Lazy Days

technical details:

Production G-26.

Filmed June 10 to 20, 1929. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Released August 24, 1929. This release date is according to the release charts in Motion Picture News, which is the only one of three choices that makes this the usual Saturday release on the MGM schedule. Maltin & Bann list it as Aug. 15, 1929, a Monday, while Richard Lewis Ward's A History Of The Hal Roach Studios lists it as Oct. 24, 1929, a Thursday. Even with an August release, it's possible that "Boxing Gloves" made it into theaters first, and that "Lazy Days" was the 92nd release. In fact, if "Boxing Gloves" was released on August 24th (a very real possibility), then "Lazy Days" may have been delayed for a month or so. It was definitely in theaters by October 2nd, though.

Copyrighted August 26, 1929, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP641. Renewed September 13, 1956, with registration no. R176911. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2024.

All-talking two-reeler, sound on disc only. (In actuality, there is a lot of silent footage in this film.)

Opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "Lazy Days".'

the crew:

Produced by Robert F. McGowan for Hal Roach

This is how Maltin & Bann put it. The film credits Roach as a presenter, and designates it as "A Robert McGowan Production."

Directed by Robert F. McGowan

This credit appears in the film, but without his middle initial.

Photographed by Art Lloyd and F. E. Hershey

This credit appears in the film.

Film Editor: Richard Currier

This credit appears in the film.

Story Editor: H. M. Walker

This credit appears in the film.

Recording engineer: Elmer Raguse

This credit appears in the film.

Animation by Roy Seawright

This credit derives from Seawright's payroll status as the studio animator during this period. This film features an animated bee sting.

Story by Robert F. McGowan

This credit doesn't appear in the film.

Animal Trainer: Harry Lucenay

He was Pete's owner and trainer.

Teacher: Fern Carter

Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Indicated in the opening title card.

Passed by the National Board of Review

As indicated in the film.

A Victor Recording, Western Electric System

As indicated in the film.

studio personnel

general manager - Warren Doane

assistant general manager - L. A. French

secretary-treasurer - C. H. Roach

assistant secretary - Mat O'Brien

construction supervisor - C. E. Christensen

laboratory superintendent - Charles Levin

optical effects supervisor - Roy Seawright

still photographer - Bud "Stax" Graves

transportation director - Bob Davis

possible uncredited involvement

assistant direction - Possibly Charles Oelze.

cutting - Possibly Lloyd Campbell.

writing - Robert A. McGowan, Jean Yarbrough, Charlie Hall, Harry Keaton and Carl Harbaugh may have been among the gag writers.

property department - Charles Oelze, Don Sandstrom, Thomas Benton Roberts and Bob Saunders were probably involved in this capacity.

animal training - Tony Campanaro may have been among the animal trainers.

the kids:

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Lead role. He overcomes his laziness long enough to get his baby brother ready for a contest that never happens.

Jannie "Mango" Hoskins as "Trellis"

Supporting role. Farina repeatedly calls her "Honey." She waits on him both at the beginning and the end of the film.

James "Junior" Allen as "Thermos" aka "Junior"

Supporting role. Farina bathes him in preparation for the contest. Farina calls him "Junior" at one point, and seems to call him "Juney" right before that. He was 18 months old at this time.

Joe Cobb as "Joe"

Supporting role. He's the one with the idea to enter the babies in the contest.

Mary Ann Jackson as "Mary"

Supporting role. She decides to dress Wheezer as a baby.

Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins as "Wheezer"

Supporting role. He resists Mary Ann's efforts to transform him into a baby.

Norman "Chubby" Chaney as "Chub"

Small part. Joe dresses him as a baby.

Harry Spear as "Harry"

Small part. He beats Mary Ann at checkers.

Jean Darling as "Jean"

Small part. She laments that she could have prayed for a goat instead of the baby she ended up with.

other kids

There are two additional babies, one belonging to Jean, and one belonging to Harry. Maltin & Bann list Bobbie Burns, but I don't know which kid this is. Studio publicity states that ten babies were used for the film, but if so, most of them never made it into the finished product.

the animals:

Pete (no. 1) as "Petey"

Supporting role. He's seen frequently during Farina's footage, but doesn't do too much other than rock the cradle.

monkey 004

Bit part. Listed as Elmer the Monkey by Maltin & Bann, but he looks a lot more like the earlier monkeys.

cat 080

Bit part. This is the tabby with the chicks on and around it.

Leo

Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film (but cut from the Cabin Fever print).

other animals

Small parts, bit parts and extras.

(1.) The goat Farina refers to as "Samson."

(2.) The toad that squirts water, which is probably fake in the squirting shots.

(3.) The mule, which Maltin & Bann list as Dinah the Mule, but which may be the one from "Uncle Tom's Uncle" (no. 50).

(4.) The rooster that Farina is four times bigger than.

(5.) The three puppies seen early in the film.

(6.) The two kittens drinking milk, which are later used in the cradle-rocking scene.

(7.) The three chicks on and around the tabby cat.

(8.) The numerous ducks and ducklings walking into the pond.

(9.) Various chickens in the yard.

bugwatch

The bee that repeatedly pesters Farina is a real one in the closeup shot, but a fake one otherwise. There are also several flies buzzing around.

the adults:

adults

Bit parts.

(1.) The voice of the organ grinder.

(2.) The woman crossing the tracks and almost messing up the shot.

the music:

"Turkey In The Straw" by John Renfro Davis

This was originally an fiddle instrumental called "Natchez Under The Hill". It was published with lyrics in 1834 as "Old Zip Coon." In this film, it's played on Jannie's music box.

other music

The only remaining music in this film is the sound made by the accordion while it's attached to the cradle-rocking contraption.

music from alternate prints

"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield

This is played during both the opening and closing of the film, and in both prints. However, judging by the use of music in other films from this period, I'm guessing that it was not an original part of the film, and was probably taken from the opening of "Teacher's Pet" (no. 101).

the locations:

Media Park

Located between Washington Boulevard, Venice Boulevard and Canfield Avenue in Culver City. Leon Smith identifies this location in his book Hollywood Goes On Location. This is consistent with the final scene of Farina leaning against a tree, which was located near some tracks. If these were streetcar tracks, then Media Park fits the description well.

miscellaneous:

10 shooting dates went into the making of this film. Two weeks after shooting finished for "Boxing Gloves" (no. 91), the 'start' date arrived for "Lazy Days" on June 10th. Shooting continued until the 'finish' date of June 20th. No shooting took place on June 9th and 16th, which were both Sundays. Robert F. McGowan directed on each of the shooting dates. After this, two weeks passed before the Our Gang unit began filming "Bouncing Babies" (no. 93).

The notice for the baby contest announces that "The Hon. Benjamin Shipman has consented to act as chief judge." He was currently the business manager at the Roach studio.

The press release for this film mentions The Hal Roach Studio Cafeteria, otherwise known as the Hal Roach Cafe. Surely, this is the place that later became known as the Our Gang Cafe.

This film was removed from King World's TV package in the early 70s.

In the category of unseen characters: Jannie's little sister is named "Linoleum."

availability:

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 20 (VHS) from Cabin Fever and

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Volume Four (3 LD set) from Cabin Fever

Released 1995. This is a nearly complete print, missing only the MGM lion at the beginning. The titles are original, and the picture quality is excellent. The film lasts 20:00. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs.

The Little Rascals - The Complete Collection (8 DVD set) from Genius Products

Released late Oct. 2008. This is identical to the Cabin Fever version, except that it's badly cropped.

The Little Rascals Two Reelers Vol. 1 (VHS) from Spotlite Video

Released Nov. 1987. This is a home movie print from Blackhawk, but with the company name blacked out. It was also included as part of a 6 VHS boxed set. The opening title is remade, but the original crew credits are included, but cropped in such a way that the 'Our Gang' name is not shown. The end title is taken from either "Spooky Hooky" (no. 149) or "Hearts Are Thumps" (no. 153). The picture quality is good. The original footage totals 19:53.

The Little Rascals Book XX (VHS) from Blackhawk Video

This is the Blackhawk print.

Our Gang Comedies presents Hal Roach's Rascals 2 Pack (2 VHS set) from Brentwood Video

Released Nov. 2000. This was also included within a 10 VHS set entitled Our Gang Comedies presents Hal Roach's Rascals 10 Pack.

Hal Roach's Rascals (DVD) from Brentwood Video

This is also available in a 2 DVD set with another same-named DVD. This is the Blackhawk print with the company name blacked out.

Hal Roach's Rascals (DVD) from Brentwood Video

This is the other DVD with this name, and includes a documentary entitled Hollywood Hall Of Fame, with 22 clips from this film. The 1st lasts 0:10, and shows the dog-powered rocker. The 2nd lasts 0:07, and shows Farina with the magical baby carriage. The 3rd lasts 0:08, and shows Joe talking. The 4th lasts 0:01, and shows the gang in the yard. The 5th lasts 0:01, and shows Joe taking a look. The 6th lasts 0:01, and shows Chubby as a baby. The 7th lasts 0:02, and shows Joe talking to the gang. The 8th lasts 0:01, and shows Farina sitting. The 9th lasts 0:01, and shows Joe instructing the gang. The 10th lasts 0:03, and shows the game of checkers. The 11th lasts 0:02, and shows the Mule. The 12th lasts 0:02, and shows the monkey. The 13th lasts 0:04, and shows the goat. The 14th lasts 0:08, and shows various animals. The 15th lasts 0:01, and shows Jannie, Pete and the watermelon. The 16th lasts 0:03, and shows the cute baby. The 17th lasts 0:36, and shows Joe instructing the gang. The 18th lasts 0:06, and shows the gang returning from the show. The 19th lasts 0:15, and shows Farina bathing the baby. The 20th lasts 0:30, and shows Mary and Wheezer. The 21st lasts 0:09, and shows Farina and Jannie. And the 22nd lasts 0:01, and shows Joe instructing the gang.

Hal Roach's Rascals 3-Tape Set (3 VHS set)

Released Feb. 2000. Contains the same print as the DVD as well as the Hollywood Hall Of Fame documentary.

TV Time Comedy 100 TV Episodes (10 DVD set) from TV Time

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

© Robert Demoss.