Auto Antics
| Auto Antics | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Edward Cahn |
| Produced by | Jack Chertok for MGM |
| Written by |
Hal A. Law Robert A. McGowan |
| Cinematography | Harold Marzorati |
| Edited by | Roy Brickner |
| Distributed by | MGM |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 10' 05" |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Auto Antics is a 1939 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Edward Cahn. It was the 182nd Our Gang short (183rd episode, 94th talking short, 95th talking episode, and 14th MGM produced episode) that was released.
Plot
Sniffles enlists the gang to help him with his hopes to win the upcoming Kidmobile Race Classic are nearly dashed when town bully Butch (Tommy Bond) arranges for the gang's pet pooch Whiskers to be picked up by the dog pound. But instead of demoralizing the gang, the impoundment of Whiskers merely gives them a stronger reason to win the race and claim the prize, with which they will pay the dog's license fee. Only temporarily foiled, Butch and his pal Woim try every dirty trick in the book to sabotage the gang's homemade "auto."[1]
Cast
The Gang
- Darla Hood as Darla
- Eugene Lee as Porky
- George McFarland as Spanky
- Carl Switzer as Alfalfa
- Billie Thomas as Buckwheat
- Mickey Gubitosi as Mickey
- Leonard Landy as Leonard
Additional cast
- Tommy Bond as Butch
- Sidney Kibrick as Woim
- Baldwin Cooke as Luke
- Major James H. McNamara as Mayor of Greenpoint
- Joe Whitehead as Dogcatcher
Notes
Auto Antics features the final appearance of Eugene "Porky" Lee, who was dismissed from the series after growing significantly taller (to the point that he became taller than George "Spanky" McFarland) during Our Gang's first year at MGM.[2] Robert Blake, who had just replaced Gary Jasgar as the tag-along toddler,[3] assumed the role vacated by Porky at the beginning of Our Gang's 1939-40 season of shorts.[2]
Darla Hood became ill during the filming of Auto Antics. One shot features the kids hanging on to the back of the dogcatchers' truck as it starts down the road. Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer was, according to Hood in a later interview, "in one of his little moods" and ruined every take of that shot. At the end of the thirty-second take, Hood passed out from the exhaust fumes and had to be escorted to the hospital.[4]
References
- ↑ "New York Times: Auto-Antics". NY Times. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life & Times of Our Gang. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press. PG. 272 ISBN 0-517-58325-9
- ↑ Demoss, Robert (5 November 2005). "Joy Scouts film no. 181". The Lucky Corner. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
- ↑ Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life & Times of Our Gang. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press. PG. 204 ISBN 0-517-58325-9
