Pups Is Pups
"The 100th Our Gang Comedy - A Century of Laughs!"
Plot
The Our Gang kids decide to enter their various unconventional pets into a high-society dog show after Farina gets a job there as a page. While the gang causes chaos at the prestigious event with their menagerie of frogs, mice, and even a pig, young Wheezer is desperately searching the city for his lost puppies. The puppies have a peculiar habit of running toward the sound of any bell they hear, leading Wheezer on a frantic chase across town following fire engines and ice cream trucks. Meanwhile, a running gag involves Dorothy repeatedly jumping into mud puddles, much to her mother's dismay. The film culminates in a massive disruption at the pet show and a heartwarming reunion between Wheezer and his pups at a local church.
About the Production
Pups Is Pups was the 100th Our Gang short produced and the 12th 'talkie' in the series. It marked a significant turning point in the series' production value, utilizing expensive glass-matte special effects to create an industrial skyline over the Arnaz Ranch. This was also the first film in the 1930-1931 season, introducing a more polished aesthetic and a new musical direction for the studio.
Historical Background
Produced during the early years of the Great Depression, the film reflects a transition in American entertainment from silent to sound cinema. While the country faced economic hardship, the 'Our Gang' shorts provided affordable escapism. Historically, the series was notable for its integrated cast during the Jim Crow era, showing black and white children playing as equals, even if some characterizations still relied on contemporary stereotypes.
Why This Film Matters
Pups Is Pups is cited by film historians as one of the finest examples of the 'Our Gang' series. Its inclusion in the National Film Registry cements its status as a work of 'cultural, historical, or aesthetic significance.' It is particularly remembered for introducing the 'Roach Studio Sound'—the whimsical, jazz-inflected scores that would define the Golden Age of comedy shorts for both the Rascals and Laurel & Hardy.
Making Of
Director Robert F. McGowan, known as 'Uncle Bob' to the cast, was famous for his ability to coax natural performances from children by explaining scenes rather than forcing them to memorize scripts. During the filming of the pet show sequence, the 'chaos' was largely unscripted, with McGowan encouraging the children to interact naturally with the animals. The production used a sophisticated glass-matte process for the opening shots to make the rural filming location look like a gritty industrial city, a technique usually reserved for high-budget feature films. This reflected Hal Roach's desire to elevate the 'Our Gang' brand as it entered its second decade.
Visual Style
The film features cinematography by Art Lloyd, who utilized deep focus and clever matte paintings to expand the scale of the two-reeler. The use of location shooting in the industrial areas of Los Angeles provides a stark, realistic contrast to the more staged 'high society' pet show scenes.
Innovations
The film is noted for its early use of the glass-matte process to create a faux-industrial environment. Additionally, the sound recording was remarkably clear for 1930, successfully capturing the chaotic overlapping dialogue of a large group of children and animals without the 'stiffness' common in early talkies.
Music
This film is historically significant for being the first to use the original background music of Leroy Shield. Tracks like 'Teeter Totter,' 'Wishing,' and 'Confusion' made their debut here. While the famous theme 'Good Old Days' would not appear until the following short ('Teacher's Pet'), the musical template for the entire series was established in this film.
Famous Quotes
Wheezer: 'They think they're gonna get dinner!' (Referring to the puppies running toward bells)
Farina: 'I got myself a job! Ten colored boys... to act as pages!'
Chubby: 'If I had that much money, I'd buy me an airplane then get married in Mexico!'
Memorable Scenes
- Wheezer ringing the massive church bell in a final attempt to find his puppies.
- Dorothy repeatedly jumping into the mud puddle and her mother's escalating frustration.
- The 'menagerie' of unconventional pets (including a pig and a monkey) causing a riot at the formal dog show.
- The opening sequence featuring the industrial matte paintings of the city skyline.
Did You Know?
- This was the 100th Our Gang short released since the series began in 1922.
- It marked the screen debut of five-year-old Dorothy DeBorba, who became a series regular.
- The film is the first to feature the iconic jazz-influenced background scores by Leroy Shield.
- The 'Pete the Pup' in this film is actually the son of the original Pete; the new dog had the circle around his left eye instead of the right.
- The film was added to the National Film Registry in 2004, a rare honor for a comedy short.
- The puppies in the film were trained to respond to bells, a plot point that was based on actual animal training techniques used on set.
- The church used in the finale, St. Brendan's, remains largely unchanged today and is a popular spot for film historians.
- Farina's character was edited out of many television prints in the 1970s due to racial sensitivities, though the scenes were later restored.
What Critics Said
At the time of release, it was hailed as a milestone for the series, with critics praising the naturalism of the child actors. Modern critics, such as Leonard Maltin, consider it a masterpiece of the genre, noting that the 'bell' subplot with Wheezer is one of the most touching sequences in short film history. It is frequently ranked by fans and scholars as one of the top five 'Our Gang' shorts ever produced.
What Audiences Thought
The film was an immediate hit with audiences, particularly for the debut of Dorothy DeBorba and the return of the fan-favorite Pete the Pup. The relatable theme of a child's love for their pets resonated deeply with families of the 1930s. It remained a staple of 'The Little Rascals' television syndication for decades, becoming one of the most recognizable episodes for multiple generations.
Awards & Recognition
- National Film Registry Inductee (2004)
Film Connections
Influenced By
- The silent Our Gang shorts
- Hal Roach's early slapstick comedies
This Film Influenced
- The Little Rascals (1994)
- Beethoven (1992)
- Various animal-centric family comedies
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Film Restoration
The film is fully preserved and was restored by the Library of Congress for its induction into the National Film Registry. High-quality prints exist in the UCLA Film & Television Archive.