Dogs Of War!
film no. 14
availability:
- The Little Rascals Remastered
& Unedited Vol. 16 (VHS) from
Cabin Fever and
- The Little Rascals Remastered
& Unedited Volume Three (4 LD set) from
Cabin Fever
- Released 1995. This is a complete original print with excellent picture
quality. It runs at 26:17 at a slower projection speed. There's also a clip lasting
0:01 shown during the opening sequence to all the Cabin Fever releases, which shows the
gang running on the treadmill. This version has appeared on numerous
bootlegs.
- The Little Rascals Remastered
& Unedited - Rare, Original Silent Episodes (VHS)
from
Cabin Fever
- Released 1996. This is identical to the other Cabin Fever
release.
- Slapstick Encyclopedia Volume
6: Hal Roach - The Lot Of Fun (VHS) from
Kino Video
- This is an original print preceded by a textual introduction. The picture
quality is almost as good as the Cabin Fever version. This edition is copyright 1998 by Film
Preservation Associates with music by Brian Benison. The other films on the tape are not Our
Gang Comedies. It runs at 24:21 at a slower speed.
- Slapstick Encyclopedia Volumes
5-8 (LD set) from
Kino Video
- Our Gang Comedies (3
LDs) from MGM/UA Home
Video
- Released 1994. This is a virtually complete print with the original opening
titles and very good picture quality. The footage totals 26:20.
- The Little Rascals
Collection (5 DVDs) from
Passport Video
- Released July 13, 2004. This is the Kino Video version, with the same
soundtrack. The title of the DVD set is superimposed in the left hand corner of the screen. It
runs 24:19 at a slower projection speed.
- Rascals Silents Vol. 3
(VHS) from A-1 Video
- This is a mostly original version, but with an Atlas Films ending title. The
picture quality is very good. The total footage is 26:20, with 26:18 of it original.
The main advantage to this version is that the entire frame is shown.
- The Original Little Rascals
Comedies (2 Movie Collection) (VHS)
from
Video Resource Distributors,
Inc.
- Released in 1994. This is also an original print. The tape is in EP mode, but
the picture quality is still fairly good. The total footage lasts 19:44, but runs at a
faster speed than the Cabin Fever version. This was repackaged as part of
The Original Little Rascals Comedies
(4 Movie Collection), a double VHS release.
- Little Rascals Volume
2 (DVD) from
East West Entertainment
- Released 2005. This is print has the original titles.
- Our Gang Volume
#1 (VHS) from
Grapevine Video and also from
The Picture Palace
- This is a home movie print from Exclusive Movie Studios, Inc., in Chicago.
The exclamation point isn't included in the title. The main body of the film is fairly
complete, with the opening title being replaced by one from Exclusive, and the closing title
being generic. The picture quality isn't that good. The print totals 19:01, with
18:54 of it original footage. This version has appeared on numerous
bootlegs.
- Our Gang Silent Comedies Vol.
11 (VHS) from Video
Classics
- This is identical to the Grapevine release.
- A Festival Of Silent Comedy
Volume Six (DVD) from Reelclassicdvd.com
- Released 2007.
- Our Gang Silent Comedies
Vol. 5 (VHS) from
HenryButch
- This copy derives from the MGM/UA laserdisc.
- The Little Rascals:
Bear Shooters/Waldo's Last Stand/Dogs Of War!
(VHS/DVD)
from
GoodTimes Home Video
- Released Mar. 1 or 21, 2001. Presumably released initially on VHS. Included
as part of The Little Rascals
4-Pack DVD, released May 29, 2001, and probably also
Our Gang Collection
(10 VHS set/8 DVD set), released May 7, 2002.
- The Little Rascals -
Funniest Episodes (5 VHS set) from
GoodTimes Home Video
- Released June 25, 2002.
- The Best Of Our Gang
Volume 1 (DVD) from
GoodTimes Home Video
- Released June 1, 2004. Also included on
The Best Of Our Gang Volumes
1 & 2 (2 DVD set).
- Our Gang Volume 2
(DVD) from TV Classics
- Released Sep. 5, 2003.
- TV Time Comedy 100 TV
Episodes (10 DVD set) from
TV Time
- The Little Rascals & Our
Gang Collection Vol. 2 (DVD) from
Janus Entertainment, Inc.
- It's also included with Vol. 1 in a 2 DVD set entitled
The Little Rascals & Our Gang
Collector's Edition.
- Laurel and Hardy and Friends
- Volume Three (VHS) from
Hal Roach Studios
- Released Dec. 15, 1998.
- Three Stooges, Little Rascals
& East Side Kids Collection (5 DVD set) from
Diamond Ent. Corp.
- Released Aug. 30, 2005.
- Classic Troublemakers
(3 DVD set) from St. Clair
Entertainment
- Released Oct. 25, 2005.
- Smiles And Spectacles -
The Harold Lloyd Treasury (5 DVD set) from
Passport Video
- Released Feb. 13, 2007.
- Jackie Remembers Our Gang -
The Silent Era (VHS/DVD) from
Jackie Taylor
- A clip is shown on this tape lasting 2:40. It includes the original
opening title card.
- 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 0:07 is
included, showing Farina at war, with narration added.
- SlapHappy: Vol.
4 (DVD) from Fishigan
Films
- Released 2003. Originally produced in 2001. Includes a clip from this film.
This volume is also included as part of The SlapHappy Collection
(11 DVD set).
- SlapHappy: Vol.
9 (DVD) from Fishigan
Films
- Released 2003. Originally produced in 2001. Includes two clips from this
film. This volume is also included as part of The SlapHappy Collection
(11 DVD set).
technical details:
Production A-14.
Filmed January 12 to February 23, and April 11, 1923. See the 'miscellaneous'
section below for details.
Premiered on June 10, 1923, in New York City.
Released on July 1, 1923. It was the 14th film in the series to be released.
Copyrighted July 19, 1923, by Pathé Exchange, Inc. Registration no. LU19216. Since the
copyright was not renewed, this film is now in the public domain.
Silent two-reeler.
Opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals
in "Dogs Of War!".' The Exclusive print says '"Our Gang"
Comedy.' The exclamation point in the film title is not indicated by Maltin & Bann.
Released into TV syndication as Mischief Makers episode no. 1056,
"Battleground," copyrighted Sep. 1, 1960, with registration number LP17361. Footage
also went into episode no. 1053, "Hollywood U.S.A.," copyrighted Sep. 1, 1960, with
registration number LP17358.
the crew:
- Produced by Hal Roach
- Credited in the film as a presenter.
- Directed by Robert F.
McGowan
- This credit appears in the film, but without his middle
initial.
- Photographed by Harry W.
Gerstad and Len
Powers
- Not listed by Maltin & Bann. Gerstad receives sole credit in the film.
Powers was still considered the Our Gang cameraman on the first two days of shooting, so he
may have been involved on those dates. The payroll summaries reveal that he moved on to the
Dippy Doo Dads series the following week and was replaced by Gerstad.
- Edited by T. J. Crizer
- This credit appears in the film, but is not indicated by Maltin & Bann.
The 'T' stands for Thomas.
- Titles by H. M. Walker
- This credit appears in the film.
- Story by Hal E. Roach
- This credit doesn't appear in the film.
- Released by Pathé Exchange, Inc.
- Passed by the National Board of Review
- As indicated in the film.
- studio personnel
- possible uncredited involvement
the kids:
- featured players
- Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"
- Featured role. He appears throughout the film, and even gets some business of
his own. He's a "her" in this film.
- Mickey Daniels
- Featured role. Mickey appears throughout the film, mostly as part of the
group. Mary's 'sick chart' spells his name "Micky."
- Jack Davis as "Jack"
- Featured role. He's featured during the war sequence, but does mostly
ensemble acting during the studio sequence.
- Mary Kornman
- Supporting role. She appears both during the battle scene (as the
nurse), and then again at the film studio.
- Jackie Condon as "Jackie"
- Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble acting in this
film.
- Joe Cobb
- Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble acting in this
film.
- Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison
- Supporting role. Ernie also does mostly ensemble acting. Maltin & Bann
indicate that the "Sunshine Sammy" moniker was used in this film, but it
wasn't.
- other kids
- Andy Samuel
- Small part. He's one of the boys in the opposing army, and is shown more
than the others.
- George "Freckles" Warde
- Bit part. Listed by Maltin & Bann as Monty O'Grady, but I'm quite
certain that it's not him. He's another boy in the opposing army.
- boy 002b
- Bit part. He's another boy in the opposing army.
- boy 003
- Bit part. He's another boy in the opposing army.
- other kids
- Bit parts.
(1.) The other girl in the film-within-a-film besides Mary. We never get a
good look at her.
(2.) Two remaining boys in the opposing army, but we never get a good look at
them.
(3.) At least one boy shown in a still photo on the wall behind Roy Brooks in the
casting office.
the animals:
- skunk 014
- Small part. The "kittie," as Farina puts it. Presumably the same
skunk that later appeared in "Big Business" (no. 23).
- horse 014
- Extra. This is the white horse seen in the background towards the end of the
film as the gang is making their getaway. Could be Duke from "Old Gray Hoss"
(no. 78).
the adults:
- featured players
- Dick Gilbert as the studio guard
- Supporting role. He appears repeatedly during the studio sequence chasing the
kids around.
- William Gillespie as the director of "Should Husbands Work?"
- Supporting role. He's featured strongly during his scenes, which are
decidedly over-the-top. He also appears to be the actor in military garb that helps
Farina down the steps, and is apparently in costume for the Harold Lloyd feature "Why
Worry?".
- Charley Young as the cameraman of "Should Husbands Work?"
- Small part. He's shown during the filming of the
film-within-a-film.
- Charles Stevenson as the actor playing "Dan"
- Small part. He's featured in the
film-within-a-film.
- Clara Guiol as the actress playing the mother of "Little Clarice"
- Small part. She's featured in the
film-within-a-film.
- Harold Lloyd
- Small part. He briefly appears as himself, on the set of an actual film
called "Why Worry?."
- woman 014
- Small part. This is the other woman in "Should Husbands
Work?"
- Roy Brooks as the studio receptionist
- Small part. He's seen in the front office. He's listed by Maltin
& Bann, but as one of the actors on the lot.
- other adults
- Joseph Morrison as the assistant director of "Should Husbands Work?"
- Small part. He's shown during the filming of the
film-within-a-film.
- Sammy Brooks
- Small part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. He's the short guy in the
crew for "Should Husbands Work?"
- Wallace Howe
- Bit part. He's in costume for "Why Worry?" and is dressed in a
suit and bowler hat as Farina comes down the stairs behind the administrative
building.
- Leo White
- Bit part. He's in costume for "Why Worry?" and is in military
garb talking to William Gillespie, who helps Farina down the steps.
- Jobyna Ralston
- Bit part. Harold Lloyd's leading lady, seen during his
scene.
- Fred Newmeyer
- Bit part. Harold Lloyd's director, seen during his
scene.
- Bob Davis as the truck driver
- Bit part. He's barely seen at all.
- Walter Lundin
- Bit part. Harold Lloyd's cameraman. He's barely
seen.
- other adults
- Bit parts and extras.
(1.) The man in the bear costume.
(2.) The man serving as projectionist.
(3.) Three remaining men in the crew of "Should Husbands Work?"
(4.) Two men sweeping the treadmill before Farina switches it on.
(5.) Two officers next to the truck, one of whom is Jack Hill, but I don't
know which.
(6.) The woman who takes Mary to the studio.
(7.) The black woman dressed as a maid and watching the rushes for "Should
Husbands Work?"
(8.) Six men dressed as Mexicans in the Harold Lloyd scene.
(9.) Many people seen in the background on the lot. There are three men and one woman
in costume with Howe and White, and Farina walks past them right after wandering onto the lot.
There are four men and three women shown in front of the studio as the gang arrives, plus
another adult barely seen in the doorway. In the hospital scene that the gang disrupts, there
are two principal actors plus the director and three crew members, as well as four nurses in
the background. There are about eleven banditos that chase the gang. There is also a man
inside the "cage" in the casting office, but barely seen. There are numerous people
walking in the background of several shots, as well as in the still photos on the walls of the
casting office. Also, since Maltin & Bann list Roy Brooks, there's a possibility that
Mark Jones is among the adults in this film, since they seem to identify Jones as Roy
Brooks for other films.
the locations:
- Hal E. Roach Studios
- Much of the studio is featured in this film, including the front building and
many of the behind-the-scenes locations. Known as West Coast Studios in the film. The
site of the gang's war appears to be in an adjacent vacant lot.
miscellaneous:
30 shooting dates went into the making of this film. Shooting was supposed to begin on Jan.
11th, but the retakes for "The Big Show" (no. 7) continued on that date.
Therefore, "Dogs Of War!" began shooting on the 12th, and continued until Feb.
10th. No footage was shot on Jan. 14th, Jan. 21st, Jan. 28th, Feb. 4th, or Feb. 11th, which
were all Sundays. After this, shooting commenced on "Lodge Night" (no. 15),
but additional "Dogs Of War!" footage was shot on Feb. 20th, 22nd and 23rd, with
the last date being divided between the two films. After this, "Lodge Night" was
completed, and "Fast Company" (no. 16) and "Stage Fright" (no.
17) were both started. On Apr. 11th, McGowan did retakes for "Dogs Of War!"
while Tom McNamara seemingly finished "Stage Fright" (there would be
retakes). The very next day, shooting began for "July Days" (no. 18),
further illustrating the point that the Our Gang unit took very little time off during this
early period.
The 1923 studio datebook reveals what the weather was like on the various shooting dates.
During the initial January and February dates, the weather was described as 'bright'
almost half the time. Specifically, it was 'bright & windy'on Feb. 4th. It was
described as 'medium' on Jan. 20th, 21st, 26th, 27th, and 28th. It was described as
'raining' on Jan. 23rd, 25th, 29th, and Feb. 11th, 'rainy' on Jan. 30th and
31st, 'rainy & dark' on Feb. 1st, 'spotted & rainy' on Feb. 8th, and
'dark' on Jan. 22nd. The weather was described as 'dull' on Jan. 24th, and
'dull most of day' on Jan. 12th. It was described as 'clear' on all of the
shooting dates of late February and April.
This film was the second of six in the third 'series' of Our Gang films.
There were 40 copies of this film printed for its initial release.
Copyright Jan. 16, 2005, by Robert Demoss.
2005 updates: 2/27, 3/8, 3/18, 3/24, 4/4, 4/14, 4/18,
4/25, 5/7, 6/9, 6/17, 8/27, 8/30, 12/15.
2006 updates: 1/2, 1/3, 1/9, 1/16, 2/11, 3/24, 4/3, 5/16,
6/12, 7/5, 7/8, 10/25.
2007 updates: 1/8, 2/27, 4/1, 10/17, 10/20, 10/22, 11/5,
11/16, 11/25.
2008 updates: 2/3, 2/21, 2/26, 3/31, 4/26, 4/27.
Thanks to Rob Stone, Joe Moore and Paul Mular for assistance on this
page.