Mail And Female

film no. 161

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 mostly original print, but with a generic end title added on. The picture quality is very good, but gets a bit shabby towards the end. The original footage totals 10:38. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs.

The Little Rascals - The Complete Collection (8 DVD set) from Genius Products

Released late Oct. 2008. This is identical to the Cabin Fever version.

The Little Rascals On Parade (VHS) from NTA Home Entertainment

Released Apr. 1991. This is a home movie print from Blackhawk. The opening title and crew credits are remade, but the end title is original. The picture quality is very good. The original footage totals 10:20, but the original soundtrack lasts an additional 0:15.

The Little Rascals Book VI (VHS) from Blackhawk Video

This is the Blackhawk print.

The Little Rascals: Readin' And Writin'/Mail And Female (VHS) from Republic Pictures Home Video

Released May 1991. This is the Blackhawk print.

Little Rascals: Mail And Female & Arbor Day (VHS) from Cabin Fever

Canadian release.

Rascal Dazzle (VHS/LD) from Embassy Home Entertainment

Original film released 1981. Video released 1984. Four clips from this film are included. The first lasts 0:06, and is part of the opening montage, showing a closeup of Darla. The second clip lasts 0:07, and shows Cousin Amelia in the closet, with music and narration added. The third lasts 0:05, and shows Alfalfa and Darla acting shy. The fourth lasts 0:31, and shows the opening club meeting.

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Credited in the film as a presenter.

Directed by Fred Newmeyer

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.

Teacher - Fern Carter

This credit derives from the location work sheet.

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

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
• story department - Jack Jevne
• property department - W. L. Stevens
• process department - Roy Seawright
• still photographer - Bud "Stax" Graves
• musical director - Marvin Hatley
• men's wardrobe - Harry Black
• paymaster - Mrs. Grace Cash
• transportation director - Bob Davis

possible uncredited involvement

• writing - James Parrott, Hal Law, Felix Adler, Harry Langdon and Gordon Douglas may have been among the gag writers.
• property department - Charles Oelze was probably involved in this capacity. The script describes the gavel hitting the top of an 'Oelze desk.'

the kids:

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as "Alfalfa"

Lead role. He's made the president of the club and must retrieve a love letter to Darla. He also masquerades as "Cousin Amelia."

George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky"

Featured role. He's essentially the leader of the gang, but not the president.

Henry Lee as "Spike"

Featured role. He's the sergeant-at-arms. Credited as Alvin Buckelew in the 1977 edition of Maltin & Bann's book, and in Maltin's earlier The Great Movie Shorts.

Darla Hood as "Darla"

Supporting role. She helps Alfalfa elude the other boys.

Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas

Supporting role. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He's the 'messenger,' and tells the gang that Alfalfa has gone to Darla's house.

Eugene "Porky" Lee as "Porky"

Supporting role. He's the '2nd messenger,' and accompanies Buckwheat throughout the film.

Joe "Corky" Geil

Extra. He sits to the right in the foreground.

Harold Switzer

Extra. He sits in back, second from the right.

boy 161a

Extra. He sits right-center and in front.

boy 161b

Extra. He sits up front and to the left.

Darwood Kaye

Extra. Maltin & Bann indicate that the "Waldo" moniker was used in this film, but it wasn't. He sits between Tommy and Harold.

Tommy McFarland

Extra. He sits to the left of Darwood Kaye.

John Collum

Extra. He sits in back at the far left.

Robert Winckler

Extra. Listed by Maltin & Bann as Robert Winkler. He sits in back at the far right.

Freddie Walburn

Extra. He's the blonde boy at the far left.

Baby Patsy May

She's not in the film itself, but her photo is shown during the opening titles.

other kids

There are two additional boys in the club, one of whom is listed by Maltin & Bann as Hugh Chapman, but I don't see him.

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

The only remaining animal in the film is the little dog in the photograph on the clubhouse wall.

the adults:

the music:

"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.
(A17.) This is played over the opening titles and as we first see Spanky. The last part is played as Alfalfa jumps out the window and the end title appears.

"We're Just A Happy Family" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted July 30, 1936. Part of this piece is played during the formation of the club. Another portion is played as the boys visit with Amelia.

"You Are The One I Love" by Leroy Shield

The beginning of this piece is played as Alfalfa tells Darla he loves her.

miscellaneous:

©Aug. 7, 2005, by Robert Demoss.
2005 updates: 8/30, 11/7, 12/19.
2006 updates: 2/11, 4/3, 5/16, 6/21, 10/25.
2007 updates: 2/27, 4/1, 10/22, 12/8.
2008 updates: 5/26, 7/12, 8/29, 9/7, 9/13, 9/22, 11/6.

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