The Glorious Fourth

technical details:

Production K-22.

Filmed May 10 to 21, 1927. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Released July 31, 1927. This is according to Smile When The Raindrops Fall by Brian Anthony & Andy Edmonds. Maltin & Bann list the date as June 26th. In A History Of The Hal Roach Studios by Richard Lewis Ward, the date is listed as July 30th. Since Pathé releases were usually on Sundays, the 30th is unlikely, but the other two dates fit. The Maltin & Bann date gives the film the same release date as "Baby Brother" (no. 60). If either of the later dates is correct, then "The Glorious Fourth" was the 62nd film in the series to be released.

Copyrighted July 22, 1927, by Pathé Exchange, Inc. Registration no. LU24204. Renewed January 10, 1955, with registration no. R142111. This copyright expired at the end of 2022, and the film is now in the public domain.

Silent two-reeler.

Probable opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "The Glorious Fourth".'

Released into TV syndication as Mischief Makers episode no. 1016, "Fourth Of July," copyrighted Sep. 1, 1960, with registration number LP17321.

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Probably credited in the film as a presenter.

Directed by Robert F. McGowan and Anthony Mack

Maltin & Bann list only McGowan, and the film probably reflects this, but without his middle initial. The 1927 studio datebook indicates that he directed only on May 10th, and that Mack, whose real name was Robert A. (for Anthony) McGowan, directed the rest of the film.

Photographed by Art Lloyd

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

Titles by H. M. Walker

This credit probably appears in the film. The inter-titles have the speckled motif in this film.

Story by Hal E. Roach

This credit probably doesn't appear in the film.

Animal Trainer: Harry Lucenay

He was Pete's owner and 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

optical effects supervisor - Roy Seawright

still photographer - Clarence "Stax" Graves

transportation director - Bob Davis

possible uncredited involvement

assistant direction - Probably Charles Oelze.

assistant cameraman - Probably Clair Boshard.

editing - Richard Currier was the supervising editor during this period, while Lloyd Campbell was probably the cutter.

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.

the kids:

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Featured role. He's essentially the star of the film, being blamed by Joe for things that are Joe's fault.

Joe Cobb as "Joe"

Featured role. He seems to be the leader of the gang, and is quite insufferable in this short.

Jannie Hoskins

Supporting role. She's seen with Farina through most of the film.

Jay R. Smith

Supporting role. He gets a few comic moments, but is mostly part of the ensemble.

Jackie Condon

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

Harry Spear

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

Jack Hanlon

Small part. He gives Farina a quarter to take Pansy.

the animals:

Pete (no. 1) as "Pansy"

Featured role. He swallows some Bermuda oil and becomes a walking grenade launcher.

the adults:

June Gittleson as Joe's mother

Supporting role. She runs the fireworks stand, and leaves Joe in charge just long enough for him to destroy it.

Charley Chase as the drunk

Supporting role. He doesn't realize that skyrockets are flying past his head.

William A. Orlamond as the scientist

Supporting role. He's the guy that demonstrates the Bermuda oil.

William Courtwright as the cement worker

Supporting role. Comparable to Charles McAvoy's role in "Pups Is Pups" (no. 100).

Charley Lloyd as the motorist

Bit part. He thinks he's got a flat, but it's just a firecracker. Listed by Maltin & Bann as Charley Young.

Dorothy Vernon as the friend of Joe's mother

Bit part. She's in a panic because the baby has swallowed a button.

Jack Hill as the man with the monocle

Bit part. He puts his hat on right after a firecracker has landing on his head.

Charles A. Bachman as one of the cops

Bit part. He shows up at the end with a partner.

Harry Arras as one of the cops

Bit part. He's the other cop, as revealed in a publicity photograph. Listed by Maltin & Bann as Gene Morgan. They also list Arras as being among the "local residents."

Harry Bowen as a pedestrian

Extra. A photograph reveals his involvement in this film.

other adults

Bits parts and extras.

(1.) The driver of the car that explodes.

(2.) The guy that laughs, only to get a rocket exploding in his pants.

(3.) The guy with the rake in front of Media Park.

(4.) The woman with the laundry.

(5.) The golfer.

(6.) Three firemen.

(7.) Scores of pedestrians, including about 12 spectators watching the Bermuda oil demonstration. Among these are military and civil officials. One of them looks like he might be Silas D. Wilcox. Maltin & Bann list Charles Meakin and Al Hallet, but I can't find them in the available prints, and Arthur Millett, but I don't yet know what he looks like.

the locations:

Van Beuren Place, Culver City

The kids set off their fireworks in the vacant lot just to the right of the Fire Department at 415 Van Beuren. When Farina and Jannie exit this lot, they walk out onto the sidewalk in front of the Fire Department. At the end of Van Beuren in these shots is Washington Boulevard, with the Hotel Hunt (now the Culver Hotel) right across the street. Charley Lloyd pulls over in his car in front of the Fire Department. Seen behind him is a sign for Old Crown Gasoline, which is probably part of the King's Garage at 420 Van Beuren. Also seen in the background is the back of the Noren Wuster Furniture Company at 6710-12 Washington.

Hal E. Roach Studios, Culver City

The latter part of the film is mostly shot on the New York exterior set at the studio.

Hal E. Roach Ranch

The scene with the demonstration of the bahama oil was shot along the eucalyptus-lined road into the ranch, which was located along Robertson Blvd. The end of the road furthest from Robertson is where the golfer hits the exploding capsule.

Putnam Avenue, Culver City

This was a portion of what is now called Culver Boulevard. The fireworks stand was located on the south side of this street just west of where Ince Boulevard meets it, with Media Park and the Culver City Chamber of Commerce pretty much directly across the street (though not seen in this film). There's a wall in the background which reads Majestic Cake Co. There's also a sign that reads "Studio" and a second word beginning with the letters 'CA.' The laughing construction worker is in front of a sign reading "Snooker & Billiards."

Media Park, Palms district, Los Angeles

This is shown in the scene with the man raking leaves.

Woodbine Street, Palms district, Los Angeles

The gang is shown standing along the Woodbine side of the Masonic Hall at 3402 Motor Avenue. Farina emerges from around the back of the building and throws a bahama oil capsule towards them.

vacant lot

In the opening part of the film, Farina and Jannie pop paper bags in the same vacant lot previously featured in "Olympic Games" (no. 63).

alley

The alley that Farina walks down while trying to avoid Pete was also seen in "Tired Business Men" (no. 60).

miscellaneous:

11 shooting dates went into the making of this film. Four days after shooting finished for "Olympic Games" (no. 63), the 'start' date arrived for "The Glorious Fourth" on May 10th. Shooting continued until the 'finish' date of May 21st. No shooting took place on May 15th, which was a Sunday. Anthony Mack directed on most of the shooting dates, but Robert F. McGowan directed on May 10th, 19th, 20th, and 21st. Only three days passed before shooting began on the next Our Gang production, which was either "Playin' Hookey" (no. 65) or "The Smile Wins" (no. 66).

The unseen baby that swallows a button is named "Little Marmalade."

38 still images were printed into numerous press photos to promote this film.

The calendar seen in the film is set on July 3rd.

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

© Robert Demoss.