Little Daddy
"The Rascals band together to save Farina and his younger brother from being separated!"
Plot
Young Farina and his younger brother Stymie are living as orphans in a small, makeshift flat near a local Black community church after their father has been jailed for bootlegging. When local authorities discover their living situation, they determine that Farina is unfit to be a guardian and prepare to take Stymie away to an orphanage. Heartbroken but determined, Farina organizes a farewell party for Stymie with the help of the rest of the Gang, scraping together his meager earnings as a church custodian to buy treats. However, the plan goes awry when Stymie accidentally eats all the party food before the guests arrive, and the situation escalates into a chaotic confrontation when the orphanage agent arrives to take the boy. The Gang mounts a spirited defense against the agent until their teacher, Miss Crabtree, intervenes to help find a more compassionate solution for the brothers.
About the Production
Produced as production number G-39 and release number C-336, 'Little Daddy' was the 105th entry in the 'Our Gang' series. Filming took place between October 30 and November 13, 1930. The film is notable for featuring a 'Rube Goldberg' style series of inventions in Farina's shack, including a unique shower system where Stymie holds an umbrella to stay dry while bathing. This short was one of the last to feature Allen 'Farina' Hoskins, who was the longest-serving member of the original Gang.
Historical Background
Released during the height of the Great Depression, the film reflects the era's harsh economic realities, particularly for African American families. The plot point regarding the father being jailed for operating a 'still' is a direct reference to the Prohibition era, which was still in effect in 1931. The film also exists within the Jim Crow era of American history; while the 'Our Gang' series was revolutionary for showing Black and white children playing together as equals, it still occasionally utilized racial stereotypes common in 1930s media.
Why This Film Matters
The film is significant for being one of the few mainstream Hollywood productions of its time to center its narrative almost entirely on Black characters and their domestic struggles. It highlighted the resilience and ingenuity of children in the face of poverty. However, due to the use of certain racial tropes and dialect, the film was eventually pulled from the 'Little Rascals' television syndication package by King World Productions in the 1970s, making it a 'lost' episode to many generations of TV viewers until its modern restoration.
Making Of
Director Robert F. McGowan was known for his ability to coax naturalistic performances out of children, and 'Little Daddy' is often cited as a prime example of this, particularly in the emotional scenes where Farina pleads with the orphanage agent. The production utilized the 'Western Electric System' for sound recording, which was still a relatively new and complex technology for the studio in 1931. To achieve the 'Rube Goldberg' effects in the shack, the crew had to meticulously rig mechanical props that would work on cue for the child actors. Additionally, the casting of the Etude Ethiopian Chorus added a layer of authentic cultural atmosphere to the opening church sequence, which was filmed on a set designed to look like a humble community gathering place.
Visual Style
Photographed by Art Lloyd, the film uses a standard 1.37:1 Academy ratio. The cinematography is notable for its use of low-key lighting in the shack scenes to emphasize the poverty and somber mood of the brothers' situation, contrasted with the bright, chaotic energy of the outdoor 'battle' with the orphanage agent.
Innovations
The film is a technical showcase for the integration of complex mechanical props (the Rube Goldberg devices) with early synchronized sound. The dubbing of Charley Chase's voice onto Norman Chaney was also a sophisticated piece of audio post-production for 1931.
Music
The score features music by Leroy Shield and Marvin Hatley, the architects of the 'Hal Roach sound.' A standout musical moment is Chubby's dubbed performance of 'Asleep in the Deep.' The film also features traditional spirituals performed by the Etude Ethiopian Chorus.
Famous Quotes
Stymie: 'Would you tell me a Bible story?' Farina: 'Sure, which one you wanna hear?' Stymie: 'I wanna hear about the boat with all the animals.'
Orphanage Agent: 'The law says so, and the law is the law.' Farina: 'Somebody's always making laws!'
Memorable Scenes
- The opening sequence featuring the 'Rube Goldberg' inventions in the shack, including the umbrella-shower and the automated breakfast feeder.
- Stymie's 'solo' party where he eats all the cake and ice cream intended for the Gang while Farina is away.
- The climactic 'battle' where the Gang uses tires, rocks, and physical comedy to fend off the orphanage agent from taking Stymie.
Did You Know?
- Matthew 'Stymie' Beard later cited 'Little Daddy' as his personal favorite of all the 'Our Gang' shorts he appeared in.
- The basso singing voice for the character Chubby (Norman Chaney) was actually dubbed by popular comedian Charley Chase.
- This film marked the final appearance of Bobby 'Bonedust' Young in the series.
- The 'Etude Ethiopian Chorus' provided the gospel music heard during the church scenes.
- The film features a rare dramatic turn for the series, focusing heavily on the emotional bond between the two Black leads, Farina and Stymie.
- The dog 'Laughing Gravy' makes an appearance, though he is more famously known for his roles in Laurel and Hardy shorts.
- The gadgets in Farina's house were inspired by the silent film 'It's a Gift' starring Snub Pollard.
- The film was copyrighted on February 6, 1931, several weeks before its theatrical release.
What Critics Said
At the time of release, it was praised for its mixture of 'pathos and comedy,' a hallmark of the McGowan era of the series. Modern critics, such as Leonard Maltin, have noted that while the film contains dated stereotypes, it is also a poignant and effective drama that showcases the incredible acting talent of Allen Hoskins and Matthew Beard. It is often viewed today as a fascinating, if complicated, artifact of early sound cinema.
What Audiences Thought
Contemporary audiences in 1931 received the film well, as 'Our Gang' was one of the most popular short subject series in the world. The character of Stymie was rapidly becoming a fan favorite, and his chemistry with Farina was a major draw. In modern times, the film has found a new audience among film historians and collectors who appreciate its gritty, Depression-era realism.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- It's a Gift (1923)
- The Kid (1921)
This Film Influenced
- The Little Rascals (1994)
- various sitcoms featuring child-led households
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Film Restoration
The film has been meticulously restored by ClassicFlix from original 35mm nitrate elements. It is now preserved in high definition and is available as part of 'The Little Rascals: The ClassicFlix Restorations' collection.