Wild Poses

film no. 125

availability:

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 14 (VHS) from Cabin Fever and
The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Volume Three (4 LD set) from Cabin Fever: Released 1995. This is a nearly complete original print, but is missing the MGM lion. The picture quality is excellent. The total footage lasts 18:14. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs. There's also a clip lasting 0:03 included in the opening advertisement of all the Cabin Fever VHS releases, which shows Spanky punching Pangborn.
The Little Rascals - The Complete Collection (8 DVD set) from Genius Products: Released late Oct. 2008. This is identical to the Cabin Fever version. Richard Lewis Ward provides commentary.
Rascal Dazzle (VHS/LD) from Embassy Home Entertainment: Original film released 1981. Video released 1984. A clip lasting 0:08 is included, showing Laurel and Hardy, with narration added. Another clip lasting 0:01 is included, showing Spanky punching Franklin Pangborn, with music added.
Jackie Remembers Our Gang - Memories From Little Rascals Family Theater (VHS/DVD) from Jackie Taylor: A clip lasting 0:13 is included, showing Laurel and Hardy, 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 a clip from this film lasting 0:25, and showing Laurel & Hardy.

technical details:

Production G-18.

Written and filmed in Aug. 1933.

Copyrighted October 20, 1933, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP4187. Renewed August 29, 1961, with registration no. R280984. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2028.

Released October 28, 1933. It was the 125th film in the series to be released.

All-talking two-reeler.

Opening title: 'Hal Roach presents Our Gang in "Wild Poses".'

King World Productions episode no. 26, 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.
Photography: Francis Corby: This credit appears in the film.
Film Editor: William Terhune: This credit appears in the film.
Recording Engineer: Harry Baker: Not listed by Maltin & Bann. This credit appears in the film.
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:

George "Spanky" McFarland: Lead role. He receives billing at the beginning of the film as "Spanky," but the nickname doesn't turn up in the dialogue. It's included in the cutting continuity, though. He's afraid to have his picture taken and does everything to avoid it.
Matthew "Stymie" Beard as "Stymie": Small part. He explains a few terms to Spanky and replaces the lens with a bottle.
Jerry Tucker: Small part. He turns the light on in the darkroom. The cutting continuity refers to him simply as "boy."
Tommy Bond: Small part. His name doesn't turn up in the dialogue, but is indicated in the cutting continuity. He struggles with Stymie over the lens and breaks it.
Georgie Billings as "Georgie": Bit part. Maltin & Bann list his character name as "Darby," but his mother calls him "Georgie." It sounds quite a lot like "Darby," but a close listen reveals otherwise, as does a reading of the cutting continuity. He vows never to have his picture taken again. This was his final appearance in the series.
girl 125: Bit part. She's seen sitting with the boys on the couch, but doesn't appear after that.
George Stevens, Jr.: It was announced to the press that the 16-month old son of director George Stevens made his acting debut in this short, but his part was cut from the final print.
Dorothy "Echo" DeBorba: She doesn't appear in the finished film, but she was present on at least one of the shooting dates, as revealed in two publicity photos.

the animals:

Leo: Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film (but was cut from the Cabin Fever print).
Pete the Pup IV: He doesn't appear in the finished film, but he was present on at least one of the shooting dates, as revealing in a publicity photo.

the adults:

Franklin Pangborn as "Otto Phocus," the photographer: Lead role. He receives onscreen credit. The cutting continuity refers to him by his full name. He tries unsuccessfully to take Spanky's picture, but everything that can go wrong does.
Emerson Treacy as "Mr. Treacy,": Featured role. He receives onscreen credit. Maltin & Bann indicate that the character name "Emerson" is used, but it isn't. However, the cutting continuity refers to him by his full name. He tries to help the photographer, but only succeeds in getting squirted with water and getting his head stuck in the camera.
Gay Seabrook as "Gay," Spanky's mom: Featured role. She receives onscreen credit. She spends most of the film making dimwitted remarks.
Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy as the babies: Bit parts. They make a cameo near the beginning of the film. They're introduced in the cutting continuity by their full names.
Hal Roach: His portrait is shown to the left of the screen as Pangborn is speaking to the parents early in the film.
other adults: Bit part. The only other adult shown in the film is the door-to-door salesman.

the music:

"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.
(A14.) This is played over the opening credits and as the salesman talks to Spanky's mom. The last half-verse is played as Spanky gives the photographer a bonus bust and the end title appears. This was the first episode to include this muted brass version.
"Ku-Ku" by T. Marvin Hatley: Originally conceived around 1928 as a radio time signal at station KFVD, and copyrighted as such Feb. 12, 1930. Copyrighted as "Ku-Ku" Aug. 29, 1932. Also known as "Coo! Coo!," "The Ku-Ku Song" and "The Laurel And Hardy Theme." Laurel & Hardy both always referred to it as "The Dance Of The Cuckoos," which was the version with lyrics by Harry Steinberg from 1932. An instrumental version is played in this film during Laurel & Hardy's cameo. It's incorporated into music taken from their recent feature "The Devil's Brother." This version was copyrighted July 30, 1936.
"It Is To Laugh" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted 1930. This is played as the photographer speaks to the parents, and Spanky talks to Stymie. This is basically the same as the version reproduced on the first Beau Hunks CD.
"Beautiful Lady" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played as Jerry explains to Spanky what 'shooting' is. The arrangement is slightly different than the one normally heard. The common version is played partially as the photographer realizes his work is ruined.
piece 103k: This short effect piece is played as the boys are standing in front of the camera.
"Candy Candy" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. This is played as the boys break the lens and enter the darkroom. This is the faster version from "Helping Grandma" (no. 103).
"(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 as the photographer gets ready to take Spanky's picture.
"Little Dancing Girl" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Also known as "Dancing Girl" and "Dancing Girls." This is played as the photographer pushes the camera towards Spanky and he runs to his parents. It's played again as the family is posed for a group picture. This is the version reproduced on the first Beau Hunks CD.
"The Moon And You" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played as Spanky's mom counts her change. This is a different arrangement than the one reproduced by the Beau Hunks.
"Dear, With Me" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played as the photographer shows Spanky how to smile, and holds the birdie up for him.
"Riding Along" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. This is played as Spanky puts his eye on the birdie, and then rides on the camera.
"Yasmini" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played as the boys open the curtain dressed as headhunters. This version differs from the one reproduced by the Beau Hunks.
"Let's Go" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted 1930. This is played as the photographer tries to take a picture of Spanky's dad.
"Teeter-Totter" by Leroy Shield: The first half of this piece is played as Spanky's dad falls backwards in his seat and Spanky tries to walk out.
"You Are The One I Love" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played as Spanky's dad gets stuck in the camera.
piece 103r: This short effect piece is played as the photographer falls on the ground trying to chase off the boys.
"Yearning" by Leroy Shield: This is played as Spanky gives the photographer one last bust. This piece should not be confused with the more commonly-heard "Yearning" from the Beau Hunks CD.

miscellaneous:

The dialogue where Spanky's dad says 'Hey, will you cut out this playing?' and the photographer indignantly responds 'Playing?!?' happens twice in the film.

Reel one ends as Spanky imitates Pangborn's smile.

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

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