Production G-39.
Filmed November 3 to 15, 1937. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.
Released December 18, 1937. It was the 162nd film in the series to be released.
Copyrighted December 21, 1937, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP7680. Since the copyright was not renewed, this film is now in the public domain.
All-talking two-reeler.
Opening title: 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents "Our Gang Follies Of 1938".'
King World Productions episode no. 22, available in both colorized and original black-and-white versions. This version is listed as "Follies Of 1938."
Eleven shooting dates went into the making of this film. An eBay photo of some of the black kids in this film includes
the following note on the reverse: 'Well here is the young lady today 5 years old Sept. 7th, 1937, with some of
her dancing partners on the lot at Hal Roach Studio between shots where she was playing in a picture title "Our Gang
Follies of 1938." Be sure and see it when it comes there. Was released Dec. 11.' In light of the documentation in
the archives at USC, it seems that the Sep. 7th date pertains to the girl's birthday and not the shooting date. The
release date might have actually been more of a preview or premiere date. The spellings of names listed in these notes are
according to the original documents and are not always correct. Here's a breakdown of the activities, deriving from
the call sheets, daily film reports, crew production sheets, and various memos:
Oct. 6 - A thumbnail synopsis by Robert A. McGowan carries this date, though it indicates that it was written the
previous day. At this point, it was called "Gang Musical," and had been given the production number G39. The
bad guy in the synopsis was named "A. Zilch."
Oct. 7 - A first treatment by McGowan carries this date, entitled "Our Gang Musical." It was already slated
to be a two-reeler. An attached note from Gordon Douglas to Van Keuren indicates the removal of the idea of having
Alfalfa sing during the Club Spanky sequence. The "A. Zilch" character in this treatment is said to transform
into 'a Scrooge - a Barnaby.'
Oct. 14 - A Funk memo to Van Keuren from this date states that a quotation and availability for possible instrumental,
vocal, visual use had been requested through New York for "Your Broadway And My Broadway," "Sextet From
Lucia," and "Learn To Croon."
Oct. 15 - A quotation was received from Jack Robbins for "Your Broadway And My Broadway" indicating a fee
of two hundred dollars per use.
Oct. 16 - A Funk memo to Van Keuren and Tarver from this date relays a wire from Mr. Decker in New York which stated
that the publishers of "Learn To Croon" were absolutely refusing its use in the film. Decker also stated that
"Sextet From Lucia" was in the public domain, but that any burlesque-style use of this song would lead
foreign censors, especially those in Italy, to delete it from the film. Decker suggested that an exact description of its
use be sent to him.
Oct. 18 - A Van Keuren memo from this date to Huber and Cash instructs them to 'start' writer Harold Law as of
this date and charge it to this production. Copied in was O'Brien.
Oct. 20 - A Funk memo from this date to Van Keuren and Tarver states that MGM in New York was being wired as to the
availability and cost of "The Love Bug Will Bite You" for instrumental, vocal and visual usage.
Oct. 21 - A Funk memo from this date to Van Keuren and Tarver states that Mr. Decker at MGM in New York quoted two
hundred and fifty dollars for visual vocal use of "The Love Bug." Another Funk memo to the same two people
states that Jack Robbins of New York was being wired as to the availability and cost of instrumental, vocal and visual use
of "That Foolish Feeling" and "There's No Two Ways About It."
Oct. 22 - Another Funk memo to Van Keuren and Tarver relays the following wire from Decker: 'Re your wire
October fifteenth the quote Learn To Croon unquote desired is from picture College Humor released 1933 composed Coslow and
Johnson published by Famous - stop - Please advise earliest possible moment availability and cost instrumental
vocal visual usage forthcoming our gang two reeler untitled.'
Oct. 25 - A Funk memo from this date to Van Keuren, Tarver and Douglas, relays a wire from Decker stating that
Paramount wants one hundred and fifty dollars for visual vocal use of "Learn To Croon."
Oct. 26 - A letter from this date reads: 'Dear Mr. Raguse: This is to confirm my conversation with Mr.
Funk concerning your proposed use of the songs entitled "That Foolish Feeling" and "There's No Two Ways
About It" both composed by McHugh and Adamson. We are agreeable to permit you to make visual vocal uses at the rate
of two hundred dollars each as quoted. I understand further that these uses will not in any way burlesque the songs in
question. If these terms are in order, I will appreciate your acknowledgement which will be considered a binding agreement
between us. With kind regards, I am sincerely yours, Jack Bregman.' This was copied to Van Keuren, Tarver and
Douglas.
Oct. 27 - A Funk memo from this date to Van Keuren and Tarver states that "Lohengrin Wedding March" by
Wagner was being cleared through MGM in New York for instrumental, non-visual usage, and that the number was in the
public domain provided a new arrangement was used. A second Funk memo to the same two people states that three numbers
were being cleared, which, according to local information, were all in the public domain. These were "Lohengrin
Wedding March," "Loch Lomond," and "Barber Of Seville" (largo al factotum movement). The
memo also reads: 'Confirmation of availability of the above numbers completes the music set-up of outside
numbers to be used in this production.
Oct. 30 - Film costs for the previous week were $1934.17.
Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 - Script no. 3 is dated Nov. 3rd, but the first page carries the date Oct. 30th, suggesting that it
was put together over a period of five days. At this point, the film was called "Our Gang Follies Of '38."
The bad guy is named "Barnaby," with Alfalfa actually calling him "Mr. Barnaby" in the dialogue.
Buckwheat is given the name "Cab Buckwheat" for the first time. Already slated were "Your Broadway And
Mine" sung by Ada Lynn, and the "Love Bug" number featuring Phil McMahon and Georgia Jean LaRue. Most
curious is the fact that Alfalfa sings with an adult voice during the flash-forward sequence.
Nov. 1 - The following musical pieces and backing tracks were recorded on this day: "Introduction To The
Barber Of Seville," "Figaro," "Stage-coach Conversation," "Loch Lomond,"
"There's No Two Ways About It," "The Love Bug," "That Foolish Feeling," "King
Alfalfa," "Your Broadway And My Broadway," and "Learn To Croon." A Raguse memo from this date
copying in Van Keuren, O'Brien, Douglas and Burch, states that the official title of the film was "Our Gang
Follies Of 1938." A Funk memo from this date to Van Keuren, Tarver and Douglas, relays a wire from Decker which
states that "Lohengrin Wedding March," "Barber Of Seville" and "Loch Lomond" were all in the
public domain provided new arrangements were used.
Nov. 2 - A Van Keuren memo from this date to Huber and Cash (and copying O'Brien) states that Alex
Finlayson 'started' as an assistant director on this production as of this date.
Nov. 3 - This was the first day of shooting. Scheduled were the five main kids, 3 eccentric girls (two of
whom would be Trina Morris and Betsy Gay), 2 boy ushers, 7 'Murray boys,' 9 chorus girls ('Murray
kids'), 10 members of a 'colored' band, Harold Switzer and Henry Lee. The Murray kids were to be included
in the audience of 40. Shooting was to take place on the tenement alley/exterior cellar set and the interior cellar
set, both on Stage 4. Playbacks were to be Spanky's 1st number (intro), Darla's 1st number, and
"Alfalfa Is The King." The title on the call sheet is "Our Gang Follies '38." The daily film
report reveals that 9 script scenes (that is, shots) were completed, which is a bit fewer than planned, and that
16 Bud Murray kids, 10 Ben Carter kids, and 25 extra kids were used. It should be noted that combining the 16 Murray kids
and the 25 extras just about adds up to the total number of kids in the audience, which numbered at least 42 in the film.
A Tarver memo to Van Keuren, Huber and Collum, states that the five main kids 'started' as of this date.
Nov. 4 - This was the second day of shooting. Scheduled were the five main kids, 10 members of the
'colored' band, 9 Murray girls, 7 Murray boys, 2 farmer boys, 3 eccentric girls, Bob Winkler and 3 extra boys, and
Laura Ann Williams and 3 extra girls. Shooting was to take place on the interior cellar set on Stage 4. Playbacks were to
be Spanky's 1st number, Darla's 1st number, and "Alfalfa Is The King." The daily film report reveals
that 8 script scenes were completed. A Collum memo from this date to O'Brien, Van Keuren, Huber and Cash, states that
the five main kids 'started' as of Nov. 3rd. Another Collum memo to the same four people states that Phil McMahon
'started' as of Nov. 4th. Another Collum memo to the same four people states that the following children
'started' as of Nov. 2nd: (D. Murray's Kids) Leon Higby, Pete Trencalli, Joe Geil, Dickey Jones,
Bobby Crockett, Billy Diamond, Douglas Short, Noreen Stein, Raynel Lasky, Gloria Brown, Verna Dillon, Purcilla Montgomery,
Camille Williams, Jackie Horner, Patsy Wheeler, Susette Laveil, (Ben Carter's Kids) Clarence Calvert, Cordell
Hickman, Cullen Morris, Alvin Morris, Sherrill Luke, Pauline James, Dan Ellen Mabry, Beverly Thomas, Mona Marie Jones, and
Lorraine Long. Not mentioned on the call sheet was the "Loch Lomond" number featuring Annabella Logan, who
'finished' as of this date.
Nov. 5 - This was the third day of shooting. Scheduled were the five main kids, 10 members of the
'colored' band, 9 Murray girls, 7 Murray boys, 2 boys in sailor outfits (Henry Lee and Harold Switzer), 3
girls in hula costumes (Gloria Hurst, Gloria Brown, Lora June), 15 girls over 6 years of age (good types),
3 eccentric girls included among the 15 girls (Betsy Gay, Gloria Mackie, Trina Morris), and 9 boys over 6 years of
age (good types). Called back from the set would be Bob Winkler, John Collum and David Wilmot. Shooting was to
take place on the interior cellar set on Stage 4. The only playback scheduled was for "Learn To Croon."
According to the daily film report, 11 script scenes were completed. It appears that all of the cellar footage, both for
the beginning and the end of the film, were completed, not counting the backstage footage. A memo from this date mentions
the use of Tommy McFarland and Gloria Hurst as two tapdancers.
Nov. 6 - This was the fourth day of shooting. Scheduled were the five main kids, Ada Lynn, headwaiter Clifford
Severn, 2 check room girls (Patsy May and Jana Ecklund), 2 "Love Bug" girls (Jean Marshall and
Sylvia Johnson), 9 Murray girls, 7 Murray boys, 6 waiters, 25 girls (6 to 10 years of age), 25 boys (6 to
10 years of age), and 10 members of the 'colored' band. Shooting was to take place on the interior Club Spanky
set on Stage 3. Playbacks were to include the "Broadway" number, "No Two Ways About It" and
"Foolish Feeling." The daily film report states that 3 script scenes were completed, and also lists Clifford
Severn, Jana Eckliend, Jean Marshall and Sylvia Johnson. A Tarver memo from this date to Van Keuren, Huber and Collum,
states that Patsy May 'started' as of this date. Another memo states that this day's shooting involved 60
extras, 1 bit player and 3 stand-ins. Film costs for the previous week were $7406.83, bringing the total to
$9341.00 so far.
Nov. 7 - This was a Sunday. No shooting took place.
Nov. 8 - This was the fifth day of shooting. Scheduled were the five main kids, Ada Lynn, Georgia LaRue, Phil
McMahon, head waiter Clifford Severn, the other waiters, the two "Love Bug" girls (Sylvia Johnson and Mona
Jones), 9 Murray girls, 7 Murray boys, 10 members of the 'colored' band, and extras as needed. Shooting was to
take place on the interior Club Spanky set on Stage 3, with playbacks of the same numbers as on the previous shooting
date. The daily film report states that 7 script scenes were completed. A memo from this date mentions the use of 32
extras and 3 stand-ins. Another memo states that Jo Ann Thomas was Buckwheat's girlfriend, indicating that Mona
Jones didn't work out.
Nov. 9 - This was the sixth day of shooting. Scheduled were the five main kids, Georgia LaRue, Phil McMahon, 9
Murray girls, 7 Murray boys, 10 members of the 'colored' band, the two "Love Bug" girls (Sylvia
Johnson and Mona Jones), two waiters (Bill Cody, Jr., and Roger McGee), and extras as needed. Shooting was to
take place on the interior Club Spanky set on Stage 3, with playbacks of "No Two Ways" and "Foolish
Feeling." A memo from this date states that Jo Ann Thomas was Buckwheat's girlfriend, indicating that Mona Jones
didn't work out. According to the daily film report, 7 script scenes were completed. A Collum memo from this date to
O'Brien, Van Keuren, Huber and Cash, requests that Georgia Jean LaRue be 'started' as of Nov. 4th, and Ada
Lynne and Annabelle Logan be 'started' as of Nov. 4th and 'closed' as of Nov. 8th. Another Collum memo to
the same four people requests that Philip McMahon be 'started' as of Nov. 4th. A Tarver memo (actually written
by Alex Finlayson) to Van Keuren, Huber and Collum, states that Annabella Logan finished working on Nov. 4th, Clifford
Severn finished working on Nov. 6th, and Ada Lynn finished working on Nov. 8th. Another Tarver memo to the same three
people advises that the following children finished working as of Nov. 9th: Leon Higby, Joe Geil, Dickie Jones, Bobby
Crockett, Billy Diamond, Douglas Short, Noreen Stein, Ray Nell Laskey, Gloria Brown, Verna Dillon, Priscilla Montgomery,
Camille Williams, Jackie Horner, Patsy Wheeler, Suzzette La Veil, and Peter Troncelli.
Nov. 10 - This was the seventh day of shooting. Scheduled were the five main kids, Georgia LaRue, Phil
McMahon, the "Love Bug" girls (Sylvia Johnson and Mona Jones), 10 members of the 'colored' band,
and extras as needed. Shooting was to take place on the interior Club Spanky set on Stage 3, with playbacks of "Love
Bug," "Foolish Feeling" and "No Two Ways." The call sheet mentions that the following day's
shooting was to take place on the interior opera house set. However, shooting was clearly falling behind, since cast and
crew were back on the Club Spanky set instead. According to the daily film report, 6 script scenes were completed. A
Tarver memo from this date to Van Keuren, Huber and Collum, states that Ben Carter's 10 colored children finishing
working on this date. A Collum memo to O'Brien, Van Keuren, Huber and Cash, requests that the following children be
'closed': Clarence Calvert, Cordell Hickman, Cullen Morris, Alvin Morris, Sherrill Luke, Pauline James, Dan
Ellen Mabry, Beverly Thomas, Mona Marie Jones, and Lorraine Long. Another Collum memo to the same four people requests
that the 16 Bud Murray kids listed on the Nov. 9th memo be closed as of that date.
Nov. 11 - This was the eighth day of shooting. Scheduled were the five main kids, Georgia LaRue, Phil McMahon,
Henry Brandon, the two "Love Bug" girls (Sylvia Johnson and Jo Ann Thomas), chauffeur Billy Minderhout,
and extras as needed. Plans to shoot the opera house footage were delayed in favor of finishing footage on the interior
Club Spanky set on Stage 3. Playbacks were to include "Love Bug" and "Foolish Feeling." An extra
camera and operator would be needed. According to the daily film report, 11 script scenes were completed. Plans to move on
to the exterior Club Spanky set were put off for a later date. A Tarver memo to Van Keuren, Huber and Collum, states that
Henry Brandon started working as of this date.
Nov. 12 - This was the ninth day of shooting. Scheduled were Spanky, Alfalfa, Porky, Henry Brandon, Wilma Cox,
Gino Corrado, an accompanist, 'kid chauffeur' Billy Minderhout, a kid orchestra led by David Freidman, and a group
of extras made up of all new faces. These would include 6 girls (2 six-year-olds, 2 seven-year-olds,
and 2 nine-year-olds) and 12 boys (3 six-year-olds, 3 seven-year-olds, 3
eight-year-olds and 3 nine-year-olds). An Austin car would also be needed. Shooting was to take place
on the exterior Club Spanky set on Stage 3 and the interior opera house set, also on Stage 3. However, delays from the
previous day required the shooting of footage on the interior Club Spanky set, finally finishing that portion of the film.
The exterior Club Spanky footage was also finished on this date, but the opera house footage was delayed for another day.
According to the daily film report, 12 script scenes were completed. A Tarver memo from this date to Van Keuren, Huber and
Collum, states that Patsy May finished working on the previous day, and that Phil Mc Mahon, Georgia Larue, and Buckwheat
Thomas finished as of this date.
Nov. 13 - This was the tenth day of shooting. Scheduled were Spanky, Alfalfa, Porky, Henry Brandon, Wilma Cox,
Gino Corrado, Doodles Weaver, and extras as needed. Shooting was to take place on the interior and exterior opera house
sets on Stages 3 and 4. However, it appears that only the interior footage was completed on this date. According to the
daily film report, 14 script scenes were completed, with 23 still left to be shot. A note on the call sheet indicates that
filming was scheduled for the interior cellar set on Stage 4 for the following Monday. A Tarver memo to Van Keuren, Huber
and Collum, states that Doodles Weaver started working on this date, and that Darla finished working the previous day. A
Collum memo to O'Brien, Van Keuren, Bren and Cash, relays the information about Weaver. Another Collum memo to the
same four people requests that Patsy May be 'closed' as of Nov. 11th, and that Philip McMahon, Georgia Larue and
Buckwheat Thomas be 'closed' as of Nov. 12th. Film costs for the previous week were $6687.08, bringing the
total to $16,028.08 so far.
Nov. 14 - This was a Sunday. No shooting took place.
Nov. 15 - This was the final day of shooting. Prior to this date, 23 script scenes (that is, shots)
were still left to be filmed. No call sheet or daily film report were available for research from this date, but the crew
production sheet reveals that shooting took place on the exterior opera house stage door set and the interior cellar back
stage set on Stage 3. There is also some indication that shooting was tentatively planned for Nov. 16th, but it appears
that this wasn't needed.
Nov. 16 - A Tarver memo from this date to Huber and Cash requests that a check for two hundred dollars be given to Bud
Murray, covering services rendered from Oct. 25th to Nov. 9th. A Tarver memo from this date to Van Keuren, Huber and
Collum, advises that Henry Brandon, Spanky, Alfalfa, and Porky, all finished working as of the previous day. A Collum memo
from this date to O'Brien, Van Keuren, Huber and Cash, requests that Spanky, Alfalfa and Porky be 'closed' as
of Nov. 15th. A Van Keuren memo from this date to Huber and Cash, states that assistant director Alex Finlayson completed
his assignment the previous night. These last items give us a pretty good indication that no shooting took place after the
15th.
Nov. 19 - Sound effects were recorded on this date, specifically taps to match the dance routines for "Your
Broadway And My Broadway" and "There's No Two Ways About It."
Nov. 20 - Film costs for the previous week were $4137.77, bringing the total to $20,165.85 so far.
Nov. 22 - A Raguse memo from this date gives details regarding the opening titles for this film. It's apparent
that one of the title cards prepared for the film listed cast members. The names on the card were Spanky McFarland,
Alfalfa Switzer, Darla Hood, Porky Lee, Buckwheat Thomas, Annabelle Logan, Ada Lynn, Georgia Jean LaRue and Phil McMahon.
Presumably, this card was cut from the film at the same time as Ada Lynn's big scene.
Nov. 27 - Film costs for the previous week were $1512.31, bringing the total to $21,678.16 so far.
Dec. 4 - Film costs for the previous week were $973.63, bringing the total to $22,651.79 so far.
Dec. 6 - Soundtracks were recorded on this day.
Dec. 10 - The domestic negative and the domestic negative soundtrack were delivered to the MGM lab, and the domestic
positive Movietone print was shipped to W. D. Kelly in New York.
This film was marketed by MGM as a "special" two-reeler, independent of the regular Our Gang series.
The opera house that Alfalfa visits is called the Cosmopolitan Opera House.
When Alfalfa stars in "The Barber Of Seville," a poster on the wall of the opera house reveals that his co-stars are Toni Tonelli and Bruna Wildman.
The ice cream cones were mashed potatoes whipped up with cotton. A variation of this story describes the ice cream as being of mashed potatoes, with the cones made of cotton.
Press information describes Porky using a candid news camera to take photos of the 'celebrities' on the Club Spanky set. At least one photograph supports this story.
October 31st was Halloween, and Mr. and Mrs. R. E. McFarland and their sons Spanky and Tommy hosted a Hallowe'en dinner that evening. In attendence were Pat Ross, Penny Laws, Dickie Jones, Clark Flake, Darla Hood, Baby Patsy May, Alfalfa and Harold Switzer, Buckwheat Thomas, Porky Lee, and their parents.
November 4th was Darla's birthday (promoted as her sixth even though it was her seventh), and the studio held a gala luncheon party in her honor, which also celebrated the completion of this film (suggesting that perhaps the luncheon took place later than the actual birthday). Youngsters in attendance were Spanky and Tommy McFarland, Porky Lee, Alfalfa, Harold and Janice Switzer, Baby Patsy May, Gary Jasgur, Dorothea Page, Lee Anne Van Keuren, and Clarke Flake.
One of the press items for this film covered the history of the Our Gang series, so even though he wasn't in this film, Pete the Pup got some coverage. It turns out that Pete the Pup IV was still the dog starring in the series, which means Pete the Pup V probably never replaced his father.
Some reissue and television prints carry the title "Follies Of 1938."
The negative cost on this film was $58,815.
This film was 1948 feet in length.
One broadcast of the radio show "George Jessel's 30 Minutes In Hollywood" featured Norma Talmadge, Johnny Downs, and Our Gang, 'by courtesy of the Hal Roach Studios, fresh from their current picture, "Our Gang Follies Of 1938".'
From a Dec. 18th press release: 'Santa Claus paid an early call at the Hal Roach Studios. He arrived at eleven o'clock Saturday morning, early enough to escort Spanky McFarland, Alfalfa Switzer, Porky Lee, Buckwheat Thomas, Darla Hood and Baby Patsy May, members of "Our Gang," to the studio's annual Christmas party for these popular young players. Stage 4 was given over entirely to the festivities, with a mountain setting providing a background for a huge and elaborately decorated tree. Learning through Santa Claus of the contents of the children's letters, Mr. Roach gave each of them what he or she most desired. There was a pony, saddled and ready to be ridden off the stage, for Alfalfa, a gold trumpet for Spanky, bicycles for Porky and Buckwheat, and identical playhouses, large enough to let them carry on their housekeeping duties, for Darla and Patsy. Mr. Roach, his associate producers, Milton H. Bren and S. S. Van Keuren, other studio executives, members from other companies on the lot, and almost the entire studio personnel attended the party.
A synopsis dated November 3, 1937, describes a story that was never used entitled "Calling All Curs." In this story, Butch kidnaps Pete and sells him to a lab that's testing a new flea exterminator. The four main boys of the gang sneak in to rescue him.
©August 8, 2005, by Robert Demoss.
2005 updates: 8/27, 8/30, 11/7, 12/19.
2006 updates: 1/2, 1/3, 1/15, 1/16, 2/11, 2/13, 2/20, 4/3, 5/16, 6/8,
6/25, 7/25, 10/25.
2007 updates: 2/27, 4/1, 6/15, 10/22, 11/4, 11/25.
2008 updates: 2/26, 3/18, 5/26, 9/4, 9/7, 9/13, 11/6, 11/26, 12/11.
2009 updates: 3/9.
Thanks to Rob Stone, Joe Moore, Piet Schreuders, Paul Mular and Bob Satterfield for assistance on this page.