Free Wheeling

film no. 117

availability:

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 6 (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 19:34. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs.
The Little Rascals Volume 6: 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. 5 & Vol. 6 (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 Digitally Remastered - Collector's Edition III (DVD) from Hallmark Home Entertainment: Released Nov. 15, 2005. This derives from the Cabin Fever release.
Superstars 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 Famous Kids Comedies print from Official Films, included both as a colorized print, and in the original black-and-white. The original footage totals 19:00, while the original soundtrack totals 19:28. The picture quality is very good.
Rascal Dazzle (VHS/LD) from Embassy Home Entertainment: Original film released 1981. Video released 1984. A clip lasting 0:08 is included, showing the taxi and Stymie inside the engine compartment, with music and narration added. Another clip lasting 0:07 is included, showing the roadside workers getting socked, with music added.
Jackie Remembers Our Gang - Memories From Little Rascals Family Theater (VHS/DVD) from Jackie Taylor: A clip lasting 0:30 is included, showing the gang's taxi, with Stymie narrating.

technical details:

Production G-10.

Filmed July 19 to 27, and September 3, 1932. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Title sheet prepared by Richard Currier on September 20, 1932.

Cutting continuity submitted October 27, 1932.

According to Maltin & Bann, this film was released on October 1, 1932, making it the 117th film in the series to be released. However, the cutting continuity date reveals that this is not possible. If the retake date is taken into account, then this film finished shooting a month later than "Birthday Blues" (no. 118), so it might be that the studio switched the two films on the release schedule. This would make "Free Wheeling" a November release, putting it closer to the copyright date. It might also explain why Rob Stone listed "Birthday Blues" as production G-10 and "Free Wheeling" as production G-11.

Copyrighted November 7, 1932, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP3396. Renewed February 17, 1960, with registration no. R252332. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2027.

All-talking two-reeler.

Opening title: 'Hal Roach presents Our Gang in "Free Wheeling".'

King World Productions episode no. 14, 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.
Props by Dale Schrum: He provided the car and drove it.
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:

Dickie Moore as "Dickie" aka "Dick": Lead role. His stiff neck is cured by Stymie during their adventure in the gang's taxi.
Matthew "Stymie" Beard as "Stymie": Featured role. He introduces himself as "Tony Wand" over the taxi's radio system (although I might have the last name wrong). He ensures that Dickie gets his ride.
George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky": Supporting role. He and Jacquie chase after the taxi, but they board in time to catch the excitement.
Jacquie Lyn as "Jacquie": Supporting role. She accompanies Spanky throughout the film.
Dorothy "Echo" DeBorba: Small part. Her name doesn't turn up in the dialogue, but the cutting continuity refers to her as "Dorothy." She boards the taxi early in the film and accompanies Dickie's parents on their search for their son.
Kendall "Breezy Brisbane" McComas: Small part. The nickname doesn't turn up in the dialogue, but the cutting continuity refers to him as "Breezy." He drives the taxi.
Douglas Greer: Small part. He assists Brisbane in the taxi business.
Bobby Mallon: Bit part. He gets paddled by a board on the front of the taxi.
other kids: The only other kids shown in this film are in the background. One kid is standing in his driveway, while two others (who might be adults) are riding bikes.
unconfirmed involvement: Maltin & Bann list John Collum, Jimmy Daniels and Bobby De War, but they're not shown in the film. Perhaps publicity photos reveal their involvement.

the animals:

Joe the Monk: Supporting role. The little kids steal his money and then bring him along for the ride. Maltin & Bann list Elmer the Monkey, but a publicity photo reveals that this is a different monkey.
mule 111: Supporting role. Maltin & Bann list Dinah the Mule, but it isn't her. When the mule gets drunk, it runs off and leaves the taxi without motor power.
Leo: Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.
Pete the Pup IV: He's not in the film, but at least one publicity photo reveals his presence during production.
other animals: Bit parts. There are at least ten ducks that get run over by the taxi.

the adults:

Lillian Rich as Dickie's mother: Supporting role. She refuses to believe that Dickie's neck brace should be removed.
Creighton Hale as "Creighton," Dickie's father: Supporting role. He agrees with the doctor and not his wife.
Estelle Ettere as Dickie's nurse: Small part. The 1977 edition lists her as Belle Hare. She wrestles with Dickie, much to the dismay of his mother.
Johnnie Mae Beard as Stymie's mom: Small part. She's Stymie's real-life mother, and sends him to Dickie's house. The cutting continuity refers to her as "Mammy."
Wilfred Lucas as the specialist: Small part. He examines Dickie and concludes that the boy needs to get out and exercise. The cutting continuity refers to him as "Doctor."
Harry Bernard as one of the roadside workers: Bit part. He's the last one to get socked.
Dick Gilbert as one of the roadside workers: Bit part. He's the third one to get socked.
other adults: Bit parts.
(1.) The black maid.
(2.) The truck driver.
(3.) The man by the lamppost who gets socked, who Maltin & Bann list as Robert A. McGowan. I agree that it looks like him.
(4.) The four remaining roadside workers who get socked. Maltin & Bann list Ham Kinsey among them, but I'm not sure which one he is.
(5.) The cop sent into the air, who Maltin & Bann list as Jack Hill, but I'm not familiar enough to verify this.
(6.) The two midgets working under their car.
(7.) The six men running from the tires.
(8.) The balloon vendor.

the music:

"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.
(A1.) This is played over the opening titles and as we're introduced to Dickie and his nurse. Most of it is repeated as the parents arrive at the haystack and the end title appears.
"Intermezzo" by Leroy Shield: This is played as Dickie's nurse fools him into taking castor oil.
"Bride's Song" by Leroy Shield: This is played as Dickie fools his nurse into taking castor oil.
"In My Canoe" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Most of this piece is played as Dickie wrestles with the nurse and we're introduced to his parents. This is the version that was reproduced on the first Beau Hunks CD.
"Beautiful Lady" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played as we first see the taxi and Dorothy gets on board. The first half is repeated as Brisbane tells the little kids to dig up some dough.
"Carolina Moon" by Benny Davis and Joe Burke: Published in 1928. Gene Austin had a number one hit with this song in 1929. This is sung by Stymie over the taxi intercom.
"Little Dancing Girl" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Also known as "Dancing Girl" and "Dancing Girls." A short bit of this piece is played as the taxi bats Bobby Mallon out of the way. Another portion is played as the mule gets drunk and Dickie hops on board. This is the version reproduced on the first Beau Hunks CD.
"Blue Blue" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Most of this piece is played as Stymie talks to his mother. This is the slower version.
"Prelude" by Leroy Shield: The beginning of this piece is played as the doctor examines Dickie. A long portion from the middle is played as Stymie listens in on the doctor and Dickie's parents.
"Dash And Dot" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted 1930. A small bit of this piece is played as Stymie talks to the maid. It's played in its entirety as the mule runs off.
"Teeter-Totter" by Leroy Shield: This is played without the introduction and partially repeated as the little kids take money from the monkey. A short bit is repeated after the taxi goes through the haystack.
"Bells" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. A portion of this piece is played as Stymie attaches the taxi to the truck.
"Hide And Go Seek" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. A portion of this piece is played as the truck pulls the taxi up the hill.
"Sliding" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Aug. 13, 1931. Also known as "Swells." This is played twice as the taxi races down the hill.

the locations:

Motor Avenue, The Palms, Los Angeles: It appears that most of the early footage with the taxi was shot along this street. One of the first shots shows the taxi passing the northwest corner of Motor and Woodbine Avenues, with the bench at the corner seen to best effect in "The Love Bug" (no. 37). The People's Water Company of Palms at 3392 Motor Avenue (on the northeast corner of the same intersection) can be seen in the shot in which Bobby Mallon gets paddled. Also seen in this shot is the Masonic Hall at the 3402 Motor Avenue. Dorothy waits for the taxi in front of the house at 3451 Motor Avenue. Also seen in this shot is the house at 3447. The shot of the mule chasing the two boys away shows a portion of Motor Avenue that was probably in the Cheviot Hills area north of The Palms.

miscellaneous:

10 shooting dates went into the making of this film. Seven weeks had passed since shooting finished for "Hook And Ladder" (no. 116). The studio was closed during one of those weeks. The 'start' date for "Free Wheeling" arrived on July 19th, and shooting continued until the 'finish' date of July 27th. Included in the shooting schedule was a rare working Sunday on July 24th. Three days after the finish date, shooting began for "Birthday Blues" (no. 118) and continued for nearly a week. After this, four weeks passed (including one week of studio closure) before shooting resumed. On Sep. 3rd, retakes were shot for "Free Wheeling," with the studio datebook entry reading 'exterior in car.' On this same date, shooting began for "A Lad An' A Lamp" (no. 119).

Nurse: "You little rascal, you!"

The truck is owned by Webb's Transfer Co.

Reel one ends as Spanky and Jacquie are on the grass with the monkey.

The script submitted to MGM was given the catalog number B428.

A story version of this film, entitled "Free-Wheeling," appeared in the book Our Gang Annual in 1933.

©May 27, 2005, by Robert Demoss.
2005 updates: 5/31, 7/4, 7/9, 8/27, 8/30, 12/19.
2006 updates: 2/11, 5/16, 7/1, 10/25, 11/2.
2007 updates: 4/1, 10/22.
2008 updates: 2/26, 3/26, 4/25, 7/6, 7/24, 8/3.

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