Feed 'Em And Weep

film no. 167

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 10:42. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs. There's also a clip lasting 0:04 included in the opening advertisement of all the Cabin Fever VHS releases, showing the boys singing to Mr. Hood. The soundtrack lasts an addition 7 seconds as other clips are overlapped.
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 10:18, but the original soundtrack lasts an additional 0:19.
The Little Rascals: Spanky/Feed 'Em And Weep (VHS) from Republic Pictures Home Video: Released May 10, 1990. This is the Blackhawk print.
The Little Rascals Book VII (VHS) from Blackhawk Video: This is the Blackhawk print.
Rascal Dazzle (VHS/LD) from Embassy Home Entertainment: Original film released 1981. Video released 1984. A clip lasting 0:03 is included, showing Alfalfa knocking the spoon into Mr. Hood's coffee, with music added.

technical details:

Production K-20.

Filmed in April 1938. Alfalfa's serenade was filmed on the 7th.

Released May 7, 1938. It was the 167th film in the series to be released.

Copyrighted May 11, 1938, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP8054. Renewed June 16, 1965, with registration no. R362818. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2033.

Music cue sheet prepared May 14, 1938.

All-talking one-reeler.

Opening title: 'Hal Roach presents Our Gang in "Feed 'Em And Weep".'

King World Productions episode no. 42a, available in both colorized and original black-and-white versions. This version is listed as "Feed 'Em & Weep."

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach: Credited in the film as a presenter.
Directed by Gordon Douglas: This credit appears in the film.
Photography: Norbert Brodine, 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.
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:

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as "Alfalfa": Featured role. He's the leader of the trio of boys and gives Mr. Hood a cat for his birthday.
Philip "Lucky" Hurlic: Supporting role. He gives Mr. Hood a frog and argues with Alfalfa over Flash Gordon and Tarzan.
Eugene "Porky" Lee as "Porky": Supporting role. He gives Mr. Hood a duckling.
Darla Hood as "Darla": Supporting role. She's the daughter in the family and accompanies Alfalfa on piano. The photo of her on the piano was previously used in "The Pigskin Palooka" (no. 160).
Gary Jasgur as "Junior": Supporting role. Listed by Maltin & Bann as Gary Jasgar. He spends the film in his high chair. His photograph has been added to the opening titles, replacing Baby Patsy May's.
Leonard Landy as "Percy": Bit part. He arrives at the end of the film to deliver a message to Alfalfa and leaves with Mr. Hood's cake. His photograph has been added to the opening titles, replacing Spanky's. This was his series debut.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas: He's not in the film itself, but his photo is shown during the opening titles.

the animals:

dog 087b: Small part. He's the family dog and barks at the cat.
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: Bit parts.
(1.) The cat
(2.) The duck
(3.) The frog

the adults:

Johnny Arthur as "Mr. Hood" aka "Johnny" aka "John," Darla's dad: Lead role. His wife variously calls him "Johnny," "John" and "Daddy." He finds it impossible to enjoy his birthday with the three boys around.
Wilma Cox as "Mrs. Hood," Darla's mom: Supporting role. Her husband calls her "Mama." She keeps her husband from losing his temper.

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 the birthday cake. The end part is played as the boys leave the house and the end title appears.
"Yankee Doodle" aka "Happy Birthday, Mr. Hood" by T. Marvin Hatley: This derives from a 15th century Dutch harvesting song. Richard Schuckburgh wrote the words as we know them today during the French and Indian War to ridicule the colonists. During the Revolutionary War, colonists used it as a rallying anthem. The lyrics used in the variation in this film were written by Hatley, who received an arrangement credit. Alfalfa, Philip and Porky walk into the house whistling it, and then sing it three times, as "Happy Birthday, Mr. Hood."
"Many Happy Returns Of The Day" by Al Dubin and Joe Burke: Published in 1931, with lyrics by Dubin and music by Burke. This was a number three hit for Bing Crosby the same year. In this film, it's sung by Alfalfa. The piano was played off-camera by Marvin Hatley.

the locations:

Hal E. Roach Studios: The living room set, or at least the part with the piano, was on stage four at the studio.

©Aug. 13, 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: 4/25, 5/26, 7/12, 8/3.

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