Birthday Blues
| Birthday Blues | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Robert F. McGowan |
| Produced by |
Robert F. McGowan Hal Roach |
| Starring |
Dickie Moore George McFarland Matthew Beard Dorothy DeBorba Kendall McComas Pete the Pup |
| Music by |
Leroy Shield Marvin Hatley |
| Cinematography | Art Lloyd |
| Editing by | Richard C. Currier |
| Distributed by | MGM |
| Release dates | November 12, 1932 |
| Running time | 19' 09"[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Birthday Blues is a 1932 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 118th (31st talking episode) Our Gang short that was released.
Plot
When their pennypinching father refuses to buy a birthday gift for their long-suffering mother, brothers Dickie and Spanky decide to purchase a gift for Mom on their own. Unfortunately, the "late 1922 model" dress they have selected is beyond their price range (a daunting $1.98); thus, acting upon the advice of Stymie, Dickie and Spanky decide to bake a cake with hidden prizes, then auction off the cake at ten cents a slice.
The party turns out to be a mess and Spanky's and Dickie's father returns to find it. He throws the gang and other kids out of the house and then gives Dickie a severe spanking. When his father finds out that Dickie is using the money to buy his mother a dress, he abruptly changes his attitude.[2] However, Dickie's mother feels the dress his father bought for her is too fancy to wear at church on Sunday morning, and proudly wears the one Dickie and Spanky picked out, to the crowd's amusement.
Cast
- Dickie Moore - Dickie
- George McFarland - Spanky
- Matthew Beard - Stymie
- Dorothy DeBorba - Dorothy
- Bobbie Beard - Cotton
- Jackie Lyn Dufton - Jacquie
- Kendall McComas - Breezy Brisbane
- Donald Haines - Tough party guest
- Bobby Mallon - Party guest
- Douglas Greer - Party guest
- Carlena Beard - Party guest
- Georgie Billings - Party guest
- Mildred Kornman - Party guest
- Dickie Jackson - Party guest
- Edith Fellows - Party guest
- Marcia Mae Jones - Party guest
- Pete the Pup - Himself
- Charles McMurphy - Officer
- Lillian Rich - Mom
- Hooper Atchley - Dad
- Gordon Douglas - Delivery boy
- Harry Bernard - Store proprietor
Notes
This film was edited by about 5 minutes from the Little Rascals syndicated television package in 1971 due to perceived racism toward African Americans. The episode was fully reinstated on AMC from 2001 to 2003.
See also
References
- ↑ theluckycorner.com/
- ↑ "New York Times: Birthday Blues". NY Times. Retrieved 2008-09-19.