Circus Fever

film no. 35

availability:

Our Gang Silent Comedies Volume 4 (VHS) from Video Classics and

Our Gang Comedies IV (VHS) from The Picture Palace

This copy is a home movie print by Pathé with original inter-titles. The opening title reads "Pathé presents His Rascals in Circus Fever." The print totals 23:44, with 23:30 of it original footage.

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

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 Art Lloyd

This credit probably appears in the film.

Edited by Thomas J. Crizer

This credit probably appears in the film. In an inside joke, the circus is called "Crizer's Colossal Circus."

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
• laboratory superintendent - Charles Levin
• publicity director - Garrett Graham
• purchasing agent - Clyde Hopkins
• 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 James Parrott may have contributed gags.
• property department - Charles Oelze was probably involved in this capacity, and possibly Sherbourne Shields and Roy Seawright.
• animal training - Tony Campanaro was probably among the animal trainers.

the kids:

Mickey Daniels as "Mickey"

Featured role. Below his bedroom window on the outside wall, his name is spelled "Micky." As usual, he's the guy with all the bright ideas.

Joe Cobb as"Joe" aka "Joey"

Featured role. He gets quite a lot of footage trying to keep from waking up.

Jackie Condon

Supporting role. He joins along with Mickey and Joe on their quest to see the circus.

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Supporting role. He's a "she" in this film. He and Gene are quarantined, and he provides some comedy relief when the doctor comes to visit.

Eugene "Pineapple" Jackson as "Gene"

Supporting role. He isn't given too much to do, other than be present in the scenes with Farina.

Mary Kornman as "Mary"

Small part. She doesn't appear too much in this print, but she's the one that informs the boys that the kids are getting free tickets to the circus.

boy 035

Small part. He's the younger sibling of Mickey (who has to give him a bath) and Jackie.

Johnny Downs

Small part. He's shown riding Mary around on his bike. This was his series debut.

girl 034

Small part. Just possibly the same kid as in "The Big Town." (no. 34). This is another younger sibling of Mickey and Jackie. Could possibly be a boy.

other kids

Bit parts and extras. Quite a few kids are shown walking to school and into the school building. Maltin & Bann list Peggy Ahern (as Peggy Ahearn) and Ivadell Carter (as Wadell Carter), but they're not identifiable in this print.

the animals:

Pal

Small part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. He gets some pretty good footage trying to wake up Joe.

other animals

Bit parts. Three kittens are shown at the beginning of the film, one of whom gets drenched by Mickey.

the adults:

Helen Gilmore as Mickey and Jackie's mom

Supporting role. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. She's given a fair amount of footage in this one.

woman 035 as Joe's mom

Supporting role. She appears about as often as Gilmore. She later appeared in "Thundering Fleas" (no. 51) and "Spanky" (no. 113).

Joseph Morrison as "Dr. Royal Fitzhugh Sorghum"

Supporting role. He has an extended scene examining Farina and Gene.

Charley Young as "Doctor Pipp"

Small part. He visits Mickey and Jackie and determines that they're not sick.

other adults

Small parts, bit parts and extras.
(1.) Gene and Farina's mother, who could just as easily be a man, and is definitely a white person in blackface.
(2.) The painter shown briefly shooing the boys away after they've painted the spots on their faces.
(3.) Quite a few people shown in the background while Morrison is driving down the street.

the locations:

Motor Avenue, Palms district, Los Angeles

The barber shop housed in the Masonic Hall on the east side of Motor Avenue, just south of Woodbine Avenue, is shown in the background as Morrison is driving down the street. It's normally seen in the background of the vacant lot shots in other films like "Ask Grandma" (no. 38).

other locations

There are many locations that are illegible. Beyond the brick wall with the poster on it is a sign that says "Oak."

miscellaneous:

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