A Lad an' a Lamp is a 1932 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 119th Our Gang short to be released.[2] The film has been criticized as containing racist humor.
| A Lad an' a Lamp | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Robert F. McGowan |
| Produced by | Robert F. McGowan Hal Roach |
| Cinematography | Art Lloyd |
| Edited by | Richard C. Currier |
| Music by | Leroy Shield Marvin Hatley |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 16' 51"[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editFascinated by the story of Aladdin and his magic lamp, the gang gather together with several gasoline and kerosene lamps and lanterns and a few electric lamps hoping that by rubbing them vigorously, a genie will appear. Thanks to a series of coincidences—not least of which involves a friendly stage magician—the kids become convinced that they have succeeded in invoking Aladdin. But their excitement turns to dismay when Stymie believes Spanky has transformed his kid brother Cotton into a monkey (chimpanzee).
Cast
editThe Gang
edit- Matthew Beard as Stymie
- Dorothy DeBorba as Dorothy
- Bobby Hutchins as Wheezer
- George McFarland as Spanky
- Dickie Moore as Dick
- Bobbie Beard as Cotton
- Georgie Billings as Georgie
- Dickie Jackson as Dickie
- John Collum as Uh-huh
- Bobby DeWar as Our Gang member
- Henry Hanna as Our Gang member
- Pete the Pup as himself
Additional cast
edit- Donald Haines as Toughie
- Harry Bernard as Officer / Store proprietor (scene deleted)
- Dick Gilbert as Officer / Dick, construction worker
- Jack Hill as Audience member / Officer
- Florence Hoskins as Cook's girlfriend
- James C. Morton as Officer
- Lillian Rich as Introductory narrator
- Philip Sleeman as The Magician
- Charley Young - Fruit vendor
- Jiggs the Chimpanzee as himself
- Harry Bowen as Audience member
- Efe Jackson as Pedestrian
- Jim Mason - Audience member
Cast notes
editBobby Hutchins returns to the fold after missing Hook and Ladder, Free Wheeling, and Birthday Blues.
Critique
editDespite a sequence in which Spanky enjoys a free meal at a lunch counter, courtesy of a trained monkey, A Lad an' a Lamp has been criticized as containing racist humor that seems inappropriate when viewed in the 21st century. For this reason, A Lad an' a Lamp has been withdrawn from the "Little Rascals" television package.[3] It is currently available in its entirety on VHS and DVD.
Filming Locations
editThe scene where the workers are exploding dynamite (why, we have no idea!) was filmed on the west side of the Hal Roach Studios ranch, approximately where 9117 David Avenue in Los Angeles now stands.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ theluckycorner.com/
- ^ Maltin, Leonard; Bann, Richard W. (1977). Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals. Crown Publishers. pp. 148–150. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ Hal Erickson (2011). "New York Times: A Lad an' a Lamp". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Baseline & All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
- ^ Now, Chris Bungo Studios Filming Locations Then and. "Chris Bungo Studios Filming Locations Then and Now". Chris Bungo Studios Filming Locations Then and Now. Retrieved November 10, 2024.