A Tough Winter
A Tough Winter is a 1930 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan.[1] It was the 99th (11th talking) Our Gang short that was released.
| A Tough Winter | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Robert F. McGowan |
| Produced by | Robert F. McGowan Hal Roach |
| Written by | Robert A. McGowan H. M. Walker |
| Starring | Allen Hoskins Mary Ann Jackson Bobby Hutchins Jackie Cooper Norman Chaney Pete the Pup |
| Music by | Ray Henderson Marvin Hatley |
| Cinematography | Art Lloyd |
| Edited by | Richard C. Currier |
| Distributed by | MGM |
Release date |
|
Running time | 20' 22" |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
More a vehicle for black comedian Stepin Fetchit, the gang go to Wheezer's and Mary Ann's house to have a taffy pull. But they get the ingredients mixed up and make a huge mess. They attempt to clean up and ask Stepin to help, but he crosses wires, plumbing and gas lines. As a result, light bulbs pop, water sprays from gas heaters, a phone acts as a vacuum cleaner and music plays from the icebox.
Stepin Fetchit was actually signed to a one year contract with Hal Roach Studios to appear with the gang in 9 episodes from the 1930-31 season. He was originally written into the scripts for episodes like Pups Is Pups, Helping Grandma, Little Daddy, for example. But for some unknown reason, it was canceled and the Our Gang Series continued on without him.
Cast
The Gang
- Norman Chaney as Chubby
- Jackie Cooper as Jackie
- Allen Hoskins as Farina
- Bobby Hutchins as Wheezer
- Mary Ann Jackson as Mary Ann
- Beverly Parrish as Girl with Mary Ann
- Warner Weidler as Our Gang member
- Wolfgang Weidler as Our Gang member
- Pete the Pup as Himself
- Dinah the Mule as Herself
- Tommy Atkins as Toddler (unconfirmed)
Additional cast
- Stepin Fetchit as Stepin
- Lyle Tayo as Miss Radio
Production notes
The first Pete the Pup was poisoned by an unknown assailant after this film. Because of perceived racism toward African Americans, A Tough Winter was eliminated from the syndicated Little Rascals television package in 1971. Also Beverly Parish was signed for two years to be on Our Gang films to replace Jean Darling who was dismissed 6 months before but she died suddenly a week and a half after this episode was filmed. Shirley Jean Rickett wound up replacing her several episodes later though she lasted only half a season as well. This was the last episode to feature an Orchestral Music Scoring and the last to feature the theme song That Old Gang Of Mine on the credits. The film also was the first to feature a couple of Leroy Shield jazz type pieces which would become a big part of Our Gang episodes right after on their next film.
See also
References
- McKinley, Jesse. "New York Times: A Tough Winter". NY Times. Retrieved 2008-09-19.