Hook and Ladder (1932 film)

Hook and Ladder
Hook and Ladder
Directed by	Robert F. McGowan
Written by	Robert A. McGowan; Hal Roach; H. M. Walker
Produced by	Robert F. McGowan; Hal Roach
Cinematography	Hap Depew
Edited by	Richard C. Currier
Music by	Leroy Shield; Marvin Hatley
Distributed by	MGM
Release date	August 27, 1932;
Running time	18 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Hook and Ladder is a 1932 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan.^[1] It was the 116th Our Gang short to be released.^[2]

Synopsis

Answering the Fire Chief's request for volunteers, the Our Gang kids form their own firefighting squadron, replete with ersatz uniforms, a fire pole, a dog-and-cat-powered alarm, and a jerry-built fire engine that must be seen to be believed. After a few false alarms and delays, the kids are afforded the opportunity to put out a real fire, which they do with the expertise of veteran smoke-eaters.

Cast

The Gang

Sherwood Bailey as Spud
Matthew Beard as Stymie
Dorothy DeBorba as Dorothy
Kendall McComas as Breezy
George McFarland as Spanky
Dickie Moore as Dickie
Buddy McDonald as Speck
Harold Wertz as Bouncy
Pete the Pup as himself
Laughing Gravy as Dog in Dickie's car

Additional cast

Gene Morgan as Fireman
Don Sandstrom as Fire hazard bit

Notes and critique

Hook and Ladder is a remake of the 1926 Our Gang comedy The Fourth Alarm; hand made carts the "Our Gang" kids ride on in this film are exactly the same ones used in The Fourth Alarm. Gags from the 1922 "Our Gang" comedy Fire Fighters are also re-used. An amusing running gag involving Spanky McFarland's worm medicine punctuates this lively series entry.^[1]

Hook and Ladder employed the usual jazz based scoring about two thirds of the time. One third of the time the film reverted to an orchestral music scoring with several tunes from the 1930 Our Gang film When The Wind Blows. Most of the orchestral scoring was employed during the scenes where the gang was fighting a real fire.

This marked Dickie Moore's first appearance. He would be a lead character but would only remain for a season. This was also Sherwood Bailey's and Buddy McDonald's last appearances on the series.

It is also the final time an Our Gang title card says: 'Our Gang' Comedies: Hal Roach presents His Rascals in...

Filming on location took place at these locations in the Palms neighborhood of Los Angeles:^[3]

10416 National Blvd - Fire Engine Company #43

The 3300, 3400 and 3500 blocks of Motor Avenue

References

^ ^a ^b Crowther, Bosley (2011). "New York Times: Hook and Ladder". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
^ Maltin, Leonard; Bann, Richard W. (1977). Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals. Crown Publishers. pp. 143–144. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
^ 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 September 23, 2024.

External links

Hook and Ladder at IMDb
Hook and Ladder at the TCM Movie Database

[NY_Times-1] Crowther, Bosley (2011). "New York Times: Hook and Ladder". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2008.

[2] Maltin, Leonard; Bann, Richard W. (1977). Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals. Crown Publishers. pp. 143–144. Retrieved March 3, 2024.

[3] 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 September 23, 2024.

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