Shootin' Injuns

technical details:

Production A-39.

Filmed January 19 to February 5, 1925. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Copyrighted April 2, 1925, by Pathé Exchange, Inc. Registration no. LU21301. Since the copyright was not renewed, this film is now in the public domain.

Released May 3, 1925. It was the 38th film in the series to be released.

Silent two-reeler.

Probable opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "Shootin' Injuns".'

Released into TV syndication as Mischief Makers episode no. 1001, "Galloping Ghosts," copyrighted Sep. 1, 1960, with registration number LP17306.

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Probably credited in the film as a presenter.

Directed by Robert F. McGowan

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

Assistant Director: Lloyd French

This credit derives from French's payroll status as the Our Gang assistant director during this period.

Photographed by Art Lloyd

Listed in the film but not by Maltin & Bann.

Edited by Richard Currier

Listed in the film but not by Maltin & Bann.

Special photographic effects by Alvin V. Knetchel

Maltin & Bann give him photography credit, but the film is more specific.

Titles by H. M. Walker

This credit appears in the film.

Props by Charles Oelze and G. D. Abbott

This credit derives from their payroll status as Our Gang prop men during this period. Abbott's name was removed from the payroll summaries after the week ending Jan. 31st.

Story by Hal E. Roach

This credit doesn't appear in the film.

Animal trainer: Tony Campanaro

He was Pal's trainer.

Teacher: Fern Carter

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

possible uncredited involvement

supervision - F. Richard Jones became director-general of the studio after this film was shot, but before it was released.

writing - Robert F. McGowan, Frank Terry and James Parrott may have been among the gag writers.

the kids:

Allen "Farina" Hoskins

Featured role. Jokingly referred to as "Pancho Farino" in the titles. Maltin & Bann indicate that the usual nickname was used, but it doesn't appear in this print. He's given a lot of comedic moments in this film, first as he's trying to get into the gang's hideout, then during the haunted house sequence.

Mickey Daniels as "Mickie" aka "Micky"

Featured role. Otherwise known as "General Custer." He's the leader of the gang and makes most of the decisions.

Joe Cobb as "Joe"

Featured role. Otherwise known as "Sheriff 'Buckshot' Joe." He's given several bits of comedy during the haunted house sequence.

Johnny Downs as "Johnnie"

Featured role. Otherwise known as "David Crockett." He's Mary's brother. He's now a full-fledged member of the gang, and gets quite a lot of footage in this one.

Jackie Condon as "Jackie"

Supporting role. Otherwise known as "Daniel Boone." He appears to be Mickey's little brother. He does mostly ensemble acting in this short.

Eugene "Pineapple" Jackson as "Gene"

Supporting role. He's given mostly ensemble work in this, but does have a moment trying to jump through the window. This was his last appearance in the series.

Mary Kornman as "Mary"

Supporting role. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. She tries to get into the gang, and is missing from the runaway sequence, at least until she joins her parents as they come to the haunted house.

the animals:

Pal

Supporting role. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. He appears to belong to Johnnie. He comes along to the haunted house.

Dinah the Mule

Small part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. She pulls Gene's wagon.

dog 034

Bit part. Looks to be the dog from "The Big Town" (no. 34). His barking inspires some gunshots from the guy with the headache.

other animals

Bit part. A black cat knocks some debris off the roof.

the adults:

Richard Daniels as "W. R. Jones," the inventor

Small part. We see him demonstrating his trick house to some amusement park officials.

"Tonnage" Martin Wolfkiel as Joe's dad

Small part. We see him at the end of the film.

Lyle Tayo as Johnnie and Mary's mom

Small part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. She appears early in the film with Johnny, then at the end at the haunted house.

Jack Gavin as one of the other dads

Small part. He's barely even noticable, but he's there at the end of the film.

William Gillespie as one of the other dads

Small part. He, too, is barely noticable, but he's at the end of the film.

Paul Weigel as one of the amusement park officials

Bit part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann, but I'm pretty sure that's him second from the left.

other adults

Small parts and bit parts.

(1.) Gene and Farina's mother, who appears to be played by a white man.

(2.) One remaining mother appearing at the end of the film.

(3.) The man with the headache that shoots at the dog.

(4.) Three other amusement park officials

(5.) At least one individual, probably a man wearing the skeleton costume for the trick photography.

the locations:

the back porch

Looks like the same one that appears in many of these early silents, including "Ask Grandma" (no. 38).

miscellaneous:

16 shooting dates went into the making of this film. A week after shooting had finished on the previous film, "Shootin' Injuns" had its 'start' date on Jan. 19th. Shooting continued until Feb. 5th, when it was considered 'finished.' No shooting took place on Jan. 18th, Jan. 25th, or Feb. 1st, which were all Sundays. After this, the Our Gang unit waited a little over a week before filming "Official Officers" (no. 40).

There were 35 copies of this film printed for its initial release.

availability:

Our Gang Volume #4 (VHS) from Grapevine Video

and also from The Picture Palace

This copy is a Kodak Cinegraph print. The crew credits are original, but the inter-titles have been remade with the original wording. The picture quality is good, and the soundtrack is made up of rearranged Leroy Shield music. The print totals 19:10, with about 15:50 of it original footage. Ignoring the inter-titles, almost the entire original film is included. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Volume 10 (VHS) from Video Classics

This copy is identical to Grapevine's, but with a different soundtrack.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Vol. 3 (VHS) from HenryButch

This copy is identical to Grapevine's.

A Festival Of Silent Comedy Volume Two (DVD) from Reelclassicdvd.com

This is basically the same version as Grapevine's, but with a refashioned opening title deriving from "Derby Day" (no. 21). The footage totals 21:15, with about 17:35 of it original.

The Our Gang Collection - Volume 2 (DVD) from Reelclassicdvd.com

Released Mar. 2007.

See anything that needs changing? Contact me at BtheW@aol.com.

© Robert Demoss.