The Case
It boggles the mind how a studio like Artisan can take a treasured property
like Hal Roach's Our Gang comedies and release disconnected bits and
pieces with very little thought. One would think The Little Rascals, Volumes
3 and 4 would follow the same format as The Little Rascals, Volumes 1 and
2—but that would be assuming too much. While there are some great
films included in this collection, the packaging is a complete mess.
First and foremost, there is no mention of a Volume 3 or 4 anywhere on this
disc. Whereas Volumes 1 and 2 were a repackaging of the Cabin Fever video
series (complete with Leonard Maltin intros), it would appear Artisan has swiped
yet another packaged release from a completely different studio and put their
name on it. What's more frustrating, these films are indexed individually and
linearly, meaning you must scroll through each film page (complete with scene
selections) one by one in order to find the particular film you are interested
in. However, there is a play all option on the main menu, for those so inclined.
Why they didn't continue with the well executed Cabin Fever series is beyond me,
but here's what you can expect to see.
Teacher's Pet (1930, MGM)
Directed by Robert McGowan. Featuring
Jackie, Farina, Chubby, Wheezer, Stymie (in his Rascals debut), Dorothy, and
Mary Ann.
It's the first day of school and the gang is plotting to haze
their new teacher by giving her "the business." Jack, the mastermind,
has given everyone a task and will orchestrate the entire assault. Given a ride
to school by the kind and beautiful new lady in town, Jack is instantly smitten.
Imagine his horror, when this lady walks into the classroom as their new
teacher, Miss Crabtree (June Marlowe). Now Jack must foil his own plans in order
to save his hide. The first of many wonderful Miss Crabtree episodes, these
films showcase the best and most memorable Rascals moments.
Grade: A+
School's Out (1930, MGM)
Directed by Robert McGowan. Featuring
Jackie, Farina, Chubby, Wheezer, Stymie, Dorothy, and Mary Ann.
In the
follow-up to Teacher's Pet, we find Jack and the gang discussing their
adoration of Miss Crabtree and voicing concern over losing her to marriage, like
their previous teacher. When a good-looking gentleman comes calling for Miss
Crabtree, the kids spring into action to ensure she won't marry him.
Unfortunately for them, the gentleman turns out to be her brother. Pay close
attention to the pop quiz the kids are given for one of the Rascals' most
classic moments. It doesn't get much better than this.
Grade: A+
Readin' and Writin' (1932, MGM)
Directed by Robert McGowan.
Featuring Kendall "Breezy" McComas, Stymie, Wheezer, Dorothy, and Pete
the Pup.
Following the departure of Jackie Cooper (Hal Roach sold his
contract to MGM, granting him the opportunity for bigger roles in feature
films), Roach brought in the character of Breezy to fill the void as the gang's
lynchpin. Unfortunately, he never quite lived up to expectations. In this last
entry of the Miss Crabtree series, the summer is over and the gang is headed
back to school. Everyone is excited, except for Breezy, who would rather be a
streetcar conductor and does everything he can to get into trouble. When Miss
Crabtree expels Breezy, he sets off to explore his newfound freedom, discovering
adulthood is not everything it's cracked up to be. This all-Breezy episode falls
well short of the work done by Dickie Moore and Jackie Cooper, which is probably
why he didn't stay around for very long.
Grade: C
Spooky Hooky (1936, MGM)
Directed by Gordon Douglas. Featuring
Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, and Porky.
The circus is in town and the boys
plot to get out of school and attend. Leaving a fake doctor's note on their
teacher's desk at the end of the day, the boys later learn their class will be
taking a field trip to the circus the next day. Now they must break into the
school and retrieve the note before tomorrow arrives. One of the classic later
era Rascal films, the spotlight is on the prankster Porky and scaredy-cat
Buckwheat who deliver the biggest laughs.
Grade: A
For Pete's Sake (1934, MGM)
Directed by Gus Meins. Featuring Wally Albright, Spanky, Scotty, Stymie, Tommy,
Buckwheat, and Pete the Pup.
Wally's sister is home sick when town bully
Leonard (Leonard Kibrick) steals and destroys her doll, just for laughs. Now
it's up to Wally and the gang to replace the doll and teach Leonard a lesson.
When the doll they want is too expensive, Leonard's dad (the toy shop owner)
offers to trade the doll in exchange for their dog, Pete—who will guard
the store and serve as Leonard's pet. Unable to raise enough money on their own,
Wally reluctantly agrees, only to have the doll taken back when one of the gang
accidentally breaks a toy. An angry Pete turns on Leonard and his father and he
offers the doll up to get them out of his store before everything is destroyed.
An otherwise average film, the highlight here is yet another classic turn by the
wisecracking duo of Spanky and Scotty.
Grade: B-
The Kid From Borneo (1933, MGM)
Directed by Robert McGowan.
Featuring Dickie, Spanky, Stymie, Wheezer, Dorothy, Tommy, and Pete the Pup.
Mom's favorite brother, Uncle George, arrives in town with his traveling
carnival. Pop hates Uncle George and wants his family to have nothing to do with
him. This forces the kids to visit the carnival and seek him out. When the kids
mistake the sideshow's Wild Man of Borneo is actually Uncle George, all heck
breaks loose. A wild chase through town ends up in the house where it's Spanky
who must tame Uncle George before he destroys the place. Non-stop laughs from
start to finish, this has to be one of the funniest Rascals shorts of all
time!
Grade: A+
Dogs is Dogs (1931, MGM)
Directed by Robert McGowan. Featuring
Wheezer, Stymie, Dorothy, and Pete the Pup.
One of the series' darker
episodes, Wheezer is the half-brother of devious and manipulative Sherwood,
whose mother (Blanche Payson) despises her stepson and his no-good father. As a
result, Wheezer is routinely persecuted, beaten, and forced to do all the work.
When the witch goes into town running errands, Sherwood manages to get Pete into
trouble and put in the dog pound. Just when things are at their darkest,
Wheezer's auntie arrives in a limousine to rescue Pete from the pound. More
importantly, she rescues Wheezer and his sister from a horrible life and takes
them home to be with their father, who has been too ill to come for them. More
reality driven than many of the Rascals shorts, many find it to be quite
heartwarming. I can pass.
Grade: C
The Pooch (1932, MGM)
Directed by Robert McGowan. Featuring
Stymie, Spanky, Wheezer, Dorothy, Breezy, and Pete the Pup.
Stymie is on
the outs with the gang for stealing, but wins them over when he rescues all of
their dogs from the evil dogcatcher. Unfortunately, in the process, Stymie's dog
Pete is captured and he must come up with $5 to save him before he's put down.
When a $5 bill drops the sky (blown from the hand of a passing shopper), the
police accuse Stymie of stealing and the chase is on. Eluding his pursuers,
Stymie arrives at the pound only to be told his dog is dead, which isn't true.
Pete and Stymie are happily reunited and the dogcatcher gets it in the
end—literally. A showcase for Matthew "Stymie" Beard, this is
one of the Rascals' patented chase episodes and one of the more touching in the
series.
Grade: B
Dog Heaven (1927, MGM)
Directed by Anthony Mack. Featuring Joe
Cobb, Wheezer, Farina, and Pete the Pup.
One of the series' early silent
shorts, this one shows us the world through Pete's eyes. A despondent doggie
wants to end his life when his best friend Joe deserts him for a girl. The now
anthropomorphized pooch is commiserating with his fellow canines and drinking
himself into oblivion until he's forced into action to save his former master's
new girlfriend from drowning. Joe, realizing his dog is a hero, returns just in
time to stop Pete from hanging himself and a joyful reunion ensues. Strangely
effective, this film proves Roach was ahead of his time.
Grade: B+
Sprucin' Up (1935, MGM)
Directed by Gus Meins. Featuring
Spanky, Scotty, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, and Pete the Pup.
When a cute little
girl (Marianne Edwards) moves in across the street, the boys fall all over
themselves trying to impress her. Spanky has the upper hand until Alfalfa shows
him up. As the two attempt to one-up each other, the object of their affection
is won over by her previous boyfriend, leaving the others flat. This film marks
the beginning of the end for the duo of Spanky and Scotty, as Alfalfa steals
focus and comes front and center as Spanky's friend and rival—a theme that
will last for years to come.
Grade: B-
Presented in 1.33:1 full frame format, these films, while diligently
restored, still suffer from years of neglect. For those expecting a superior
transfer, you'll be sorely disappointed. The same holds true for the
audio—Dolby 1.0 mono—which sounds like a great vinyl album found at
a garage sale, complete with pops, crackles, and hiss. They may not be perfect,
but being able to watch these tiny comedic masterpieces uncut and uncensored is
what's most important.
The surprising treat here can be found in the bonus materials—a 49
minute documentary entitled Hal Roach: Hollywood's King of Laughter,
narrated by Penn Jillette. This touching and informative piece, including
interviews with some of the biggest names in comedy, provides a wealth of
information and insight into the man who mastered and defined film comedy as we
know it today. The remaining features aren't worth much at all—a trivia
game, fun facts, photo gallery, cast bios, and studio trailers.
If you ignore Artisan's errant packaging (Dolby 2.0 Stereo? I don't think
so), mislabeling (The Hal Roach Documentary is called one thing on the case and
another on the menu, both of which don't come close to the actual title), and
poor marketing strategy, you will find a treasure trove of laughs within. Again,
longtime fans of the series more than likely have the entire Cabin Fever video
series, which is far and away more comprehensive than this disc. However, for
those who are looking to add The Little Rascals to their comedy collection, you
can't go wrong with this $19.98 investment. This court is adjourned.
post to del.icio.us
post to digg
![[printer friendly]](/images/printer1.gif)