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Post by RJH on Oct 2, 2016 22:44:32 GMT -5
Three Men in a Tub (1938) - Darla stands up Alfalfa for a picnic, instead choosing to go for a ride on Waldo's fancy boat (or yacht as Alfalfa calls it). Alfalfa is distraught, but Spanky comes up with an idea to build a boat for Alfalfa to race Waldo and win Darla back. The gang builds a vessel Alfalfa names Darla the Fourth, and the challenge is accepted. With Buckwheat and Porky as his crew, Alfalfa takes on Waldo with Darla as his passenger. The race goes back and forth, and when Waldo is in the lead, his boat springs a leak. Darla calls for help, and Alfalfa swims to her rescue, pulling her from Waldo's boat while Waldo reads a manual trying to determine what to do. The rescue isn't quite perfect as Alfalfa and Darla fall back into the water at the end anyway.
What jars me the most in this film is that Darla is so unlikable, more than in any other film. When Buckwheat tells her she's hurt Alfalfa's feeling, she replies in a snobbish manner that she doesn't care. This fickleness is really over the top. Why would anyone want to win such a person back? Getting past that, there is the solid idea of the gang building a conveyance out of whatever materials they can obtain with their non-existent budget. This is similar to "Hi-Neighbor!" which is among my all-time favorites. As is usually the case, I like the team of Buckwheat and Porky, who get a larger share of the action in this film being on Alfalfa's boat, while Spanky disappears after the start of the race. The duo also gets to ride a sorry-looking horse with a severely curved spine. Something is off at that start: Waldo gets his boat started first, but when the three men in the tub get their craft going, somehow they are in the lead. Then toward the end, Waldo, after having spent the entire film showing off his intellectual superiority with his pretentious speech, suddenly gets stupid and can't figure out that a cork stopper popped out and simply needs to be replaced. Porky does display some brains and somehow ends up with the stopper, foreshadowed by his experimenting with one earlier when he and Buckwheat delivered a note issuing the challenge to Waldo at his boat. When Alfalfa stands up to pick up Darla, we find that the water was only about ten inches deep, rather mitigating the perception of danger.
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Post by ymymeatemup on Oct 6, 2016 21:49:47 GMT -5
TEACHER'S PET (1930)
Things I like: Jackie Cooper. The Gang's most effortlessly natural actor during this era is the primary reason this film works. Even though some of the dialogue he's given is a bit corny, he still comes across as a genuine kid, and his contempt for the as-yet-unseen new teacher is just as convincing as his later affection for her. His often-lauded crying scene is realistic enough, though he was to virtually make an art of this routine after leaving the series. Most Everything Else. Like most of the episodes from this era, this film has an intoxicating level of nostalgia running through it. Even the audiences of 1930 probably would have felt this to some extent, what with the soft focus used throughout. But for modern audiences, this is further emphasized by the one-room schoolhouse and Wheezer's ability to hitch a ride on Miss Crabtree's spare tire, among many other things. Needless to say, Leroy Shield's musical contribution to this episode also greatly enhances this mood.
Things I don't like: Not Much. As would be further emphasized with her subsequent appearances in this series, June Marlowe didn't have much going for her in the acting department, but it isn't difficult to see why the boys of the Gang found her appealing. The main drawback with this episode is that it isn't quite as funny as "School's Out," to which it's inevitably compared. The car ride with Jack and Miss Crabtree, for instance, doesn't provide as many laughs as the more crowded example in the followup film, and the snappy one-liners couldn't hope to match up to the barrage thrown back at Miss Crabtree during the quiz in the sequel.
Grade: B+
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Post by RJH on Oct 9, 2016 17:35:30 GMT -5
Three Smart Boys (1937) - The gang overhears the school superintendent say that only an epidemic would justify closing school when their teacher wishes to attend her sister's wedding. Therefore Spanky and Alfalfa decide to have an epidemic, and include Buckwheat. They paints dots on their foreheads and inflate hot water bottles under their shirts to accomplish this. Meanwhile Waldo overhears that the superintendent has given permission since the class is doing so well, and gives a note to Porky to deliver to the starring trio. When Porky can't find which pocket the note is in, Spanky shoos him away, and the boys go to a doctor, who turns out to be a veterinarian. Buckwheat gets to be treated first, and the conversation between the veterinarian and an assistant convince Spanky and Alfalfa in the waiting room that Buckwheat might be turned into a monkey. When the adults leave, Spanky and Alfalfa find a monkey wearing Buckwheat's sweater, and jump to the obvious conclusion. There is a chase and some damage done to the office by the monkey throwing bottles, and Porky finally delivers the message revealing that all this effort was for nothing. Then Buckwheat emerges from a sack he's been hiding in and announces that he isn't a monkey.
Didn't they have substitute teachers in 1937? This film strikes me as kind of average. There are lots of elements from previous films, like "Circus Fever" to get out of school, and the monkey business in "Chicken Feed" and "A Lad An' a Lamp." There is the gag of Spanky's painting black dots on Buckwheat not working before he tries white paint. Are these boys really smart enough that it's okay to close the school for a few days? Can they possibly believe a doctor wouldn't immediately discover the truth about their swollen stomachs? Getting past that, the performances are pretty good. Buckwheat gets one of his most prominent roles, and Spanky and Alfalfa react suitably to the doctor's highly contrived conversation. Meanwhile, poor Darla and Muggsy do nothing but sit on the school steps for a few seconds at the beginning. It's also hard to believe the veterinarian would leave the monkey and the three boys alone in his office. Overall, not terrible, not spectacular, and requires some suspension of disbelief.
Tire Trouble (1924) - The gang has built an incredible car, and give Ernie and Farina a ride to deliver laundry to the mansion of J. William McAllister, the richest man in town who is constantly told by his wife and doctors that he is sick and must avoid any excitement. The gang gets involved in a fight with sissy dance school boys when the gang isn't allowed to go on their picnic, and when chased by the police, McAllister motions through a window that the gang can take refuge in his house. Jackie questions why McAllister has a bunch of funny things on, and removes his sunglasses, cotton balls in his ears, and a head bandage. McAllister declares he feels great, and offers to take them to the amusement park. His cars are all gone, so they take the gang's car. When pulled over, an officer tells McAllister that he has to drive instead of Mickey, so he does. The car has mostly fallen apart when they get to the amusement park. They see several of the attractions, and go on multiple roller coaster rides, except for Farina who got left behind on a spinning disk and will be dizzy for a long time. McAllister tells his wife and staff that he never felt better as he goes on another roller coaster ride.
This is a fine example of why the series got so popular. There is a lot of detail on the gang's homemade vehicle. It has features that would be used later as in "Free Wheeling," like the boxing glove on an extender and a board on a hinge to swat annoying people out of the way. Then there is the theme of an older person who is made to feel much better and younger again by coming in contact with the gang. This turned out so well that it was used again in "Boys Will Be Joys" and "Second Childhood." There are the typical scenes of the car weaving through traffic, and the amusement park is a treat, and it is satisfying to see McAllister blow off his doctors when he's proved he can take the excitement and have a good time. This is one of the "feel-good" films that works very well.
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Post by ymymeatemup on Oct 9, 2016 23:21:02 GMT -5
THUNDERING FLEAS (1926)
Things I like: Oliver Hardy. The Roach Studio was populated with plenty of gifted comedy actors over the years, which benefited the Our Gang series on a regular basis. But most of these folks, as delightful as they were, didn't have what it takes to actually star in their own series. Oliver Hardy, at the time this film was made, was a minor star at best, but his deft ability at handling physical comedy in this short makes it obvious that he was something special. Icing on the cake in this case is provided by Farina and his excuse for carrying off Officer Hardy's pants. Jerry Mandy. Speaking of the studio's supply of unsung comedy actors: Mandy's inability to nod 'yes' due to an infestation of fleas is one of the most expertly done bits of comedy I've ever seen. Charley Chase. More or less in the same category as Hardy, Chase's cameo in this film makes it clear why he was the star of his own series. The Gagfest. If ever the Our Gang kids were upstaged by the grownups, it was here. From "Professor Clements" to the "Swiss Family Robinson" (and their impressively wobbly wagon) to minister James Finlayson to virtually everybody else at the wedding, we're treated to one nutty character after another. Add to this a semi-animated flea circus, a conflagrating beard, and a flea-invested statue-come-to-life, and the laughs are only topped by the likes of "The Mysterious Mystery," "Saturday's Lesson" or "Free Eats."
Things I don't like: Not Much. Aside from an occasional dry patch, such as the scene with the slippery goldfish, there isn't much to complain about with this effort. I enjoy pretty much everything the Roach studio attempted to do with this series over the years, but sometimes a strictly-for-laughs episode is just what the doctor ordered.
Grade: A-
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Post by ymymeatemup on Oct 11, 2016 0:43:50 GMT -5
THREE MEN IN A TUB (1938)
Things I like: Waldo. This is, needless to say, the quintessential Waldo episode, and not only because he's got such a big part. His response to Alfalfa's challenge is easily the most complicated dialogue ever recited by anybody in this series, kid or adult, and Buckwheat's comical response only emphasizes this. A Few Minor Things. The general idea behind this short, which is more or less in the same vein as "Hi'-Neighbor," is a natural for this series, and the sequence of events makes for a fairly enjoyable experience. In other news, Porky's responses to the dialogue in the opening scene are kinda cute. And in the case of Bessie, the Gang's horse, I can't figure out whether to laugh or feel sorry for her, but the addition of the ladder does tip the scales a bit in favor of humor.
Things I don't like: Darla. Most of the late Roach-era kids became hard to watch after the move to MGM, but Darla is a rare exception. By this film, her stereotype of what it is to be a fickle female was already replacing the sweeter, earlier version of her, and her constant gushing over Waldo wears thin by the midway point. But then it transforms into an almost unbearable barrage of "damsel in distress" whining, which is enough to cause me to pass over this film on a regular basis. At Least One Minor Thing. Some of the overly-precocious dialogue, such as Alfalfa's complaint about Darla having to mind the baby, gets a little out of hand in this episode. It was nothing new for the kids to say things that would normally be said by adults, but the writers lean on this too much in the opening scenes.
Grade: B-
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Post by RJH on Oct 16, 2016 22:05:12 GMT -5
[[Regarding McAllister, a title card indicates that his doctors say he's sick, and that he only thinks he's well, so I wouldn't say McAllister thinks he's sick. He clearly objects to his treatment, but needs the gang to defy his doctors and wife and start living again.]]
Three Smart Guys (1943) - Froggy, Mickey, and Buckwheat would rather go fishing than go to school. Froggy's idea to get them kicked out, disrupting the class by reading out loud from a comic book, backfires when instead of getting sent home they have to write a sentence 100 times on the blackboard. The next day, they go straight to fishing. Froggy's and Buckwheat's lines hook each other, and after a tug of war all three end up in the water. An old fisherman nearby checks that they're all right, and then lectures them when he finds they're playing hooky. The boys are instantly transformed and rush to school, not wanting to change into drier clothes for fear they might miss something.
It looks like the MGM writers were out of ideas at this point and remade reused the idea of a scheme for getting out of school not working out as intended as in "Three Smart Boys" and "Readin' and Writin'," but made it a lot worse. The overbearing moralizing quashes the few comedic elements present. one of these is Frogyy's wedging three pieces of chalk in an eraser so he can write three sentences at once, cutting down the punishment time significantly. Froggy and Mickey fail miserably when they first try casting their fishing lines. A lot of effort went into the fishing sequence when Froggy and Buckwheat alternately pull each other leaning over the edges of the dock at impossible angles and defying laws of physics. Then once in the water Buckwheat manages to catch a fish in the seat of his pants. Beyond that nothing is pleasant to watch. Janet is annoying as the good student and then scolding the boys when they tell her they won't go to school the next day. When the old fisherman starts talking I really wanted to fast forward to the end. And in another case of faulty physics, the boys' clothes and hair are impossibly dry when they reach school at the end. Of course their clothes shrank, but this film was long past the point of having hope for more entertainment value.
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Post by tboneator64 on Oct 17, 2016 1:37:08 GMT -5
[[Ah. I guess I missed that part. I wouldn't say that this film is a remake of THREE SMART BOYS, though. They never pretend to be sick to get out of school. The titles are too similar, to be sure.]] Three Smart Guys (1943) - Buckwheat, Mickey, and Froggy play hooky from school to go fishing. They regret their decision when a fisherman lectures them on studying to becomes successful. Surprisingly, there are some decent ideas in this short - the kids' way of getting out of school is interesting not to mention topical. Dynamo Dick is an obvious parody of the popular comic books of the day. The chalk gag works, as does the bit in which Froggy and Buckwheat get their fishing hooks stuck on each other. Not only that, but the latter gag is actually staged really well. Unfortunately, this is also a short with an obligatory message. The boys are lectured by a fisherman, who tells them that study is the key to catching the big fish - success. It doesn't take long for our three smart guys to agree with the man's little soapbox talk, whereas any normal hooky-playing kid would probably just get bored and move away. There are a few jokes that don't work. Froggy's special bait for one. It appears to be pasta noodles. I guess that's the whole joke. The catfish gag is spotted a good 2,406 miles away, but I'll forgive it. Froggy repeating the fisherman's lecture verbatim to the teacher ("evidently, you ain't the kind who likes to do that...") may have played okay with better timing. Why are the boys screaming for help when they fall into the water? It's clearly not deep. Also, poor Billie Thomas appears to be freezing once the guys get out of the lake. Janet's also on board, but thankfully just barely. Incidentally, is that guy by the lake a professional fisherman? Or is it is day off from his real job? What right does he have to lecture the Gang, anyhow? Not a great short by any means, but... well, after reading summaries of early drafts of the script, I can say it's an improvement over what was intended. Law and McGowan wrote in this confusing story about a traveling circus with a talking penguin and a dwarf... and the penguin is the one who lectures the Gang... I wish I were making that up. Maybe they should have got this penguin? Kidding aside, this gives me cause to wonder what Law and McGowan originally intended for Smallpox, who did talk briefly about "Good News" at the end of TALE OF A DOG (1944). Perhaps MGM decided that apart from full blown cartoons, animals shouldn't be depicted as doling out advice? CHEERS!
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Post by mtw12055 on Oct 17, 2016 15:52:49 GMT -5
[[Ah. I guess I missed that part. I wouldn't say that this film is a remake of THREE SMART BOYS, though. They never pretend to be sick to get out of school. The titles are too similar, to be sure.]] Three Smart Guys (1943) - Buckwheat, Mickey, and Froggy play hooky from school to go fishing. They regret their decision when a fisherman lectures them on studying to becomes successful. Surprisingly, there are some decent ideas in this short - the kids' way of getting out of school is interesting not to mention topical. Dynamo Dick is an obvious parody of the popular comic books of the day. The chalk gag works, as does the bit in which Froggy and Buckwheat get their fishing hooks stuck on each other. Not only that, but the latter gag is actually staged really well. Unfortunately, this is also a short with an obligatory message. The boys are lectured by a fisherman, who tells them that study is the key to catching the big fish - success. It doesn't take long for our three smart guys to agree with the man's little soapbox talk, whereas any normal hooky-playing kid would probably just get bored and move away. There are a few jokes that don't work. Froggy's special bait for one. It appears to be pasta noodles. I guess that's the whole joke. The catfish gag is spotted a good 2,406 miles away, but I'll forgive it. Froggy repeating the fisherman's lecture verbatim to the teacher ("evidently, you ain't the kind who likes to do that...") may have played okay with better timing. Why are the boys screaming for help when they fall into the water? It's clearly not deep. Also, poor Billie Thomas appears to be freezing once the guys get out of the lake. Janet's also on board, but thankfully just barely. Incidentally, is that guy by the lake a professional fisherman? Or is it is day off from his real job? What right does he have to lecture the Gang, anyhow? Not a great short by any means, but... well, after reading summaries of early drafts of the script, I can say it's an improvement over what was intended. Law and McGowan wrote in this confusing story about a traveling circus with a talking penguin and a dwarf... and the penguin is the one who lectures the Gang... I wish I were making that up. Maybe they should have got this penguin? Kidding aside, this gives me cause to wonder what Law and McGowan originally intended for Smallpox, who did talk briefly about "Good News" at the end of TALE OF A DOG (1944). Perhaps MGM decided that apart from full blown cartoons, animals shouldn't be depicted as doling out advice? CHEERS! Heh! I was tempted to make a Batman reference, actually. Didn't think it would make any sense to have the Penguin lecture the Gang, though. Unless the advice was on switching over to the dark side. ("First, we need to do something about those clothes. Here! *tosses the kids a bag of money* Go buy yourselves some top hats, tuxedos, and monocles.") Interestingly, the draft involving the dwarf refers to him as "Angelo." Perhaps they were considering Angelo Rossitto? Or at least making a reference to him.
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Post by ymymeatemup on Oct 19, 2016 23:05:44 GMT -5
THREE SMART BOYS (1937)
Things I like: Sidney Bracey. There's something about his benignly sinister veterinarian that goes a long way to explaining how the boys could believe that their pal has been changed into a monkey. Buckwheat. He had the perfect face for conveying timid nervousness, as shown in his unsuccessful attempt to retrieve his sweater from the monkey. Alfalfa. This isn't exactly a standout episode for Alfalfa, other than that moment when he says "Well, answer me!" However, it's worth pointing out that the assortment of bottles being thrown down at Spanky and Alfalfa are either going between them - or hitting Alfalfa. One wonders if perhaps the crew members doing the throwing are the same ones that handled the fruit in "Our Gang Follies Of 1938." Miss Withersthingy. If it wasn't for the fact that she brightens up and lets the kids take the rest of the week off, I'd really enjoy hating this previously-disagreeable character.
Things I don't like: The Way This Looks To Modern Eyes. Two of the tried-and-true racial gags of Our Gang are featured in this short. The first is the gag where the black kid is given white spots on his face because the black spots don't show up. While it's clear even to modern kids (who haven't been exposed to this type of humor) that skin color is a crucial factor with this gag, it's nevertheless the type of practical, non-malicious solution that little kids might come up with. Because of this, I find the idea pretty harmless and rather amusing, not only here, but in the similar instances from the silent era. The other example is the apparent transformation of the black child into a monkey. I do believe that back in the '20s and '30s, the race of the child was a crucial factor in making this gag work for audiences of that time, and like most anybody in modern times, I find this idea beyond distasteful. However, to a modern child (again, not exposed to racial humor in the first place), it's not necessary to look at it the way the filmmakers intended - in other words, it could just as easily be Alfalfa seemingly changed into a monkey for all modern viewers care. My childhood ended decades ago, but even by that time, the culture had changed to the extent that I never looked at this as a racial gag. Nothing Else. Okay, so now that I've made my excuses for liking this problematic short, I'll admit that I find the whole thing virtually as entertaining and funny as any of the other early Gordon Douglas efforts.
Grade: A-
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Post by ymymeatemup on Oct 19, 2016 23:09:35 GMT -5
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Post by RJH on Oct 23, 2016 21:54:38 GMT -5
Time Out for Lessons (1939) - Alfalfa is about to practice football with the gang when his father stops him to discuss Alfalfa's dismal report card. The father explains that Alfalfa must do more than play football to succeed in college. Alfalfa then imagines what college could be like. The boys of the gang are football stars (Spanky is coach) and admired by their fellow students, and have an enthusiastic pep rally. Just before the big game, however, Alfalfa is ruled academically ineligible, and his teammates let him know how disappointed they are in him. Back to reality, the gang has come to Alfalfa's house when he didn't make it to practice. Alfalfa now says they have to study all their lessons first, but his father lets them play as long as they make time to study afterwards.
This is one of the first of the MGM shorts to lay on the heavy moralizing, and it stops cold the entertainment value. Some of the pep rally is decent, with the gang being so popular and lively dancing, though the single tap dancing non-gang member goes on way too long. When Muggsy drools over Alfalfa, Darla utters a line about him being all muscle and no brain. The gang's college is Hayle, and their big game opponent is Yarmouth. Then all is ruined when Professor Waldo announces Alfalfa's ineligibility, and the team's reaction to Alfalfa is not fun to watch. It seems so phony at the end with Alfalfa so suddenly converted, as well as the beginning where Alfalfa thinks D's on a report card stand for "Dandy." I would have preferred seeing the gang try to execute Alfalfa's complicated play he maps out at the beginning than all of this comedy-killing emphasis on studying lessons.
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Post by ymymeatemup on Oct 24, 2016 0:01:42 GMT -5
TIRE TROUBLE (1924)
Things I like: Venice Pier. The last part of this film treats us to a glimpse of the type of amusements people enjoyed back in the 1920s, some of which haven't changed much over the years, while others have. I guess it's inevitable that any footage depicting a ride on a roller coaster will include a few shots from the rider's point of view, but that's only because it's indispensably effective. Much of the remaining footage features the fun house, which is the type of attraction that seems to have largely disappeared from amusement parks, but was clearly a staple at the time. Perhaps the most novel highlight is Noah's Ark, which I imagine must have been a popular spot for taking photos. The Sissies. We've gotten to a place in our culture where making fun of these types of characters isn't exactly politically correct, but these two boys are so over-the-top that I think it would be a waste of brain cells to be offended by it. Most Everything Else. Like most of the episodes from this period, the highlights are interspersed with pleasantly amusing moments, resulting in a satisfying viewing experience. The situation with the wealthy old man is a bit incongruous, as most episodes would feature an elderly hypochrondriac, while in this one, the doctors are convinced that he's in bad shape when he's actually fine. But why listen to your doctor when you've got Jackie Condon to set you straight?
Things I don't like: Slow-Motion. Not surprisingly, this silent episode of our favorite series ends with Farina moving in slow motion after having been spun around in the fun house. Also not surprisingly, it provides an anti-climactic end to what is otherwise briskly entertaining.
Grade: A-
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Post by ymymeatemup on Oct 27, 2016 20:45:53 GMT -5
THREE SMART GUYS (1943)
Things I like: The Eraser Trick. With this film, the one-good-idea-per-episode quota was fulfilled by Froggy's nifty way of writing three lines at once on the chalkboard. This is exactly what one would expect an Our Gang kid to do, and yet, the occurrence of such ingenuity in these late MGM shorts is so rare that it's actually surprising in this case. Aaaaaannnnnnnnd That's It. Nothing more to see here, folks.
Things I don't like: The Boys. Obviously these three have gotten fed up with being the sincere little apple-polishers they normally are and have decided to go rogue, disrupting the class in a way that is nothing short of convincing, and once loosed upon the world......uhhhh.....go fishing. And it's really funny! To the three morticians in "Radio Bugs," it's totally hilarious! The Teacher. For some reason, it's not enough for her students to get good grades and behave themselves - they also need to refrain from such vulgar expressions as "You said it!" Also on the list of forbidden profanities are "Swell," "23-Skidoo," and "It's a Lollapalooza!" The Old Codger. Three irresponsible youngsters preferring fishing to going to school? Check. Old, retired gentleman aghast at such behavior? Check. Well-reasoned rebuttal to foolish behavior from old gentleman? Check. Aforementioned elements brought together in such a way that makes the average viewer want to ignore well-reasoned rebuttal? Check. And that's morality MGM-style, folks. Janet. Sheesh, Janet, you're in the film for all of 15 seconds, and you STILL make this list. The boys, having adopted the life of the rebel, can't be bothered with a goody-two-shoes like Janet, so now it's just her and her imaginary friend, admonishing from afar.
Grade: D-
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Post by tboneator64 on Oct 28, 2016 17:20:37 GMT -5
THREE SMART GUYS (1943) Things I like: The Eraser Trick. With this film, the one-good-idea-per-episode quota was fulfilled by Froggy's nifty way of writing three lines at once on the chalkboard. This is exactly what one would expect an Our Gang kid to do, and yet, the occurrence of such ingenuity in these late MGM shorts is so rare that it's actually surprising in this case. Aaaaaannnnnnnnd That's It. Nothing more to see here, folks. Things I don't like: The Boys. Obviously these three have gotten fed up with being the sincere little apple-polishers they normally are and have decided to go rogue, disrupting the class in a way that is nothing short of convincing, and once loosed upon the world......uhhhh.....go fishing. And it's really funny! To the three morticians in "Radio Bugs," it's totally hilarious! The Teacher. For some reason, it's not enough for her students to get good grades and behave themselves - they also need to refrain from such vulgar expressions as "You said it!" Also on the list of forbidden profanities are "Swell," "23-Skidoo," and "It's a Lollapalooza!" The Old Codger. Three irresponsible youngsters preferring fishing to going to school? Check. Old, retired gentleman aghast at such behavior? Check. Well-reasoned rebuttal to foolish behavior from old gentleman? Check. Aforementioned elements brought together in such a way that makes the average viewer want to ignore well-reasoned rebuttal? Check. And that's morality MGM-style, folks. Janet. Sheesh, Janet, you're in the film for all of 15 seconds, and you STILL make this list. The boys, having adopted the life of the rebel, can't be bothered with a goody-two-shoes like Janet, so now it's just her and her imaginary friend, admonishing from afar. Grade: D- Not surprisingly, THREE SMART GUYS (1943) was the last 'Our Gang' short released before MGM ceased production of the series in November, 1943. In my opinion, your above description sums up just how dreary these one reel episodes had become, with nearly all of the 1943-44 entries being flat out duds! When critics speak of the MGM 'Our Gang' era being of much lesser quality than the Hal Roach Studio shorts, it is really the post Spanky entries that live up (Or rather, down!) to that billing! It was also really in this last year that all of the warts were fullly exposed, such as a lack of will/ability to cast endearing child actors. Never mind that the shorts were now losing money! Who on earth was MGM going to replace the soon to be too old current kids with? Plus, Janet was the only one not on the verge of being too old - Dreary prospects, indeed! CHEERS!
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Post by Mark on Oct 28, 2016 20:16:01 GMT -5
The MGM shorts are the Sharknado of the Our Gang series. They're so bad, they're fun to watch (in my opinion).
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