Back Stage

This Hal Roach comedy short, Back Stage, is the thirteenth in the "Our Gang/Little Rascals" series. After this was made and released, Pathe Exchange, Roach's distributor, extended a contract for more of these already successful films after nearly a year in production. This one begins with the kids operating a make-shift double decker bus which is powered by Dinah the Mule's feet as Ernie feeds her food while he's driving. On the way to the gas station (where Ernie then gets some water for Dinah), a showman from a nearby theater asks the boys for some help in running an afternoon show. Oh boy! Let me just now mention with those kids-not to mention various animals and bugs in tow and a certain kind of drink-expect nothing but trouble and you won't be disappointed! This was hilarious from beginning to end, that's for sure! So that's a high recommendation for Back Stage. P.S. Mary Kornman wasn't in this one. Instead, the leading lady here is one Ivadell Carter as Pansy. She was the daughter of one Fern Carter, the teacher who guided the kids off-screen for lessons. When that bus is moving, it almost hits a startled pedestrian but Ernie has Dinah say "Hee-haw!" to alert him. That guy was director Bob McGowan and unlike his last appearance in A Pleasant Journey, you actually see his front side, though you still can't see his face clearly enough. And among the unlucky audience members: James W. Cobb and Richard Daniels, fathers of Joe and Mickey, respectively.