Glove Taps

technical details:

Production K-6.

Release no. C-586.

Filmed January 11 to 30, 1937. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Title sheet prepared by Elmer Raguse on February 17, 1937.

Cutting continuity submitted February 17, 1937.

Negative shipped on February 17, 1937.

Music cue sheet prepared on February 19, 1937.

According to Maltin & Bann, this film was released on February 20, 1937, making it the 152nd film in the series to be released. However, it seems apparent that delays due to Spanky's illness led to the film being released around the time of the copyright date. Early in the film season, Fred Quimby of MGM had set a projected release date for this production of January 30, 1937.

Copyrighted March 9, 1937, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP6983. Renewed July 27, 1964, with registration no. R341915. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2032.

All-talking one-reeler.

Opening title: 'Hal Roach presents Our Gang in "Glove Taps".'

King World Productions episode no. 46a, available in both colorized and original black-and-white versions.

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Credited in the film as a presenter.

Directed by Gordon Douglas

This credit appears in the film.

Assistant Director: Charles Oelze

This credit derives from production documents.

Photography: Art Lloyd, A. S. C.

This credit appears in the film.

Film Editor: William Ziegler

This credit appears in the film.

Sound: William Randall

This credit appears in the film.

Prop Men: Bob Saunders and Goode

These credits derive from the production sheets. Goode is verified for the 25th and 26th, after which Saunders took over.

Script Clerks: Ellen Hansen and Morton

These credits derive from the daily film reports, which don't provide Morton's last name. Hansen was present on the 11th and 12th, while Morton was present thereafter. Hansen was later known as Ellen Corby.

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 Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America

Certificate no. 3020.

studio personnel

vice president in charge of production - S. S. Van Keuren

secretary-treasurer - Mat O'Brien

Roach's assistant on production activities - Lawrence Tarver

assistant secretary-treasurer, comptroller - Hugh Huber

film editor and sound department - Elmer Raguse

casting - Joe Rivkin

story department - Jack Jevne

art department - Arthur I. Royce

property department - W. L. Stevens

process department - Roy Seawright

still photographer - Clarence "Stax" Graves

musical director - Marvin Hatley

men's wardrobe - Harry Black

paymaster - Mrs. Grace Cash

transportation director - Bob Davis

school teacher - Fern Carter

possible uncredited involvement

writing - Hal Yates, James Parrott, Hal Law, Felix Adler, Harry Langdon, Richard Flournoy and Gordon Douglas may have been among the gag writers.

property department - Charles Oelze was probably involved in this capacity.

animation - Probably the work of Roy Seawright.

the kids:

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as "Alfalfa"

Lead role. He unwittingly finds himself in the boxing ring with the new bully in town. His fighting name in "The Oklahoma Wildcat."

George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky"

Featured role. He trains Alfalfa and serves as referee during the boxing match.

Tommy "Butch" Bond as "Butch Raffety"

Featured role. He's the bully that's just moved in.

Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat"

Supporting role. He knocks Alfalfa out in their practice bout. One of the production sheets refers to him as "Buckie."

Eugene "Porky" Lee as "Porky"

Supporting role. He accompanies Buckwheat pretty much throughout the film.

Sidney Kibrick as "Woim"

Supporting role. He accompanies Butch throughout the film and serves as his trainer. The script refers to him as "The Woim."

Darwood Kaye

Bit part. He's dressed as "Waldo," but unnamed in this film. He sits next to Butch's crowd during the match, but is happy when Alfalfa wins and dumps a bucket of water over Woim's head.

Darla Hood as "Darla"

Bit part. She's seen briefly saying goodbye to Spanky.

Jerry Tucker

Extra. He's one of the boys Butch talks to, and is also seen near Alfalfa's corner of the boxing ring.

Rex Downing

Extra. He's one of the boys Butch talks to, and is also seen near Alfalfa's corner of the boxing ring.

Harold Switzer

Extra. He's one of the boys Butch talks to, and is sitting behind Jerry at the boxing match.

John Collum

Extra. He sits between Jerry and Rex at the boxing match.

Donald Proffitt

Extra. He's one of the boys Butch talks to, but I haven't spotted him at the boxing match.

Robert Winckler

Extra. Maltin & Bann list him as Robert Winkler. He's at the left side in the shots of the boys that support Butch.

Bobs Watson

Extra. Not listed by Maltin & Bann, but it looks to me like he's one of the boys near Alfalfa's corner of the ring.

Joe Levine

Extra. He's the boy with the frizzy hair seen in the front row near Butch's corner.

Billy Atkinson

Extra. He's standing in back as Butch talks to the boys, but I haven't spotted him at the boxing match.

Hugh Sheridan

Extra. He appears to be the boy in the crowd right behind Alfalfa as he's tangled in the ropes.

Jackie Lindquist

Extra. He appears to be the blonde boy right behind Hugh Sheridan.

Larry Harris

Extra. He sits to the far right among Butch's supporters.

Howard Scherotter

Extra. This is mostly a guess, but a July 1937 casting directory credits him with working in the series. Since he's nowhere to be found in the 1935 or 1936 payroll ledgers, it stands to reason that he worked in early 1937. In the shot of Woim winking back at Butch, the boy to the right of Darwood Kaye looks like he might be Scherotter.

Louise Williams

Extra. She's the first girl on the left to exit the classroom.

other kids

Extras. Maltin & Bann list Hugh Chapman, but I can't spot him anywhere in the film. There are perhaps 25 more boys at the boxing match, which perhaps includes all of the boys seen outside the school. At least five more boys, besides Winckler, are rooting for Butch. There are also at least four more girls seen outside the school.

in still images

A photo of Baby Patsy May is shown during the opening titles.

the animals:

Leo

Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.

in still images

A photo of Pete the Pups IV is shown during the opening titles. Documentation, however, reveals that he was due to work on Jan. 13th, the day on which filming was postponed. Production sheets for the 25th and 26th also state that a dog was used, but don't give a name.

the adults:

There are no adults in this film.

the music:

"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.

(A16.) This version is played over the opening titles, and was arranged by Ted Duncan.

(A17.) This version is played as Alfalfa wins the match and the end title appears.

"Change My Clothes" by T. Marvin Hatley

Copyrighted Mar. 4, 1937. This is played as the kids walk out of the classroom and meet Butch and Woim.

"Stage-Coach Conversation" by T. Marvin Hatley

Copyrighted Mar. 20, 1937. This is played as Alfalfa realizes he's going to fight Butch.

"Up In Room 14" by Leroy Shield

This is played as Alfalfa jogs and is weighed, and Buckwheat and Porky arrive with the stretcher.

"It Is To Laugh" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted 1930. This is played during the rub-down and the shadow boxing. This is the version heard in "Pay As You Exit" (no. 148).

"Hot And Dry" by Leroy Shield

This is played during Alfalfa's sparring match with Buckwheat.

"Spring" by T. Marvin Hatley

Copyrighted June 13, 1935. This is the music that accompanies Alfalfa's dream.

"The Gong Song" by T. Marvin Hatley

Copyrighted Sep. 19, 1936. Written with lyrics by Walter Bullock. An instrumental version is played from the time Alfalfa awakens from his dream until he's wrapped up in the ropes.

"Here Comes The Wagon And Stage Coach" by T. Marvin Hatley

This is played during the second round until Butch gets knocked out.

unused music

"Frühlingslied" aka "Spring Song" by Felix Mendelsohn

No. 6, Allegretto grazioso in A major, from Opus 62, "Songs Without Words" for piano, Book 5. The six songs of this opus were written between 1842 and 1844. Apparently, the Our Gang unit planned to use this piece for the scene where Alfalfa is dreaming after being knocked out by Buckwheat. However, it's apparent that Hatley decided to write his own piece for this part of the film, though it sounds like Hatley's melody derives from a short succession of notes that can be found about midway through Mendelsohn's piece.

the locations:

Hal E. Roach Studios

All of the shooting for this film took place on Stage 4, with the possible exception of Jan. 11th, which was nevertheless on one of the stages at the studio.

miscellaneous:

Eight shooting dates went into the making of this film. Here's a breakdown of the activity, deriving from the call sheets, production sheets, daily film reports and various memos:
Jan. 6 - A Raguse memo from this date indicates that "Glove Taps" was the official title of the film. It seems likely that the date was meant to be Feb. 6, however, since the production documentation reveals that the film was untitled during shooting.
Jan. 8 - A surviving script carries this date.
Jan. 9 - Film costs for the previous week were $833.23.
Jan. 11 - This was the first day of shooting. Present were the five main kids, plus Tommy Bond, Sid Kibrick, 17 extras, and two school teachers. Shooting took place on an unspecified stage, which was almost certainly Stage 4. Joe Rivkin memos to Van Keuren, O'Brien, Huber and Cash, from this date state that the five main kids and Tommy Bond 'started' on this date.
Jan. 12 - This was the second day of shooting. Present were Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Porky, Tommy Bond, Sid Kibrick, and 3 extras. Spanky was listed as 'ill' on this date, though it isn't clear whether he became ill during the shooting or missed out on it entirely. Shooting took place on Stage 4. According to the Jan. 13th United Press, Spanky had come down with the flu, and Buckwheat was placed under observation.
Jan. 13 - This would have been the third day of shooting, but Spanky's illness postponed production until the 25th. Scheduled to work on this day were the four main boys, Tommy Bond, Sid Kibrick, Donald Proffitt, Harold Switzer, Rex Downing, and Pete the Pup. Shooting was to take place on the school set on Stage 4.
Jan. 16 - Film costs for the previous week were $1668.17, bringing the total to $2501.40 so far.
Jan. 18 - A Rivkin memo to Van Keuren, O'Brien, Huber and Cash, states that Tommy Bond was 'closed' as of Jan. 16th.
Jan. 25 - This was the third day of shooting. Scheduled were the five main kids, plus Tommy Bond, Sid Kibrick, Don Proffitt, Harold Switzer, Rex Downing, 12 assorted boys and girls, and a dog. Shooting was to take place on the school and barn sets on Stage 4. The production sheet reveals that 16 extras were used for the film, which is one more than originally planned. Also present were two school teachers, but the dog isn't mentioned. It was decided on this day that a portion of the footage from the 11th and 12th would be salvaged. A Tarver memo to Raguse from this date (copied to Van Keuren) requests clearance of Mendelsohn's "Spring Song" for instrumental use in this film.
Jan. 26 - This was the fourth day of shooting. Scheduled were the four main boys, Tommy Bond, Sid Kibrick, and a dog. Shooting was to take place on the barn set on Stage 4. The production sheet reveals that Sid was absent, and that 3 extras and a school teacher were present. The dog isn't mentioned. Darla was on standby.
Jan. 27 - This was the fifth day of shooting. Scheduled were the four main boys, Tommy Bond, Sid Kibrick, 15 tough looking boys, and 25 boys ranging in age from 6 to 10 years. Shooting was to take place in the fight arena and the barn set on Stage 4. The production sheet reveals that 29 extras and 3 school teachers were present, and that Darla was on standby. A Raguse memo to Tarver from this date (copied to Van Keuren) relays a wire from Mr. Decker stating that "Spring Song" was in the public domain provided a new arrangement was used.
Jan. 28 - This was the sixth day of shooting. Scheduled were the four main boys, Tommy Bond, Sid Kibrick, 15 tough looking boys, and 13 boys ranging in age from 6 to 10 years. Shooting was to take place in the fight arena and the barn set on Stage 4. The production sheet reveals that 27 extras and 3 school teachers were present, and that Darla was on standby.
Jan. 29 - This was the seventh day of shooting. Scheduled were the four main boys, Tommy Bond, Sid Kibrick, plus whichever extras were recalled from the set by the assistant director. Shooting was to take place in the fight arena and the barn set on Stage 4. It was also planned that shooting would begin the next morning for "Hearts Are Thumps" (no. 153), but this didn't happen. The production sheet reveals that 26 extras and 3 teachers were present, as well as Darla, though she may have been on standby. A Raguse memo from this date indicates that the main titles for the film were completed with the crew credits intact.
Jan. 30 - This was the final day of shooting. Scheduled were the four main boys, Tommy Bond, and Darla. It was decided that the extra kids would not be called back on this day. Shooting was to take place in the arena and the barn set on Stage 4. It was also planned that shooting would begin Monday morning, Feb. 1st, for "Hearts Are Thumps," but it was actually postponed another day. The production sheet reveals that Darla was not present, but there was a school teacher there. Film costs for the previous week were $3070.54, bringing the total to $5571.94 so far.
Feb. 1 - The production sheet for this date states that production closed as of Jan. 30th. Nevertheless, the sheet lists Douglas, Oelze, Saunders and Lloyd, so presumably they were busy working in post-production on this date.
Feb. 6 - Film costs for the previous week were $262.56, bringing the total to $5834.50 so far.
Feb. 16 - A memo from this date states that the domestic positive Movietone print was shipped to W. D. Kelly in New York.
Feb. 17 - A memo from this date states that the domestic negative and domestic negative soundtrack were shipped to the MGM lab.
Mar. 2 - A memo from this date states that the Canadian negative and Canadian negative soundtrack was delivered.

Press information from this period reveals that the Gang had acquired their own pediatrician, Dr. Henry Dietrich.

On January 27th, the Venture Morning Free Press (CA) reported that four members of the Gang had recovered from a wave of inflenza that was sweeping Hollywood: Spanky, Buckwheat, Porky and Darla.

On January 31st, the Associated Press reported the following: "Spanky, Buckwheat, Porky Lee and Darla Hood were abed with colds, Patsy May had chickenpox. Alfalfa only had the sniffles, but not to be outdone, he proudly announced that he was 'annoyed by some kind of itch' during the enforced vacation period."

The negative cost on this film as of Apr. 24, 1937, was $23,664.53. This amount was certified on May 25, 1937.

Alfalfa trains at the Ajax Athaletic Club.

Spanky reads from a book entitled How To Be A Fighter - 10 Easy Lessons.

This film is 975 feet in length.

The script submitted to MGM was given the catalog number B433.

See anything that needs changing? Contact me at BtheW@aol.com.

© Robert Demoss.