Dog Days

film no. 36

availability:

The Return Of "Our Gang" (VHS) from Video Yesteryear

Released 1987. This copy is a Film Classic print. The picture quality is fairly good. The print totals 16:40, with 16:32 of it original footage. Barely two-thirds of the original film is included, especially considering that this version is projected at a slower speed.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Volume 6 (VHS) from Video Classics and

Our Gang Comedies VI (VHS) from The Picture Palace

This is a digest print that's mostly original, except for an additional generic end title after the PathéComedy one. The picture quality is fairly poor. The print totals 9:35, with 9:34 of it original footage. Roughly half of the original film is included.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Vol. 9 (VHS) from HenryButch

This copy derives from the Video Yesteryear version.

special note

I've also been able to view a home movie version, which seems to contain all of the footage seen in the two versions listed above.

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Credited in the film as a presenter.

Directed by Robert F. McGowan

This credit probably appears in the film, but without his middle initial.

Titles by H. M. Walker

This credit probably appears in the film.

Story by Hal E. Roach

This credit probably doesn't appear in the film.

Released by Pathé Exchange, Inc.

Passed by the National Board of Review

As indicated in the film.

studio personnel

• general manager - Warren Doane
• assistant general manager - L. A. French
• secretary-treasurer - C. H. Roach
• construction supervisor - C. E. Christensen
• laboratory superintendent - Charles Levin
• publicity director - Garrett Graham
• purchasing agent - Clyde Hopkins
• still photographer - Bud "Stax" Graves
• transportation director - Bob Davis
• school teacher - Fern Carter

possible uncredited involvement

• photography - Credits from this period went to Art Lloyd.
• editing - Credits were in a transition between Thomas J. Crizer and Richard Currier during this period. Bert Jordan was among the cutters.
• writing - Robert F. McGowan, Thomas J. Crizer and James Parrott may have contributed gags.
• property department - Charles Oelze was probably involved in this capacity, and possibly Sherbourne Shields and Roy Seawright.
• animal training - Tony Campanaro was probably among the animal trainers.

the kids:

Mickey Daniels

Featured role. Much of the film centers around him and his dog.

Joe Cobb as "Joe"

Featured role. He's also given quite a lot of footage in this one. It's his dog that has puppies at the end of the film.

Mary Kornman as "Mary"

Featured role. She's the rich girl who's rescued by Mickey's dog, and invites the gang to her birthday party.

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Supporting role. He gets a few comedic moments here and there.

Eugene "Pineapple" Jackson

Supporting role. He mostly does ensemble acting in this short.

Jackie Condon

Supporting role. He's the owner of the third dog in this short, but mostly does ensemble acting.

boy 035 as "Mortimer" aka "Mort"

Small part. He's the baby shown to good effect at the beginning of the film.

Peggy Ahern

Small part. She's one of the rich kids, and is given an invitation by Mary early in the film. Listed as Peggy Ahearn by Maltin & Bann.

Johnny Downs

Small part. He's one of the rich kids, and sits next to Mary at the table.

Ivadell Carter

Small part. She's one of the rich kids, and flirts with Joe. Listed as Wadell Carter by Maltin & Bann. I'm almost certain this is her.

other kids

Bit parts. There are four additional boys and four additional girls at the party. One of the girls resembles "Imogene" from "Stage Fright" (no. 17). Credited in a casting directory for appearing in this film is Rae Ethelyn, but I still need to find a photo of this kid.

the animals:

Pal

Featured role. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. He's virtually the star of the film, and performs some impressive stunts.

dog 036

Small part. This is Jackie's dog. There seems to be a question of whether he or Pal is the father of the puppies.

other animals

Supporting roles, small parts and bit parts.
(1.) Joe's dog, "Bill." Mickey suggests calling her "Billious." She has a litter of puppies at the end of the film.
(2.) The cat that Pal frames for drinking the baby's milk.
(3.) Mary's pony.
(4.) The horse ridden by Mary's dad.
(5.) Several puppies appearing at the end, but I can't count them, as they're all clustered together.

the adults:

William Gillespie as Mary's dad

Supporting role. He's seen both on the street riding his horse, and in the house at the birthday party.

Lyle Tayo as Mary's mom

Small part. She's seen at the birthday party, and wants the "rough" boys of the gang to leave.

Dorothy Vernon as Mickey's mom

Small part. She's seen at the beginning of the film ordering Mickey to keep an eye on the baby.

Joseph Morrison as the butler

Bit part. He's shown opening the door and letting the gang in.

other adults

Bit parts and extras. A maid and two chauffeurs are also among the cast. There are also a handful of people on the sidewalk in the background of the street scenes.

the locations:

Motor and Woodbine Avenues, Palms district, Los Angeles

The setting with the barn and the vacant lot is on the southwest corner of this intersection.

miscellaneous:

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