Thundering Fleas

film no. 51

availability:

Our Gang (VHS) from Video Yesteryear

Released 1987, and reissued Feb. 1992, with an EP version released Sep. 1999. This copy is a home movie print made by Exclusive Movie Studios, Inc., in Chicago. The picture quality is good. The print totals 27:02, with 26:54 of it original footage. Even though the length is largely due to a slower projection speed, almost all of the original film is included.

Laurel & Hardy: The Original Brats & More Hal Roach Classics from Universal

Released 2004. This is a PAL DVD from the UK. The print totals 18:01, with 17:40 of it original footage, but this includes freeze-frames of the inter-titles. The picture quality is good, but the very last bit with the statue is cut short.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Volume 7 (VHS) from Video Classics and

Our Gang Comedies VII (VHS) from The Picture Palace

This copy is virtually the same as Video Yesteryear's, but of lesser quality. The print totals 22:36, with 22:29 of it original footage.

Stan & Ollie Solo - Volume Seven (VHS) from Videobrary, Inc.

Released 1995. This print totals only 9:39, with 9:34 of it original footage, covering only the second half of the film, and the picture quality is fairly poor.

Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy: Early Silent Classics Volume 2 (DVD) from Alpha Video

Released Feb. 22, 2005. This is the same version released by Videobrary, Inc.

The Laurel Or Hardy Collection (5 DVD set) from Passport Video

Released Feb. 21, 2006. This is the same version released by Videobrary, Inc.

Jackie Remembers Our Gang - The Silent Era (VHS/DVD) from Jackie Taylor

A clip lasting 0:05 is included, showing the kids before the wedding, with narration added.

SlapHappy: Vol. 9 (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).

special note

Amazon.com indicates that this film is included on The Lost Films Of Laurel And Hardy - The Complete Collection Vol. 9 (VHS/DVD) from Hal Roach Studios, but it is, in fact, not.

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 Directors: Robert A. McGowan and Charles Oelze

According to Rob Stone's book. McGowan was later credited as Anthony Mack. He was being credited in the payroll summaries as the Our Gang assistant director during this period, but Oelze was still being listed as a prop man.

Photographed by Art Lloyd

According to Rob Stone's notes. This credit might not appear in the film.

Edited by Richard Currier

This credit probably appears in the film.

Cutter: Lloyd Campbell

This credit derives from credit given in Rob Stone's book, which is corroborated by the payroll summaries.

Titles by H. M. Walker

This credit probably appears in the film.

Story by Hal E. Roach, Hal Yates and Carl Harbaugh

This credit probably doesn't appear in the film. Maltin & Bann list Roach, while Rob Stone lists Yates and Harbaugh.

Props by Leo Samwell, Ted Driscoll and Don Sandstrom

According to Rob Stone's book. The payroll summaries still listed Oelze as a prop man during this period.

Animation: E. H. Young

According to Rob Stone's book and corroborated by the payroll summaries. Young animated "Garfield" the flea.

Animal trainer: Tony Campanaro

He was Pal's trainer.

Teacher: Fern Carter

Released by Pathé Exchange, Inc.

Passed by the National Board of Review

Probably 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
• still photographer - Bud "Stax" Graves
• transportation director - Bob Davis

possible uncredited involvement

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

the kids:

Allen "Farina" Hoskins

Featured role. The nickname doesn't appear in these prints. It's his dog that has the fleas, and he's basically the link between the disparate elements in the film.

Mary Kornman as "Mary"

Supporting role. She sets up the kiddie wedding and gets married to Joe, all in anticipation of her sister's wedding.

Joe Cobb

Supporting role. He appears in the first scene getting married to Mary. Later, he pairs up with Jay to search for fleas.

Elmer "Scooter" Lowry as "Skooter"

Supporting role. He's the new kid on the block and pairs up with Farina.

Johnny Downs

Supporting role. He's Mary's brother. He pairs up with Mickey to search for fleas.

Jackie Condon

Supporting role. He's the minister in the kiddie wedding. He later searches for fleas at the dog pound.

Mickey Daniels

Supporting role. He appears in most of the scenes, and pairs up with Johnny on their search for fleas, but isn't given too much of his own to do. This was his last appearance in the series, barring reunion appearances.

Jay R. Smith

Supporting role. He pairs up with Joe to search for fleas.

Bobby "Bonedust" Young as "Bonedust"

Small part. He's shown in the kiddie wedding scene providing the music.

Mildred Kornman

Small part. She appears as Scooter's little sister.

Jannie Hoskins

Small part. She appears in the opening kiddie wedding scene.

Lassie Lou Ahern

Small part. She's the flower girl at the adult wedding.

other kids

Small part and extras. There are at least two more girls at the adult wedding.

the animals:

Buster as "Magnolia"

Featured role. This is Farina's dog, and the one with the fleas.

Pal

Bit part. Appears briefly as Clements extracts a flea from his fur. Not listed by Maltin & Bann.

parrot 008

Bit part. The parrot owned by Scooter's family, and presumably the same one seen in previous films.

dog 003

Bit part. The dog that Joe and Jay extract fleas from looks like the dog from "One Terrible Day" (no. 4).

mule 026

Bit part. Presumably the same white mule seen in "Commencement Day" (no. 26). He pulls Scooter's family's wagon.

other animals

Bit parts.
(1.) The dog that meets up with Magnolia.
(2.) The goat from which Mickey and Johnny extract fleas. Possibly the same goat as seen in "Uncle Tom's Uncle". (no. 50).
(3.) The rooster riding on the cart with Mildred.
(4.) The goldfish in the bowl that Farina drops. It isn't clear whether any of them are actually real.

bugwatch

At least a couple of the bugs in Clements' flea circus are real, but most of them are animated, including the animated star of the film, "Garfield."

the adults:

George B. French as "Prof. Clements"

Supporting role. He runs the flea circus and sends the gang off to find Garfield.

James Finlayson as the justice of the peace

Supporting role. He finds it difficult to conduct the wedding once the fleas are unleashed.

Jerry Mandy as "Sheldon," the groom

Supporting role. Every time he tries to say "I do," he goes into an itching frenzy.

Martha Sleeper as the bride

Supporting role. The fleas eventually take her over as well, but in the end, she decides to use Mary's kiddie setup for the real thing.

Oliver Hardy as the police officer

Supporting role. He gets infested with fleas and loses his pants in the process.

Charley Chase as one of the wedding guests

Small part. He's the one with the flea in his moustache.

woman 035 as Skooter's mom

Bit part. Previously seen in "Circus Fever" (no. 35) and later in "Spanky" (no. 113).

Charlie Hall as one of the musicians

Bit part. He's playing the sax.

Alex Finlayson as one of the musicians

Bit part. I don't know what he looks like, but he's probably the violin player.

Harry Bowen as one of the flea circus spectators

Bit part. He's standing to the left of Clements, and is still there when most of the others have left.

Charley Young as one of the flea circus spectators

Bit part. He's standing to the right of Clements, and is still there when most of the others have left.

Allen Cavan as the father of the bride

Bit part. He's shown walking the bride to the altar.

Lyle Tayo as the pedestrian

Bit part. Identified by Maltin & Bann. It looks like her, but we never really get a good look in this print.

Dick Gilbert as Skooter's dad

Bit part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann, probably since he's not seen for more than a couple of seconds.

Sammy Brooks as one of the flea circus spectators

Bit part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. This is presumably the really short guy from previous films.

Ham Kinsey as one of the wedding guests

Extra. He's seen to the far right in the shots of Martha Sleeper scratching herself.

other adults

Bit parts and extras.
(1.) The sleeping man whose beard is caught afire by Farina and Scooter's magnifying glass.
(2.) The woman behind Finlayson who asks somebody to scratch her back for her. Looks like Clara Guiol.
(3.) The man playing the statue that goes into spasms.
(4.) The man playing the ukulele.
(5.) The woman playing the piano.
(6.) The man that seems to be Scooter's grandfather.
(7.) The painter that shoos Magnolia away from the statue.
(8.) The woman who talks to Hardy from the other side of the fence.
(9.) Perhaps twenty more guests at the wedding. Maltin & Bann list Sam Lufkin, but I still need to familiarize myself with him. One of the bridesmaids resembles Dorothy Coburn.
(10.) Three additional pedestrians watching Clements' flea circus.
(11.) Two women walking down the sidewalk while Hardy is pantsless.

the music (sort of):

"Here Comes The Bride" by Richard Wagner

Music written in 1841 as the "Bridal Chorus" from "Lohengrin." Sung by Bonedust during the kiddie wedding.

"Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!" by George F. Root

Written in the early 1860s. H. M. Walker makes reference to this Civil War song: " - Scratch - scratch - scratch - The fleas are marching - ". This song later appeared on the soundtrack of "The First Round-Up" (no. 128)

the locations:

According to Rob Stone's list, footage was shot in Palms on March 8th and 20th. It appears that all of the exterior footage was shot there, so perhaps it should read 'March 8th TO 20th.'

house

Scooter's new home also served as Farina's house in "Your Own Back Yard" (no. 44) and "Monkey Business" (no. 48).

bridge

The bearded man jumps off the same bridge seen in "The Ol' Gray Hoss" (no. 78).

miscellaneous:

The Lucky Corner Homepage