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The Our Gang comedies accounted for more films than any other series, totaling 221 between 1922 and 1944. But just one of those outings provided big roles for America's favorite little pals: General Spanky, the gang's only feature film.
Hoping to match the success of Shirley Temple's Civil War-based The Little Colonel and The Littlest Rebel, Hal Roach selected the same era and southern setting for General Spanky.
Spanky (George McFarland), Alfalfa (Carl Switzer), Buckwheat (Billie Thomas) and others form an army called "The Royal Protection of Women and Children Regiment Club of the World and Mississippi River." The group sees unexpected action when Union troops approach, engaging in battles more farcical than fierce.
Using clowning tactics instead of military tactics, the kids stop the advance...and later save an adult friend from the firing squad. As the war engulfs the South, gent and kids must battle foes both honorable and despicable. Our Gang's favorite teacher, Rosina Lawrence, co-stars.
Directed by Gordon Douglas and Fred Newmeyer, General Spanky provides good times for young and young-at-heart Our Gang fans everywhere.
Original Release
12/11/1936
US Release
12/11/1936
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Cast
Name | Character |
---|
George 'Spanky' McFarland | Spanky / Spanky Leonard |
Phillips Holmes | Marshall Valient |
Ralph Morgan | Yankee General |
Irving Pichel | Simmons |
Rosina Lawrence | Louella / Louella Blanchard |
Billie 'Buckwheat' Thomas | Buckwheat |
Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer | Alfalfa |
Hobart Bosworth | Col. Blanchard / Colonel Blanchard |
Robert Middlemass | Overseer |
James P. Burtis | Boat Captain |
Directors
Gordon Douglas, Fred C. Newmeyer
Writers
Richard Flournoy, Hal Yates, John Guedel, Carl Harbaugh
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
George 'Spanky' McFarland | Spanky / Spanky Leonard |
Phillips Holmes | Marshall Valient |
Ralph Morgan | Yankee General |
Irving Pichel | Simmons |
Rosina Lawrence | Louella / Louella Blanchard |
Billie 'Buckwheat' Thomas | Buckwheat |
Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer | Alfalfa |
Hobart Bosworth | Col. Blanchard / Colonel Blanchard |
Robert Middlemass | Overseer |
James P. Burtis | Boat Captain |
Louise Beavers | Cornelia |
Ernie Alexander | Boat Passenger |
Hooper Atchley | Slavemaster at Meeting |
Harry Bernard | Bit |
John 'Uh huh' Collum | Kid Army Member |
Jack Cooper | Bit |
Richard DeNeut | Kid Army Member |
Von the Dog | Von |
Jack Dougherty | Captain Haden - General's Aide / Capt. Haden - General's Aide |
Rex Downing | Kid Army Member |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Hal Roach | Producer |
Editors
Year | Type | Category | Won |
---|
1937 | Oscar | Best Sound, Recording | Nominated |