General Spanky

US (1936): Family/Comedy

In 1936, Hal Roach decided it was time for his popular Our Gang kids to branch out into occasional feature-length films. With the big success of Shirley Temple in two Civil War period movies in 1935 (The Little Colonel, The Littlest Rebel), it was only natural that Roach would look in that same direction for his Gang. Although given a rather lavish production and distributed by MGM, General Spanky was not a critical or box-office success. The little Gangsters would henceforth stick to short subjects.

Although he's given top billing and the title role, George "Spanky" McFarland is rivaled throughout the film's first half by little Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas. Here were two of the finest young actors ever to appear in American movies. With all the experience of old, seasoned pros, these two gamin could steal scenes and hearts with equal bravado. A constant joy, without a false note between them, they provide the essential reason for watching the film today.

Phillips Holmes gives a quiet, gentlemanly performance as Spanky's adult protector. Nearly forgotten now, Holmes was a fine actor who died much too soon, during World War II. Genial Ralph Morgan is especially good as a sympathetic Union general - his scenes with Spanky are quite amusing. Other Our Gangers appear midpoint into the movie, most notably Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer; he gets to warble "Just Before The Battle, Mother." Even pretty Rosina Lawrence (the Gang's schoolmarm) shows up to play Holmes' beloved. Irving Pichel is particularly slimy as a cowardly cardsharp turned vindictive Yankee captain. Bumbling Willie Best and feisty Louise Beavers play Miss Lawrence's slaves.

It should be noted that there is racism in the film, not unusual for Hollywood of that era - but almost completely missing in the original series of Our Gang shorts. (IMDb)

· Sound Recording 1936: Elmer A. Raguse

1 nomination