Our Gang Follies Of 1936

film no. 141

availability:

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 19 (VHS) from Cabin Fever and
The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Volume Four (3 LD set) from Cabin Fever: Released 1995. This is a complete original print with excellent picture quality. The total footage lasts 17:40. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs. There's also a clip lasting 0:01 included in the opening montage of all the Cabin Fever releases, which shows a closeup of Darla.
The Little Rascals Book XIX (VHS) from Blackhawk Video: This is a home movie print from Blackhawk. The opening title is remade, but the crew credits and end title are original. The picture quality is very good. The original footage totals 17:20, but the original soundtrack lasts an additional 0:14.
The Little Rascals: Our Gang Follies Of 1936/The Awful Tooth (VHS) from Republic Pictures Home Video: Released May 1991. This is the Blackhawk print.
The Best Of Spanky (DVD) from Legend Films: Released Mar. 27, 2007. Also included as part of The Little Rascals In Color! (3 DVD set). This is a print from Monogram Pictures Corporation entitled "Little Rascals Follies," included both as a colorized print, and in the original black-and-white. The original footage totals 17:05, while the original soundtrack totals 17:20. The picture quality is very good.
Little Rascals Varieties (VHS/DVD) from GoodTimes Home Video: Included as part of Our Gang Collector Series 4 Pack (4 DVD set) released Mar. 21, 2001 and Our Gang Collector Series 5 Pack (5 DVD set) released Mar. 2004. The latter was also released as a 5 VHS set in Feb. 2002. Also included as part of The Best Of Our Gang Volume 2 (DVD) released June 1, 2004. Almost the entire film is included, with the original footage totaling 16:43.
Rascal Dazzle (VHS/LD) from Embassy Home Entertainment: Original film released 1981. Video released 1984. A clip lasting 1:16 is included, showing the beginning of the opening segment, with music and narration added. This is followed by a clip lasting 0:22, showing the kids entering the barn.
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. A clip lasting 0:12 is included in the introduction, showing Alfalfa's hillbilly number. Another five clips are included, all with narration added. The first lasts 1:55, and shows various scenes. The second lasts 0:09, and shows Darla. The third lasts 0:24, and shows Porky blowing out the candles. The fourth lasts 0:18, and also shows Porky. Two more clips, lasting 0:02 and 0:07, are taken from the theatrical trailer for "Little Rascals Varieties."
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). Footage from this film is included in the theatrical trailer for "Little Rascals Varieties."
The Little Rascals Clay Animation (VHS): The claymation version has appeared on various homemade VHS tapes and DVDs on eBay.

technical details:

Production G-34.

Filmed probably around the late summer or early autumn of 1935 over the course of three weeks.

Copyrighted October 29, 1935, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP5924. Renewed June 21, 1963, with registration no. R317572. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2030.

Released November 30, 1935. It was the 140th film in the series to be released. It was one of the most successful shorts in series history.

All-talking two-reeler.

Opening title: 'Hal Roach presents "Our Gang Follies Of 1936".'

The soundtrack for this film was used for A Little Rascals Color Special made by King-World Productions and presented by Charles King. The resultant film, using puppet animation, was one of five episodes refashioned this way, which were intended to be marketed as a television series that never came to be.

King World Productions episode no. 5, available in both colorized and original black-and-white versions. This version is listed as "Follies Of 1936."

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach: Credited in the film as a presenter.
Directed by Gus Meins: This credit appears in the film.
Photography: Art Lloyd, A. S. C.: This credit appears in the film.
Film Editor: Bert Jordan: This credit appears in the film.
Sound: William Randall: 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.
Approved by the Production Code Adminstration of the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America: Certificate no. 1490.
studio personnel
possible uncredited involvement

the kids:

George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky" aka "Spank": Featured role. He's the master of ceremonies and leads the other boys in the final dance number.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat": Supporting role. He spends the film running from the pitchfork-wielding monkey, and takes part in a couple of the acts.
Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as "Alfalfa": Supporting role. He sings to Darla in addition to taking part in the opening medley.
Darla Hood as "Cookie": Supporting role. She sings her own song as well as being on the receiving end of Alfalfa's.
Scotty Beckett as "Scotty": Supporting role. He works backstage and takes part in the final number.
Eugene "Porky" Lee as "Porky": Supporting role. He blows out the footlights and handles the sound effects during the skeleton dance.
Dickie De Nuet: Supporting role. He spends the film sitting on eggs.
Dickie Jones as "Dickie": Supporting role. He works backstage and takes part in the final number.
Sidney Kibrick: Supporting role. He works backstage and takes part in the final number.
Doris, Betty and Gwen Brian: Small part. Listed as The Bryan Sisters by Maltin & Bann. They play the "Three Farmer Girls." They sing their own song, and probably provide the backup vocals for Darla's. Doris, the girl on the right, is the oldest. Betty, sitting in the middle, is the second oldest, while Gwen, on the left, is the youngest.
Jerry Tucker: Small part. He's shown several times in the front row, particularly as he reacts to Darla.
Leonard Kibrick: Small part. He's shown several times in the front row.
Joy Wurgaft: Small part. She sings the introduction to Alfalfa's song, and is also standing next to Jerry in the opening scene.
Rex Downing: Small part. He sits in the front row, and is also seen sneaking two other boys into the barn.
Harold Switzer: Small part. He also sits in the front row.
Joan Gray: Small part. She's second to the right in the chorus line.
Jackie White: Small part. Spanky helps her with her dress.
Leona McDowell: Small part. Listed by Maltin & Bann as Lona McDowell. She's the usherette with the dialogue.
Billy Lee Wolfstone: Small part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. He's one of the two fat boys, and is in the middle in their closeup.
Marvin Trin: Small part. Maltin & Bann list him, but I'm not sure that he's the other fat boy next to Wolfstone. This kid later appeared in "Pay As You Exit" (no. 148).
Dix Davis: Small part. A 1935 casting directory states that he appeared in this film. It appears that he's the boy on the left between the two who are lifted into the air when the fat boys sit down. He's later seen sitting next to Jerry.
Patty Brown: Small part. The 1935 directory states that she appeared in this film. It looks like she's the tallest brunette in the chorus line.
Philip "Lucky" Hurlic: Small part. He's at the far left among the black boys.
Frances Bowling: Presumed small part. A casting directory credits her with appearing in this film, and I think she might be the chorus line girl to the far left.
Kay Frye: Bit part. She appears to be the girl hugging the boy during the skeleton dance.
boy 141: Bit part. He's given a closeup looking scared during the skeleton dance.
girl 140: Bit part. She's the one selling tickets.
Donald Proffitt: Bit part. He's barely seen backstage, but is visible in some of the publicity photos.
Paul Hilton: Extra. He sits in the second row behind Leonard Kibrick and Rex Downing.
Daniel Boone: Extra. He's seen in the outdoor scene standing behind Jerry Tucker, and is also the one who gets slid across the front row in his chair.
girl 125: Extra. She sits behind the fat boys. She resembles Lois Verner, but I'm not sure that this is her.
Phyllis Holt: Extra. It appears that she's the blonde girl shown in the shot where the fat boys walk in.
Barbara Goodrich: Extra. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. Her face is shown in one of the outdoor shots.
Phillip Marley Rock: Extra. A 1935 casting directory states that he appeared in this film. He's the little fat boy being led through the opening in the fence at the start of the film.
Jimmy Sommerville: Undetermined part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. A 1937 casting directory states that he was a dancer in this film, which brings up the very real possibility that the skeleton dance was performed by other boys, and not the regulars in the gang. He isn't otherwise shown dancing in the film.
other kids: Small parts, bit parts and extras. The 1935 casting directory states that Moyer "Sonny" Bupp and Yvonne Lohn appeared in this film, but I haven't been able to spot them. Maltin & Bann list several names that I'm unfamiliar with: Janet Comerford, Jackie Banning, Patty Kelly, Billy Minder, Therese Bonner, Joyce Kay, Junior Kavanaugh and Garret Joplin. They also list Delmar Watson, Priscilla Lyon and Mildred Kornman, but I don't see any kids that look like them. Patsy Barry signs photos from this film, but I can't spot her either. Here's a breakdown of the remaining kids:
(1.) The two tapdancing boys in the opening medley. These two may be the ones listed by Maltin & Bann as The Bud Murray Dancers.
(2.) The three hula dancers in the opening medley. These three were probably from the Meglin Kiddies.
(3.) The remaining eight girls in the "Follys Chorus." Maltin & Bann list Ten Meglin Kiddies.
(4.) The two remaining usherettes.
(5.) Perhaps another fifty kids in the audience. It's possible the little blonde boy shown behind Daniel Boone in the opening sequence is Billy Diamond, but I'm not sure about this.

the animals:

Elmer the Monkey: Supporting role. He chases Buckwheat around throughout the film, and ends up poking a pin into Spanky's rear end during the final number. This could possibly be the earlier Joe the Monk.
Leo: Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.
other animals: Small parts and bit parts. The remaining animals are the chicken that Dickie De Nuet replaces on the nest, and the three or four chicks that hatch.

the adults:

This is one of the few Our Gang films without adults in its cast.

the music:

"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.
(A14.) This is played over the opening titles. The last half-verse is played over the end title.
piece 141a: This is the opening song sung by Spanky and interspersed with piece 141b, "She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain" and "Honolulu Baby." An instrumental version plays as the kids enter the barn and take their seats. It returns as the Flory Dory number goes awry.
piece 141b: This is the tune that's played during the opening medley while the two boys tapdance.
"She'll Be Comin' Round The Mountain": Originally a negro spiritual entitled "When The Chariot Comes." The retitled version was a popular Appalachian song in the 19th century, and also sung by railroad workers in the latter part of that century. In this film, it's sung by Alfalfa as part of the opening medley. Maltin & Bann state that this is a takeoff on the Gene Autry musical "Comin' Round The Mountain," but this film wasn't released until Dec. 31, 1936.
"Honolulu Baby" by T. Marvin Hatley: Copyrighted Oct. 18, 1933. In this film, an instrumental version is played while three girls hula dance during the opening medley. This song was introduced in the Laurel & Hardy feature "Sons Of The Desert."
"Crow-Hop" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Feb. 19, 1936. Part of this piece is played as the monkey lights the footlights.
piece 141c: This is the piece that the chorus line dances to. It's also included in the Charley Chase film "On The Wrong Trek."
"How Ya Gonna Keep 'Em Down On The Farm (After They've Seen Paree)" by Walter Donaldson, Sam M. Lewis and Joe Young: Published in 1919, with music by Donaldson, and lyrics by Lewis and Young. This song was a number two hit for Nora Bayes that same year. In this film, it's sung by The Bryan Sisters.
"I'll Never Say 'Never Again' Again" by Harry McGregor Woods: Copyrighted 1935. Ozzie Nelson & His Orchestra had a number 4 hit with this song the same year. In this film, it's sung by Darla.
"The Ghost Frolic" by T. Marvin Hatley: This is the music accompanying the skeleton dance.
"The Object Of My Affection" by Pinky Tomlin, Coy Poe and Jimmie Grier: Published in 1934. Jimmie Grier & His Orchestra (with vocal by Tomlin) had a number one hit with this song the same year. They also backed The Boswell Sisters on their version, which got to number one in 1935. In this film, it's sung by Alfalfa, with the introduction sung by Joy Wurgaft.
"Narcissus": This is played during the Flory-Dory Sixtette sequence.
"Our Gang" by Dave Franklin: Published in 1935. A new theme song with this title was written for this film, but didn't make it into the final print.
other music: The only remaining music in this film is the chanting of 'We want the Flory Dories' by some of the audience.

miscellaneous:

The Flory-Dory Sixtet was a takeoff on Broadway's Flora Dora Sextette.

Some reissue and television prints carry the title "Little Rascals Follies."

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

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