Wild Poses

technical details:

Production G-18.

Release no. C-822.

Written in Aug. 1933. Filmed Aug. 18 to 23, 1933. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Cutting continuity submitted September 26, 1933.

Title sheet prepared by William Terhune on September 27, 1933. This is unusual, since the title sheets usually came before the cutting continuities.

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

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

general manager - Henry Ginsberg

assistant general manager - L. A. French

secretary-treasurer - C. H. Roach

assistant secretary - Mat O'Brien

film editor and sound department - Elmer Raguse

construction supervisor - C. E. Christensen

laboratory superintendent - Charles Levin

process department - Roy Seawright

still photographer - Clarence "Stax" Graves

transportation director - Bob Davis

school teacher - Fern Carter

possible uncredited involvement

assistant direction - Possibly Don Sandstrom.

writing - Robert F. McGowan probably headed story development, while Carl Harbaugh, Frank Terry, Billy Gilbert, James Parrott, Charlie Hall, Robert McKenzie, Robert A. McGowan and Gordon Douglas may have been among the gag writers. Hal Roach took credit for the idea of putting Laurel & Hardy into the film.

property department - Charles Oelze, Don Sandstrom, Thomas Benton Roberts and Bob Saunders were probably involved in this capacity.

titles - Louis McManus probably designed the main titles.

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.

Lois Verner

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 while the film was being shot, as revealed in two publicity photos. The fact that she earned money as a day worker would suggest that she appeared in footage that was cut from the film.

Bobbie "Cotton" Beard

He doesn't appear in the finished film, but he was present on at least one of the shooting dates, as revealed in a publicity photo.

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," Spanky's dad

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:

At least 5 shooting dates went into the making of this film. Less than a week had passed since shooting finished for "Bedtime Worries" (no. 124). Shooting for "Wild Poses" started on Aug. 18th and continued until Aug. 23rd. No shooting took place on Aug. 20th, which was a Sunday. Since this information derives from the dates on which day players were paid, it's entirely possible that footage shot without day players (featuring only Spanky with his two parents and Pangborn) was shot on other days. After this, almost five months would pass before the Our Gang unit began filming "Hi'-Neighbor!" (no. 126).

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.

The script submitted to MGM was given the catalog number B679.

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© Robert Demoss.