The Love Bug

film no. 37

availability:

Our Gang Silent Comedies Volume 8 (VHS) by Video Classics: This copy is a TV print from the Mischief Makers series entitled "The Beauty Parlor." The print totals 12:20, with 12:08 of it original footage. Roughly two-thirds of the original film is included.
Rascals Silents Vol. 2 (VHS) from A-1 Video: This copy is also the TV print, but has a new opening title by A-1.
special note: I've also been able to view a 16mm print of this film from Exclusive Movie Studios, which contains virtually the entire film.

technical details:

Production A-37.

Filmed December 15 to 31, 1924. Retakes shot January 2 to 10, 1925. However, it's likely that shooting for "Ask Grandma" (no. 38) was included within these dates. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Copyrighted April 2, 1925, by Pathé Exchange, Inc. Registration no. LU21305. Since the copyright was not renewed, this film is now in the public domain.

Released April 5, 1925. It was the 37th film in the series to be released.

Silent two-reeler.

Probable opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "The Love Bug".'

Released into TV syndication as Mischief Makers episode no. 1044, "The Beauty Parlor," copyrighted Sep. 1, 1960, with registration number LP17349.

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach: Probably 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.
Teacher: Fern Carter
Released by Pathé Exchange, Inc.
Passed by the National Board of Review: Probably indicated in the film.
studio personnel
possible uncredited involvement

the kids:

Mickey Daniels as "Mickey" aka "Michael": Featured role. He's the new kid in town, and flirts with Mary, but a misunderstanding makes him want to get rid of his freckles.
Joe Cobb as "Joe": Featured role. He's in love with Peggy, but she thinks he's too fat, so he uses the weight-reducing machine at the beauty parlor.
Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina": Featured role. One of the girls comments on his hair, so he gets it worked on at the beauty parlor. We also see him in the opening scene with Dorothy.
Eugene "Pineapple" Jackson: Supporting role. The nickname doesn't appear in the film. He works at the beauty parlor and gets the gang in.
Jackie Condon: Supporting role. We first see him charming a lollypop from Grandma. At the beauty parlor, he's responsible for most of the mayhem.
Mary Kornman: Supporting role. She falls for Mickey and his freckles, but doesn't like freckles on her grapefruit. Mickey thinks she's talking about him.
Peggy Ahern: Supporting role. Listed as Peggy Ahearn by Maltin & Bann. She gets a lollypop from Joe by getting him to close his eyes before letting her dog kiss him.
George "Sonny Boy" Warde: Supporting role. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. He's part of the group of boys at the beauty parlor, and takes an interest in an air hose.
Ivadell Carter: Small part. We first see her being picked on by Johnny, then hanging out with the other girls. Listed as Wadell Carter by Maltin & Bann. Deductive reasoning makes it pretty certain that this is her.
Johnny Downs: Small part. He's seen picking on Ivadell, then getting into a fight with Mickey.
Dorothy Morrison: Small part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. Farina pays a call on her at the beginning of the film.
other kids: Small part. The only remaining kid an Asian girl that hangs out with Mary, Peggy and Ivadell.

the animals:

animals: Small parts.
(1.) Peggy's puppy, which kisses Joe for her.
(2.) The mule that pulls Gene's wagon.

the adults:

Florence Lee as "Grandma Thomas": Supporting role. She's seen off and on during the film, helping the kids however she can.
William Gillespie as the beauty parlor manager: Supporting role. He's the high-strung manager of the parlor, and is given a fairly large role.
Joseph Morrison as the father of Farina's girlfriend: Bit part. He's seen shooing Farina away from his daughter.
Helen Gilmore as the beauty parlor customer: Bit part. She's the old woman who's dissatisfied with the service.
other adults: Small parts and bit parts.
(1.) The cop shown at the end of the film chasing Grandma and the boys.
(2.) The Chinese man working at the beauty parlor.
(3.) Six women working at the beauty parlor.

miscellaneous:

Reportedly, 19 shooting dates went into the making of this film. However, the 1924 and 1925 studio datebooks don't mention "Ask Grandma" (no. 38), which is somewhat of a sequel to "The Love Bug." Since most of the films during this period didn't require 19 shooting dates, it's probable that some of the A37 dates actually belong to A38. Nearly three weeks after shooting had finished for "Dog Days" (no. 36), the 'start' date arrived for "The Love Bug" on Dec. 15th. Shooting continued until Dec. 31st, when filming was considered 'finished.' No shooting took place on the 14th, 21st or 28th, which were all Sundays, nor on the 24th, 25th, or 26th, when the studio closed over the Christmas holiday, nor on the 30th. After taking a day off on New Year's Day, retakes were shot on Jan. 2nd and 3rd. Filming then continued until Jan. 10th, when it was again considered 'finished'. However, the word 'retakes' is not used for the last week of shooting, further suggesting that "Ask Grandma" may have been in production. No shooting took place on Jan. 4th, which was a Sunday. After this, the unit took a week off before filming "Shootin' Injuns" (no. 39).

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

©Feb. 8, 2005, by Robert Demoss.
2005 updates: 2/27, 3/16, 4/25.
2006 updates: 1/9, 6/12, 7/5, 10/25.
2007 updates: 4/1, 10/22, 11/25.
2008 updates: 2/21, 3/31, 7/6.
2009 updates: 5/17, 5/18, 6/1, 6/15, 6/23, 8/6.

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