Auto Antics

Auto Antics is a 1939 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Edward Cahn. It was the 182nd Our Gang short (183rd episode, 94th talking short, 95th talking episode, and 14th MGM produced episode) that was released.[1]

Auto Antics
Directed byEdward Cahn
Written byHal A. Law
Robert A. McGowan
Produced byJack Chertok for MGM
StarringDarla Hood
Eugene Lee
George McFarland
Carl Switzer
Billie Thomas
Mickey Gubitosi
Leonard Landy
Tommy Bond
Sidney Kibrick
CinematographyHarold Marzorati
Edited byRoy Brickner
Distributed byMGM
Release date
  • July 22, 1939 (1939-07-22)
Running time
10:05
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Banners proclaim "Greenpoint's Proudest Day! - Mammoth Celebration Dedicating Our New Sewer System", featuring the Kidmobile Race with a first prize of five dollars. Our Gang's hopes to win the race are nearly dashed when town bully Butch (Tommy Bond) arranges for the gang's pet dog Whiskers to be picked up by the dog pound. But instead of demoralizing the gang, the impoundment of Whiskers merely gives them a stronger reason to win the race and claim the prize, with which they will pay the dog's license fee. There is no shortage of dirty tricks on the part of Butch and his henchman Woim (Sidney Kibrick), who try everything to wreck the Gang's chances and their homemade "auto."[2]

Cast

The Gang

Additional cast

Notes

Auto Antics features the final appearance of Eugene "Porky" Lee, who was dismissed from the series after growing significantly taller (to the point that he became taller than George "Spanky" McFarland) during Our Gang's first year at MGM.[3] Robert Blake, who had just replaced Gary Jasgar as the tag-along toddler,[4] assumed the role vacated by Porky at the beginning of Our Gang's 1939–40 season of shorts.[3]

Darla Hood became ill during the filming of Auto Antics. One shot features the kids hanging on to the back of the dogcatchers' truck as it starts down the road. Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer was, according to Hood in a later interview, "in one of his little moods" and ruined every take of that shot. At the end of the thirty-second take, Hood passed out from the exhaust fumes and had to be escorted to the hospital.[5]

See also

References
  1. Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life & Times of Our Gang. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press. p.204 ISBN 0-517-58325-9
  2. Hal Erickson (2011). "New York Times: Auto-Antics". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Baseline & All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on 20 May 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2008.
  3. Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life & Times of Our Gang. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press. p.272 ISBN 0-517-58325-9
  4. Demoss, Robert (5 November 2005). "Joy Scouts film no. 181". The Lucky Corner. Archived from the original on 29 January 2010. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  5. Maltin, Leonard and Bann, Richard W. (1977, rev. 1992). The Little Rascals: The Life & Times of Our Gang. New York: Crown Publishing/Three Rivers Press. p. 204 ISBN 0-517-58325-9


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