The Pooch

film no. 115

availability:

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 9 (VHS) from Cabin Fever and
The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Volume Two (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 20:12. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs. There's also a clip lasting 0:02 included in the opening advertisement of all the Cabin Fever VHS releases, which shows Stymie first noticing the dog catcher.
The Little Rascals Volume 9: Collector's Edition (VHS) from Hallmark Home Entertainment: Released Aug. 15, 2000. Also included as part of The Little Rascals Volumes 1-10: Collector's Edition (10 VHS set), released Aug. 15, 2000.
The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 9 & Vol. 10 (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 (DVD) from Hallmark Home Entertainment: Released Aug. 19. 2003. This is a copy of the Cabin Fever version.
For Pete's Sake (VHS) from Cabin Fever: Released Aug. 27, 1997.
The Little Rascals - The Complete Collection (8 DVD set) from Genius Products: Released late Oct. 2008. This is identical to the Cabin Fever version.
The Little Rascals - The Pooch/Arbor Day/Derby Day (VHS/DVD)
from GoodTimes Home Video: Released Mar. 1 or 21, 2001. Presumably released initially on VHS. Included as part of The Little Rascals 4-Pack DVD, released May 29, 2001, and probably also Our Gang Collection (10 VHS set/8 DVD set), released May 7, 2002. This version has also appeared in bootleg form.
Little Rascals Volume 3 (DVD) from East West Entertainment: This is the Official Films print.
Little Rascals Volume 4 (DVD) from East West Entertainment: This is the Official Films print.
The Little Rascals - Funniest Episodes (5 VHS set) from GoodTimes Home Video: Released June 25, 2002.
The Best Of Our Gang Volume 2 (DVD) from GoodTimes Home Video: Released June 1, 2004. Also included as part of The Best Of Our Gang Volumes 1 & 2 (2 DVD set).
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.
Rascal Dazzle (VHS/LD) from Embassy Home Entertainment: Original film released 1981. Video released 1984. A clip lasting 1:24 is included, showing Stymie and Spanky at the lunch counter, with narration added.
Laurel And Hardy Collection (2 DVD set) from Warner Home Video: Released Apr. 18, 2006. Includes a documentary entitled "Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story. This documentary contains two clips from this film back-to-back. The first lasts 0:05, and shows the gang sitting on the curb. The second lasts 0:13, and shows the gang letting Stymie back into their ranks.

technical details:

Production G-8.

Filmed March 9 to 17, 1932. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Released June 11, 1932. It was the 115th film in the series to be released, and the last of the 1931/32 season.

Copyrighted June 13, 1932, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP3086. Renewed February 17, 1960, with registration no. R252229. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2027.

All-talking two-reeler.

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

King World Productions episode no. 7, 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.
Story by Hal E. Roach: This credit doesn't appear in the film.
Recording Engineer: James Greene: 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.
Western Electric System: As indicated in the film.
studio personnel
possible uncredited involvement

the kids:

Matthew "Stymie" Beard as "Stymie": Lead role. He saves the gang's dogs from the dogcatcher, but then has to come up with five dollars to save Pete.
George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky": Featured role. This is the second of two films to introduce him in a special title card reading 'With Spanky.' He accompanies Stymie throughout the film and provides much of the comedy.
Kendall "Breezy Brisbane" McComas as "Breezy": Supporting role. He's the leader among the gang.
Dorothy "Echo" DeBorba: Supporting role. She witnesses Stymie setting the dogs free and then defends him when the gang accuses him.
Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins: Supporting role. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He only has a few lines and mostly does ensemble acting.
Sherwood Bailey: Supporting role. Maltin & Bann indicate that his nickname was "Spud" in this film, but it wasn't used. He does mostly ensemble acting with few lines of dialogue.
Harold "Bouncy" Wertz: Supporting role. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He's present with the other members of the gang, but has no lines.
Artye Folz: Small part. She reads the signs for Stymie.
Dickie Jackson: Small part. He throws a donut down to Stymie.
other kids: Extras. While the dogcatcher is struggling with Pete, a kid (probably a boy) can be seen in the background in the yard of a house. It appears that a second person, perhaps a kid, is on the porch.

the animals:

Pete the Pup III as "Pete" aka "Petey": Featured role. The story revolves around him, as he's taken by the dogcatcher, but lives to chase him down the road in the end. This was the last appearance of Pete III.
dog 105b as "Pointer": Small part. This is Breezy's dog.
dog 087b: Small part. This is Sherwood's dog.
Laughing Gravy: Small part. This is Wheezer's dog.
Leo: Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.
other animals: Bit parts and extras. Bouncy's dog looks to be a German shepherd, but I think it's different than the one usually seen. There is also a white dog that the dogcatcher is about to load into the truck when he comes across Spanky. Also, there are four dogs in the background at the pound.

the adults:

Budd Fine as "Budd," the dog catcher: Supporting role. The gang attacks him when he takes Pete, and he takes glee in the prospect of gassing the dog.
Harry Bernard as the police officer: Supporting role. He tries to catch Stymie to retrieve the five dollar bill.
May Wallace as the second housewife: Small part. Her frosty disposition is warmed by Stymie's charm, and she ends up giving him a feast.
Dick Gilbert as the co-worker at the dog pound: Small part. He tries to tell Budd that there's no gas in the cylinders.
Estelle Ettere as the first housewife: Small part. The 1977 edition lists her as Belle Hare. She gives Stymie dog biscuits.
Baldwin Cooke as the diner attendant: Small part. He refuses to give Stymie free food.
woman 075: Bit part. She's the woman who loses five dollars.
other adults: Bit parts and extras.
(1.) The street sweeper, who's only seen from the waist down.
(2.) The woman seen in the background as the gang is racing to the dog pound.

the music:

"Fanfare" by Leroy Shield: This is played over the MGM lion.
"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.
(A1.) This is played over the opening titles and as we're first introduced to Stymie and Spanky.
"Teeter-Totter" by Leroy Shield: This is played as Stymie and Spanky decide what they want to eat. It's repeated as Spanky throws dog biscuits to Pete. It's played again as the dog catcher grabs Pete.
"Bride's Song" by Leroy Shield: This is played as Stymie and Spanky leave the lunch counter and Dickie throws a donut down to them.
"Little Dancing Girl" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Also known as "Dancing Girl" and "Dancing Girls." Most of this piece is played as Stymie and Spanky see the gang putting up signs. It's played in full at the end of Spanky's dog biscuit scene with Pete and the beginning of Stymie's scene with May Wallace. This is the version reproduced on the first Beau Hunks CD.
"Ezra" by Leroy Shield: Also known as "Ears." This is played and repeated as Artye reads the signs for Stymie.
"Candy, Candy" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. This is played as we're introduced to Brisbane, and as Stymie gets dog biscuits for Pete.
"Riding Along" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. This is played twice in a row as Stymie puzzles over the artichoke and frees the gang's dogs from the dog catcher's wagon.
"Dash And Dot" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted 1930. This is played as Stymie struggles to hide the gang's dogs.
"Intermezzo" by Leroy Shield: Most of this piece is played as the gang confronts Stymie and then welcomes him back into the fold.
"Prelude" by Leroy Shield: The beginning of this piece is played as Stymie pleads with the dogcatcher. The end is played as the gang arrives at the dog pound and Pete chases the dogcatcher and the end title appears.
"Hide And Go Seek" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. Most of this piece is played as the gang attacks the dogcatcher. Most of it is repeated as the gang races to save Pete.
"In My Canoe" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Most of this piece is played as Stymie prays for five dollars and gets it. This is the version reproduced on the first Beau Hunks CD.
"Sliding" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Aug. 13, 1931. Also known as "Swells." This is played and repeated as the cop chases Stymie.

miscellaneous:

8 shooting dates went into the making of this film. Five weeks had passed since shooting finished for "Choo-Choo!" (no. 114). The studio was closed during one of those weeks. The 'start' date for "The Pooch" arrived on Mar. 9th, and shooting continued until the 'finish' date of Mar. 17th. No shooting took place on Mar. 13th, which was a Sunday. After this, nine weeks passed before the Our Gang unit began shooting "Hook And Ladder" (no. 116). The studio was closed during five of those weeks.

A story version of this film, entitled "Three Poor Orphans," appeared in the book Our Gang Annual in 1933.

©May 25, 2005, by Robert Demoss.
2005 updates: 6/1, 6/17, 7/4, 7/9, 8/27, 8/30, 12/19.
2006 updates: 1/2, 1/3, 1/8, 1/16, 2/11, 5/16, 7/25, 10/25, 11/2.
2007 updates: 1/8, 4/1, 10/17, 10/22.
2008 updates: 3/26, 4/25, 7/6, 7/12, 8/19, 8/24, 8/27, 11/6.
2009 updates: 5/18, 6/9, 6/13, 6/19, 6/20.

Thanks to Rob Stone, Joe Moore, Paul Mular, Bob Satterfield, Richard Bann and Piet Schreuders for assistance on this page.