Night 'N' Gales

film no. 157

availability:

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 13 (VHS) from Cabin Fever and
The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Volume Three (4 LD set) from Cabin Fever: Released 1995. This is a complete original print with excellent picture quality. The total footage lasts 10:43. 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, showing the boys in bed.
The Little Rascals: Night 'N' Gales/First Round-Up (VHS) from Republic Pictures Home Video: Released May 1991. This is a home movie print from Blackhawk.
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 Famous Kids Comedies print from Official Films, included both as a colorized print, and in the original black-and-white. The original footage totals 10:11, while the original soundtrack totals 10:36. The picture quality is very good.
Rascal Dazzle (VHS/LD) from Embassy Home Entertainment: Original film released 1981. Video released 1984. A clip lasting 1:26 is included, showing Buckwheat getting a tummy ache, with music added.

technical details:

Production K-11.

Filmed probably around the late spring of 1937.

Music cue sheet prepared July 18, 1937.

Released July 24, 1937. It was the 157th film in the series to be released.

Copyrighted August 18, 1937, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP7355. Renewed May 12, 1965, with registration no. R361169. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2032.

All-talking one-reeler.

Opening title: 'Hal Roach presents Our Gang in "Night 'N' Gales".'

King World Productions episode no. 47a, available in both colorized and original black-and-white versions. This version is listed as "Night N' Gales."

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach: Credited in the film as a presenter.
Directed by Gordon Douglas: This credit appears in the film.
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: Not listed by Maltin & Bann. This credit appears in the film.
Special Effects by Roy Seawright: According to Maltin & Bann, who credit him with 'photography and editing tricks.' He almost certainly provided the animated moth.
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
studio personnel
possible uncredited involvement

the kids:

George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky": Featured role. He and the boys are a singing quartet that find themselves spending the night keeping Mr. Hood awake.
Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as "Alfalfa": Featured role. He drops the silverware drawer onto the floor.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat": Featured role. He's afraid of the dark and gets a headache in his stomach.
Eugene "Porky" Lee as "Porky": Featured role. He doesn't know what a porcupine is.
Darla Hood as "Darla": Supporting role. She accompanies the boys on piano and ends up sleeping with her mother.
Gary Jasgur as "Junior": Supporting role. Listed by Maltin & Bann as Gary Jasgar. He gets locked into the icebox. This was his series debut.
Baby Patsy May: She's not in the film itself, but her photo is shown during the opening titles.

the animals:

Leo: Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.
Pete the Pup IV: He's not actually in the film, but his photo is shown during the opening titles.
other animals: Small part. The only animal in the film itself is the black cat that gets spooked by Mr. Hood in the bear rug.

the adults:

Johnny Arthur as "Mr. Hood" aka "Arthur," Darla's dad: Lead role. He can't get to sleep having to share a bed with the four boys.
Elaine Shepard as Darla's mom: Supporting role. Her husband calls her "Mama." She misunderstands the circumstances and blames her husband.

the music:

"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.
(A16.) This is played over the opening titles. A small portion is repeated as the film ends.
"Home, Sweet Home" by Sir Henry Rowley Bishop and John Howard Payne: Bishop derived the melody from a Sicilian melody and included it as a "Sicilian Air" in a volume of National Airs in 1821. Payne put lyrics to it in 1823. In this film, it's sung by the boys.
"Funny And Mysterious" by Nathaniel Shilkret: This is played during the nightmare sequence.
"Finn's Saloon" by T. Marvin Hatley: This is played as Mr. Hood walks into the room wearing the bear rug. This version differs from the one heard in "Mail And Female" (no. 161).

miscellaneous:

The boys call themselves The Four Nitengales.

There's some sort of Mickey Mouse doll on the table next to the bed.

The negative cost on this film was $26,819.

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

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