Series: Our Gang Director: Robert F. McGowan Producer: Hal Roach Titles: H.M. Walker Photography: Art Lloyd Editor: Richard C. Currier Stars: Mickey Daniels, Allen Hoskins, Joe Cobb, Johnny DOwns, Jackie Condon, Mary Kornman Company: Pathé Exchange Released: 26 July 1925 Length: 2 reels Production No.: A-42 Filming dates: April 13-24, 1925 Rating: -/10

Boys Will Be Joys

Joe, Mickey and Johnny are at their purpose-built fairground with Mickey assuming the role of "originator, inventor, designer, builder, superintendent, brick layer and carpenter" as the boys try to come up with a plan to build their own rollercoaster to rival Coney Island. When surveyors arrive to tell the boys to move their mini circus due to the land being seized, the boys take their complaint to the land owner Henry Mills and ride into town to meet him. En route to the office, Henry sees the other half of the gang playing baseball and stops to join in but the fun ends abruptly when he hits the ball through a shop window. The gang storm Henry's office just as he arrives for an important meeting and demand to see him. Henry talks with the kids and tells them how he remembers when he was younger he had his own circus before agreeing to leave with the gang. They all return to the patch of land where the gang had erected their fairground at the beginning of the film, with Henry taking charge to fix things up for them. Meanwhile the board members who were waiting patiently back at the office for a meeting with Henry leave to find him, determined to have their meeting with him. Later in the day, the kids' amusement park is up and running and in full swing, with some of the attractions slightly more operational than others. For the next few minutes the film is just a showcase for all the kids having fun on all the rides they have built. The board meeting goes ahead albeit on the fairground when the kids engage the directors to help muck in. Before long, the park is filled with kids and grown men alike, all riding on the rides and taking part in the fun. After an exciting day playing with the children, Henry decides to quit the business and "stay young". Everybody wins. The end of the film sees Farina mistaking a skunk for a dog and wanting to keep it as a pet.

Favourite bit That self-made "rollercoaster" looks like a lot of fun, doesn't it? Come on admit it, you want to have a go, don't you?

Trivia • Copyrighted July 6, 1925. • The 42nd film in the series. • The circus parade footage, which derives from "Jubilo, Jr." was shot sometime between February 26 - March 8, 1924. • The land used by the gang is the property of the Pan-American Exports Company, 814 Liberty Building. • The print used by TCM for broadcast misses out the opening two intertitle cards. These, along with all of the others are listed on this page below. • The location of the kids' amusement park also served as the football field in Washee Ironee. • The opening scene of the "Whirlwind Dipper" rollercoaster was filmed at Santa Monica Pier. • Maltin/Bann list the policeman as being Noah Young. I strongly dispute this. Also, William Orlamond, William Gillespie and Eric Mayne have been listed by other sources which have proven to be incorrect as well. My opinion • his is a very disjointed, uneven and too-casual entry in the series. The kids have brief moments of screen time but there is a major lacking in consistency, plot and structure. Weak.

	Mickey Daniels Mickey
	Allen Hoskins Farina
	Joe Cobb Joe
	Johnny Downs Johnny
	Jackie Condon Jackie
	Mary Kornman Mary
	Jannie Hoskins Mango
	Gabe Saienz Kid
	David Campbell Blonde kid
	Jay R. Smith Kid
	Paul Weigel Henry Mills, board chairman
	Hayes Robertson Chauffeur
	George B. French Member, board of directors
	Chester Bachman Jim, the surveyor
	Chris Lynton Member, board of directors
	Charles Lloyd Member, board of directors
	Hugh Saxon Member, board of directors
	Charles Meakin Member, board of directors
	Milton Fahrney Member, board of directors
	Joseph Belmont Member, board of directors
	H.C. Simmons Member, board of directors
	Jules_Hanft Member, board of directors
	Hope Harper Secretary
	Noah Young [*disputed by me]
	UNIDENTIFIED Board member [*previously thought to be Eric Mayne]

UNIDENTIFIED CAST

CREDITS (click image to enlarge)	INTERTITLES (click image to enlarge)

Acknowledgements: The Little Rascals: The Life And Times Of Our Gang by Leonard Maltin & Richard W. Bann (book) http://theluckycorner.com/rps/042.html (Robert Demoss/The Lucky Corner) Jesse Brisson (identification of Hayes Robertson, Hope Harper, Hugh Saxon, Charles Meakin) *Steve Massa had previously mis-identified the secretary as Marjorie Whiteis; this is actually Hope Harper This page was last updated on: 28 July 2024