Many viewers who grew up watchingThe Little Rascalsare often surprised to learn it was based on the classicOur Gangshorts. These short films recounted the adventures of various poor neighborhood children, created by Hal Roach. Though some jokes and stories can be dated, the shorts have also been praised for featuring children of color among the gang.
The Little Rascals
Fans of the film might be surprised to learn that many jokes and sequences from the film were direct references to scenes from the classic shorts. Some viewers have even described the movie as if it were woven together from a few of the classic shorts. A few of the classic characters naturally appear, though sometimes they seem to have different names than the ones in the movie. There are also a few ladies that befriend the gang that would make racing star A.J. Ferguson proud.
15Helping Grandma (1931)
Helping Grandmastars “Grandma,” an elderly woman that the gang hasadopted as their grandmotherof sorts, Mrs. Margaret Mack. They help her run her small grocery store and they love each other despite not actually being related. Two different buyers take an interest in the store: a chain store that plans on giving “Grandma” a good deal and a con artist that plans on cheating her. However, the gang assume both potential buyers are cheats.
The Rascals Are Good For Business
The comedy of errors ends up working in Grandma’s favor. Thanks to the kids, the chain store keeps increasing its offer. Grandma also learns about the swindler’s true colors when he mistreats the children. While the story is a heartwarming one, it’s a gag that saves the day, with the cheat losing out on the deal when Granma signs the wrong paper. Grandma also proves to be as tough as her little friends, giving the villain a well-deserved punch when everything comes to light.
Notably, the short also was an influence on the 1994 film’s sequel,The Little Rascals Save the Day, which featured Doris Roberts as “Grandma.”
14Baby Brother (1927)
Baby Brotherrevolves around Joe, portrayed as a poor little rich boy who wants a baby brother. While meeting with the poor kids of the neighborhood, he meets a variety of the gang’s little brothers, including one that knows how to play craps. After asking for one just leads to embarrassing situations, Joe teams up with Farina to get the little brother he wishes for.
“Every Member Has a Baby Brother - Unbreakable and Unwashable.”
Eventually, Farina arranges for Joe to take in a baby named Nasturtium. While the story has some dated humor, Joe still happily accepts little Nasturtium after he calls him “papa.”
Of course, Nasturtium is ultimately returned to his mother, with the story ending on a more comedic note. Joe’s father satiates him with a surprise, setting up that his parents will have another baby after all, though it turns out he’s getting a pony for Christmas. The short is also notable for marking the first appearance of Bobby “Wheezer” Hutchins, playing Horatio.
13Shivering Shakespeare (1930)
InShivering Shakespeare, the culturally-minded Funston Evergreen Kennedy, a member of high society and the wife of Officer Kennedy, forms the Golden Age Dramatic League with the local kids. Mrs. Kennedy stages a production of “Quo Vadis,” or “The Gladiator’s Dilemma,” teaching the kids their lines while her husband takes care of the effects and adult parts.
The Little Rascals Put On a Show
Of course, the production is a little too avant-garde for the kids, who keep messing up their lines. While the parents are happy to watch their kids on stage, some kids who get kicked out start trouble by throwing eggs on stage. Eventually, this ends with pies being thrown between both on and off the stage. Ultimately, it’s Mrs. Kennedy who ends up the biggest target while trying to resolve the whole debacle.
12Pups Is Pups (1930)
Pups Is Pupsis the 100thOur Gangshort released and has a story revolving around the gang’s four-legged friends. Wheezer tries to find his missing puppies while the rest of the gang sneak into a fancy dog show. The kids bring in all sorts of animals, like mice, frogs, and a pig, causing trouble. Meanwhile, Wheezer’s only clue to finding his puppies is the sound of a bell, which they recognize as a sign it’s dinner time.
A Boy & His Dogs
As is often the case in stories, it’s when the kids have given up hope does the happy ending reveal itself. When poor little Wheezer has given up hope and thinks he’s lost his puppies for good, a ringing church bell gets them running right to him, effectively bringing about a happy reunion witha borderline deus ex machina.
11Mama’s Little Pirate (1934)
Mama’s Little Pirateis amore fantastic storyfrom theOur Gangseries. During breakfast, Spanky hears about treasure found at a local cave. When his mother catches him looking for a flashlight, she forbids him from looking and confines him to his room. While there, his “inner self” tries to convince him to search for treasure with the other kids.
“That Boy’s a Whirlwind When He Gets Going.”
The kids manage to find lavish jewels and crowns, but taking the treasure home with them proves easier said than done. This proves to be the least of their worries when they get chasedby a giant piratewho wants the treasure back. Hunting down the children and hanging them on meat hooks, Spanky is soon the only one left.
Just as he is about to get caught, however, the whole thing turns out to be a dream. Having learned his lesson, Spanky refuses to join his friends when they come over and ask if he wants to search for treasure.
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10Free Eats (1932)
Free Eatsrevolves around a party being thrown for the poor children of the town, thrown by the wealthy wife of a local politician. As the title suggests, not only is there going to be free food, the kids will even get food to bring home to their families. However, criminals seek to infiltrate the party disguised as children, hoping to break into a money-laden safe.
“Say, Flatfoot, Call Your Shots!”
The story soon proves to be Stymie’s story, as he’s the one who sees through the disguise, catching the “infants” talking. Unfortunately, none of the adults believe him. Luckily, Wheezer and Echo realize what’s going on and get the gang to help, right as the thieves are about to reach the safe.
Eventually, even the adults start to notice their valuables have gone missing, but the chief of detectives still refuses to believe Stymie’s story. However, Stymie is able to expose the trick by pricking one of the fake babies, causing them to talk.
9Hide and Shriek (1938)
Hide and Shriekoffers a comedy mystery in which Alfalfa startshis own detective agency. For his first assignment, he has to find Darla’s stolen box of candy, with Leonard and Junior as the main suspects. While investigating with Buckwheat and Porky, however, they get trapped within a haunted house.
“What Would Sherlock’s Home Do In a Time Like This?”
The young gumshoes endure ghosts and goblins, which eventually scares them out of the detective business. The punchline to all this is that it was all for nothing: Darla realizes she left her candy in her baby carriage all along.
Hide and Shriekserves as an important milestone for fans of the series as it was the last one made with series creator Hal Roach’s involvement. Due to this, the short was also intended as a series finale, althoughOur Gangended up going to MGM.
8High Society (1924)
High Societystarts with Mickey living humbly but happily with his Uncle Patrick. However, the boy is forced to leave his uncle and friends, including his dog, behind when his aunt gets custody of him. Having to deal with his bratty cousin and a wealthier lifestyle, Mickey writes to his uncle and the gang to visit him.
“Wow! So This Is Paris!”
They arrive when the aunt is out, with Pat keeping the family’s butler at bay so Mickey can play with his friends. Of course, the gang cause havoc during the visit, skating on a makeshift liquid soap ice rink and using a chandelier as a swing. When the police and various other authorities arrive at the house, however, the aunt decides Mickey is probably better off with his uncle after all.
7School’s Out (1930)
School’s Outis a short taking place over summer vacation. The gang has grownso fond of their teacher, Miss Crabtree, that Jackie petitions to have school over the summer, fearing she might get married and lose her job. While riding with her in her roadster, they learn she does want to get married someday, despite their protestations.
“Believe Me, Married Life Is Sure Tough!”
Soon, they encounter her brother, Jack, who they mistake for her new beau. This leads to a comedy of errors with them trying to break them apart. While making up stories about her falls flat, they ultimately follow him to a local lake and steal his clothes when he goes swimming. Of course, Miss Crabtree has a good laugh when she sees her brother in a stolen dress and the kids wearing his clothing.
Years later, Alfalfa would go through something similar to what happened to Jack inThe Little Rascalsmovie, being forced to disguise himself in drag and sprint around town in his underwear, though not necessarily in that order.
6Dogs Is Dogs (1931)
Dogs Is Dogsalmost starts outlike a fairy tale, with Wheezer and Dorothy living with their cruel stepmother and spoiled son Sherwood, all the while waiting for their father to return. The two halves of the blended family even have different dogs: Sherwood’s pampered pooch Nero and Wheezer’s dog Pete, who isn’t even allowed into the house.
Pete the Pup’s the Star of the Show
When Pete is caught sneaking into the window, Wheezer gets spanked while the stepmother threatens to send the dog to the pound and her stepchildren to the orphanage. Eventually, Sherwood frames Pete for killing a bird Nero attacked and, after nearly getting shot, the poor dog is sent to the pound. Fortunately, the children and Pete are eventually rescued by their aunt, their father’s sister.
In trueOur Gangfashion, the aunt proves pretty plucky, giving the wicked stepmother a well-deserved kick in the rear when she’s not looking. Ultimately,Pete steals the show, being the emotional heart of the story. One close-up even shows him crying for the poor, put-upon children.
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