguse

This credit appears in the film.

Animal Trainer: Harry Lucenay

He was Pete's owner and trainer.

Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Indicated in the opening title card.

Passed by the National Board of Review

As indicated in the film.

A Victor Recording, Western Electric System

As indicated in the film.

studio personnel

general manager - Warren Doane

assistant general manager - L. A. French

secretary-treasurer - C. H. Roach

assistant secretary - Mat O'Brien

construction supervisor - C. E. Christensen

laboratory superintendent - Charles Levin

optical effects supervisor - Roy Seawright

still photographer - Clarence "Stax" Graves

transportation director - Bob Davis

school teacher - Fern Carter

possible uncredited involvement

assistant direction - Possibly Charles Oelze.

writing - Robert F. McGowan probably headed story development, while Robert A. McGowan, Carl Harbaugh, Jean Yarbrough, Charlie Hall and Harry Keaton may have been among the gag writers.

property department - Charles Oelze, Don Sandstrom, Thomas Benton Roberts and Bob Saunders were probably involved in this capacity. Maltin & Bann specifically credit Oelze for the mechanical contraptions.

titles - Louis McManus probably designed the main titles.

animal training - Tony Campanaro may have been among the animal trainers.

the kids:

Matthew "Stymie" Beard as "Stymie"

Featured role. It's time for him to be taken to the orphanage, but not if Farina can help it.

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Featured role. He tries to find a way to keep Stymie from being taken to the orphanage.

Norman "Chubby" Chaney as "Chubby"

Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble acting, except for his big scene singing "Asleep In The Deep."

Jackie Cooper as "Jackie" aka "Jack"

Supporting role. He seems to be the leader among the kids prior to the arrival of the orphan asylum agent.

Bobby "Bonedust" Young

Supporting role. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He takes a leadership role once the agent has arrived. This was his final appearance in the series.

Shirley Jean Rickert

Small part. She does mostly ensemble acting, but has a brief moment playing miniature golf.

Donald Haines

Small part. He does mostly ensemble acting, except for one line of dialogue.

Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins as "Wheezer"

Small part. He's given only ensemble work to do in this film.

Douglas Greer

Small part. He's an ensemble player in this film.

Mary Ann Jackson

Small part. She's barely noticeable, doing only ensemble acting.

Dorothy "Echo" DeBorba

Small part. She's seen only in longshot and doesn't do anything specific.

the animals:

dog 087b as "Brownie"

Small part. This is Stymie's dog, who helps him golf.

Pete the Pup III

Bit part. He's seen in longshot while the kids are playing golf.

Leo

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

Myrtle as "Myrtle"

Bit part. This is the hen that lays the egg that slides down the trough.

cat 060

Bit part. He's seen in Farina and Stymie's house, and is the cat on the right in the publicity photo in Maltin & Bann's book.

Laughing Gravy

Bit part. He's one of Farina and Stymie's dogs, and is the dog second to the right in the publicity photo in Maltin & Bann's book.

dog 105a

Bit part. This is the dog to the far right under the kitchen table.

dog 105b

This dog doesn't seem to be in the film, but is shown in the publicity photo in Maltin & Bann's book at the far right.

cat 080

Not shown in the film, this tabby is nevertheless in the publicity photo in Maltin & Bann's book.

other animals

Bit parts.

(1.) The little black dog seen under the kitchen table.

(2.) Another chicken in Farina and Stymie's house.

(3.) Six kittens belonging to Farina and Stymie.

the adults:

Otto Fries as the orphan asylum agent

Supporting role. He comes to collect Stymie, but suffers the wrath of the gang. His full name is mentioned in the cutting continuity.

George Reed as the parson

Small part. He's shown at the beginning of the film talking with Farina.

June Marlowe as "Miss Crabtree"

Small part. She's shown at the end of the film rescuing Stymie.

Charley Chase as Chubby's singing voice

Voice over. He provides Chubby with his singing voice. Roach figured this idea was probably Chase's, who can also be heard singing this song, "Asleep In The Deep," in his own film, "Rough Seas."

The Etude Ethiopian Chorus

Small parts. They're the parishioners seen singing at the start of the film. According to a studio memo, the chorus had 40 members, while the payroll ledger lists 45 names not already associated with other parts in this film: Mattie L. Duckett (the manager of the chorus), Freita Shaw (the chorus director), Ben Green, Martha Hannahs, Georgia Brown, G. Logan, Doris Garrison, Vera Smith, Florence Cadrez, W. Woodson, S. Matthews, Mrs. F. Fitzhugh, M. Groer, U. Trice, Charles Palmer, Ward Cole, G. B. Morrow, C. Wicks, Dr. C. Hanley, G. Johnson, G. Spicer, T. G. Smith, Mrs. C. Holmes, Jack West, Al Logan, G. Fain, Ed Jones, R. Hardon, Mrs. V. Dunn, L. McDonnell, Pearlita Johnson, V. Seattle, T. Sermons, Mrs. V. Suke, E. Jackson, Peggie White, G. Holmes, Blanche Woods, O. Connally, L. Lassiter, Al Giddens, W. C. Chatman and F. Toons. Another member that was present, and the only one that I can as yet identify, was O'Reese Corporal, who is sometimes referred to as Al Corporal. He's in the left aisle seat in the second row. Also, Juanita Terry was present, and I've seen her credited with providing piano accompaniment in their live performances, so perhaps she's playing the organ in this film. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

the music:

"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.

(A2.) The second version is played over the opening titles. It's repeated as Stymie rides away on the spare tire and the end title appears.

(A4.) The fourth version is played in part while the gang is playing miniature golf. This same version is played in full as Farina comes out to talk to Jackie.

(B2.) The seldom-heard second half of this piece is played as the agent walks out the door with Stymie.

"Swing Low Sweet Chariot"

This is sung by the churchgoers at the beginning of the film. The Fisk University Jubilee Quartet had a number seven hit with this song in 1910.

"Redemption" by J. S. Zamecnik

This is played briefly as Farina and Stymie first talk with the parson.

"I'm Alonging Fo' You" by Jane Harthaway

Also known as "I'm A-Longin' For You." Harthaway also known as Hathaway. This is played during the majority of Farina and Stymie's talk with the parson. In their entry for this film, Maltin & Bann seem to imply that Marvin Hatley was responsible for either these early pieces, or the soundtrack in general.

"Wishing" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played as Farina prays.

"Crabtree" by Leroy Shield

Also known as "Girl & Stick." This is played as Farina arrives home to start his story.

"Violetta" by Abe Olman

Arranged by R. Brewer. This is played as Farina tells Stymie about Noah.

"Me-Ow" by Mel B. Kaufman

Published in 1918 with lyrics by Harry D. Kerr. This is played as Farina gives milk to the kittens. This is a different recording than the one used in earlier films.

"By Rote" by Leroy Shield

This is played as Stymie takes a shower.

"Riding Along" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. This is played as Farina cooks breakfast. It's a faster version than the one reproduced on the Beau Hunks CD.

"(The) Cops" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Aug. 13, 1931. Not to be confused with "Cops," which opened many of the Laurel & Hardy shorts. This is played briefly while Jackie and Donald are waiting for Chubby.

"Asleep In The Deep" by Arthur J. Lamb and Henry W. Petrie

Published in 1897. This is sung by Charley Chase, but lip-synched by Chubby.

"The One I Love Best" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Also known as "All The World (To Me)." The first half of this tune is played while Farina and Stymie are at the breakfast table.

"Here Are The Pets" by Leroy Shield

The first half of this piece is played as Stymie plays miniature golf. The same portion is played as Stymie eats all the food.

"Candy Candy" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. The first part of this is played while Farina sends Stymie out to find the gang. The very beginning is repeated as the gang walks in to find all the food eaten.

"Yearning" by Leroy Shield

This is played as Stymie tells Farina that the gang isn't outside. It's repeated twice more as Miss Crabtree arrives. This piece shouldn't be confused with the more commonly-heard "Yearning" from the Beau Hunks CD.

piece 103t

This effect piece is played as the agent arrives at the door. This may be part of the "Miser" family of compositions.

piece 103u

This effect piece is played as Farina and Stymie start fighting with the agent. This may also be part of the "Miser" family of compositions.

"Confusion" by Leroy Shield

This is played as the gang starts fighting with the agent.

"Hide And Go Seek" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. This is played and partially repeated as Farina hides Stymie and the kids roll tires at the agent.

the locations:

Hal Roach Ranch

Much of the footage was shot here. The church, for instance, was located at the ranch, and the barn from "It's A Bear" (no. 27) can be seen in the background of certain shots. Also shown in these shots is the picket fence usually placed in front of the schoolhouse, but placed out of the way for this film.

miscellaneous:

13 shooting dates went into the making of this film. Five and a half weeks after the last day of shooting for "Love Business" (no. 104), the 'start' date arrived for "Little Daddy" on Oct. 30th. Shooting continued until the 'finish' date of Nov. 13th. No shooting took place on Nov. 2nd or 9th, which were both Sundays. After this, over four weeks passed before the Our Gang unit began filming "Bargain Day" (no. 106).

A memo by studio employee Annette Forant describes the Etude Ethiopian Chorus as a 'famous colored singing organization of forty mixed voices,' and that they were recently in a Laurel & Hardy comedy. It goes on to say that shooting for the next Our Gang film would start 'next Thursday' after several weeks vacation due to the fact that they were two comedies ahead of schedule. The 'start' date of October 30th, incidentally, was indeed a Thursday. This memo also identifies Myrtle the hen.

The Gang's golfing establishment is called "Missing Links Preemature Golf Coarse," or alternately, "Missing Links Preemature Golf Links."

As Farina's biting his finger, Fries just about says the series' eventual title with "Ooh, you little ras-."

Is it my imagination, or is most of the food Farina has prepared for the party a bunch of cardboard cutouts?

This film was removed from King World's TV package in the early 70s.

In the category of unseen characters, Farina makes a reference to "Miss Duckwaddy."

See anything that needs changing? Contact me at BtheW@aol.com.

© Robert Demoss.