Canned Fishing

film no. 163

availability:

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 16 (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 10:42. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs.
The Little Rascals Colorized Collection (VHS) from Hallmark Home Entertainment: Released Apr. 19, 1999. One of six same-named VHS releases, each with three colorized films, deriving from the Cabin Fever versions.

technical details:

Production K-16.

Filmed in January 1938 (including the 11th).

Released February 12, 1938. It was the 163rd film in the series to be released.

Copyrighted February 16, 1938, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP7846. Renewed June 16, 1965, with registration no. R362812. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2033.

Music cue sheet prepared February 14, 1938.

All-talking one-reeler.

Opening title: 'Hal Roach presents Our Gang in "Canned Fishing".'

King World Productions episode no. 54b, 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.
Photography: Art Lloyd, A. S. C.: This credit appears in the film.
Film Editor: William Ziegler: This credit appears in the film.
Sound: Oscar Lagerstrom: 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
studio personnel
possible uncredited involvement

the kids:

George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky": Featured role. He devises a scheme to keep himself and Alfalfa out of school.
Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as "Alfalfa": Featured role. He pretends to be sick to fool Spanky's mom.
Gary Jasgur as "Junior": Featured role. Listed by Maltin & Bann as Gary Jasgar. He manages to lure Spanky and Alfalfa into the reducing machine and turns on the switch.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat": Supporting role. He demonstrates the washing machine technique and gets stuck.
Eugene "Porky" Lee as "Porky": Small part. He's seen with Buckwheat early in the film, but disappears after that.
Darla Hood: She's not in the film itself, but her photo is shown during the opening titles.
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.

the adults:

Wilma Cox as Spanky's mom: Supporting role. She figures out Spanky and Alfalfa's scheme, and makes them look after Junior.

the music:

"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.
(A16.) This is played over the opening titles and as we first see Spanky and Alfalfa. The last part is played as the boys run down the alley and the end title appears.

the locations:

9634 Farragut Drive, Culver City: The backyard is at this address, and the alley shown in the closing shot is right next to it. Spanky visited this home with Richard Bann in 1989.

miscellaneous:

The negative cost on this film was $27,639.

©Aug. 9, 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, 12/8.
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.