technical details:
Production 2687.
Release no. C-294.
Filmed May 27 to 31, 1940.
Copyrighted November 11, 1940, by Loew's Incorporated. Registration no. MP10646. Renewed November 14, 1967, with
registration no. R422053. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2035.
Released November 23, 1940. It was the 195th film in the series to be released.
All-talking one-reeler, lasting 10 minutes and 46 seconds.
Opening title: 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents Our Gang in "Kiddie Kure".'
the crew:
- Produced by Jack Chertok and Richard Goldstone for M-G-M
- The film credit reads: Produced by Loew's Incorporated.
- Directed by Edward Cahn
- This credit appears in the film.
- Director of Photography: Jackson Rose, A. S. C.
- This credit appears in the film.
- Film Editor: Leon Bourgeau
- This credit appears in the film.
- Screen Play by Hal Law and Robert A. McGowan
- This credit appears in the film, but without McGowan's middle initial.
- Art Director: Richard Duce
- This credit appears in the film.
- Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Indicated in the opening title card.
- Western Electric Sound System
- As indicated in the film.
- Approved by the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America
- Passed by the National Board of Review
- As indicated in the film.
- Teacher: Fern Carter
the kids:
- Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer as "Alfalfa"
- Featured role. He and the other kids are spooked by the hypochondriac and the butler. Alfalfa has the extra job of looking after his little brothers. This was his
final appearance in the series.
- George "Spanky" McFarland as "Spanky"
- Featured role. He has most of the dialogue among the remaining kids and is essentially the leader among them.
- Billy "Froggy" Laughlin as "Froggy"
- Supporting role. He's mostly along for the ride until Mr. Morton hears him talk. He also provides the final gag.
- Mickey Gubitosi
- Supporting role. He has a fair amount of the dialogue among the kids.
- Rollie and Bobby Jones as "Tisket" and "Tasket"
- Supporting roles. These are Alfalfa's little brothers. The gang searches for them throughout the house. Maltin & Bann specify that Rollie plays
"Tisket" while Bobby plays "Tasket," but I don't see how they were able to tell.
- Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas
- Supporting role. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He's present with the gang throughout the film, but doesn't do anything specific.
- Darla Hood
- Supporting role. She's also present the entire time, but is purely an ensemble player.
- other kids
- Maltin & Bann reveal that the other baseball team in this film is called Morton's Mugs, and that Hugh Chapman and Freddie Chapman are among them.
Presumably, publicity photos reveal this information. In the final film, the feet of a few of these kids can be seen as they run from the house after the window is
broken.
the animals:
- Leo
- Bit part. The only animal in this film is the MGM lion.
the adults:
- Thurston Hall as "Bill" aka "W. Morton"
- Lead role. He's given onscreen credit. While talking to the kids, the doctor refers to him as "Old Man Morton." He's an elderly hypochrondriac whose
wife is planning to adopt some kids, so he and the butler make a mess with the idea of framing the gang.
- Gerald Oliver Smith as "Evans," the butler
- Featured role. He assists Mr. Morton in making a mess of the house.
- Edwin Stanley as "Malcolm Scott, M. D."
- Supporting role. Spanky calls him "Mr. Doctor." He presribes placebos for Morton and suggests the adoption of some kids.
- Josephine Whittell as "Julia" aka "Mrs. Morton"
- Small part. She agrees with the doctor about adopting kids, but then goes out for awhile and isn't seen again until the end of the film.
- other adults
- Bit parts.
- (1.) The chauffeur.
- (2.) At least four people shown in portraits around the house.
the music:
- "Our Gang" by David Snell
- This is played over the opening titles. This is the earlier recording, used prior to "The Big
Premiere" (no. 189). This is a medley of three songs:
- (1.) "London Bridge" - The earliest reference to this nursery rhyme is in a play from 1659,
and it was associated with children by 1720. It may derive from a part of the "Heimskringla" by Snorri
Sturluson, which was composed around 1225.
- (2.) "Mulberry Bush" - Also known as "So Early In The Morning" and "This Is
The Way." It was probably originally called "Here We Go Round The Bramble Tree" in the mid 18th century,
with the type of tree changed by inmates of Wakefield Prison, who exercised around a mulberry bush.
- (3.) "The Farmer In The Dell" - This nursery rhyme is of uncertain origins.
- "The Gang Goes Home" by David Snell
- This is a shorter version of "Our Gang," including only "London Bridge."
miscellaneous:
Five shooting dates went into the making of this film, from May 27 to 31, 1940.
In the category of unseen characters, the maid in this film is named "Delia."
See page 236 of Maltin & Bann's book for this film's expenses and profits.