Helping Grandma

technical details:

Production G-37.

Release no. C-334.

Filmed July 28 to August 6, 1930. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Title sheet prepared by H. M. Walker on August 19, 1930.

Cutting continuity submitted September 11, 1930.

Copyrighted October 1, 1930, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP1660. Renewed January 13, 1958, with registration no. R206652. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2025.

Released January 3, 1931. It was the 103rd film in the series to be released.

All-talking two-reeler.

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

King World Productions episode no. 6, available in both colorized and original black-and-white versions.

the crew:

Produced by Robert F. McGowan for Hal Roach

This is the way Maltin & Bann put it. The film credits Roach as a presenter, with a separate credit reading "A Robert McGowan Production."

Directed by Robert F. McGowan

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

Photographed by Art Lloyd

This credit appears in the film.

Edited by Richard Currier

This credit appears in the film.

Dialogue by H. M. Walker

This credit appears in the film. Studio documentation credits him as a story editor.

Recording Engineer: Elmer Raguse

This credit appears in the film.

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

school teacher - Fern Carter

possible uncredited involvement

assistant direction - Possibly Charles Oelze.

writing - Robert F. McGowan probably headed story development, while Robert A. McGowan, Carl Harbaugh, Jean Yarbrough, Charlie Hall and Harry Keaton 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.

titles - Louis McManus probably designed the main titles.

the kids:

Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins as "Wheezer"

Featured role. Mary Ann leaves him in charge of the store, and he waits on Stymie.

Matthew "Stymie" Beard

Featured role. The nickname doesn't turn up in the dialogue, but is indicated in the cutting continuity. The press book refers to him as "Mathew Beard, nicknamed 'Stymie'." The script, however, refers to him as "Tumble-Weed." His big scene is the one where he tastes various things in the store.

Jackie Cooper as "Jack"

Supporting role. He's prominent early in the film, basically being the leader among the kids, but doesn't appear too much in the second half.

Allen "Farina" Hoskins

Supporting role. The nickname doesn't turn up in the dialogue, but is indicated in the cutting continuity. He's given a recurring comedy bit on the phone.

Dorothy "Echo" DeBorba

Supporting role. She accompanies Wheezer throughout the film. Maltin & Bann state that she's Wheezer's sister, but there isn't any indication in this film. Neither her real name nor her nickname turn up in the dialogue, but she's referred to as "Dorothy" in the cutting continuity.

Shirley Jean Rickert as "Shirley"

Supporting role. She flirts with Wheezer, and then assists in finding things for Stymie to taste. This was her first appearance in the series. Her inclusion in the film was decided at a fairly early date, since her name appears in both the synopsis and the script.

Norman "Chubby" Chaney

Supporting role. The nickname doesn't turn up in the dialogue, but is indicated in the cutting continuity. He's given a few comic moments along the way, but otherwise isn't too prominent in this film.

Mary Ann Jackson as "Mary"

Supporting role. She's left in charge of the store, but in turn leaves Wheezer in charge.

Bobby "Bonedust" Young as "Bonedust" aka "Robert"

Small part. He's featured in an early scene being intimidated by Jackie.

Donald Haines

Small part. He accompanies the older kids in their scenes, but is only given one line. His full name is used in the cutting continuity.

questionable listings

A 1931 casting directory indicates that Bobby Mallon appeared in this film, but if so, than his scenes were cut from the final print.

the animals:

Leo

Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.

bugwatch

There are various flies buzzing around the store.

the adults:

Margaret Mann as "Mrs. Margaret Mack" aka "Grandma"

Featured role. She's ready to sell her store, but still has time to attend to the kids' needs.

Oscar Apfel as "Pennypacker"

Featured role. He's the skinflint that's trying to buy Grandma's store at a lower price. His character name in the synopsis is "Mr. Pennypincher." By the time the script was written, it had become "Pennypacker."

Del Henderson as one of the chain store officials

Supporting role. He's the chain store official that does most of the talking. Listed as "Henderson" in the cutting continuity.

William Gillespie as "Billy," the other chain store official

Supporting role. He doesn't talk as much as Henderson, but is present in the same scenes. Listed as "Gillespie" in the cutting continuity.

other adults

The only remaining adult is a man seen walking in the background as the chain store officials first enter the store. Maltin & Bann credit David Sharpe as a stunt double for Margaret Mann, but I don't see any opportunities for this.

the music:

"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.

(A10.) The tenth version is played over the opening titles. A portion of it is repeated as the boys leave to make their deliveries.

(A11.) The eleventh version is played as Jackie intimidates Bonedust, and is faster in tempo, but in the same key as the opening version.

"Here Are The Pets" by Leroy Shield

The first part of this piece is played as Farina is talking on the phone. It's played again during Farina's second phone call.

"Ah! 'Tis Love" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. The introduction to this piece is played as we're introduced to Chubby.

"Apples, Apples" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. This is a succession of short effect pieces played as Chubby speaks and pulls the worm out of the apple. The middle section is very similar to the "Miser" themes.

"Wishing" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played as Jackie talks to Grandma. A portion of it is played again as Grandma takes Wheezer's money and he dumps his candy on the porch to count it. It's played again as Grandma first talks to Pennypacker, where it's interspersed with "Miser." A small portion is played again as Grandma leaves the kids in charge of the store. A short bit of this returns as Grandma responds to Wheezer's injury. A very short bit returns as Grandma realizes she doesn't have her glasses. Another short bit is played as Grandma responds to Stymie.

"Tuba"

This is the tuba effect piece played after Farina makes a crack about ill-gotten gains.

piece 103e

This laugh effect piece is at the end of Farina's second phone call.

"Candy Candy" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. This is played as the little kids shop for candy. The first half is repeated as Mary Ann talks on the phone and leaves Wheezer in charge of the store. A faster version is played as Stymie tastes the different foods in the store, where it's interspersed with pieces 103l, 103m, 103n, 103o, 103p and 103q. A short part of this tune returns as Stymie borrows Grandma's glasses. Another short bit is played as Stymie realizes the watermelon was a cucumber.

"One For You" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is a violin piece edited with a chime effect, and played as Wheezer counts the candy. The chime is heard again as Grandma nods at Pennypacker. It's heard once more as Mary Ann talks about the gold chain her father bought.

piece 103g

This is a short effect piece played as Stymie says 'I knows it' for the last time. This may actually be part of the "One For You" recording.

"Why! The Old Flirt" by Leroy Shield

This is played as Wheezer and Shirley flirt with each other.

"Miser" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played as Grandma first talks to Pennypacker, where it's interspersed with "Wishing." It's otherwise slightly different from the Beau Hunks version. A portion of it is played again as Pennypacker asks the kids about the chain store officials, where it's interspersed with the other "Miser" piece. A different arrangement is played as Grandma returns to the store with Pennypacker. A very short bit of this returns as Pennypacker takes the glasses from Stymie. Another short part is played as Pennypacker accuses Grandma of tricking him.

"Teeter-Totter" by Leroy Shield

The introduction to this piece is played as Mary Ann cleans the counters while eating candy, and is repeated in a lower key.

"On To The Show" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played as Jackie and Farina lie to the chain store officials. This version slows down a couple of times before speeding back up. A fast version with no slow-downs is played as the chain store officials leave. This version is played again as the chain store officials keep calling the store. A short bit is played again as the chain store officials talk to Pennypacker on the phone. A very short bit of this is played as the chain store officials finally make it to the store.

piece 103h

This is an effect piece played as Chubby talks to the chain store officials.

"Miser" by Leroy Shield

This is a short suspense piece played as Pennypacker takes the letter from Farina. It returns as Pennypacker leaves. This piece should not be confused with the more common "Miser" piece heard on the Beau Hunks CD. It's very similar to the opening of the long version of "Yearning."

piece 103j

This is a short trombone effect piece played as Stymie arrives with the string tied around his finger.

"Beautiful Lady" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is a slow version played as Wheezer tries to find out what Stymie wants, where it's interspersed with piece 103k. The recording repeats a couple of times, but the middle part never appears.

piece 103k

This is a short effect piece played as Wheezer looks severely at Stymie. A longer version is played the second time Wheezer gives Stymie this look. A slightly different version is played the third time around.

piece 103l

This is a short effect piece played as Stymie reacts to the soap.

piece 103m

This is a short effect piece played as Stymie reacts to the shoe polish.

piece 103n

This is a short effect piece played as Stymie reacts to the gasoline.

piece 103o

This is a short effect piece played as Stymie reacts to the moth balls.

piece 103p

This is a short effect piece played as Stymie reacts to the glue.

piece 103q

This is a short effect piece played as Stymie reacts to the limburger.

piece 103r

This is an effect piece played as Pennypacker gets the contract ready for Grandma.

"Yearning" by Leroy Shield

This short piece is played twice in a row as Grandma laments losing her store. It returns as Grandma responds to the kids' request for candy. This piece should not be confused with the more commonly-heard "Yearning," which appears on the Beau Hunks CD.

piece 103t

This is a short suspense piece played as Grandma is about to sign the contract, only to be interrupted by Wheezer getting hit on the finger with a hammer. It returns as Grandma is about to sign the contract again, only to be interrupted by Stymie. This may be part of the "Miser" family of compositions.

piece 103u

This is a short suspense piece played as Pennypacker gives the kids a quarter. This may also be part of the "Miser" family of compositions.

"Yearning" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Aug. 13, 1931. Most of this piece is played as Grandma signs away the store. A short bit of it is played as the chain store official points out the blank piece of paper to Grandma. A couple of more fragments are played as Grandma socks Pennypacker and the end title appears.

the locations:

Hal Roach Ranch

Mrs. Mack's Grocery was located here, right across from District School No. 6, which can be seen out the window of the store. It's clear that the picket fence seen in front of the school in other episodes was put there only for those films, since it's absent in this one. The eucalyptus-lined road along which the car speeds was the access road leading into the ranch. It was located roughly where David Avenue is nowadays, just west of Robertson Boulevard. The grocery store is the same one featured in "Roamin' Holiday" (no. 156). The pressbook for this film gives the following quote about the ranch: "This is where the contraptions are kept that are left over from previous episodes, so the Gang loves going there. All comedies in which the kids play inside are made at the studio in one of the huge sound stages, but those in which Our Gang go to school, where they scamper from one house to another and play in their back yards, are all made on the ranch, where Gangtown was built just for Our Gang. In 'Helping Grandma,' Our Gang play around in a country store."

miscellaneous:

10 shooting dates went into the making of this film. Four and a half weeks had passed since the last day of shooting for "School's Out" (no. 102). The studio had been closed for one of those weeks. The 'start' date for "Helping Grandma" arrived on July 28th. Shooting continued until the 'finish' date of Aug. 6th. No shooting took place on July 27th, which was a Sunday, but shooting did take place on Sunday, Aug. 3rd. After this, four weeks passed before the Our Gang unit began filming "Love Business" (no. 104).

Reel one ends as Pennypacker exits after confiscating the letter.

In the category of unseen characters is "Tommycat," who's just had kittens.

A publicity photo reveals some deleted outdoor footage with Chubby, Jackie and Mary Ann.

The pressbook also mentions that the chain store officials were "unaided by television" while on the phone with Wheezer.

The script submitted to MGM was given the catalog number B444.

availability:

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 7 (VHS) from Cabin Fever and

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Volume Two (4 LD set) from Cabin Fever

Released July 6, 1994. Also released as part of 12 VHS boxed set. This is a complete original print with excellent picture quality. The footage totals 20:47. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs. There are also two clips included in the opening advertisement of all the Cabin Fever VHS releases. The 1st lasts 0:02, and shows Wheezer konking the bad guy on the head. The 2nd lasts 0:02, and shows Farina on the phone.

The Little Rascals Volume 7: Collector's Edition (VHS) from Hallmark Home Entertainment

Released Aug. 15, 2000. Also included as part of The Little Rascals Volumes 1-10: Collector's Edition (10 VHS set), released Aug. 15, 2000.

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 7 & Vol. 8 (DVD) from Cabin Fever

Same contents as the Cabin Fever VHS releases. Also released as part of The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited (6 DVD set).

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

Released late Oct. 2008. This is identical to the Cabin Fever version.

The Best Of The Little Rascals (VHS) from NTA Home Entertainment

Released Oct. 1992. This is a home movie print from Blackhawk, with a remade opening title and the original end title. The crew credits are original, but with the MGM and Our Gang names blacked out. The picture quality is good. The original footage totals 20:28, but the original soundtrack lasts an additional 0:11.

The Little Rascals Book IV (VHS) from Blackhawk Video

This is the Blackhawk print.

Rascal Dazzle (VHS/LD) from Embassy Home Entertainment

Original film released 1981. Video released 1984. A clip lasting 0:05 is included, showing Wheezer and Shirley flirting with each other.

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

© Robert Demoss.