|
Our Gang Follies Of 1936
''Our Gang Follies of 1936'' is a 1935 ''Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Gus Meins. Produced by Hal Roach and released to theaters by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, it was the 140th ''Our Gang'' short to be released and the first of several musical entries in the series. Plot The gang stages a big musical revue in Spanky's cellar ("6 Acts of Swell Actin," reads a sign above the cellar door). Spanky, as the master of ceremonies, persuades the neighborhood kids through song to come to the show, which includes performances by a miniature chorus line, a trio of farm girls, a group of kids dressed as skeletons, and featured spots for Alfalfa and a new girl named Cookie. Backstage, there is pandemonium involving Buckwheat's dealings with a mischievous little monkey, as well as Spanky's worrying over his star act, the Flory-Dory Girls, whose tardiness forces the would-be impresario to keep shuffling his acts. When the show reaches its final act with still no sign of the Flory-Dories, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gus Meins
Gus Meins (March 6, 1893 – August 1, 1940), born Gustave Peter Ludwig Luley, was an American film director. He was born in Frankfurt, Germany. Career Meins started out in the 'teens as a cartoonist for the Los Angeles Evening Herald before becoming a comedy writer for Fox in 1919. In the 1920s, Meins directed a number of silent short subjects film series for Universal Pictures, including the '' Buster Brown'' comedies. He is best known as senior director of Hal Roach's ''Our Gang'' comedies from 1934 to 1936, and also as director of Laurel and Hardy's '' Babes in Toyland'' (1934). His assistant director was a young Gordon Douglas, who became senior director in 1936 when Meins left ''Our Gang'' for other directing jobs at Roach. Meins left Roach in 1937 over creative differences. Death In the summer of 1940, Meins faced prosecution of "morals charges", having been accused of sex offenses against six youths. The director swore his innocence but stated that the case would r ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Our Gang
''Our Gang'' (also known as ''The Little Rascals'' or ''Hal Roach's Rascals'') is an American series of comedy short films chronicling a group of poor neighborhood children and their adventures. Created by film producer Hal Roach, also the producer of the Laurel and Hardy films, ''Our Gang'' shorts were produced from 1922 to 1944, spanning the silent film and early sound film periods of American cinema. ''Our Gang'' is noted for showing children behaving in a relatively natural way; Roach and original director Robert F. McGowan worked to film the unaffected, raw nuances apparent in regular children, rather than have them imitate adult acting styles. The series also broke new ground by portraying white and black children interacting as equals during the Jim Crow era of racial segregation in the United States.Leonard Maltin, Maltin, Leonard (1994). ''The Little Rascals: Remastered and Uncut'', vol. 22, introduction. Videorecording. New York: Cabin Fever Entertainment/Hallmark E ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Melodies Old And New
''Melodies Old and New'' is a 1942 ''Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Edward Cahn. It was the 203rd ''Our Gang'' short (204th episode, 115th talking short, 116th talking episode, and 35th MGM produced episode) that was released. Plot The gang prevails upon old-time minstrel impresario Uncle Wills to help them stage a fund-raising musical show (as they did in ''Ye Olde Minstrels''). Highlights include the ensemble number "When Grandma Wore a Bustle", the barbershop-quartet set piece "Songs of Long Ago", and the grand finale "Dances Old and New". The kids are unable to post the profits because Mickey has allowed most of the audience to enter for free, but Uncle Wills comes to the rescue once again. Cast The Gang * Janet Burston as Janet * Mickey Gubitosi as Mickey * Billy Laughlin as Froggy * George McFarland as Spanky * Billie Thomas as Buckwheat Additional cast * Walter Wills as Uncle Walt Wills Dancers and audience members Lavonne Battle, Shiela Brown, Shirley Jean ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ye Olde Minstrels
''Ye Olde Minstrels'' is a 1941 ''Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Edward Cahn. It was the 197th ''Our Gang'' short (198th episode, 109th talking short, 110th talking episode, and 29th MGM produced episode) that was released. Premise To raise money for the local chapter of the Red Cross, the gang stages an old-fashioned minstrel show with the help of Froggy's uncle, played by real-life minstrel man Walter Wills. The show is a success, netting the Red Cross $208.40. Cast The Gang * Mickey Gubitosi as Mickey * Darla Hood as Darla * Billy Laughlin as Froggy * George McFarland as Spanky * Billie Thomas Billie may refer to: People * Billie Allen (1925-2015), American actress * Billie Bird (1908-2002), American actress and comedian * Billie Burke (1884-1970), American actress * Billie Joe Armstrong (born 1972), American singer and guitarist for ... as Buckwheat Additional cast * Minstrel Maestro Walter Wills as himself * Giovanna Gubitosi as Audience extra * Tommy McF ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Reunion In Rhythm
''Reunion in Rhythm'' (also known as ''Our Gang Follies of 1937'') is a 1937 ''Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Gordon Douglas. It was the 150th ''Our Gang'' short (151st episode and 62nd talking episode) that was released. Plot A follow-up to the musical-revue short ''Our Gang Follies of 1936'', the one-reel ''Reunion in Rhythm'' was apparently filmed under the title ''Our Gang Follies of 1937''. Its release title reflected the fact that, in addition to such current Gang members as Spanky, Alfalfa, Darla, Buckwheat, and Porky, the film also features return appearances by former "Our Gang" stalwarts Mickey Daniels, Mary Kornman, Joe Cobb and Mathew "Stymie" Beard. The occasion is a class reunion at Adams Street Grammar School, where the students stage a show for the entertainment of the alumni. A running gag has Buckwheat attempting to recite " Little Jack Horner" (unannounced), as Spanky tries to keep him offstage. Musical highlights include "Baby Face", performed by ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Our Gang Follies Of 1938
''Our Gang Follies of 1938'' (later reissued as simply ''Follies of 1938'') is a 1937 American musical short subject, the 161st short subject entry in Hal Roach's ''Our Gang'' (''Little Rascals'') series. Directed by Gordon Douglas as a sequel to 1935's ''Our Gang Follies of 1936'', the two-reel short was released to theaters on December 18, 1937 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Deriving its title from the concurrent MGM feature film ''The Broadway Melody of 1938'', ''Our Gang Follies of 1938'' is a spoof of the ''Broadway Melody'' films and other movie musicals of the time. In the film, Alfalfa ( Carl Switzer) decides to quit a pop music revue put on by Spanky ( George McFarland) and become an opera singer, famously singing a pastiche song entitled "The Barber of Seville" several times throughout the film. The bulk of the film is made up of a dream sequence, in which Alfalfa imagines himself twenty years later failing as an opera singer, while Spanky owns a Broadway nightclub with a lavish ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Beginner's Luck (1935 Film)
''Beginner's Luck'' is a 1935 ''Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Gus Meins. It was the 135th ''Our Gang'' short (47th talking episode) that was released. It was also the first short for seven-year-old Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer and his ten-year-old brother Harold Switzer to appear. Plot Spanky has been entered into an amateur show by his overly aggressive stage mother. He wants nothing to do with this and would rather not act. The gang comes up with a plan to disrupt his recitation and make him flop which makes Spanky very pleased. At the theater, the mother infuriates the MC saying 'My son is too much of an artist to open a show". After the first act, as the mother is putting on his costume the MC asks if he's ready which he isn't and the MC decides to have him go on last. Spanky befriends a girl called Daisy who has bombed her act but needs the prize money to buy a special dress. Spanky has a change of heart and decides to win the prize. He asks permission from his mom ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mike Fright
Mike may refer to: Animals * Mike (cat), cat and guardian of the British Museum * Mike the Headless Chicken, chicken that lived for 18 months after his head had been cut off * Mike (chimpanzee), a chimpanzee featured in several books and documentaries Arts * Mike (miniseries), a 2022 Hulu limited series based on the life of American boxer Mike Tyson * Mike (2022 film), a Malayalam film produced by John Abraham * ''Mike'' (album), an album by Mike Mohede * ''Mike'' (1926 film), an American film * MIKE (musician), American rapper, songwriter and record * ''Mike'' (novel), a 1909 novel by P. G. Wodehouse * "Mike" (song), by Elvana Gjata and Ledri Vula featuring John Shahu * Mike (''Twin Peaks''), a character from ''Twin Peaks'' * "Mike", a song by Xiu Xiu from their 2004 album ''Fabulous Muscles'' Businesses * Mike (cellular network), a defunct Canadian cellular network * Mike and Ike, a candies brand Military * MIKE Force, a unit in the Vietnam War * Ivy Mike, the first t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Drag (clothing)
The term "drag" refers to the performance of exaggerated masculinity, femininity, or other forms of gender expression, usually for entertainment purposes. A drag queen is someone (usually male) who performs femininity and a drag king is someone (usually female) who performs masculinity. Performances often involve comedy, social satire, and at times political commentary. The term may be used as a noun as in the expression ''in drag'' or as an adjective as in '' drag show''. __TOC__ Etymology The use of "drag" in this sense appeared in print as early as 1870Oxford English Dictionary 2012 (Online version of 1989 2nd. Edition) Accessed 11 April 2012 but its origin is uncertain. One suggested etymological root is 19th-century theatre slang, from the sensation of long skirts trailing on the floor. It may have been based on the term "grand rag" which was historically used for a masquerade ball. In folk custom Men dressed as women have been featured in certain traditional customs f ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Florodora
''Florodora'' is an Edwardian musical comedy. After its long run in London, it became one of the first successful Broadway musicals of the 20th century. The book was written by Jimmy Davis under the pseudonym Owen Hall, the music was by Leslie Stuart with additional songs by Paul Rubens, and the lyrics were by Edward Boyd-Jones, George Arthurs and Rubens. The original London production opened in 1899 where it ran for a very successful 455 performances. The New York production, which opened the following year, was even more popular, running for 552 performances. After this, the piece was produced throughout the English-speaking world and beyond. The show was famous for its double sextet and its chorus line of "Florodora Girls". The piece was popular with amateur theatre groups, particularly in Britain, into the 1950s. Background ''Florodora'' was the first of a series of successful musicals by Stuart, including ''The Silver Slipper'' (1901), ''The School Girl'' (1903), ''The Bel ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Musical Film
Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, but in some cases, they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate "production numbers". The musical film was a natural development of the stage musical after the emergence of sound film technology. Typically, the biggest difference between film and stage musicals is the use of lavish background scenery and locations that would be impractical in a theater. Musical films characteristically contain elements reminiscent of theater; performers often treat their song and dance numbers as if a live audience were watching. In a sense, the viewer becomes the diegetic audience, as the performer looks directly into the camera and performs to it. With the advent of sound in the late 1920s, musicals gained popularity with the public and are exemplified by the films of Busby Ber ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
.jpg "Click for more on -> Musical Film")