Shiver My Timbers

One of the most wildly creative early sound comedy shorts OUR GANG ever turned out, next to CHOO CHOO. Thanks to director Robert McGowan, who knew how to bring out the best in child actors. He was a favorite director of producer Hal Roach.

The gang skips school and heads over to the shipyards to hear the exaggerated sea tales of captain Billy Gilbert. You can tell Gilbert played this one for laughs and had a blast with the kids. Angry Miss Crabtree (June Marlowe) enters the picture and wants everybody back in class. So she and the captain strike a little deal...

When the gang returns to stow away on his ship, Gilbert and his crew try to scare the kids silly by pretending to be killer pirates -- also holding Miss Crabtree hostage. Surprise! The gang does the unexpected and "declares war" on the crew, faking them out and dumping barrels on their heads! A must see, and a bit like a Laurel and Hardy skit.

Applause for Billy Gilbert all the way, the greatest ham actor of 'em all. Some fun scenes for Stymie, who has the best lines, also Wheezer and Dorothy DeBorba wearing large earrings? Look for Pete, the dog, wearing a pirate hat and holding a daggar in his mouth!

Unforgettable material, and June Marlowe has never looked so beautiful. There are no production notes, but the shipyard scenes may have been filmed at Long Beach, CA. Get the dvd box set for this Classic, and remastered. Thanks METV for running this gemstone.