Big Business

film no. 23

availability:

The Little Rascals Book XXIV (VHS) from Blackhawk Video

This copy is a Blackhawk home movie print with all of the inter-titles remade, but it appears that the wording hasn't been altered. The picture quality is generally good throughout. The print totals 27:13, with about 21:30 of it original footage. Ignoring the inter-titles, it appears that virtually all of the original film is included.

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

This copy seems to be the same as Blackhawk's except for the opening title, which is generic, and the fact that it's projected at a faster speed. The picture quality is fairly good. The print totals 19:26, with about 16:15 of it original footage. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Volume 9 (VHS) from Video Classics

This copy is essentially the same as Grapevine's.

The Our Gang Collection - Volume 1 (DVD) from Reelclassicdvd.com

Released Feb. 2007. This version derives from the commonly-seen print, but replaces all of the titles with newly-made titles which are meant to look authentic, but fall somewhat short of this goal. The opening title, for instance, derives from the one for "Derby Day" (no. 21). The footage totals 25:00, with approximately 21:00 of it original.

Our Gang's Greatest Hits (VHS) from Video Dimensions

Released 1981. This is the Blackhawk print.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Vol. 6 (VHS) from HenryButch

This derives from the Video Dimensions release, with fairly poor picture quality.

Our Gang (CD-ROM) from Rom-Man Technologies

Copyright 1994 by Onscreen Entertainment, Inc. This is essentially the same as the others, but is missing the section where the gang first meets up with Mickey. The print totals 16:36, with about 13:40 of it original footage.

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Probably credited in the film as a presenter.

Directed by Robert F. McGowan

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

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. As explained above in the technical details, Stan Laurel did not write the story for this 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
• still photographer - Bud "Stax" Graves
• 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, Thomas J. Crizer, James Parrott 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:

Mickey Daniels as "Michael" aka "Mickie"

Lead role. He's the Fauntleroy character in this film, but just wants to be part of the gang. He gets the lead role. The spelling of his name might be due to the non-original inter-titles, but it's spelled this way in the original print of "Derby Day" as well.

barber shop employees

Joe Cobb as "Joe"

Featured role. He's the head barber. This is the first time he's given a leadership role in one of the shorts.

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Featured role. He's the shoeshine boy. When confronted with bare feet, he improvises. He later brings animals in for Jackie.

Mary Kornman as "Mary"

Supporting role. She's the cashier. Mickey flirts with her, but she's not interested.

Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison as "Sunshine Sammy"

Supporting role. He's the janitor, as well as being partners with Sing Joy. A sign in the laundry section reads "Sunshine Samy Sing Joy Inc".

Jackie Condon as "Jackie"

Supporting role. He's the superintendent of exploitation. Eventually, he gets to do some cutting, experimenting with various animals.

Andy Samuel

Supporting role. He's the apprentice barber. He uses hedge clippers. For some reason, the titles don't reveal his name, but this is the film in which he essentially replaces Jack Davis in the gang.

Jannie Hoskins as "Mango"

Supporting role. She gets to teethe on a razor and serve as a shaving lotion repository.

"Sonny Boy" Warde as "Sing Joy"

Supporting role. He runs the laundry service at the gang's barber shop. Like in "Derby Day" (no. 21), he's listed by Maltin & Bann as "Sing Joy," but I can't differentiate him from the kid in "Cradle Robbers" (no. 28).

girl 021

Small part. The fat girl from "Derby Day" (no. 21). She's the manicurist.

barber shop customers

boy 021

Small part. He's worked on by Joe, and ends up with a Mohawk. Previously seen in "Derby Day" (no. 21).

other kids

Small parts, bit parts and extras.
(1.) The boy with the beard. He later gets spun around by Farina.
(2.) The boy with the moustache. Farina paints his legs.
(3.) The boy getting his hair clipped off by Andy.
(4.) The boy getting a manicure. He appears to be the one that gets shorn by Mickey.
(5.) The boy getting the steam bath. Ernie and Sing Joy ruin his overalls.
(6.) At least two more boys, if not more. It's hard to get an accurate count, as sometimes the same boy will be seen exiting the barber shop, only to be present later on.

the animals:

skunk 014

Small part. Presumably the same skunk as in "Dogs Of War!" (no. 14). Farina brings him into the barber shop for the film's finale.

other animals

Bit parts.
(1.) The dog that's taken into the barber shop.
(2.) The dog that's taken out, a hairless breed.
(3.) A shaggy goat that goes into the barber shop.
(4.) A goat that emerges from the barber shop with shorter hair.
(5.) A chicken that serves as Jackie's first victim.
(6.) A squirrel that turns the wheel connected to the fan in the barber shop.

the adults:

William Gillespie as Mickey's dad

Supporting role. He wants his boy to be a regular kid, but his wife has the last word.

Lyle Tayo as Mickey's mom

Supporting role. She's responsible for Mickey's sissy appearance.

Edmond Fortune as the cop

Small part. Previously seen in "Stage Fright" (no. 17).

Charley Young as the gardener

Bit part. He giggles when he sees Mickey, but cowers when the boy threatens him.

Allen Cavan as the office worker

Bit part. He watches the fight through the window with Gillespie.

other adults

Bit parts.
(1.) Two maids, one of whom resembles Beth Darlington.
(2.) A butler.
(3.) Several irate mothers, numbering perhaps nine, and joined by a man playing Sing Joy's father.

the locations:

Motor and Woodbine Avenues, Palms district, Los Angeles

The location of the gang's barber shop appears to be in the fenced off area of the vacant lot on the southwest corner of this intersection. It also appears that the building on the northeast corner is shown in the background while Jackie is advertising the barber shop.

miscellaneous:

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