Surviving Footage

[mtw12055]

This is an attempt to compile a list of what material from the Our Gang silents is currently available. Feel free to add anything.

1922
1) OUR GANG

Footage: About half of the McGowan version exists. The Newmeyer version is unavailable for viewing
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Some original titles have survived, as have a handful of non-original UK titles.

2) FIRE FIGHTERS

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists. The TCM airing includes a closing gag missing from most prints.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exists, as does a title card reading "Our Gang Comedies".
Inter-Titles: See "Footage."

3) YOUNG SHERLOCKS

Footage: Most of the film exists. Surviving footage includes two TV prints, a print featured on a CD-ROM, and at least one home movie fragment.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: Most exist.

4) ONE TERRIBLE DAY

Footage: Most of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most exist.

5) A QUIET STREET

Footage: I'm aware of a TV print and at least one home movie print existing. Maltin & Bann apparently saw a more complete print.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Some may have been in Maltin & Bann's print

6) SATURDAY MORNING

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

---

1923

7) THE BIG SHOW

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

8) THE COBBLER

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

9) THE CHAMPEEN!

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists. There seems to be a jump cut during the second half of the commonly-seen print (a longshot of the boxing ring can be seen for a split second before the print cuts to some kids waiting outside of the barn).
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

10) BOYS TO BOARD

Footage: A TV print and a home movie print exist. More footage may be out there.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Several exist.

11) A PLEASANT JOURNEY

Footage: Most of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most exist.

12) GIANTS VS. YANKS

Footage: Most of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most exist.

13) BACK STAGE

Footage: Most of the film exists. The commonly-seen home movie print includes a noticeable jump cut in between two inter-titles during an early sequence. It would appear that the film's ending may also be missing.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing, save for the copyright information.
Inter-Titles: Most exist.

14) DOGS OF WAR!

Footage: It would appear that the entire film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exists.
Inter-Titles: All seem to exist.

15) LODGE NIGHT

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exists (including the copyright info).
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) seem to exist.

16) STAGE FRIGHT

Footage: Most of the film exists. Some footage from the first half of the film may be missing. Maltin & Bann may have seen a more complete print.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: All seem to exist.

17) JULY DAYS

Footage: Most of the film exists. Some footage from the beginning of the film is apparently still missing. The home movie print featured on the Grapevine Home Video release seems to have a lot of jump cuts in it.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most exist.

18) SUNDAY CALM

Footage: Most of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Several original and non-original cards exist.

19) NO NOISE

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Several exist.

20) DERBY DAY

Footage: The entire film seems to exist.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exists.
Inter-Titles: All seem to exist.

---

1924

21) TIRE TROUBLE

Footage: The whole film seems to exist.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exists.
Inter-Titles: All seem to exist.

22) BIG BUSINESS

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: The originals exist, but are replaced on the commonly-seen prints.

23) THE BUCCANEERS

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

24) SEEIN' THINGS

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

25) COMMENCEMENT DAY

Footage: About two-thirds are available for viewing. Maltin & Bann likely saw a more complete print.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: A few are publicly available. Maltin & Bann may have seen more.

26) IT'S A BEAR

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Several non-original cards (likely containing the original wording) exist.

27) CRADLE ROBBERS

Footage: Most of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exists.
Inter-Titles: Several exist. The Grapevine print is missing a handful from the film's first few minutes.

28) JUBILO JR.

Footage: Most of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exist.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: If I'm not mistaken, several exist.

29) HIGH SOCIETY

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exists.
Inter-Titles: Several cards exist. However, they are not original, and it is obvious that at least one doesn't contain its original wording.

30) THE SUN DOWN LIMITED

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists. There is actually additional footage beyond what was included in the commonly-seen Exclusive print.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

31) FAST COMPANY

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

32) EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF

Footage: A TV print and a ten minute home movie print are known to exist. Editing these two together would result in a somewhat complete print (sans several inter-titles). Maltin & Bann may have seen a more complete print.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Several non-original cards (likely containing the original wording) exist.

33) THE MYSTERIOUS MYSTERY!

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists. It's worth mentioning that the brief bit of film bridging the first and second reels that is absent from most prints does exist. It was included in a print featured as part of the Sherlock Holmes Archive Collection. It can be found here at about 14-15 minutes in.
www.dailymotion.com/video/xx7p8s_sherlock-holmes-the-archive-collection-our-gang-the-mysterious-mystery_shortfilms
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing. Though the copyright info exists.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

---

1925

34) THE BIG TOWN

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exists..
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

35) CIRCUS FEVER

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exists.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

36) DOG DAYS

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Several exist. Though I believe some are not original (with original wording).

37) THE LOVE BUG

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

38) ASK GRANDMA

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most exist.

39) SHOOTIN' INJUNS

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist (although not original, they do seem to contain the original wording).

40) OFFICIAL OFFICERS

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist (although not original, they do seem to contain the original wording).

41) MARY, QUEEN OF TOTS

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists. The commonly-seen prints seem to open rather abruptly.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

42) BOYS WILL BE JOYS

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

43) BETTER MOVIES

Footage: A TV print and a couple of home movie prints exist. Maltin & Bann's print was the TV episode. In short, the entire film is apparently unavailable for viewing.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Some exist.

44) YOUR OWN BACK YARD

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists..
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: I can't recall how many original title cards exist.

45) ONE WILD RIDE

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: I can't recall how many original title cards exist. Several non-original ones (with what is apparently the original wording) exist.

---

1926

46) GOOD CHEER

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

47) BURIED TREASURE

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

48) MONKEY BUSINESS

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

49) BABY CLOTHES

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

50) UNCLE TOM’S UNCLE

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

51) THUNDERING FLEAS

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists. Some prints are missing part of the closing gag, but I believe it exists in its entirety.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

52) SHIVERING SPOOKS

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists. Some prints are missing a brief two second bit in which Farina protests going through the hole in the cave. It does exist in its entirety.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

53) THE FOURTH ALARM!

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

54) WAR FEATHERS

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

55) TELLING WHOPPERS

Footage: Most of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Not sure how many exist.

---

1927

56) SEEING THE WORLD

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

57) BRING HOME THE TURKEY

Footage: I believe most of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: I believe most exist.

58) TEN YEARS OLD

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

59) LOVE MY DOG

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

60) TIRED BUSINESS MEN

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

61) BABY BROTHER

Footage: It would appear that the entire film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: All seem to exist.

62) CHICKEN FEED

Footage: I’m aware of a TV print and a short home movie fragment existing. Maltin & Bann may have seen a better print.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: I believe some exist.

63) OLYMPIC GAMES

Footage: Most of the film exists. The commonly-seen prints have a few jump cuts in them.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

64) THE GLORIOUS FOURTH

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

65) YALE VS. HARVARD

Unavailable for viewing, though the cutting continuity and several photos exist.

66) THE OLD WALLOP

Footage: Much of the film exists, and has recently been pieced back together by some of our generous, hardworking friends.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Several non-original cards exist. The originals were re-created for the restored version.

67) HEEBEE JEEBEES

Unavailable for viewing, though the cutting continuity and several photos exist.

68) DOG HEAVEN

Footage: It would appear that all of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: All seem to exist.

---

1928

69) PLAYIN’ HOOKEY

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

70) THE SMILE WINS

Footage: A French print and at least one home movie print exist. I’d imagine editing the two together would result in a nearly complete print.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Several exist. The cards included in the French print are not original.

71) SPOOK-SPOOFING

Footage: It would appear that the entire film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: All seem to exist.

72) RAINY DAYS

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.

73) EDISON, MARCONI & CO.

Unavailable for viewing, though the cutting continuity and some publicity stills have survived.

74) BARNUM & RINGLING, INC.

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Semi-unavailable for viewing (it can be seen for a split second on the Interstate print).
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.
Soundtrack: Exists.

75) FAIR AND MUDDY

Footage: Most of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Several non-original UK cards exist. Though the original could be recreated with the cutting continuity.
Soundtrack: N/A.

76) CRAZY HOUSE

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: May be included in the Interstate print.
Inter-Titles: The Interstate print may include the original cards. The Blackhawk print does not contain the originals, although they probably contain the original wording.
Soundtrack: May be included on the Interstate print.

77) GROWING PAINS

Unavailable for viewing, though the cutting continuity and some stills have survived.

78) THE OL’ GRAY HOSS

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.
Soundtrack: Possibly unavailable for viewing.

79) SCHOOL BEGINS

An abridged print from Eastern Europe with non-original titles exists, and is available for viewing at the Museum of Modern Art. I’m not sure if the soundtrack has survived. It is currently being restored.

80) THE SPANKING AGE

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist, albeit in non-original form.
Soundtrack: Unavailable for viewing.

---

1929

81) ELECTION DAY

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.
Soundtrack: N/A.

82) NOISY NOISES

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Most (if not all) exist.
Soundtrack: Apparently Unavailable for viewing.

83) THE HOLY TERROR

Unavailable for viewing, although the cutting continuity and some stills have survived.

84) WIGGLE YOUR EARS

Footage: It would appear that the entire film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: All seem to exist.
Soundtrack: Exists.

85) FAST FREIGHT

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Several non-original title cards (with original wording) exist. The Blackhawk print seems to mistakenly reuse one of the inter-titles at another point in the film.
Soundtrack: N/A.

86) LITTLE MOTHER

Footage: Most (if not all) of the film exists.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: Several non-original title cards (with original wording) exist.
Soundtrack: N/A.

87) CAT, DOG & CO.

Footage: The entire film seems to exist.
Opening Title Card: Exists.
Crew Credits: Exist.
Inter-Titles: All seem to exist.
Soundtrack: Exists.

88) SATURDAY’S LESSON

Footage: The entire film seems to exist.
Opening Title Card: Unavailable for viewing.
Crew Credits: Unavailable for viewing.
Inter-Titles: All seem to exist.
Soundtrack: Exists.

---

RAILROADIN’ (SILENT VERSOIN)

Blackhawk apparently put together a silent version of this film. Whether or not they had the original silent print on hand, or they used the sound print is unknown.

MOAN & GROAN, INC. (SILENT VERSION)

Blackhawk had the silent version available at one point.

---

1930
THE FIRST SEVEN YEARS (FOREIGN VERSIONS)

All seem to be unavailable for viewing.

WHEN THE WIND BLOWS (FOREIGN VERSIONS)

The entire Spanish version, including the soundtrack, exists. Other prints seem to be unavailable for viewing.

BEAR SHOOTERS (FOREIGN VERSIONS)

No foreign prints are known to exist.

A TOUGH WINTER (FOREIGN VERSIONS)

At least one reel of the French version has survived. The German version is missing.

[antifrodis]

I was unaware of the "Mysterious Mystery" footage you mentioned. Thanks for compiling this post.

[rarefilms]

I've got a few additions for your list:

FIRE FIGHTERS. Not only does the opening title card and credits exist, but also a card that said: OUR GANG COMEDIES - which is animated the same as the crew credits, etc. It is shown just before the main title card. I think they must have created it not long after making the original main title card but before the film was released. As we know, the films weren't also going to be known as OUR GANG as well as: HAL ROACH PRESENTS HIS RASCALS. I don't know which other films might have had this card. OUR GANG perhaps?!

THE CHAMPEEN! I think that shot you mentioned about the boxing ring is just some of the kids' day-dream thoughts of the ring. Most prints have the end of reel one fading out, missing and also the fade in of reel two! My best prints have these fades,

LODGE NIGHT. You mention in this film and some others that the end title card is unavailable for viewing. Most of the time, it just said "Pathecomedy" at the end of the film and the original is available on this film and many others. There were a few different versions over the years. I know this as I've made notes of which version to use when any film is restored.

STAGE FRIGHT. The original main title card exists and so do ALL of the sub-titles.

NO NOISE. The original title card exists -- but I haven't got it!

TIRE TROUBLE. The whole film exists with all of the original sub-titles as well as the original main title card, the crew credits and the Pathecomedy card at the end.

BIG BUSINESS. I've got all of the original sub-titles (inter-titles) except the one where it says: MICKIE! I think it would've said Mickie rather than Mickey as Blackhawk and the Pathegrams (My copy they used on TCM a few years ago) versions spelt it that way.

DOG DAYS. The Pathegrams version has remade sub-titles. Some of them are ridiculous. I've typed out two examples of the original wording and then the Pathegrams version:
ORIGINAL:
Our Gang - -
Any one of their
trick dogs would drag
a tin can-If it was tied
on tight enough - -

PATHEGRAMS:

"Our Gang" - Anyone of
their trick dogs would
drag a tin can

ORIGINAL:

Joe-
His dog is the most
exclusive-Nobody else
in the whole world
would own him - -

PATHEGRAMS:

Joe's dog is exclusive -
Nobody else in the world
would own him

THE LOVE BUG. I think all sub-titles exist.

THE SPANKING AGE. The main title card exists.

There are other things I could mention, but I would have to check up on them.

Best regards, Robin of C-W Films.

[mtw12055]

Perhaps this is a loaded question, but what would it take to finally get most (if not all) of this footage out on DVD? At least the Pathes and the three rediscovered MGM silents, as we already have a nice set of the long-surviving latter-day silents.

Also, I don't remember where I read info on the Spanish version of "The First Seven Years" surviving. I have may have misread/misremembered that.

[tboneator64]

Jan 9, 2016 14:44:28 GMT -5 mtw12055 said:

Perhaps this is a loaded question, but what would it take to finally get most (if not all) of this footage out on DVD? At least the Pathes and the three rediscovered MGM silents, as we already have a nice set of the long-surviving latter-day silents.

Also, I don't remember where I read info on the Spanish version of "The First Seven Years" surviving. I have may have misread/misremembered that.

Your recent post which confirms the existence of the French version of A TOUGH WINTER was my first awareness of any of the 'Our Gang' Foreign Language soundtracks being extant, though "muted" prints for a couple of their other shorts are known to exist!  I'm thinking THE FIRST SEVEN YEARS might fall into the latter category?

CHEERS! 

[farina]

Jan 9, 2016 14:44:28 GMT -5 mtw12055 said:

Perhaps this is a loaded question, but what would it take to finally get most (if not all) of this footage out on DVD? At least the Pathes and the three rediscovered MGM silents, as we already have a nice set of the long-surviving latter-day silents.

Also, I don't remember where I read info on the Spanish version of "The First Seven Years" surviving. I have may have misread/misremembered that.

The key would be me someone has to take the time and effort to gather all of the best examples of each film and put them on DVD then release them. Unless it is an individual or group effort it won't get done because I don't see it as a money maker for any company. 

[tboneator64]

Jan 9, 2016 18:33:59 GMT -5 farina said:

Jan 9, 2016 14:44:28 GMT -5 mtw12055 said:

Perhaps this is a loaded question, but what would it take to finally get most (if not all) of this footage out on DVD? At least the Pathes and the three rediscovered MGM silents, as we already have a nice set of the long-surviving latter-day silents.

Also, I don't remember where I read info on the Spanish version of "The First Seven Years" surviving. I have may have misread/misremembered that.

The key would be me someone has to take the time and effort to gather all of the best examples of each film and put them on DVD then release them. Unless it is an individual or group effort it won't get done because I don't see it as a money maker for any company. 

Annoying as some of the background music is (In my opinion!), it's too bad the deal involving Mackinac Media to issue the bulk of the extant 'Our Gang' silents fell through, especially with ALL of the English Language talkies now officially available!

While it would be interesting to see a release of any extant (In which BOTH the audio and visuals exist!) Foreign Language 'Our Gang' shorts, I think it's important to realize that unlike the often extended Laurel & Hardy Foreign Language versions, the phonetic 'Our Gangs' are reported to have actually been shorter than their English Language counterparts.  My guess is, this was likely because by this time, minors could only shoot for X number of hours per day, plus the creative genius of Stan Laurel no was no doubt a factor regarding the Laurel & Hardy phonetic shorts that sometimes became short features!

CHEERS! 

[Deleted]

"Derby Day" definitely does exist. It was on one of the Cabin Fever VHS releases in the 1990s. Got a few tapes at Wal-Mart then, and they were dirt cheap. I still have them to this day.

English-speaking versions of "The First Seven Years"  and "When the Wind Blows" also exist on the Cabin Fever releases, I believe.

[tboneator64]

Jan 12, 2016 16:52:04 GMT -5 @darlajeanhoodfan said:

"Derby Day" definitely does exist. It was on one of the Cabin Fever VHS releases in the 1990s. Got a few tapes at Wal-Mart then, and they were dirt cheap. I still have them to this day.

English-speaking versions of "The First Seven Years"  and "When the Wind Blows" also exist on the Cabin Fever releases, I believe.

Thankfully, apart from some Foreign Language versions of the early talkies, there are very few 'Our Gang' Films (All Silents, mostly consisting of the late 1920's MGM distributed shorts!) that are still completely non extant (Seven, I believe?), though a number of others are missing some footage!  

All of the 1929-44 English Language talkies exist, and all are complete in terms of content, though I suspect some of the early sound Films are missing original Opening Title/Closing Credit music!

CHEERS! 

[mtw12055]

Jan 12, 2016 17:16:30 GMT -5 tboneator64 said:

Thankfully, apart from some Foreign Language versions of the early talkies, there are very few 'Our Gang' Films (All Silents, mostly consisting of the late 1920's MGM distributed shorts!) that are still completely non extant (Seven, I believe?), though a number of others are missing some footage!  

CHEERS! 

Yes, that's what this thread was meant for. Figuring out what films are still missing footage. If the Laurel and Hardy fans can have a record of what's still missing, so can we!

Though the fact that a number of private collectors have prints in their libraries that they are picky about sharing makes one question just what is 'lost' and what is 'locked away.'

At least five of the silents are completely lost - "Yale Vs. Harvard, "Heebee Jeebees," "Edison, Marconi & Co.," Growing Pains," and "The Holy Terror." A Czech print of "School Begins" is rumored to exist. All others definitely exist in some form. Although the original cut of "Our Gang" (directed by Fred Newmeyer) is also missing, about half of a remade version (directed by Bob McGowan) definitely exists.

I think I covered most of this in the lengthy list above, but let me know if I missed anything.

[tboneator64]

The Lucky Corner website lists SCHOOL BEGINS as recently found, but is in poor condition and not available on video: www.theluckycorner.com/rms/079.html

Hopefully, a viewable version can still be struck at some point, but the above description doesn't seem to provide much cause for optimism, in this case!  I suspect that this might be a "one chance to get a decent digital scan before the source film completely disintegrates" scenario!

CHEERS!

[mtw12055]

Jan 12, 2016 19:38:10 GMT -5 tboneator64 said:

The Lucky Corner website lists SCHOOL BEGINS as recently found, but is in poor condition and not available on video: www.theluckycorner.com/rms/079.html

Hopefully, a viewable version can still be struck at some point, but the above description doesn't seem to provide much cause for optimism, in this case!  I suspect that this might be a "one chance to get a decent digital scan before the source film completely disintegrates" scenario!

CHEERS!

I believe the 'poor condition' print was first mentioned in the Maltin & Bann book.

At least one person has reported screening a 35mm nitrate print at the Museum of Modern Art. I've heard from two sources (possibly the same person) that the print's titles are either in German or Czech.

It's worth mentioning that simply translating non-original title cards to the English language usually doesn't present the text as it was orignally written. With basic translation, what we're left with are a series of, frankly, dull title cards that were meant to be humorous. Thankfully, the cutting continuities for all of the lost Our Gang shorts have survived, so reinserting the titles (or rather, recreations of the titles) into a foreign print would be no problem.

On a related note, I guess if someone was really desperate, they could recreate an entire film based on the cutting continuity.

[tboneator64]

Jan 12, 2016 20:42:19 GMT -5 mtw12055 said:

Jan 12, 2016 19:38:10 GMT -5 tboneator64 said:

The Lucky Corner website lists SCHOOL BEGINS as recently found, but is in poor condition and not available on video: www.theluckycorner.com/rms/079.html

Hopefully, a viewable version can still be struck at some point, but the above description doesn't seem to provide much cause for optimism, in this case!  I suspect that this might be a "one chance to get a decent digital scan before the source film completely disintegrates" scenario!

CHEERS!

I believe the 'poor condition' print was first mentioned in the Maltin & Bann book.

At least one person has reported screening a 35mm nitrate print at the Museum of Modern Art. I've heard from two sources (possibly the same person) that the print's titles are either in German or Czech.

It's worth mentioning that simply translating non-original title cards to the English language usually doesn't present the text as it was orignally written. With basic translation, what we're left with are a series of, frankly, dull title cards that were meant to be humorous. Thankfully, the cutting continuities for all of the lost Our Gang shorts have survived, so reinserting the titles (or rather, recreations of the titles) into a foreign print would be no problem.

On a related note, I guess if someone was really desperate, they could recreate an entire film based on the cutting continuity.

There's no mention of the 'poor condition print' of SCHOOL BEGINS in the 1992 Edition of the Maltin & Bann book, which I believe is the most recent.  However, it was noted as "Unavailable for viewing".

CHEERS! 

Tony

[mtw12055]

Jan 12, 2016 22:29:35 GMT -5 tboneator64 said:

There's no mention of the 'poor condition print' of SCHOOL BEGINS in the 1992 Edition of the Maltin & Bann book, which I believe is the most recent.  However, it was noted as "Unavailable for viewing".

CHEERS! 

Tony

You're right! My error.

[mtw12055]

Maltin and Bann mention that a five-reel version of "The Fourth Alarm!" was prepared for foreign markets. I've come across a Motion Picture News article that confirms this.

"Our Gang" Comedy in Five Reels for Foreign Market

The latest "Our Gang," "The Fourth Alarm," is being edited in five reels for the European market because of the demand for the kiddie comedies in this length by foreign exhibitors, claim the Pathe offices. Robert McGowan directed the Hal Roach production.

I love "The Fourth Alarm!", but a five-reel version seems like a bit much. I can only wonder how they padded the thing out.