Those Darn Kids

[phantomrailfan]

My memory is really hazy about this, but in the early 80s, I remember seeing a movie on local TV called THOSE DARN KIDS. I didn't see it in its entirety, but as I recall it was a random compilation of silent Our Gang and Mickey McGuire clips, and possibly other silent "kiddie" series as well. I think there was narration, but it didn't contain any information about what was being shown, sticking to smart-alecky commentary. Is anybody else familiar with this? I've never seen any reference to it anywhere. It only aired once or twice, and was on a station known for airing any and every public domain movie they could get their hands on to fill airtime, so it was most likely some kind of independent production. Ring any bells with anyone?

[mtw12055]

Nearly ten year-old thread that never got a response. Guess a lot of people really weren't aware "Those Darn Kids" existed. Myself included. Curiosity got the best of me, but unfortunately, info has still been very difficult to come by.

I've been able to find mentions of it in TV listings dating back to February 1981, and Our Gang and Mickey Rooney are listed as the stars, as the OP stated. Specifically, I've found listings in Michigan newspapers, and mainly in the Detroit area. Though that doesn't necessarily mean it was exclusive to Michigan stations. Still, it being independent/local could explain why so few seem to have heard of it. I doubt OP is reading this response after so long, but I wonder if he/she is from that area.

One listing describes it as the story of the original Our Gang. Another listing says it features Spanky McFarland and Darla Hood, which is a goof, I'm assuming, as it's supposedly a compilation of the silents.

I couldn't find anything else on it - distributor name, running time, narrator - nothing. But it did exist.

[mtw12055]

Found info on a New York "Those Darn Kids" stage play dating back to October 4, 1976. Via the New York Times -

"A comedy based on the “Our Gang” series. by Robert Dandeh and Mary Melee. Directed by David Tice."

As for the compilation movie, the sources I could find all list it as being from 1930, but again, they also list Spanky and Darla as the stars, which makes no sense. I suppose it could have been from 1930, but it certainly wouldn't have starred Spanky and Darla. Neither was in the Gang at the time, and one wasn't even alive then.

Edit: Just found info on a 1980 airdate.

"'Those Darn Kids' (1930), Tueseday's movie II; Running time: ??
A Channel 62 special: An original Our Gang movie from the days before Spanky McFarland, Darla Hood and Buckwheat Thomas were even born. This film could be bad, it could be good. One thing's for sure: you'll only see it on 62."

Channel 62 was, I believe, WGPR at the time.