The Glorious Fourth

film no. 64

availability:

Our Gang Volume #11 (VHS) from Grapevine Video and also The Picture Palace: This copy has a generic opening title reading "Glorious Fourth." The inter-titles are missing from the early part of the film. The end titles are original. The picture quality is fair. The print totals 15:44, with 15:39 of it original footage. Roughly three quarters of the original film is included. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs.
Our Gang Silent Comedies Vol. 8 (VHS) from HenryButch: This copy is identical to Grapevine's.
other releases: A homemade VHS that appeared briefly on eBay included a home movie print of this film. Entitled "Glorious Fourth," it was from Exclusive Movie Studios, Inc., in Chicago. It had original inter-titles, and the copyright and end titles were included, but Exclusive also added an end title of their own. A very small amount of footage is missing from this version that's seen in the Grapevine version, but otherwise it's a longer version. The picture quality is fairly good. The original footage totals 17:09.
special note: The Mischief Makers print of this film was called "Fourth Of July."

technical details:

Production K-22.

Filmed May 10 to 20, 1927.

Released June 26, 1927. This is according to Maltin & Bann. In Richard Lewis Ward's book A History Of The Hal Roach Studios, the date is given as July 30th. In Smile When The Raindrops Fall by Brian Anthony & Andy Edmonds, the date is given as July 31st. Since Pathé releases were usually on Sundays, the 30th is unlikely, but the other two dates fit. If the first date is correct, then it was released on the same day as "Baby Brother," making the two films the 61st and 62nd to be released. If either of the latter dates is correct, then it was the 62nd film in the series to be released.

Copyrighted July 22, 1927, by Pathé Exchange, Inc. Registration no. LU24204. Renewed January 10, 1955, with registration no. R142111. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2022.

Silent two-reeler.

Probable opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "The Glorious Fourth".'

Released into TV syndication as Mischief Makers episode no. 1016, "Fourth Of July," copyrighted Sep. 1, 1960, with registration number LP17321.

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach: Probably credited in the film as a presenter.
Directed by Robert F. McGowan and Anthony Mack: Maltin & Bann list only McGowan, and the film probably reflects this, but without his middle initial. Rob Stone's list indicates that he directed only on May 10th, and that Mack, whose real name was Robert A. (for Anthony) McGowan, directed the rest of the film.
Titles by H. M. Walker: This credit probably appears in the film. The inter-titles have the speckled motif in this 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
possible uncredited involvement

the kids:

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina": Featured role. He's essentially the star of the film, being blamed by Joe for things that are Joe's fault.
Joe Cobb as "Joe": Featured role. He seems to be the leader of the gang, and is quite insufferable in this short.
Jannie Hoskins: Supporting role. She's seen with Farina through most of the film.
Jay R. Smith: Supporting role. He gets a few comic moments, but is mostly part of the ensemble.
Jackie Condon: Supporting role. He mostly does ensemble acting in this short.
Harry Spear: Supporting role. He mostly does ensemble acting in this short.
Jack Hanlon: Small part. He gives Farina a quarter to take Pansy.

the animals:

Pete (no. 1) as "Pansy": Featured role. He swallows some Bermuda oil and becomes a walking grenade launcher.

the adults:

Charley Chase as the drunk: Supporting role. He doesn't realize that skyrockets are flying past his head.
William Courtwright as the cement worker: Supporting role. Comparable to Otto Fries' role in "Pups Is Pups" (no. 100).
William A. Orlamond as the scientist: Supporting role. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. He's the guy that demonstrates the Bermuda oil.
Charley Young as the motorist: Bit part. He thinks he's got a flat, but it's just a firecracker.
Dorothy Vernon as the friend of Joe's mother: Bit part. She's in a panic because the baby has swallowed a button.
Jack Hill as the man with the monocle: Bit part. According to Maltin & Bann. He puts his hat on right after a firecracker has landing on his head. I don't know his face well enough to be sure it's him.
Charles A. Bachman as one of the cops: Bit part. He shows up at the end with a partner.
Gene Morgan as one of the cops: Bit part. He's the other cop, as revealed in a publicity photograph.
Harry Bowen as a pedestrian: Extra. A photograph reveals his involvement in this film.
other adults: Supporting roles, bits parts and extras.
(1.) Joe's mom, who lets him watch over the fireworks stand and spanks him at the end of the film. A 1927 casting directory lists a rotund actress named June Gittleson as appearing in this film, so this may be her.
(2.) The driver of the car that explodes.
(3.) The guy that laughs, only to get a rocket exploding in his pants.
(4.) The guy with the rake in front of Media Park.
(5.) The woman with the laundry.
(6.) Three firemen.
(7.) Scores of pedestrians, including about 12 spectators watching the Bermuda oil demonstration. Among these are military and civil officials. One of them looks like he might be Silas D. Wilcox. Maltin & Bann list Charles Meakin, Al Hallet, Harry Arras and Arthur Millett, but I don't know what they look like.

the locations:

Culver Hotel and Old Crown Gasoline: Shown in the scene with Charley Young. There is also a furniture store on the block.
Media Park: Shown in the scene with the man with the rake.
Majestic Cake Co.: This is behind the fireworks stand. There's also a sign that reads "Studio Ca???" and a wall that reads "Culver" something.
Snooker & Billiards: This is where the laughing guy is.
Pharmacy: The gang is shown in front of this building, which also seems to read "Crest's Ice Cream" and maybe includes a Post Office. It seems likely that these are the ones housed in the Masonic Hall at 3402 Motor Avenue.
Hal E. Roach Studios backlot: The latter part of the film is mostly shot here, with the cement worker and the exploding car.

miscellaneous:

The unseen baby that swallows a button is named "Little Marmalade."

There were 38 copies of this film printed for its initial release.

The calendar seen in the film is set on July 3rd.

Copyright Mar. 7, 2005, by Robert Demoss.
2005 updates: 4/10, 4/25, 12/15.
2006 updates: 1/9, 5/16, 6/11, 6/12, 7/17, 10/25.
2007 updates: 4/1, 10/22, 12/8.
2008 updates: 2/21, 3/31.

Thanks to Rob Stone and Joe Moore for assistance on this page.