''The Pinch Singer'' is a 1936 '' Our Gang''

short Short may refer to: Places * Short (crater), a lunar impact crater on the near side of the Moon * Short, Mississippi, an unincorporated community * Short, Oklahoma, a census-designated place People * Short (surname) * List of people known as ...

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

directed by Fred C. Newmeyer. It was the 142nd ''Our Gang'' short released.

Plot

The gang's Eagles Club holds auditions for a performer to send to a local amateur radio talent contest, with $50 going to the winner. Despite Alfalfa's repeated attempts to upstage his competition, Darla is chosen to represent the club at the talent contest after her performance of "

I'm in the Mood for Love "I'm in the Mood for Love" is a popular song published in 1935. The music was written by Jimmy McHugh, with the lyrics by Dorothy Fields. The song was introduced by Frances Langford in the movie ''Every Night at Eight'' released that year. It ...

." However, when Darla fails to show up at the radio station, Spanky runs frantically to look for her, while Alfalfa decides to take it upon himself and take Darla's place on the radio program. Alfalfa begins crooning "I'm in the Mood for Love." When the gang hears Alfalfa on the radio, they race to the pay phones at the nearest drugstore and rig the contest, calling in vote after vote for Alfalfa. Spanky returns to the station with Darla just as Alfalfa finishes the performance. As Spanky begins to berate Alfalfa for acting on his own, the emcee informs them that Alfalfa won the $50 prize. Suddenly, Spanky has nothing but confidence in Alfalfa's future singing efforts at which Alfalfa abruptly silences with a gong.

Cast

The Gang

Darla Hood Darla Jean Hood (November 8, 1931 – June 13, 1979) was an American child actress, best known as the leading lady in the ''Our Gang'' series from 1935 to 1941. She was born in Leedey, Oklahoma, the only child of music teacher Elizabeth Da ...

as Darla * Eugene Lee as Porky * George McFarland as Spanky * Carl Switzer as Alfalfa *

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 * Billy Minderhout as Boy who recites *

Harold Switzer Harold Frederick Switzer (January 16, 1925 – April 14, 1967) was an American child actor, most notable for appearing in the ''Our Gang'' short subjects series as an extra. He was the older brother of gang member Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer, one ...

as Harold * Jerry Tucker as Jerry *

Marianne Edwards Marianne Edwards (December 9, 1930 – November 8, 2013) was an American child actress who appeared in the ''Our Gang'' film series from 1934 to 1936. She also appeared in several feature films in the 1930s, including ''Gold Diggers Of 1933'', ...

as Marianne * Sidney Kibrick as Eagles Club member *

Leonard Kibrick Leonard Kibrick (September 6, 1924 – January 4, 1993) was an American child actor. Career Kibrick was most notable for appearing in the '' Our Gang'' short subjects series from 1934 to 1936, usually portraying the villain. Kibrick first appe ...

as Eagles Club member (scenes deleted) * Donald Proffitt as Eagles Club member (scenes deleted) *

Pete The Pup Pete the Pup (original, 1924 – June 1930; second Pete, September 9, 1929 – January 28, 1946) was a character in Hal Roach's ''Our Gang'' comedies (later known as ''The Little Rascals'') during the 1930s, otherwise known as "Pete, the dog wi ...

as Himself

Additional Eagles Club members

Daniel Boone, John Collum, Rex Downing, Kay Frye, Barbara Goodrich, Paul Hilton, Peggy Lynch, Dickie De Nuet

Additional cast

* Bud Murray Dancers as Famous Broadway Artists * Gloria Brown as Famous Broadway Artists dancer *

Betsy Gay Betsy Gay (born February 2, 1929) is an American former yodeler and actress. She was born in Waterford, Connecticut to Charles and Helen Gay, who were also entertainers. She appeared in films, television, and radio shows. Her film career mostly co ...

as Famous Broadway Artists dancer *

Dickie Jones Richard Percy Jones (February 25, 1927 – July 7, 2014), known as Dick Jones or Dickie Jones, was an American actor and singer who achieved success as a child performer and as a young adult, especially in B-Westerns. In 1938, he played Artimer ...

as Famous Broadway Artists dancer * Jackie Morrow as Plantation Trio member * Warner, Walt, and George Weidler as Saxophone players *

Chet Brandenburg James Chester Brandenburg (October 15, 1897 – July 17, 1974) was an American actor and stuntman. He appeared in 436 films and television programs between 1924 and 1968. Brandenburg was born in Peoria, Illinois and died in Woodland Hills, ...

as Audience extra * Eddie Craven as Elevator boy * Blair Davies as Radio announcer * Gail Goodson as Information girl * Charlie Hall as Druggist and audience extra *

Marvin Hatley Thomas Marvin Hatley (April 3, 1905 – August 23, 1986), professionally known simply as Marvin Hatley, was an American film composer and musical director, best known for his work for the Hal Roach studio from 1929 until 1940. Hatley wrote many ...

as Marvin, music conductor * Bill Madsen as Page * Chet Brandenberg as Audience member * Lester Dorr as Audience member * Junior Cavanaugh as Undetermined role * Betty Cox as Undetermined role * Dorian Johnson as Undetermined role * Harry McCabe as Undetermined role *

Delmar Watson David Delmar Watson (July 1, 1926 – October 26, 2008) was an American child actor and news photographer.Nelson, Valerie J"Delmar Watson, child actor turned news photographer, dies at 82" ''Los Angeles Times''. October 28, 2008.Andres, Holly J.F ...

as Undetermined role

References

External links

* 1936 films 1936 comedy films 1936 short films American black-and-white films Films directed by Fred C. Newmeyer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer short films Our Gang films 1930s American films 1930s English-language films {{short-comedy-film-stub