Family Troubles

film no. 213

technical details:

Production 2798. The script is numbered B4933.

Release no. C-493.

Filmed August 12 to 17, 1942.

Copyrighted April 1, 1943, by Loew's Incorporated. Registration no. LP12040. Renewed April 6, 1970, with registration no. R482528. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2038.

Released April 3, 1943. It was the 213th film in the series to be released.

All-talking one-reeler, lasting 10 minutes and 53 seconds.

Opening title: 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents Our Gang in "Family Troubles".'

the crew:

Produced by M-G-M: The film credit reads: Produced by Loew's Incorporated.
Directed by Herbert Glazer: This credit appears in the film.
Director of Photography: Walter Lundin, A. S. C.: This credit appears in the film.
Film Editor: Leon Bourgeau: This credit appears in the film.
Screen Play by Hal Law and Robert A. McGowan: This credit appears in the film, but without McGowan's middle initial.
Art Director: Paul Youngblood: This credit appears in the film.
Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer: Indicated in the opening title card.
Western Electric Sound System: As indicated in the film.
Approved by the Production Code Adminstration of the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America
Passed by the National Board of Review: As indicated in the film.
Teacher: Fern Carter

the kids:

Janet Burston as "Janet Burston": Lead role. She doesn't feel loved, so she runs away from home.
Billy "Froggy" Laughlin as "Froggy": Featured role. He has plenty of dialogue, and he and the gang find a new home for Janet.
Bobby "Mickey" Blake: Featured role. The name "Mickey" never turns up in the dialogue, but he's clearly playing this role. He basically shares the leadership role with Froggy.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat": Supporting role. He's present with the others, but doesn't do much of anything specific, other than finding some food.
Mickey Laughlin: Supporting role. He has very little dialogue, but is present with the other boys. Maltin & Bann indicate that the "Happy" moniker was used, but it never turns up.
Beverly Hudson as "Aurelia": Supporting role. She's named after her aunt, and sings a song for her.
Dickie Hall: Small part. He witnesses the boys taking Janet with them.
boy 212: Bit part. He's the newspaper boy.
other kids: Bit part. The only remaining kid in this film is the boy that plays Janet's baby brother "Jimmy."

the animals:

Leo: Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.
other animals: Supporting role. The only remaining animal in this film is Janet's cat, "Fuzzy."

the adults:

Barbara Bedford as "Mary," Janet's mom: Supporting role. She scolds Janet for interrupting.
Sarah Padden as "Mrs. Jones" aka "Mary": Supporting role. Her husband addresses her as "Mother."
Harry C. Bradley as "Mr. Jones" aka "Tom": Supporting role. He's present in the scenes with Padden.
Elspeth Dudgeon as "Aunt Aurelia": Supporting role. She visits the family, and her namesake sings for her.
Byron Shores as "Jasper," Janet's dad: Supporting role. He accompanies his daughter on guitar.
other adults: Bit parts and extras.; (1.) At least two cops.; (2.) At least seven adults outside the house when the gang get back.; (3.) A man standing on the sidewalk in the background as Janet sits on the curb, and somebody driving by in a car.

the music:

"Our Gang" by David Snell: This is played over the opening titles. This is the earlier recording, used prior to "The Big Premiere" (no. 189). This is a medley of three songs:; (1.) "London Bridge" - The earliest reference to this nursery rhyme is in a play from 1659, and it was associated with children by 1720. It may derive from a part of the "Heimskringla" by Snorri Sturluson, which was composed around 1225.; (2.) "Mulberry Bush" - Also known as "So Early In The Morning" and "This Is The Way." It was probably originally called "Here We Go Round The Bramble Tree" in the mid 18th century, with the type of tree changed by inmates of Wakefield Prison, who exercised around a mulberry bush.; (3.) "The Farmer In The Dell" - This nursery rhyme is of uncertain origins.
"She May Have Seen Better Days" by James Thornton: Published in 1894. This was a number one hit for George J. Gaskin in 1896. In this film, it's sung by Beverly Hudson.
"The Gang Goes Home" by David Snell: This is a shorter version of "Our Gang," including only "London Bridge."

miscellaneous:

Six shooting dates went into the making of this film, from August 12 to 17, 1942. Here's a breakdown of the script activity:
April 8, 1942 - A 1st treatment by McGowan & Law entitled "Family Trouble" derives from this date. In this version, Janet's sister is extremely pretty and is named "Mary." She recites "Pinning Apples On The Lilac Tree." Janet's baby brother has already acquired the name "Jimmy," and her kitten is already named "Fuzzy." Her father at this early stage is named "Dick." This scene is not told in flashback, but occurs at the beginning of the story. The boys run a mule-pulled taxi service, and Spanky is present. The Joneses are named "Tom" and "Margaret," and pull the Jekyll & Hyde routine as they do in the film. Spanky does the talking when the boys try to convince the couple to adopt. The cave sequence doesn't occur in this version.
April 13, 1942 - Treatment changes were made by McGowan & Law on this date. This version starts with Janet leaving home and then sitting on a curb. The title had been changed to "Family Troubles" by this time.
April 15, 1942 - Treatment changes were made by McGowan & Law on this date.
April 17, 1942 - A 1st trial continuity by McGowan & Law derives from this date. This version also starts with Janet leaving home. Her sister and her aunt are both named "Aurelia." At the Jones house, Spanky gives the speech, and then steps aside so Mickey can continue. The cave sequence is included in this version, with the kids ending up in blackface. When they run into a cop on the way home, they 'act like negroes.' They also run into Buckwheat's 'colored' friend, "Moron." As everything ends happily, Janet recites a poem to (and about) her mother.
April 22, 1942 - Changes were made on this date. Aurelia, who is still described as pretty, sings "She May Have Seen Better Days."
May 4, 1942 - Changes were made on this date. This version includes the kid standing in the background as Janet hitchhikes. He witnesses the 'kidnapping.' Spanky still gives the speech and steps aside for Mickey.
May 5, 1942 - An outline of sequences leading to the finish derives from this date. Janet's parents ask a Chinese man if he's seen Janet, but he points to a little Chinese girl. Buckwheat's friend is still in the story, but he's now named "Ragweed." Janet's father has now acquired the name "Jasper."
May 8, 1942 - A 'temp. cont. continuity' derives from this date. Aurelia is now described as 'vague and awkward.'
May 18, 1942 - Changes were made by McGowan & Law on this date.
May 19, 1942 - Changes were made on this date.
May 20, 1942 - Changes were made on this date.
May 21, 1942 - Changes were made on this date.
May 22, 1942 - Changes were made on this date. Spanky still gives his speech, and still steps aside for Mickey, but now Mickey steps aside for Froggy.
May 25, 1942 - Changes were made on this date.
May 26, 1942 - Changes were made on this date. Buckwheat's friend was no longer in the story at this point. Janet still recites at the end.
May 27, 1942 - A 'mimeo. dial cont.' by McGowan & Law derives from this date. This is a synopsis that comes pretty close to the finished film.
Aug. 3, 1942 - A script deriving from this date contains adjustments made to assign Spanky's dialogue to other gangsters. Happy is present in this version. Mickey gives the speech, and then steps aside for Froggy.
Aug. 4, 1942 - A script deriving from this date contains the same type of changes as on the previous date, but focuses on the latter part of the story. Janet no longer recites at the end.

In the category of unseen characters are "Mr. Benny," the banker, and "The Johnsons."

See page 236 of Maltin & Bann's book for this film's expenses and profits.