Shivering Spooks

film no. 52

availability:

Our Gang Volume #2 (VHS) from Grapevine Video and also from The Picture Palace

This copy has the original opening title card and inter-titles, but no crew credits. The end title is generic and followed by the Pathé rooster. The picture quality is fairly good, and the music is the same as in "Mary, Queen Of Tots." The print totals 18:07, with 18:01 of it original footage. Almost the entire original film is included. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Volume 13 (VHS) from Video Classics

This copy is virtually the same as Grapevine's.

Our Gang Comedy Festival II (VHS/DVD) from GoodTimes Home Video

VHS first released 1989. This is essentially the same version as Grapevine's, except that the PathéComedy title appears after the rooster. There is about two seconds missing from the scene where the gang is trapped in the cave. The initials 'GT' are superimposed in the right-hand corner throughout the print, and the VHS is in LP mode. This VHS was included as part of the Our Gang Collector Series 5 Pack released Feb. 2002, while the DVD was included as part of a 5 DVD set of the same name released Mar. 2004.

Our Gang (VHS) from Video Yesteryear

Released 1987, and reissued Feb. 1992, with an EP version released Sep. 1999. This copy is a TV print from Those Lovable Scallawags With Their Gangs. Or at least the opening title is, because the rest of the print is like Grapevine's, except with a slightly better picture quality. It's also missing the two seconds from the cave scene. Also the PathéComedy title appears after the rooster. The print totals 27:50, with 27:20 of it original footage. Even though the length is largely due to a slower projection speed, almost all of the original film is included.

Rascals Silents Vol. 3 (VHS) from A-1 Video

This version is the TV print from Those Lovable Scallawags With Their Gangs, and is essentially the same as the Video Yesteryear version. The picture quality is fair. The footage totals 19:57, with 19:40 of it original.

The Headless Horseman (1922) and Shivering Spooks (1926) (DVD) from Reelclassicdvd.com

This is essentially the same as the other versions with the splice during the cave sequence, but with a refashioned opening title deriving from "Derby Day" (no. 21). The footage totals 21:13, with 21:25 of it original.

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

Released Mar. 2007.

Our Gang Comedies presents Hal Roach's Rascals 2 Pack (2 VHS set) from Brentwood Video

Released Nov. 2000. Also included as part of 10 VHS set called Our Gang Comedies presents Hal Roach's Rascals 10 Pack. This copy includes the missing two seconds, but the last part of the film is missing.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Vol. 1 from HenryButch

This is the same version as the one released by Grapevine.

Creepy Comedies

This is the only Our Gang short on this release.

The Original Comedy Classics

Released 1999. This release also includes non-Our Gang material.

Our Gang's Greatest Hits (VHS) from Video Dimensions

Released 1981. This is a virtually complete version of the film, but with an opening title from the TV series Those Lovable Scallawags With Their Gangs. Otherwise, it's comparable to the version from GoodTimes Home Video.

The Our Gang Story (VHS/DVD) from GoodTimes Home Video

VHS released 1994. DVD released May 21, 2002. Also included as part of Our Gang Collector Series 4 Pack (4 DVD set), released Mar. 21, 2001, Our Gang Collector Series 5 Pack (5 VHS/DVD set), released Feb. 2002 (VHS) and Mar. 2004 (DVD), and The Best Of Our Gang Volume 1 (DVD) released June 1, 2004. A clip lasting 3:32 is included, showing various parts of the film, with narration added.

Hal Roach's Rascals 3-Tape Set (3 VHS set) and

Hal Roach's Rascals (DVD) from Brentwood Video

VHS released Feb. 2000. The DVD is also available in a 2 DVD set with another same-named DVD. Included is a documentary entitled Hollywood Hall Of Fame, with 5 clips from this film. The 1st lasts 0:01, and shows the gang in their hideout. The 2nd lasts 0:06, and shows Farina in the spooky house. The 3rd lasts 0:03, and shows Scooter pulling Joe's pants off. The 4th lasts 0:14, and shows Farina riding on the table. And the 5th lasts 0:01, and shows the gang witnessing the crime.

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

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: Charles Oelze

According to Rob Stone's list.

Photographed by Art Lloyd

According to Rob Stone's list. This credit might not have appeared in the film.

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 Don Sandstrom

According to Rob Stone's notes.

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
• still photographer - Bud "Stax" Graves
• transportation director - Bob Davis
• school teacher - Fern Carter

possible uncredited involvement

• editing - Bert Jordan and William Terhune were among the cutters during this period.
• writing - Robert F. McGowan, Robert A. McGowan, Hal Yates, Carl Harbaugh and James Parrott may have been among the gag writers.
• property department - Charles Oelze was probably involved in this capacity, and possibly Ted Driscoll, Leo Samwell, William Draper, Sherbourne Shields and Roy Seawright.
• animal training - Tony Campanaro was probably among the animal trainers.

the kids:

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Featured role. He gets more footage than any other kid, particularly during his long sequence with the ghost.

Joe Cobb

Featured role. He first has to deal with Scooter pulling his pants down, then Farina.

Elmer "Scooter" Lowry as "Skooter"

Supporting role. He first appears with Farina as the two are caught in the middle of a gunfight. Later, he hangs off of Joe and pulls his pants down repeatedly.

Mary Kornman

Supporting role. She reads a ghost story for Farina and Scooter, but is otherwise part of the ensemble.

Johnny Downs

Supporting role. He seems to be the default leader now that Mickey Daniels has departed, but is mostly part of the ensemble.

Jackie Condon

Supporting role. He gets a brief moment to himself being chased by the ghosts, but mostly does ensemble acting.

Jay R. Smith

Supporting role. He mostly does ensemble acting.

Bobby "Bonedust" Young

Supporting role. He mostly does ensemble acting.

the animals:

Buster

Supporting role. This dog appear frequently throughout the film.

the adults:

George B. French as "Professor Fleece"

Featured role. He's virtually the star of the film, and puts on a fake seance.

Stanley "Tiny" Sandford as the detective

Supporting role. He's shown in the gunfight with Fleece, then appears at the end to make the arrest.

Harry Bowen as one of the assistants

Supporting role. I think he's the one that handles the controls. He seems to be second-in-command.

Ham Kinsey as one of the assistants

Small part. He's the assistant that makes spooky sounds through the tube.

other adults

Small parts, bit parts and extras.
(1.) The grocer, whose store serves as the front for the crooked seance.
(2.) The third assistant.
(3.) About 25 'suckers' at the seance. Maltin & Bann list Clara Guiol and Dorothy Walbert, but I can't spot either of them. I'm pretty sure that the woman who refers to her second and third husbands is Dorothy Coburn. Is the man who wants success the same one lugging sandbags in "Boys Will Be Joys" (no. 42)?

the locations:

Motor and Woodbine Avenues, Palms district, Los Angeles

The cop chases away Farina and Scooter at the northeast corner of this intersection. The building is the People's Water Company of Palms. The building on the southeast corner is the Masonic Hall, and is also shown. Rob Stone's list mentions "Mota Av." as a location on April 19th, which is almost certainly Motor Ave. Some footage was also shot at the studio that day.

Media Park

According to Rob Stone's list, footage was shot here on April 14th.

miscellaneous:

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