Little Daddy

film no. 105

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 complete original print with excellent picture quality. The total footage lasts 20:56. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs.
The Little Rascals - The Complete Collection (8 DVD set) from Genius Products: Released Oct. 28, 2008. This is identical to the Cabin Fever version.
The Little Rascals Book IX (VHS) from Blackhawk Video: This is a home movie print from Blackhawk. The opening title and crew credits are remade, but the end title is original. The picture quality is good. The original footage totals 20:33, but the original soundtrack lasts an additional 0:23.

technical details:

Production G-39.

Filmed October 30 to November 13, 1930. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Copyrighted February 6, 1931, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP1956. Renewed December 2, 1958, with registration no. R225695. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2026.

Released March 28, 1931. It was the 105th film in the series to be released.

All-talking two-reeler.

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

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: Not listed by Maltin & Bann. This credit appears in the film.
Animal Trainer: Harry Lucenay: He was Pete's owner and trainer.
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
possible uncredited involvement

the kids:

Matthew "Stymie" Beard as "Stymie": Featured role. It's time for him to be taken to the orphanage, but not if Farina can help it.
Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina": Featured role. He tries to find a way to keep Stymie from being taken to the orphanage.
Norman "Chubby" Chaney as "Chubby": Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble acting, except for his big scene singing "Asleep In The Deep."
Jackie Cooper as "Jackie" aka "Jack": Supporting role. He seems to be the leader among the kids prior to the arrival of the orphan asylum agent.
Bobby "Bonedust" Young: Supporting role. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He takes a leadership role once the agent has arrived. This was his final appearance in the series.
Shirley Jean Rickert: Small part. She does mostly ensemble acting, but has a brief moment playing miniature golf.
Donald Haines: Small part. He does mostly ensemble acting, except for one line of dialogue.
Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins as "Wheezer": Small part. He's given only ensemble work to do in this film.
Douglas Greer: Small part. He's an ensemble player in this film.
Mary Ann Jackson: Small part. She's barely noticeable, doing only ensemble acting.
Dorothy "Echo" DeBorba: Small part. She's seen only in longshot and doesn't do anything specific.

the animals:

dog 087b as "Brownie": Small part. This is Stymie's dog, who helps him golf.
Pete the Pup III: Bit part. He's seen in longshot while the kids are playing golf.
Leo: Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.
cat 060: Bit part. He's seen in Farina and Stymie's house, and is the cat on the right in the publicity photo in Maltin & Bann's book.
Laughing Gravy: Bit part. He's one of Farina and Stymie's dogs, and is the dog second to the right in the publicity photo in Maltin & Bann's book.
dog 105a: Bit part. This is the dog to the far right under the kitchen table.
dog 105b: This dog doesn't seem to be in the film, but is shown in the publicity photo in Maltin & Bann's book at the far right.
cat 080: Not shown in the film, this tabby is nevertheless in the publicity photo in Maltin & Bann's book.
other animals: Bit parts.
(1.) The little black dog seen under the kitchen table.
(2.) Another chicken in Farina and Stymie's house.
(3.) Six kittens belonging to Farina and Stymie.

the adults:

Otto Fries as the orphan asylum agent: Supporting role. He comes to collect Stymie, but suffers the wrath of the gang. His full name is mentioned in the cutting continuity.
George Reed as the parson: Small part. He's shown at the beginning of the film talking with Farina.
June Marlowe as "Miss Crabtree": Small part. She's shown at the end of the film rescuing Stymie.
Charley Chase as Chubby's singing voice: Voice over. He provides Chubby with his singing voice. Roach figured this idea was probably Chase's, who can also be heard singing this song, "Asleep In The Deep," in his own film, "Rough Seas."
The Etude Ethiopian Chorus: Small parts. Their singing is heard at the start of the film. Presumably, they're the parishioners seen in the church. Looking at the film, there are at least 30 churchgoers including an organist. The chorus had 40 members, so this corroborates pretty well. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

the music:

"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.
(A2.) The second version is played over the opening titles. It's repeated as Stymie rides away on the spare tire and the end title appears.
(A4.) The fourth version is played in part while the gang is playing miniature golf. This same version is played in full as Farina comes out to talk to Jackie.
(B2.) The seldom-heard second half of this piece is played as the agent walks out the door with Stymie.
"Swing Low Sweet Chariot": This is sung by the churchgoers at the beginning of the film. The Fisk University Jubilee Quartet had a number seven hit with this song in 1910.
"Redemption" by J. S. Zamecnik: This is played briefly as Farina and Stymie first talk with the parson.
"I'm Alonging Fo' You" by Jane Harthaway: Also known as "I'm A-Longin' For You." Harthaway also known as Hathaway. This is played during the majority of Farina and Stymie's talk with the parson. In their entry for this film, Maltin & Bann seem to imply that Marvin Hatley was responsible for either these early pieces, or the soundtrack in general.
"Wishing" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played as Farina prays.
"Crabtree" by Leroy Shield: Also known as "Girl & Stick." This is played as Farina arrives home to start his story.
"Violetta" by Abe Olman: Arranged by R. Brewer. This is played as Farina tells Stymie about Noah.
"Me-Ow" by Mel B. Kaufman: Published in 1918 with lyrics by Harry D. Kerr. This is played as Farina gives milk to the kittens. This is a different recording than the one used in earlier films.
"By Rote" by Leroy Shield: This is played as Stymie takes a shower.
"Riding Along" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. This is played as Farina cooks breakfast. It's a faster version than the one reproduced on the Beau Hunks CD.
"(The) Cops" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Aug. 13, 1931. Not to be confused with "Cops," which opened many of the Laurel & Hardy shorts. This is played briefly while Jackie and Donald are waiting for Chubby.
"Asleep In The Deep" by Arthur J. Lamb and Henry W. Petrie: Published in 1897. This is sung by Charley Chase, but lip-synched by Chubby.
"The One I Love Best" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Also known as "All The World (To Me)." The first half of this tune is played while Farina and Stymie are at the breakfast table.
"Here Are The Pets" by Leroy Shield: The first half of this piece is played as Stymie plays miniature golf. The same portion is played as Stymie eats all the food.
"Candy Candy" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. The first part of this is played while Farina sends Stymie out to find the gang. The very beginning is repeated as the gang walks in to find all the food eaten.
"Yearning" by Leroy Shield: This is played as Stymie tells Farina that the gang isn't outside. It's repeated twice more as Miss Crabtree arrives. This piece shouldn't be confused with the more commonly-heard "Yearning" from the Beau Hunks CD.
piece 103t: This effect piece is played as the agent arrives at the door. This may be part of the "Miser" family of compositions.
piece 103u: This effect piece is played as Farina and Stymie start fighting with the agent. This may also be part of the "Miser" family of compositions.
"Confusion" by Leroy Shield: This is played as the gang starts fighting with the agent.
"Hide And Go Seek" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. This is played and partially repeated as Farina hides Stymie and the kids roll tires at the agent.

miscellaneous:

13 shooting dates went into the making of this film. Five and a half weeks after the last day of shooting for "Love Business" (no. 104), the 'start' date arrived for "Little Daddy" on Oct. 30th. Shooting continued until the 'finish' date of Nov. 13th. No shooting took place on Nov. 2nd or 9th, which were both Sundays. After this, over four weeks passed before the Our Gang unit began filming "Bargain Day" (no. 106).

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

In the category of unseen characters, Farina makes a reference to "Miss Duckwaddy."

©May 15, 2005, by Robert Demoss.
2005 updates: 5/16, 7/9, 8/30, 12/19.
2006 updates: 1/8, 2/11, 5/16, 10/25, 11/2.
2007 updates: 4/1, 10/22.
2008 updates: 2/21, 4/25, 7/6, 7/12, 7/23, 8/19, 8/30, 9/28, 11/6.
2009 updates: 6/9.

Thanks to Rob Stone, Joe Moore, Piet Schreuders and Paul Mular for assistance on this page.