July Days

film no. 18

availability:

Our Gang Volume #1 (VHS) from Grapevine Video and also from The Picture Palace

This copy is a print with generic opening and closing titles, but the inter-titles are intact. The picture quality is fair. The print totals 19:00, with 18:56 of it original footage. Apparently most of the original film is included. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Volume 14 (VHS) from Video Classics

This is essentially the same as the Grapevine version.

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Probably credited in the film as a presenter.

Directed by Robert F. McGowan and Tom McNamara

Maltin & Bann only list McGowan, and the film probably reflects this, but without his middle initial. According to Rob Stone's list, McNamara directed for one day, on April 12th.

Photographed by Harry W. Gerstad

This credit derives from the weekly studio payroll summaries, which indicate that Gerstad was the regular Our Gang cameraman during this period.

Titles by H. M. Walker

This credit probably appears in the film.

Story by Hal E. Roach

This credit probably doesn't appear in the film.

Released by Pathé Exchange, Inc.

Passed by the National Board of Review

Probably indicated in the film.

studio personnel

• general manager - Warren Doane
• assistant general manager - L. A. French
• secretary-treasurer - C. H. Roach
• construction supervisor - C. E. Christensen
• purchasing superintendent - John L. Murphy
• still photographer - Gene Kornman
• transportation director - Bob Davis
• school teacher - Fern Carter

possible uncredited involvement

• editing - Credit usually went to Thomas J. Crizer during this period, but Richard Currier and Bert Jordan were also in the editorial department.
• writing - Robert F. McGowan, Tom McNamara, Thomas J. Crizer and Leo McCarey may have been among the gag writers.
• property department - Charles Oelze was probably involved in this capacity, and possibly Roy Seawright.
• animal training - Tony Campanaro was probably among the animal trainers.

the kids:

main players

Mickey Daniels as "Mickey"

Lead role. He's the tough kid who can't seem to take anybody, not even Farina. He's the leading character in the film, which revolves around his pursuit of Mary.

Mary Kornman as "Mary"

Featured role. She appears frequently in this short, and is crucial to the plot.

Jack Davis as "Jack"

Supporting role. He's the bully in this short, but is ultimately put down by Mickey.

Jackie Condon

Supporting role. Maltin & Bann indicate that the nickname "Duster-head" was used, but this is actually a bit of name-calling by the gang. He's the new boy in town and gets initiated into the gang. He then sabotages Mickey's attempt to woo Mary.

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Supporting role. He mainly provides a few comic moments along the way.

Ernie Morrison as "Ernie"

Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble acting in this film.

Joe Cobb

Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble acting in this film.

Julia Brown

Small part. She's the homely girl that flirts with Mickey. She's also in "Lodge Night" (no. 15).

other kids

girl 015

Small part. She's the little girl with the Dutch boy haircut who appears in the scene where Jack is picking on Julia Brown. Previously appeared in "Lodge Night" (no. 15) and later in "Sunday Calm" (no. 19).

other kids

Bit parts.
(1.) The boy that laughs at Mickey in his armor. We don't get a very good look at him.
(2.) Three other girls joining Julia Brown when she comes up to Mickey when his pants are ripped.
(3.) A boy in the scene with Julia Brown and girl 015 when Jack picks on them.
(4.) Two boys are in the blacksmith shop at the beginning of the film. Somehow, I think boy 003 might be one of them.

the animals:

dog 001

Small part. He doesn't appear too much, but he seems to be Mickey's dog.

Dinah the Mule

Small part. She accompanies Ernie and Farina at the beginning of the film. They're on their way to the blacksmith to get her new horseshoes.

other animals

Supporting roles, bit parts and extras.
(1.) The goat pulling Mickey's cart. Possibly one of the goats from "Young Sherlocks" (no. 3).
(2.) A tree frog that Mickey shows to Mary.
(3.) Two horses seen in the distance when Farina gets on the scooter.

bugwatch

This is also one of those films with flies: one lands on Mickey's hand as he shows Mary the frog, and another lands on Richard Daniels' face as he's trying to thread the needle.

the adults:

Richard Daniels as "'Dad' Anderson"

Featured role. He has a major role in this film, not only building the scooters, but repairing toys for the kids and helping Mickey with his pursuits.

William Gillespie as the businessman

Small part. He's shown briefly towards the end of the film.

other adults

Small parts and bit parts.
(1.) "Mr. Bradley," who advises Mickey on how to pick up girls.
(2.) Mickey's sister, who's shown briefly waiting for her boyfriend.
(3.) Mary and Jackie's mom. She sends Jackie to the blacksmith shop early in the film, then throws water on the serenading Mickey later on.
(4.) Two men from the moving company.
(5.) Two men sitting in front of the blacksmith shop, whose faces can't be seen.

the music (sort of):

"My Aching Heart"

An advertisement proclaims this as the "latest jazz hit for July."

the locations:

Motor and Woodbine Avenues, Palms district, Los Angeles

The northeast corner of this intersection is shown at the beginning of the film as Mickey rides by on his scooter. The brick building is the People's Water Company of Palms at 3392 Motor Avenue. Also, in the scene where Farina sits on the block of ice, he's on the south side of Woodbine Avenue in front of the pharmacy housed in the Masonic Temple at 3402 Motor Avenue.

blacksmith shop

This could have been contrived by the studio, but it looks like it's in a neighborhood. The sign reads "Blacksmithing." It could possibly be the business of Julius Scholz, located at 3304 Motor Avenue, at the same address as the Palms Garage.

Palms Press office

This is where Jack bullies Julia Brown, as her little sister despairs.

G&M Transfer Co.

This is directly across the street from the blacksmith shop.

Palms Chamber of Commerce

Ernie and Farina walk by this with the mule. This was, in 1927, located at 3438 Motor Avenue.

Tijuana

Rob Stone's notes indicate that McGowan went to Tijuana for the March 11 shooting.

miscellaneous:

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