It's A Bear

film no. 27

availability:

Our Gang . . . "Si Sic Omnes" (VHS) from Video Yesteryear: Released 1987. This copy is virtually complete, but with remade opening, ending and text titles, although the wording on the latter appears to be original. The title card with the crew credits is original. There is a small amount of footage not seen in the Reelclassicdvd verison. The print totals 28:25, with about 25:00 of it original footage, projected at a slower speed.
The Our Gang Collection - Volume 3 (DVD) from Reelclassicdvd.com: Released July 2007. This version has a refashioned opening title deriving from "Derby Day" (no. 21). The inter-titles are not original, but seem to have the original wording. There are a few seconds of footage not seen in the Video Yesteryear version. The image freezes before the end of the film has arrived, and is then followed by an end title. The footage totals 18:34, with about 16:21 of it original.
Our Gang Silent Comedies Vol. 9 (VHS) from HenryButch: This copy derives from the Video Yesteryear version.
SlapHappy: Vol. 7 (DVD) from Fishigan Films: Released 2003. Originally produced in 2001. Includes a clip from this film. This volume is also included as part of The SlapHappy Collection (11 DVD set).

technical details:

Production A-27.

Prep work December 5 to 9, 1923.

Filmed December 10 to 26, 1923, January 2 to 7, and January 12, 1924. Retakes shot March 7 to 12, 1924. It's likely that the retakes involved gags written by Frank Capra, as detailed below in the story credits.

Copyrighted June 30, 1924, by Pathé Exchange, Inc. Registration no. LU20347. Since the copyright was not renewed, this film is now in the public domain.

Released July 27, 1924. It was the 28th film in the series to be released.

Silent two-reeler.

Probable opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "It's A Bear".' This is the way it reads on an advertising slide that I've viewed, except that the word 'Comedy' is substituted for 'Comedies'.

Released into TV syndication as Mischief Makers episode no. 1010, "Animal Hunters," copyrighted Sep. 1, 1960, with registration number LP17315.

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach: Probably credited in the film as a presenter.
Directed by Robert F. McGowan and Mark Goldaine: Maltin & Bann list only McGowan, and the film probably reflects this, but without his middle initial. According to Rob Stone's list, Goldaine directed most of the film, with McGowan directing only on January 7th.
Photographed by Frank Young and Bob Walters: Not listed by Maltin & Bann. The film credits Young, while the Walters credit comes from Joseph McBride's Frank Capra - The Catastrophe Of Success. It seems likely that Young shot only the retakes, since the earlier shooting dates would have conflicted with his work in the Stan Laurel series. Initial filming, therefore, would more likely have been shot by Walters.
Edited by T. J. Crizer: Not listed by Maltin & Bann. The 'T' stands for Thomas
Titles by H. M. Walker: This credit appears in the film.
Story by Hal E. Roach: This credit doesn't appear in the film. Frank Capra contributed gags to this film, including the milk-by-dog-delivery bit, and the part where Joe shoots the weather cock. Mark Goldaine is also listed as a writer in Joseph McBride's Frank Capra - The Catastrophe Of Success. Since Capra's arrival at the studio would have been in time only for the retakes, Goldaine presumably contributed to the initial version of the story.
Released by Pathé Exchange, Inc.
Passed by the National Board of Review: Probably indicated in the film.
studio personnel
possible uncredited involvement

the kids:

Joe Cobb as "Joe": Featured role. He's virtually the star of this film, getting the most attention. He practices with his gun, and tries to roll a cigarette, and also has trouble keeping his pants on.
Mickey Daniels as "Mickey": Featured role. He's the farm boy that invites the gang to see some real wild animals.
Allen "Farina" Hoskins: Supporting role. He's a "she" in this film. He gets his usual moments of comedy relief, but these are reduced in favor of Joe for this film.
Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison as "Ernie": Supporting role. Maltin & Bann indicate that the nickname was used, but it appears not to be the case. He practices with his bow and arrow, and is the one that lassos the bear.
Mary Kornman as "Mary": Supporting role. She's present during the gang's visit to the farm, but doesn't get much screen time. Her biggest moment is early in the film when she's flirting with Mickey.
Jackie Condon as "Jackie": Supporting role. He takes a back seat to most of the other kids, even though he's present through most of the film.
"Dick": Supporting role. This gang member was actually played by a 19 year old midget. He's in virtually every shot with Jackie.

the animals:

Pal: Small part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. He appears early in the film helping Mickey deliver milk. This was his series debut.
skunk 014: Bit part. This skunk appears while Joe is feeling sickly.
Dinah the Mule: Bit part. She pulls Mickey's milk wagon.
dog 003: Bit part. This is the dog that chases after the goat.
horse 014: Bit part. A white horse, perhaps "Duke" from "Old Gray Hoss" (no. 78). This is one of the animals that scares Farina.
other animals: Small parts, bit parts and extras.
(1.) The bear that chases the gang at the end of the film.
(2.) Ernie and Farina's dog, which appears to be a dachshund mix.
(3.) The dog that fights with the turkey.
(4.) The goat that Farina runs from.
(5.) The cow that spooks Farina.
(6.) The hog that Joe lassos.
(7.) The turkey that fights with the dog.
(8.) A large goose lassoed by Joe.
(9.) The rooster that Joe tries to lasso.
(10.) Two rabbits that the gang goes after.
(11.) Four piglets, first shown with the mother hog, then being lassoed.
(12.) Various chickens throughout the farmyard scenes.

the adults:

Noah Young as the farmer: Supporting role. He provides Joe with nicotine inspiration. I'm assuming he's the farmer, but Maltin & Bann list him as the sheriff. I don't see any sheriff character in this print.
Helen Gilmore as the farmer's wife: Small part. She appears briefly talking to Mickey.
Madge Hunt: Bit part. She's the woman receiving milk from Pal.
other adults: Supporting roles, small parts and bit parts.
(1.) The farmhand, who's the victim of the gang's shenanigans.
(2.) The person dressed in the bear costume for certain shots. In other shots, they use a real bear.
(3.) The blacksmith hammering the anvil.

the locations:

the back porch: This is same one seen in "Ask Grandma" (no. 38).
the fence: This stretch of road appears to be Robertson Boulevard, as shown in "Teacher's Pet" (no. 101).

miscellaneous:

This film was the fourth of six in the fifth 'series' of Our Gang films.

There were 40 copies of this film printed for its initial release.

Copyright Jan. 29, 2005, by Robert Demoss.
2005 updates: 2/27, 3/19, 3/27, 4/25.
2006 updates: 1/2, 1/9, 2/11, 6/12, 10/25.
2007 updates: 2/5, 4/1, 10/17, 10/22, 11/25.
2008 updates: 1/19, 2/21, 3/18, 3/31.

Thanks to Rob Stone, Joe Moore and Mark Brumfield for assistance on this page.