The Awful Tooth

film no. 168

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 9:55. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs.
The Little Rascals Book VIII (VHS) from Blackhawk Video: 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 9:33, but the original soundtrack lasts an additional 0:22.
The Little Rascals: Our Gang Follies Of 1936/The Awful Tooth (VHS) from Republic Pictures Home Video: Released May 1991. This is the Blackhawk print.
The Little Rascals - The Complete Collection (8 DVD set) from Genius Products: Released late Oct. 2008. This is the Blackhawk print. There are also two clips from this film shown in the main menu.
Dental Follies (VHS) from On Deck Entertainment: Released 1997.

technical details:

Production K-21.

Copyrighted May 26, 1938, by Loew's Incorporated. Registration no. LP8062. Renewed December 2, 1965, with registration no. R374807. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2033.

Released May 28, 1938. It was the 168th film in the series to be released. Early in the film season, Fred Quimby of MGM set a projected release date for this production of April 23, 1938.

All-talking one-reeler.

Opening title: 'Hal Roach presents Our Gang in "The Awful Tooth".'

King World Productions episode no. 40a, 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 Nate Watt: 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.
Animal trainer: Tony Campanaro: He trained the current Pete.
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: Certificate no. 4247.
studio personnel
possible uncredited involvement

the kids:

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer: Lead role. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He's sometimes referred to as "Alfie" in the publicity materials. He wants all his teeth pulled, but has second thoughts once he gets to the dentist's office.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat": Supporting role. He gets a dime from the tooth fairy, which gives Alfalfa the idea.
Eugene "Porky" Lee: Supporting role. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He's present in most of the footage with Buckwheat.
Henry Lee: Supporting role. He's present with Porky and Buckwheat through most of the film. Also, his photo is shown during the opening titles where Spanky's had previously been located. Maltin & Bann indicate that the "Spike" nickname was used, but it never turns up in the dialogue. In the 1977 edition of their book, they list him as Alvin Buckelew.
Darla Hood: She's not in the film itself, but her photo is shown during the opening titles.
Gary Jasgur: He's not in the film itself, but his photo is shown during the opening titles.
other kids: The only other kid shown in the film is the one in the photograph on the wall of the waiting room. There's a second photo or illustration next to it, which may also show one or two kids.

the animals:

George: Supporting role. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. He's the monkey that accompanies the gang to the dentist's office, and climbs on the equipment. I'm assuming this is the same monkey as seen in "Bear Facts" (no. 164).
Pete the Pup IV: Small part. He's with the boys at the beginning of the film.
Leo: Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.

the adults:

Jack Norton as "Dr. Schwartz," the dentist: Featured role. He decides to teach the boys a lesson.
Marjorie Townsend as "Miss Rogers," the nurse: Supporting role. She gets a good laugh as she assists the dentist in his lesson-teaching.
Babe Ruth: An advertising cutout of him is shown in the window of the sporting goods store.
other adults: Bit parts and extras.
(1.) "Mr. Jones," seen walking out of the dentist's office.
(2.) Three men and two women walking in the background early in the film.

the music:

"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.
(A17.) This is played over the opening titles and as the boys are looking at the catcher's mitt. There's a bit more of it played than usual this time. The last part is played as the boys leave the dentist's office and the end title appears.

miscellaneous:

Spanky and Butch were both included in early drafts of the script.

The film title is a spoof of "The Awful Truth" from 1937.

The Our Gang exhibit at the Hollywood Wax Museum is based on this film.

This film was 909 feet in length.

©Aug. 14, 2005, by Robert Demoss.
2005 updates: 8/30, 12/19.
2006 updates: 1/8, 2/11, 5/16, 10/25.
2007 updates: 4/1, 10/22, 12/8.
2008 updates: 5/26, 7/12, 9/12, 9/22, 11/6.
2009 updates: 7/23.

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