One Wild Ride

film no. 45

availability:

Kid Gangs And Juvenile Stars (DVD) from Looser Than Loose Publishing

Released 2007. This version includes most of the film, but is missing some of the earlier footage seen in the Video Classics version. The inter-titles are remade, but appear to retain the original wording. The picture is fairly poor, with the center portions of the picture being notably darker than the outer portions. The LTL company logo occasionally appears in the lower left hand corner. The print totals 14:23, with about 12:15 of it original.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Volume 2 (VHS) from Video Classics and

Our Gang Comedies II (VHS) from The Picture Palace

This is a home movie print by Laff-Movie Inc., in New York, entitled "Gimme A Ride." The inter-titles are remade, but the wording seems to be original. The print totals 13:00, with 10:29 of it original footage. Ignoring the inter-titles, roughly two-thirds of the original film is included. Most of what's missing is from the last part of the film.

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

This film is mistakenly listed in the ad for this volume, but does not appear on the tape. Instead, "Tire Trouble" (no. 22) is included.

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Probably credited in the film as a presenter.

Supervised by F. Richard Jones

Probably credited in the film as supervising director.

Directed by Robert F. McGowan

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

Assistant Director: Robert A. McGowan

Later credited as Anthony Mack. This credit derives from his payroll status as an Our Gang assistant director during this period.

Photographed by Art Lloyd

This credit derives from Lloyd's payroll status as the Our Gang cameraman during this period.

Edited by Richard Currier

This credit probably appears in the film.

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.

Props by Charles Oelze and Ernest Tucker

This credit derives from their payroll status as Our Gang prop men during this period.

Animal trainer: Tony Campanaro

He was Pal's trainer.

Released by Pathé Exchange, Inc.

Passed by the National Board of Review

Probably indicated in the film.

Music Compiled by James C. Bradford

This according to the Thematic Music Cue Sheet that accompanied the pressbook for this 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
• still photographer - Bud "Stax" Graves
• transportation director - Bob Davis
• school teacher - Fern Carter was probably away from the studio while this film was being made, though the payroll summaries reveal that she was receiving her salary during this period.

possible uncredited involvement

• writing - According to the pressbook for this film, Robert F. McGowan was in charge of developing the stories during this period, suggesting that Roach's credit, as shown above, was somewhat honorary. Carl Harbaugh, Hal Yates, Frank Terry and James Parrott may have been among the gag writers.

the kids:

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Lead role. He's essentially the star of the film. The gang leaves him out of their activities, so he ends up taking their taxi.

Mickey Daniels as "Mickey"

Featured role. His mother makes him do chores, but he soons join the other boys for a ride.

Mary Kornman as "Mary"

Featured role. Her situation is essentially repeated from "Mary, Queen Of Tots" (no. 41). She switches dresses with the other girl so she can ride along with the gang.

Joe Cobb as "Joe"

Supporting role. He's left having to take care of his baby brother, but uses some ingenuity to get out of it and join the gang.

Johnny Downs as "Johnnie"

Supporting role. He's the one with the taxi service.

Jackie Condon as "Jackie"

Supporting role. He assists Johnny with his taxi service.

Jackie "Husky" Hanes as "Bellingham"

Small part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann, but it looks like him. He's Joe's little brother.

other kids

Small part and extras.
(1.) The first girl to take a ride on the taxi, who then switches dresses with Mary.
(2.) At least twelve kids watching the monkey perform. About six or seven are boys.

the animals:

horse 014 as "Evangeline"

Supporting role. This is the white horse that pushes the taxi. Presumably the same horse from "Dogs Of War!" (no. 14).

Pal

Small part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. He's Mary's dog.

parrot 008

Small part. Presumably the same parrot seen previously, he rides along with Farina.

monkey 004

Small part. Presumably the same monkey seen previously, he rides along with Farina.

other animals

Bit parts.
(1.) The dog that fights with the bear cub.
(2.) The bear cub.
(3.) The horse pulling the watermelon cart.
(4.) Several chickens eat the seeds out of the ground while Mickey sleeps. Later, Farina drives through a whole bunch of chickens.

the adults:

Richard Daniels as the horse owner

Bit part. He appears briefly retrieving his horse from the kids.

Fay Holderness as the governess

Bit part. Presumably a governess, since she appears to be repeating her role from "Mary, Queen Of Tots" (no. 41).

Dorothy Vernon as Mickey's mom

Bit part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. Looks like her to me. She's a bit of a slave driver.

F. F. Guenste as the butler

Bit part. He's Mary's butler and is basically repeating his role from "High Society" (no. 30).

Al Hallet as the man with the bird cage

Bit part. He almost gets run over, and also loses his parrot.

Ed Brandenberg as the sprinter

Bit part. He's shown running from the car from Farina's point of view.

other adults

Bit part and extras.
(1.) The driver of the truck that Farina hitches the taxi onto. He's barely seen getting out of his truck.
(2.) The man with the watermelon wagon.
(3.) The man with the monkey.
(4.) Two bike riders who almost get hit by the taxi.
(5.) Numerous other drivers.

the music:

The pressbook for this film includes a Thematic Music Cue Sheet, which provided the opening melodies for 11 musical cues comprising 10 pieces of music, one of which is repeated.

"Aurora" by J. Louis Von der Mehden

Published in 1910. The cue sheet gives the instruction to begin this piece 'at screening,' which presumably means at the start of the film, and continue for 2 minutes.

"Lazy" by Irving Berlin

Published in 1924. Al Jolson had a number 4 hit with this song the same year. The cue sheet gives the instruction to begin this piece at the title that introduces Mickey, and continue for 1 minute.

"He's Me Pal" by Gus Edwards

Published in 1905, with words by Vincent P. Bryan. J. W. Myers had a number 7 hit with this song the same year. The cue sheet gives the instruction to begin this piece at the title that introduces Joe, and continue for 1 1/2 minutes.

"Poupée Valsante" by Eduard Poldini

Written in 1904. Cue sheet version published in 1908. Also known as "Waltzing Doll" and "Dancing Doll." The cue sheet gives the instruction to begin this piece at the point where Joe ties the rope to the pump handle, and continue for 1/2 minute.

"The Birds And The Brook" by Robert Morrison Stults

Written in 1903. Cue sheet version published in 1923. The cue sheet gives the instruction to begin this piece at the point when the 'friends ride up,' and continue for 1 minute. However, one minute is not enough to cover the footage up to the next cue, and the previous cue would be just a few seconds rather than the half minute it requires.

"Mary's A Grand Old Name" by George M. Cohan

First published in 1905. Cue sheet version published in 1924. The cue sheet gives the instruction to begin this piece at the title that introduces Mary, and continue for 1 1/4 minutes.

"Hail! Hail! The Gang's All Here" by Theodore F. Morse

Published in 1917, with lyrics by D. A. Estron and Theodora Morse. The melody derives from a song from "Pirates Of Penzance" written by Arthur Sullivan. Specifically, it's part of "With Cat-Like Tread" from Act II, which itself was based on "Anvil Chorus." Cue sheet version published in 1918, with songwriting credit going to somebody named Lake. Irving Kaufman and the Columbia Quartet had a number one hit with this song in 1918. The cue sheet gives the instruction to begin this piece at the point when the car stops in front of Mary's house, and continue for 1 1/2 minutes.

"Western Allegro" by Edward Falck

Published in 1918. The cue sheet gives the instruction to begin this piece at the point when the car starts again, and continue for 3 3/4 minutes. The cue sheet also gives the instruction for a 'rattling effect' as the car is racing.

"Stay In Your Own Back Yard" by Lyn Udall

Written in 1899 with lyrics by Karl Kennett. The cue sheet gives the instruction to begin this piece at the title where Farina says 'Us want a ride,' and continue for 1 1/4 minutes. After Farina's wild ride, this piece is supposed to be reprised at the title that reads 'same old story,' and continue for 3/4 minute to the end of the film.

"Western Allegro" by Hugo Riesenfeld

Published in 1918. The cue sheet gives the instruction to begin this piece at the point when Farina hitches the taxi to the truck, and continue for 4 minutes. It also adds the following note regarding sound effects: 'Fast racing Ford, hits man with gold fish, glass crash, chicken squawk; catch remarks of parrot, T. "One Cigar," T. "Two Cigars," chicken squawk again; crash as he hits truck.'

the locations:

Mentone Avenue, Palms district, Los Angeles

Mickey does his gardening in the backyard of a property on Mentone. Seen in the background is the vacant lot on the southwest corner of Motor and Woodbine, as well as buildings on the opposite side of Motor.

Motor Avenue, Palms district, Los Angeles

Farina's wild ride takes him south on the 3300 block of this street, with very brief, and tilted, views of the Sanitary Market at 3343 Motor, the Arthur Boetsch Barber Shop at 3347 Motor, the Palms Hardware Co. at 3351 Motor, and the house at 3359 Motor. We also see a bit of the east side of the 3400 block, including the Masonic Hall at 3402 Motor.

Overland Avenue, Palms district, Los Angeles

It's pretty clear that the truck pulls Farina's car up the hill on Overland Avenue that begins at Featherstone Avenue (now Rose Avenue). After clearing the top of the hill, Farina breaks loose and goes downhill towards the north and makes a right turn on National Boulevard, where a little business selling oil is situated on the southeast corner.

Hyperion-Childs Market

This is one of the businesses Farina races past.

oil rigs

One of the areas Farina races through has a number of oil rigs, suggesting that perhaps it was the same area used for "The Smile Wins" (no. 66).

house

At one point, the taxi goes by a large house that was later seen in the bullfighting sequence in "Ten Years Old" (no. 58).

miscellaneous:

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