Shrimps For A Day

film no. 133

availability:

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 19 (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 20:18. 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.
Little Rascals Greatest Hits (VHS/DVD) from GoodTimes Home Video: Released Mar. 1, 2001. Reissued Aug. 13, 2002. Also included as part of Our Gang Collector Series 4 Pack (4 DVD set), released Mar. 21, 2001. Also included as part of Our Gang Collector Series 5 Pack (5 VHS set/5 DVD set), VHS released Feb. 2002 and DVD released Mar. 2004. Also included as part of Our Gang Double Feature (DVD), released June 25, 2002. This is a print by Monogram Pictures Corporation from The Little Rascals. The opening title is remade, but the crew credits and end title are original. The NRA designation on the end title has been cropped out. The picture quality is very good. The original footage totals 19:39, but the original soundtrack lasts an additional 0:06. Also included is a clip lasting 0:20 in the introductory segment of this video release.
The Best Of Spanky (DVD) from Genius Entertainment: Released Mar. 27, 2007. Also included as part of The Little Rascals In Color! (3 DVD set). This is the Monogram print, included both as a colorized print, and in the original black-and-white. The picture quality is very good.
Rascal Dazzle (VHS/LD) from Embassy Home Entertainment: Original film released 1981. Video released 1984. A clip lasting 1:16 is included, showing Olive Brasno's song followed by the kids eating cake, with music and narration added. Another clip lasting 0:49 is included, showing the kids taking castor oil, with music added.
Jackie Remembers Our Gang - The Silent Era (VHS/DVD) from Jackie Taylor: A clip lasting 0:04 is included, showing the kids all dressed up, with narration added.
The Our Gang Story (VHS/DVD) from GoodTimes Home Video: VHS released 1994. DVD released May 21, 2002. Also included as part of Our Gang Collector Series 4 Pack (4 DVD set), released Mar. 21, 2001, Our Gang Collector Series 5 Pack (5 VHS/DVD set), released Feb. 2002 (VHS) and Mar. 2004 (DVD), and The Best Of Our Gang Volume 1 (DVD) released June 1, 2004. A clip lasting 0:14 is included, showing the opening footage. Another clip lasting 3:53 is included, combining various scenes. A third clip lasting 0:04 is included, showing the opening title of the Monogram print from The Little Rascals series. All three clips have narration added.

technical details:

Production G-26.

Released on December 8, 1934, making it the 133rd film in the series to be released.

Copyrighted February 20, 1935, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP5364. Renewed August 1, 1962, with registration no. R299644. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2030.

All-talking two-reeler.

Opening title: 'Hal Roach presents Our Gang in "Shrimps For A Day".'

A segment of "Here Comes The Ice-Cream Man" from this film was later used in "Framing Youth" (no. 159).

King World Productions episode no. 27, available in both colorized and original black-and-white versions.

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach: Credited in the film as a presenter. The Monogram print credits the film as "A Hal Roach Production."
Directed by Gus Meins: This credit appears in the film.
Photography: Francis Corby, A. S. C.: This credit appears in the film.
Film Editor: Louis McManus: This credit appears in the film.
Recording Engineer: James Greene: Not listed by Maltin & Bann. 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.
Western Electric System: As indicated in the film.
Approved by the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America: Certificate no. 554.
NRA: The National Recovery Administration emblem is shown in both the opening and end titles.
studio personnel
possible uncredited involvement

the kids:

George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky": Featured role. He outsmarts Mr. Crutch and gets to go to the party. He later helps Dick to escape the orphanage.
Leonard Kibrick: Supporting role. His name doesn't turn up in the dialogue, but the cutting continuity lists him as "Leonard." He's reprimanded by Dick, only to turn the tables once Dick becomes a kid.
Scotty Beckett as "Scotty": Supporting role. He's given some specific attention here and there, particularly during his sleeping scene with Spanky.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas: Supporting role. The nickname doesn't turn up in the dialogue, but the cutting continuity includes it. He's a female in this film. He's given a few closeups and a line of dialogue, providing occasional comic relief.
Gordon Evans: Supporting role. His name doesn't turn up in the dialogue, but the cutting continuity lists him as "Gordon." He's the black boy who finds the lamp.
Marianne Edwards: Supporting role. Her name doesn't turn up in the dialogue, but the cutting continuity lists her as "Marianne." Mr. Crutch won't help her into the truck, but changes his tune when Mr. Wade is watching.
Alvin Buckelew: Supporting role. He's mostly an ensemble player in this film, but gets a chance to step on Mr. Crutch's foot.
Jerry Tucker: Supporting role. He's almost entirely an ensemble player in this film.
Matthew "Stymie" Beard: Supporting role. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He's given almost nothing specific to do in this film.
girl 133: Supporting role. She explains to Mary what happens to the new clothes. She was later seen in "Teacher's Beau" (no. 136). She may be one of the girls listed below under 'other kids.'
Jacqueline Taylor: Supporting role. She tells Mary to find some other place to sleep. The press release calls her Jacquelyn Taylor.
Donald Proffitt: Supporting role. He's given one closeup while eating cake, but is otherwise part of the ensemble.
Harry Harvey, Jr.: Small part. A blonde boy that looks consistent with him is seen in the longshots both at the party and in one of the beds.
Eileen Bernstein: Small part. She's given one closeup while eating cake, but is otherwise part of the ensemble.
Tommy McFarland: Small part. He's seen only in longshot. As the kids gather at the steps in their new clothes, he's at the upper left corner wearing a beret.
Paul Hilton: Extra. He's shown in the photo in Gulick's book standing between Jerry Tucker and Jacqueline Taylor.
Jackie White: Small part. She's seen only in longshot.
Philbrook Lyons: Small part. He can be spotted in the last part of the film in one of the beds. A press photo verifies his inclusion in the cast.
Barbara Goodrich: Extra. She's shown in the photo in Rebecca Gulick's Those Little Rascals. She's third from the right in the middle row.
Phyllis Yuse: Extra. It appears that she's the girl behind Buckwheat and Scotty in the photo in Gulick's book.
other kids: Small parts. The press release includes Joyce Kay among the kids in this film, but I still need to familiarize myself with her. I also need to familiarize myself with two names listed by Maltin & Bann: Fred Purner, Jr. and Marialise Gumm. Purner's father was head of the Roach publicity and advertising department. They also list Dorian Johnston and Delmar Watson, who don't seem to be in the film. Also, Patsy Barry signs photos from this film, but it's very unlikely that she's in the cast, since she would have only been two years old at the time.
(1.) The blonde boy with the big mouth.
(2.) The blonde girl scared by the goose.
(3.) One more brown-haired boy, who's at the party, but not the orphanage, where he seems to be replaced by Philbrook Lyons.
(4.) One more blonde boy.
(5.) Two more brunette girls.

the animals:

Laughing Gravy: Bit part. This is the little white dog that finds the lamp.
Leo: Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.
other animals: Bit parts. The only remaining animal in this film is the goose that scares the little girl.

the adults:

Olive Brasno as "Mary" aka "Miss Wade" as a child: Featured role. After changing into a child, she and her boyfriend discover how things really are at the orphanage. The press release mistakenly refers to her as Oliver Brasno.
George Brasno as "Dick" as a child, and as "Mr. Crutch" as a child: Featured role. He escapes the orphanage to tell Mr. Wade about it. Maltin & Bann mistakenly name him Dick Brasno when giving the Mr. Crutch credit.
Clarence Wilson as "Mr. Crutch" as an adult: Featured role. He's the head of the orphanage and mistreats the kids.
Rosa Gore as "Mrs. Crutch": Supporting role. She's virtually as bad as her husband.
Doris McMahan as "Mary" aka "Miss Wade" as an adult: Supporting role. She's given a fair amount of screen time, but is supplanted by Olive Brasno in most of the scenes. The press release lists her as Doris McMahon.
Joe Young as "Dick" as an adult: Supporting role. He's supplanted by George Brasno in the most of the scenes.
Wilfred Lucas as "Mr. Wade": Supporting role. He's not crazy about having the kids at his home.
Herbert Evans as the butler: Small part. He takes the kids into the house to show them the new clothes.
Ray Turner as the frightened man: Bit part. He gets spooked by a sheet-covered Dick.
other adults: Bit part. The only remaining adult is the actor that plays the cop.

the music:

"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.
(A14.) A portion of this is played over the opening titles and as we're introduced to Mr. and Mrs. Crutch. A fragment is played over the end title.
"Bells" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played as the kids arrive at the Wade estate.
"Little Dancing Girl" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Also known as "Dancing Girl" and "Dancing Girls." This is played as the kids run into the house and emerge with new clothes on.
"(We're Going To) Arrowhead" by Leroy Shield: This is played as Dick reprimands Leonard and as Dick and Mary discover the lamp.
"Teeter-Totter" by Leroy Shield: Most of this piece is played as Mary and Dick change into children.
"The Moon And You" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Most of this piece is played as the kids feast on cake and ice cream.
"Here Comes The Ice-Cream Man," by T. Marvin Hatley and Billy Gilbert: Copyrighted Jan. 25, 1934. Listed by Maltin & Bann as "The Ice Cream Song." Music by Hatley and lyrics by Gilbert. This is sung by Olive Brasno, with help from George Brasno and Spanky. The instrumental music heard over the radio right before Olive starts singing is the same song, as is the incidental music heard as the kids are making a racket and Mr. Crutch arrives to take them back to the orphanage.
"Ah! 'Tis Love" by Leroy Shield: Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. Most of this piece is played as Mr. Crutch takes Mary and Dick with him.

the locations:

Happy Home Orphanage: This is obviously a fake name, but the exterior of the building appears to be authentic and is at number 7805 of an unknown street.

©June 26, 2005, by Robert Demoss.
2005 updates: 7/4, 7/9, 8/30, 11/15, 12/19.
2006 updates: 1/3, 1/16, 2/11, 4/3, 5/16, 7/5, 10/25, 11/2.
2007 updates: 4/1, 10/22, 11/4.
2008 updates: 2/26, 5/26, 7/27, 8/24, 9/7, 9/22, 11/6.

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