Seein' Things

film no. 25

availability:

Our Gang Silent Comedies Volume 3 (VHS) from Video Classics and

Our Gang Comedies III (VHS) from The Picture Palace

This copy has a generic opening title card. The inter-titles have all been removed. Perhaps it derives from a TV print from the Mischief Makers series. The print totals 15:15, with 14:57 of it original footage. Roughly three quarters of the original film is included.

special note

I was also able to view a home movie print containing much of the first reel, with some of the original inter-titles.

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 probably appears in the film. Maltin & Bann switch his middle initial with a V.

Edited by Thomas J. Crizer

This credit probably appears in the film as 'T. J. Crizer.'

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
• still photographer - Bud "Stax" Graves
• transportation director - Bob Davis
• school teacher - Fern Carter

possible uncredited involvement

• editing - In addition to Crizer, Richard Currier and Bert Jordan were also in the editorial department during this period.
• writing - Robert F. McGowan, 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 Sherbourne Shields and Roy Seawright.

the kids:

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Lead role. Indicated as a "she" in the inter-titles, but then he flirts with a girl in one scene, so his gender was left very much in the air during this period. This is the first starring vehicle for Farina, as the rest of the gang definitely take a back seat.

Dorothy Morrison

Supporting role. Maltin & Bann list Florence Morrison, who either appears in a scene not included in my print, or is listed in error. She appears only in dream sequence, but makes a notable appearance.

Jackie Condon

Supporting role. He does mostly ensemble acting, but gets a small highlight as he walks out on the plank to try to catch Farina.

Mickey Daniels as "Mickey"

Supporting role. Like most of the others, he appears frequently in the short, but does only ensemble acting.

Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison

Supporting role. Maltin & Bann don't give him a nickname in the cast listing, but they call him "Sunshine Sammy" in the text portion. Ernie doubles for Farina in some of the human fly shots, but otherwise does nothing too special.

Joe Cobb

Supporting role. He, too, does mostly ensemble acting in this short.

Andy Samuel

Supporting role. He's one of the main gang, but isn't given anything specific to do.

Mary Kornman as "Mary"

Small part. She appears at the gang's barbecue, but doesn't join in chasing Farina around.

other kids

Bit part. The only remaining kid is the baby shown briefly outside of his or her carriage.

the animals:

the adults:

Helen Gilmore as the baby's mother

Bit part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. She appears briefly to discover the gang pummeling Farina while he's in the baby carriage.

Joseph Morrison as the dancer in top hat and tails

Bit part. According to Maltin & Bann. He doesn't appear in this print.

Silas D. Wilcox as the police officer

Bit part. He doesn't appear in this print, but he's in the upcoming version from C. W. Films.

other adults

Small parts, bit parts and extras.
(1.) Farina's mother, who puts him to bed when she sees his swollen belly.
(2.) The driver of the truck that loses its food. The sign on the truck reads "The Elite."
(3.) Two construction workers preparing the dynamite, plus one more blowing it up.
(4.) Somebody in a row boat.
(5.) Many pedestrians on the sidewalk below.

the locations:

the barbecue location

Looks like the barren area used in "A Quiet Street" (no. 5) and "The Big Show" (no. 7). However, there's a train parked at the top of the hill.

miniature sets

These were currently being used for The Dippy Doo Dads series at the Roach studio.

Motor and Woodbine Avenue

I'm pretty sure that the building shown where Dorothy vanishes into thin air is on the south side of Woodbine, just west of Motor Avenue. Also, the building with the Cut Rate Druggist, as well as a café, where Farina gets his unexpected feast, is on the south side of Woodbine east of Motor, and is housed in the Masonic Temple at 3402 Motor Avenue. As the truck drives by, we can see the People's Water Company of Palms on the northeast corner, at 3392 Motor. This building can also be seen in the background of the earlier scene.

building for sale

When Farina's in his top hat and tails, he's in front of a building being sold by Geo. F. McCreary.

The Sun Drug Co.

This is shown as the camera looks down at the sidewalk from the top of the building. This building is also shown in the Harold Lloyd film "Girl Shy."

miscellaneous:

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