General Spanky (1936)

I see from some of the other user comments here for "General Spanky" mention of the uncomfortable subplot of Buckwheat a slave who is in search of a master, as well as other parts of the movie glossing over the whole issue concerning slavery. So I don't think it's necessary for me to go into depth blasting the movie for those things when others have already done the job. What I will mention, however, is that the movie is pretty tough going even if you can look beyond the controversial content. I guess I should mention is that I have never gotten into the "Our Gang" shorts, finding the child stars to be poor and annoying actors. So seeing them in a full length movie for me was an excruciating experience. But what really sinks the movie is that the script is a mess. Certainly the humor is really lame, but there is almost no plot, just a bunch of vignettes that are barely connected together. And while the movie is just 71 minutes long, it moves at a snail's pace. If you are looking for a Civil War comedy involving a general, watch the Buster Keaton movie "The General" instead.

The film starts with promise because there is more interaction between Spanky and Buckwheat, but as the film progresses, the two boys have fewer scenes together. This slows the pace considerably. Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas gives a very strong performance in his early scenes. When he is left behind on the riverboat, his fear and abandonment are palpable and his tears are truly heartbreaking. When he goes from man to man asking for help and is repeatedly rejected the viewer really begins to wonder if this is a comedy or not. Watching a children's birthday party through a picket fence is another moving moment. As another reviewer mentioned, I was also worried about the big dog choking on chicken bones! Once Spanky and Buckwheat are in Marshall Valiant's home, Spanky tends to interact mainly with the adults and the chemistry of the children is essentially lost. The Old South/Huck Finn-type setting really doesn't do much for the plot except allow the children to be out of doors a great deal. Ralph Morgan is the most engaging adult, but then the other roles really don't have much substance to them. Louise Beavers manages some funny moments with a Yankee soldier towards the end. The villains aren't really villainous enough and the lovers not intense enough. Yet, I do think it's worth viewing if you're an Our Gang enthusiast, if for no other reason that the odd curiosity of the whole piece. I give it seven stars because, while not a great movie, it kept me engaged the whole time and curious as to what would happen next.

Hitherto to this feature, the longest Our Gang film was a three reel silent short called "Spook Spoofing". A 73 minute feature is a drastic change from their usual territory, but it is a worthwhile effort none the less. Here the comedy comes in contrast to drama, with a storyline that has more to do wih the adults than the Rascals. The Civil War setting is successfully recreated, and Spanky & Buckwheat make a good team. Not a film to introduce one to The Little Rascals, but one to enjoy after being exposed to their classic shorts,

During the War for Southern Independence, GENERAL SPANKY mobilizes his forces to defend the local women & children against a Yankee invasion.In 1936, Hal Roach decided it was time for his popular OUR GANG kids to branch out into occasional feature-length films. With the big success of Shirley Temple in two Civil War period movies in 1935 (THE LITTLE COLONEL, THE LITTLEST REBEL), it was only natural that Roach would look in that same direction for his GANG. Although given a rather lavish production and distributed by MGM, GENERAL SPANKY was not a critical or box-office success. The little GANGsters would henceforth stick to short subjects.Although he's given top billing & the title role, George ‘Spanky' McFarland is rivaled throughout the film's first half by little Billie ‘Buckwheat' Thomas. Here were two of the finest young actors to ever appear in American movies. With all the experience of old, seasoned pros, these two gamin could steal scenes & hearts with equal bravado. A constant joy, without a false note between them, they provide the essential reason for watching the film today.Phillips Holmes gives a quiet, gentlemanly performance as Spanky's adult protector. Nearly forgotten now, Holmes was a fine actor who died much too soon, during World War Two. Genial Ralph Morgan is especially good as a sympathetic Union general - his scenes with Spanky are quite amusing.Other OUR GANGers appear midpoint into the movie, most notably Carl ‘Alfalfa' Switzer; he gets to warble ‘Just Before The Battle, Mother.' Even pretty Rosina Lawrence (the GANG's schoolmarm) shows up to play Holmes' beloved.Irving Pichel is particularly slimy as a cowardly cardsharp turned vindictive Yankee captain. Bumbling Willie Best & feisty Louise Beavers play Miss Lawrence's slaves.It should be noted that there is racism in the film, not unusual for Hollywood of that era - but almost completely missing in the original series of OUR GANG shorts.Fans of 19th Century music will enjoy paying attention to the soundtrack, which is a long succession of ancient tunes.