Fly My Kite

film no. 107

availability:

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 1 (VHS) from Cabin Fever and
The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Volume One (4 LD set) from Cabin Fever: Released July 6, 1994. Also released as part of 12 VHS boxed set. This is a complete original print with excellent picture quality. The total footage lasts 20:51. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs. There's also a clip lasting 0:09 included in the opening advertisement of all the Cabin Fever VHS releases, which shows Stymie putting on the boxing glove.
The Little Rascals Volume 1: Collector's Edition (VHS) from Hallmark Home Entertainment: Released Aug. 15, 2000. Also included as part of The Little Rascals Volumes 1-5: Collector's Edition (5 VHS set) and The Little Rascals Volumes 1-10: Collector's Edition (10 VHS set), both released Aug. 15, 2000.
The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 (DVD) from Cabin Fever: Same contents as the Cabin Fever VHS releases. Also released as part of The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited (6 DVD set).
The Little Rascals Volumes 1-2 (DVD) from Hallmark Home Entertainment: Released Aug. 15, 2000. Same contents as the Cabin Fever DVD.
The Little Rascals Book XXI (VHS) from Blackhawk Video: This is a home movie print from Blackhawk. The opening and end titles and the crew credits are remade. The picture quality is good. The original footage totals 20:19, but the original soundtrack lasts an additional 0:24.
The Best Of Our Gang (DVD) from Legend Films: Released Mar. 27, 2007. Also included as part of The Little Rascals In Color! (3 DVD set). This is a home movie print from the Famous Kids Comedies series from Official Films with a copyright year of 1935, included both as a colorized print, and in the original black-and-white. The picture quality is very good. The original footage totals 20:19, while the original soundtrack lasts 20:44.
Little Rascals Greatest Hits (VHS/DVD) from GoodTimes Home Video: Released Mar. 1, 2001. Reissued Aug. 13, 2002. Also included as part of Our Gang Collector Series 4 Pack (4 DVD set), released Mar. 21, 2001. Also included as part of Our Gang Collector Series 5 Pack (5 VHS set/5 DVD set), VHS released Feb. 2002 and DVD released Mar. 2004. Also included as part of Our Gang Double Feature (DVD), released June 25, 2002. This is the Official Films print, but oddly enough, it differs from the one included on the Legend Films DVD. The opening theme, "Good Old Days," is the normally-heard version rather than the one from this film. The picture quality is good. The original footage totals 20:01. The original soundtrack starts a little later and ends a little later, and totals 20:00. There is also a clip lasting 0:34 from this film in the introductory sequence for this release.
Little Rascals Volume 4 (DVD) from East West Entertainment: This is the Official Films print.
The Little Rascals & Our Gang Collection Vol. 2 (DVD) from Janus Entertainment, Inc.: It's also included with Vol. 1 in a 2 DVD set entitled The Little Rascals Our Gang Collector's Edition.
Our Gang Volume 2 (DVD) from TV Classics: Released Sep. 5, 2003.
TV Time Comedy 100 TV Episodes (10 DVD set) from TV Time
Three Stooges, Little Rascals & East Side Kids Collection (5 DVD set) from Diamond Ent. Corp.: Released Aug. 30, 2005.
Classic Troublemakers (3 DVD set) from St. Clair Entertainment: Released Oct. 25, 2005.
Our Gang: Hilarious Hits (DVD) from Quality Television: Released Oct. 31, 2006. Also included as part of Our Gang: Terrific Tot Tales (2 DVD set) released Apr. 24, 2007.
The Our Gang Story (VHS/DVD) from GoodTimes Home Video: VHS released 1994. DVD released May 21, 2002. Also included as part of Our Gang Collector Series 4 Pack (4 DVD set), released Mar. 21, 2001, Our Gang Collector Series 5 Pack (5 VHS/DVD set), released Feb. 2002 (VHS) and Mar. 2004 (DVD), and The Best Of Our Gang Volume 1 (DVD) released June 1, 2004. Three clips from this film are shown. The first lasts 0:40, and shows the storytelling scene. The second lasts 4:04, and shows parts of the kite-flying sequence and the scene with the telephone pole. The third lasts 0:49, and shows the end of the film. All three clips have narration added.

technical details:

Production G-41.

Filmed March 2 to 14, 1931. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Title sheet prepared by Richard Currier on March 26, 1931.

Cutting continuity submitted April 1, 1931.

Copyrighted May 7, 1931, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP2196. Renewed December 2, 1958, with registration no. R225697. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2026.

Released May 30, 1931. It was the 107th film in the series to be released, and the last during the 1930/31 season.

All-talking two-reeler.

Opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "Fly My Kite".'

King World Productions episode no. 29, available in both colorized and original black-and-white versions.

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: Not listed by Maltin & Bann. 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
possible uncredited involvement

the kids:

Norman "Chubby" Chaney as "Chubby": Supporting role. Grandma attaches the bonds to the tail of his kite. This was his final appearance in the series.
Matthew "Stymie" Beard as "Stymie": Supporting role. He provides the wisecracks throughout the proceedings.
Georgie Ernest: Supporting role. He has a boxing match with Grandma.
Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina": Supporting role. He takes somewhat of a leadership role during the finale.
Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins as "Wheezer": Supporting role. He finds the bonds and tries to set fire to them.
Dickie Jackson as "Dickie": Supporting role. He's with Chubby during the kite-flying sequence. Listed in the cutting continuity as "Dicky." This was his series debut.
Dorothy "Echo" DeBorba: Supporting role. She's present throughout the film, but aside from using the fireplace tongs, is an ensemble player. Her name isn't mentioned in the dialogue, but the cutting continuity lists her as "Dorothy."
Mary Ann Jackson as "Mary": Supporting role. Aside from whacking Dan with a stick, she's mostly an ensemble player. She's listed as "Mary Ann" in the cutting continuity. This was her final appearance in the series.
Shirley Jean Rickert: Supporting role. She does mostly ensemble acting in this short. Her name isn't mentioned in the dialogue, but she's listed as "Shirley" in the cutting continuity. This was her final appearance in the series.
other kids: There are two additional boys in this film. One of them is the boy that destroys Dan's watch, and the other is the boy with the lasso. Maltin & Bann list two additional boys, neither of whom I'm familiar with, and one of whom is Jackie Williams. The other is Charles "Chic" Sale, Jr. (although they give his last name as Sales), whose father was quite well-known at the time. The studio issued a press release about young Charles, which I've copied into the 'miscellaneous' section below.

the animals:

Pete the Pup III: Supporting role. He's with Chubby throughout the film, and plays keep-away from Dan.
cat 080: Bit part. He knocks a couple of pans down from the shelf. Presumably the mouse being chased by the cat is fake.
Leo: Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.
other animals: There are about five goldfish in the bowl in Grandma's house.

the adults:

Margaret Mann as "Mrs. Margaret Mann" aka "Grandma" aka "Granny": Featured role. She's in danger of being sent to the county home, until it turns out that her bonds are worth a lot of money.
James Mason as "Dan": Featured role. He's Grandma's skinflint son-in-law. His name was "Jim" in the synopsis. He's described as Margaret Mann's adopted boy in studio documentation, but the film contradicts this. The cutting continuity introduces him as "Dan (Jimmy Mason)."
David Sharpe doubling for Margaret Mann.: Small part. He's given several instances of stunt work for Grandma.
Broderick O'Farrell as the bond agent: Small part. He informs Dan about the value of the bonds. Listed in the cutting continuity as "Agent."
Mae Busch as Dan's new wife: Bit part. She's shown in the car ordering Dan to get rid of Grandma. The cutting continuity identifies her only as "woman."
other adults: Bit part. The only remaining adult is the cop that Grandma summons to arrest Dan.

the music:

fanfare: The last chord of the MGM fanfare is heard as the MGM lion is seen.
"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.
(A13.) The thirteenth version is played over the opening titles.
(A12.) The very end of the twelfth version is played as Farina has Stymie by the hand and the end title appears.
piece 107a: This is played as Grandma reads the story to the kids.
"On To The Show" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played during the boxing sequence. This version is similar to the one reproduced on the second Beau Hunks CD.
"The Villain" by Leroy Shield: Part of the "Goofs Suite." This is played as we're first introduced to Dan and his wife. It's played again as Dan returns and breaks Grandma's glasses.
piece 107b: This is played as Dan walks into the house. It's overlapped by some piano playing by Grandma.
"Prelude" by Leroy Shield: This is played as Dan gives Grandma the bad news. The opening is repeated as the kids comfort Grandma. Part of it is repeated as Dan reads the letter to Grandma and runs outside to get the kite.
"Instrumental (Hurry)" by Leroy Shield: This is played as the kids punish Dan inside the house.
"Miser" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played as Dan reads the letter and is partially repeated as he talks to the bond agent.
"Wishing" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Parts of this piece are played as Wheezer finds the bonds.
"You Are The One I Love" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Most of this is played as Grandma helps Chubby with his kite and continues as he first flies it.
"Sliding" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Aug. 13, 1931. Also known as "Swells." This is played as Dan struggles with Chubby and Dickie, and Grandma reads the letter. It's repeated during the telephone pole scene.
"Hide And Go Seek" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. This is played as Pete plays keep-away with the kite. This seems to be going at a faster tempo than it did in "Pups Is Pups" (no. 100). A very fast version is played as Grandma summons the cop.

the locations:

Overland Avenue, Palms district, Los Angeles: The site of the vacant lot where the kite is flown is on this street between Regent Street and Francis Place. Shown in the background are several houses across the street, including 3650, 3658 and 3668 Overland Avenue.
Cadillac Avenue: The cop is leaning against the street sign at the corner of this street and, perhaps, Robertson Boulevard. The location of the telephone pole sequence seems to be the tree-lined portion of Robertson Boulevard seen in "Teacher's Pet" (no. 101).
546 Orange Drive, Los Angeles: This is Grandma's address as shown on the envelope from the Imperial Steel Company, but is this really the address Dan is standing in front of as he reads the letter?

miscellaneous:

12 shooting dates went into the making of this film. Four weeks after shooting finished for "Bargain Day" (no. 106), the 'start' date arrived for "Fly My Kite" on Mar. 2nd. Shooting continued until the 'finish' date of Mar. 14th. No shooting took place on Mar. 1st or 8th, which were both Sundays. After this, ten weeks passed before the Our Gang unit began to film "Big Ears" (no. 108). The studio was closed for six of those weeks.

Grandma is reading from the Wild West Weekly of Nov. 1, 1930, at the beginning of this film.

From a press release for this film: "'But, Daddy, you haven't done so bad, yourself,' was the answer Charles 'Chic' Sales Jr. gave his paternal parent after a long talk on the advantages and disadvantages of a career in the moving picture industry. Young Charles had a yen for the movies, and without the consent of his Dad went over to the Hal Roach Studios to apply for work in the famous Our Gang Comedies. Father found out, however, and because his son did not first ask him about it, penalized Charles, Jr. to the extent that he was to ride to and from the studio on his bike - no help would be given, and because Charles, Jr. is a good sport, no help was asked. The result of an interview with Robert McGowan, director of the famous kid troupe, was a call the next morning to work on "Fly My Kite," a current Our Gang comedy. Charles, Jr. got out his bike and pedaled his way out to Culver City with high hopes of being famous some day - like his Dad. Master Sales had quite a 'bit' in this Our Gang comedy, which is now on the program at the _____ Theatre, and he liked the work so well he is hoping he can play again with Our Gang. Who knows?" The working copy of this item named him Charles ("Chick") Sales, Jr., but pencilled-in corrections rendered it as Charles ("Chic") Sale, Jr.

Reel one ends just as Wheezer finds the bonds.

The script submitted to MGM was given the catalog number B421.

©May 17, 2005, by Robert Demoss.
2005 updates: 7/4, 7/9, 8/27, 8/30, 12/19.
2006 updates: 1/2, 1/3, 1/16, 2/11, 5/16, 10/25, 11/2.
2007 updates: 4/1, 10/17, 10/22.
2008 updates: 2/21, 4/25, 7/6, 7/12, 7/23.

Thanks to Rob Stone, Joe Moore and Paul Mular for assistance on this page.