The Pooch (1932)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Director:

Robert F. McGowan

Writer:

H.M. Walker (dialogue)
(more)

Release Date:

14 June 1932 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Family | Short

Plot:

The gang tries to save Petey from the dogcatcher.

Plot Keywords:

Male Tears | Children | Two Reeler | Our Gang

Cast

George 'Spanky' McFarland	...	Spanky (as Spanky)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Sherwood Bailey	...	Spud (uncredited)
Matthew 'Stymie' Beard	...	Stymie (uncredited)
Harry Bernard	...	Officer (uncredited)
Baldwin Cooke	...	Diner attendant (uncredited)
Dorothy DeBorba	...	Dorothy (uncredited)
Estelle Etterre	...	First housewife (uncredited)
Budd Fine	...	Bud, Dog catcher (uncredited)
Artye Folz	...	Girl who Reads (uncredited)
Dick Gilbert	...	Co-worker at dog pound (uncredited)
Belle Hare	...	Woman (uncredited)
Bobby 'Wheezer' Hutchins	...	Wheezer (uncredited)
Dickie Jackson	...	Rascal (uncredited)
Kendall McComas	...	Breezy (uncredited)
May Wallace	...	Second housewife (uncredited)
Harold 'Bouncy' Wertz	...	Bouncy (uncredited)

Directed by
Robert F. McGowan		(as Robert McGowan)

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Hal Roach		story (uncredited)
H.M. Walker		dialogue

Produced by
Robert F. McGowan	....	producer (as Robert McGowan)
Hal Roach	....	producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Leroy Shield		(uncredited)

Cinematography by
Art Lloyd

Film Editing by
Richard C. Currier		(as Richard Currier)

Sound Department
James Greene	....	sound recordist

Other crew
Hal Roach	....	presenter

Production Companies

• Hal Roach Studios

Distributors

• Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Runtime:

USA:20 min (VHS version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Filming Locations:

Arnaz Ranch - Robertson Blvd between Beverlywood St. & David Avenue, Rincon de Los Bueyes, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Hal Roach Studios

Quotes:

Diner attendant: What do you want to eat?
Stymie: I wanna double order of ham and eggs, and I want a piece of pie, and I want a cup a... cup a coffee.
Diner attendant: You must be hungry.
Stymie: Boy, and how, I could eat a rubber boot!
Diner attendant: Got any money?
Stymie: Nope.
Diner attendant: Well, then how do you expect to eat?
Stymie: Well, we don't expect to, we just want to!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story (2002) (TV)

Slow moving but worth the wait

This Our Gang short takes it's time. The film opens with Stymie and Spanky searching for some food and eventually leads into a plot involving the gang trying to save Pete from the dog catcher. A scene involving Stymie trying to peel an artichoke is a classic. Another highlight is a scene in which Spanky plays with Pete the pooch. No doubt this was just a case of letting the camera role while the little boy played with the dog, but it sure is funny. You'll laugh, just be patient with it.