Tired Business Men

film no. 60

availability:

Our Gang Volume #6 (VHS) from Grapevine Video and also The Picture Palace

This copy has the original opening title and inter-titles, but no crew credits. The picture quality is fair, and the total footage is 19:28. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs.

Our Gang Silent Comedies #2 (VHS) from Nostalgia Family Video

This copy is essentially the same as Grapevine's, but the picture quality is slightly inferior. The total footage is 19:38.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Vol. 8 (VHS) from HenryButch

This copy is identical to Grapevine's.

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Credited in the film as a presenter.

Supervised by F. Richard Jones

He wasn't credited anymore, but he still held the position of director-general when this film was made. He had resigned by the time the film was released.

Directed by Anthony Mack and Charles Oelze

This credit probably appears in the film. Mack's real name was Robert A. (for Anthony) McGowan. Rob Stone's list credits only Mack as director, and identifies him as McGowan, Jr. His uncle, Robert F. McGowan, was on vacation during the filming of this short.

Titles by H. M. Walker

This credit probably appears in the film. The inter-titles in this film have reverted to the black motif of earlier films.

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

As 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
• optical effects supervisor - Roy Seawright
• still photographer - Bud "Stax" Graves
• transportation director - Bob Davis
• school teacher - Fern Carter

possible uncredited involvement

• photography - Credits during this period went to Art Lloyd. Others that may have been involved include William A. Collins.
• editing - Richard Currier was the supervising editor during this period, while Bert Jordan and William Terhune were among the cutters.
• writing - Robert F. McGowan, Robert A. McGowan, Hal Yates, Carl Harbaugh, Jean Yarbrough and Frank Butler may have been among the gag writers.
• property department - Charles Oelze and Don Sandstrom were probably involved in this capacity, and possibly Ted Driscoll, William A. Collins and Roy Seawright. Maltin & Bann specifically mention Oelze in connection with this film.
• animal training - Tony Campanaro was probably among the animal trainers.
• animation - Probably the work of Roy Seawright.

the kids:

Joe Cobb as "Joe"

Lead role. He's essentially the star of the film, the new kid who gets initiated into the gang's club.

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Supporting role. He gets most of the comedic business in this film.

Jackie Condon as "Jackie"

Supporting role. He's the "Grand Exhausted Ruler," and basically makes the decisions for the club.

Jay R. Smith

Supporting role. He seems to be second-in-command at the club.

Bobby "Bonedust" Young

Supporting role. Maltin & Bann indicate that the nickname was used, but it doesn't appear in this print. His big moment is when he gets his finger stuck in a bowling ball.

Jannie "Mango" Hoskins

Supporting role. Her big moment is when she gets the whistle and climbs onto the roof.

Elmer "Scooter" Lowry

Supporting role. He's given a new derby look in this film. Joe puts eggs in the derby and smashes it onto Scooter's head.

Jean Darling as "Bossy"

Supporting role. She appears off and on, but isn't given too much to do.

Bobby Mallon

Supporting role. He gets a moment in which his ears are wiggling. Is it my imagination, or does a double stand in for him during the scene outside Joe's window?

Johnny Aber

Supporting role. He bowls with Bonedust.

Andy Shuford

Supporting role. He retrieves the bowling balls at the end of the lane.

Jimsy Boudwin

Supporting role. He's mostly along for the ride in this film.

Peggy Eames

Small part. She's mostly in the background during the scenes inside the barn.

other kids

Supporting roles and bit parts.
(1.) The boy with the Dutch haircut.
(2.) The boy that keeps score at the bowling alley, but doesn't appear after that.

undetermined kids

Maltin & Bann list Billy Butts for this film, but he doesn't appear in this print.

the animals:

cat 060 as "Tunney"

Supporting role. This is Joe's cat, and the one that the gang attaches the note to.

Pal

Small part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. He sets up the pins at the bowling alley.

other animals

Small parts and bit parts.
(1.) Joe's dog, mostly seen at the start of the film fighting with Tunney.
(2.) The goat that plays "Lingering Roses." Possibly the goat seen previously in "Giants Vs. Yanks" (no. 12).
(3.) A duckling that appears out of an egg doubling as a pool ball.
(4.) Two chickens on the "fowl line" at the bowling alley.

the adults:

Charles A. Bachman as "Officer O'Farrell," Joe's dad

Supporting role. He's seen moving into a new house at the beginning of the film, and apprehending the robber at the end.

Silas D. Wilcox as one of the other officers

Supporting role. He's the cop who speaks to Joe's dad. Seems to be in charge.

Ruth Robinson as Joe's mom

Bit part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. She's shown at the beginning of the film in the car with her husband.

other adults

Supporting role, bit parts and extras.
(1.) "Blow-'em-up Baker," the bank robber, who hides out in the gang's club. Maltin & Bann identify his character name as "Blow-'em-up Barnes." They may have been thinking of the 1921 film "Burn 'em Up Barnes."
(2.) Two other cops that answer the whistle Joe is blowing, plus four more in the group that storms the clubhouse.
(3.) The mailman.
(4.) Two moving men.
(5.) A pedestrian shown in the background as the moving vehicles are going down the road.

the locations:

L. B. We????

This is part of what it says on the brick building that the cop is standing in front of.

miscellaneous:

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