Chicken Feed

film no. 62

availability:

Our Gang Volume #6 (VHS) from Grapevine Video and also The Picture Palace

This copy is a TV print from the Mischief Makers entitled "Monkey Magic." The print totals 12:20, with 12:04 of original footage. Roughly two-thirds of the original film is included. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Vol. 8 (VHS) from HenryButch

This copy is identical to Grapevine's.

special note

I was also able to view a home movie clip from this film which shows some footage not included in the TV clip.

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Probably credited in the film as a presenter.

Directed by Anthony Mack and Charles Oelze

This credit probably appears in the film. Mack's real name was Robert A. (for Anthony) McGowan. Rob Stone's list credits only Mack as director, using the pseudonym for the first time. His uncle, Robert F. McGowan, was on vacation and returned on April 10th.

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. Roach was vacationing in Europe in the early part of 1927, so the credit may have been purely traditional.

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
• optical effects supervisor - Roy Seawright
• still photographer - Bud "Stax" Graves
• transportation director - Bob Davis
• school teacher - Fern Carter

possible uncredited involvement

• photography - Credits during this period went to Art Lloyd, but others involved may have included William A. Collins.
• editing - Richard Currier was the supervising editor during this period, while Bert Jordan and William Terhune were among the cutters.
• writing - Robert F. McGowan, Robert A. McGowan, Hal Yates, Jean Yarbrough and Frank Butler may have been among the gag writers.
• property department - Charles Oelze and Don Sandstrom were probably involved in this capacity, and possibly Ted Driscoll, William A. Collins and Roy Seawright.
• animal training - Tony Campanaro was probably among the animal trainers.

the kids:

the gang

Allen "Farina" Hoskins

Lead role. The nickname doesn't appear in this print. He's virtually the star of the film, trying to reverse the damage done to his little sister.

Jannie "Mango" Hoskins

Supporting role. The nickname doesn't appear in this print, but Maltin & Bann indicate that it was used. The gang seemingly turns her into a monkey, and we don't see her again until towards the end of the film.

Joe Cobb

Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble acting in this film.

Jackie Condon

Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble acting in this film.

Jay R. Smith

Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble acting in this film.

Elmer "Scooter" Lowry

Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble acting in this film.

Bobby "Bonedust" Young

Supporting role. The nickname doesn't appear in this print. He does mostly ensemble acting in this film.

other featured kids

Johnny Downs as "Prof. Presto Misterio"

Supporting role. The gang learns his secret to changing people into animals. This was his final appearance in the series.

Jean Darling

Supporting role. She's Johnny's assistant.

Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins

Small part. The nickname doesn't appear in this print. He's seen briefly trying to catch the monkey while it's in the Krazy Kat costume.

other kids

Small part. Also of note is the boy that sprays the white paint all over Jannie.

the audience

Harry Spear

Bit part. He's the only one in the audience that says anything, at least in this print. This was his series debut.

Davey Monahan

Extra. He sits to the far right in the third row.

Andy Shuford

Extra. He's also sitting in the third row.

Jimsy Boudwin

Extra. He's sitting in the front aisle seat on the left.

Bobby Mallon

Extra. He's also sitting in the third row.

other kids

Extras. There are probably at least 15 more kids in the audience, and that doesn't count whoever is on the left side, very few of whom are shown in this print.

the animals:

monkey 004

Supporting role. Presumably the same monkey shown previously.

dog 003

Bit part. Farina sits in front of this dog without realizing it.

Pal

Bit part. At least in this print, Pal is just barely seen at the very beginning of this film. This was his final appearance in the series.

other animals

Supporting roles, small parts, bit parts and extras.
(1.) The bear that puts a fright into the gang.
(2.) The chicken that the monkey seems to change into, and which is eaten by the hobo.
(3.) Three lions are shown grabbing at Farina, although we're supposed to think there are four.
(4.) The white rabbit that Jean seemingly changes into.
(5.) The goose that gets into a ruckus with the monkey.
(6.) The three puppies that the monkey encounters while in the Krazy Kat costume.
(7.) About six additional chickens in the coop.

the adults:

Ham Kinsey as the animal trainer

Bit part. According to Maltin & Bann. His face isn't clear enough in this print to be sure.

other adults

Supporting role and small parts. A 1927 casting directory lists an actor named Bert Apling as appearing in this film, but I still need to familiarize myself with him.
(1.) The hobo, who catches the stray chicken and eats it.
(2.) Four adults dressed in lion costumes and grabbing at Farina in shots that are interspersed with shots of the real lions.

the locations:

the curb

The curb with the tall grass where Farina sits may be the "Olympic Games" location.

miscellaneous:

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