One Terrible Day
Encyclopedia
One Terrible Day is a 1922 American silent
short film, the first entry in Hal Roach
's Our Gang
(Little Rascals) series to be released. Directed by Robert F. McGowan
and Tom McNamara
, the two-reel short was released to theaters in September 1922 by Pathé
. It is a comedic film about a group of children from the poor section of town being taken by a wealthy matron to her country estate. The party is crashed as more kids than were invited show up, along with their dog, and stow away in the limousine. When they arrive at the country estate, the boys proceed to make mayhem and wreak general havoc.
This was the first Our Gang
comedy to be released, although the fourth to go into production. The gang’s leading lady in this film is Peggy Cartwright
, who only makes a brief appearance in the company of an unnamed character at the country estate.
Allen Hoskins’s character in this early silent Our Gang
short is female. His character will not start taking on male characteristics until the 1923 short, The Champeen
, when he dresses like a boy for the first time. This is very similar to what happened with the Buckwheat character years later.
When the television rights for the original silent Pathé Our Gang
comedies were sold to National Telepix and other distributors, several of the Our Gang films were released into TV syndication and retitled. In 1960 the collective title "Our Gang" was changed to "Mischief Makers" and the title of "One Terrible Day" was changed to "The Outing." About two-thirds of the original footage from the film was included. Most of the original inter-titles were also cut and later replaced.The film, having been produced prior to 1923, and never having the copyright renewed, is in the public domain
. However, the "Mischief Makers" additions to the film were copyrighted in 1960.
, Jack Davis
, a tall boy wearing glasses and having a snobbish attitude, and the twins, Winston and Weston Doty
. Just as Mrs. Van Renssalaer, with her pet monkey, comes out of the house, Booker T. Bacon
arrives with his little sister Farina in tow in her toy wagon
. Neither of these two children have an invitation. When Alvira tells Jackie
that he cannot come because he does not have an invitation either, Jackie’s dog chases her down the street until she is forced to climb a tree out of fright. The monkey gets excited and jumps down, to be chased by Mrs. Van Renssalaer’s chauffer, (played by William Gillespie), who gets doused with water when the monkey finds a garden hose and turns it on him. When things finally settle down, Mrs. Van Renssalaer, Alvira, the chauffer, and the five boys get into the limousine
. Unbeknownst to them, however, Booker and Jackie stow away on the tailgate with Jackie’s dog sitting beside them, and Farina being pulled along in her little toy wagon.
After they get going, Mickey starts flying his kite behind the car, but Mrs. Van Renssalaer’s monkey grabs the kite’s tail and is hoisted up into the sky. When the string breaks, the monkey falls. The chauffer has to get out of the car and rescue the monkey and when he returns, he discovers the stowaways in the rear of the limousine. Mrs. Van Renssalaer tells him to let all the children and the dog ride in the car. After they get going again, the limousine has a blowout. While the chauffer is changing the tire, the kids start playing with the unused tire. When the chauffer gets his tire back, he tries to replace it on the car, but the kids continue to pester him. He picks one child up and sets him aside, only to find another child standing there. He continues to set the children aside, one at a time, not noticing that the children are tricking him by running around to the end of the line to be lifted aside again. Finally, the chauffer gets the tire replaced and tells the children to get into the car. But the kids trick him again. As they get in the car, they run across and exit the car on the other side and get back in line to get back into the car. The chauffer catches on and makes all the children get in and sit down.
They finally arrive at the country estate and the kids play for a while in the house, making a mess of things and breaking a lamp, until Mrs. Van Renssalaer drives them outside where they entertain themselves by torturing the animals and swimming in the fountain in their long-handles, only to be interrupted when Peggy Cartwright
comes riding up on a mule. They can’t get dressed because the monkey has stolen their clothes, so they hide in the barn. Peggy goes into the house and the boys get dressed and come out of the barn. They then decide to become bullfighters, but get scared and wind up cowering in a tree, only to be ridiculed by Peggy, who explains that the ‘’bull’’ is actually a cow.
When the butler, played by Charles Stevenson
, tells the kids to come into the house for dinner, they sit down at the table. Meanwhile, the monkey steals Mrs. Van Renssalaer's pearls and climbs up onto the chandelier. The boys climb up on the table to get it down, ruining the meal. The gang chases the monkey all over the house. The monkey gets away and stashes the pearls on Farina. It’s finally time to go home, and they all pile back into the car. But before they get back to town, they have another blowout, bringing the show to an end.
comedies produced by Roach Studios
in the spring and early summer of 1922. The pilot film, Our Gang
, went into production in April, and Fire Fighters
began in early May. Young Sherlocks
was produced in April and May, and One Terrible Day in early July. Roach
showed all four films in the Los Angeles area throughout the summer for the benefit of the critics to "smash critical reaction." Of the four, Roach
decided to release the film to the public first. Consequently, One Terrible Day was the fourth Our Gang
film to enter production, but the first to be released.
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
short film, the first entry in Hal Roach
Hal Roach
Harold Eugene "Hal" Roach, Sr. was an American film and television producer and director, and from the 1910s to the 1990s.- Early life and career :Hal Roach was born in Elmira, New York...
's Our Gang
Our Gang
Our Gang, also known as The Little Rascals or Hal Roach's Rascals, was a series of American comedy short films about a group of poor neighborhood children and the adventures they had together. Created by comedy producer Hal Roach, the series is noted for showing children behaving in a relatively...
(Little Rascals) series to be released. Directed by Robert F. McGowan
Robert F. McGowan
Robert Francis McGowan was an American film director and producer, best known as the senior director of the Our Gang short subjects film series from 1922 until 1933.-Career:...
and Tom McNamara
Tom McNamara (director)
Tom McNamara was an American film director and cartoonist from the 1910s to the 1940s. He is perhaps best known for his involvement as a director of several Our Gang shorts for the Hal Roach studio, and as the creator of the comic strip Us Boys in William Randolph Hearst's New York...
, the two-reel short was released to theaters in September 1922 by Pathé
Pathé
Pathé or Pathé Frères is the name of various French businesses founded and originally run by the Pathé Brothers of France.-History:...
. It is a comedic film about a group of children from the poor section of town being taken by a wealthy matron to her country estate. The party is crashed as more kids than were invited show up, along with their dog, and stow away in the limousine. When they arrive at the country estate, the boys proceed to make mayhem and wreak general havoc.
This was the first Our Gang
Our Gang
Our Gang, also known as The Little Rascals or Hal Roach's Rascals, was a series of American comedy short films about a group of poor neighborhood children and the adventures they had together. Created by comedy producer Hal Roach, the series is noted for showing children behaving in a relatively...
comedy to be released, although the fourth to go into production. The gang’s leading lady in this film is Peggy Cartwright
Peggy Cartwright
Peggy Cartwright was a Canadian silent film actress perhaps best known for her short stint as the leading lady of the Our Gang comedies. She appeared in four shorts in 1922 and, possibly, the pilot for the series, Our Gang .Her first husband was Phil Baker with whom she had four children...
, who only makes a brief appearance in the company of an unnamed character at the country estate.
Allen Hoskins’s character in this early silent Our Gang
Our Gang
Our Gang, also known as The Little Rascals or Hal Roach's Rascals, was a series of American comedy short films about a group of poor neighborhood children and the adventures they had together. Created by comedy producer Hal Roach, the series is noted for showing children behaving in a relatively...
short is female. His character will not start taking on male characteristics until the 1923 short, The Champeen
The Champeen
The Champeen is the seventh Our Gang short subject comedy released. The Our Gang series was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944.-Plot:...
, when he dresses like a boy for the first time. This is very similar to what happened with the Buckwheat character years later.
When the television rights for the original silent Pathé Our Gang
Our Gang
Our Gang, also known as The Little Rascals or Hal Roach's Rascals, was a series of American comedy short films about a group of poor neighborhood children and the adventures they had together. Created by comedy producer Hal Roach, the series is noted for showing children behaving in a relatively...
comedies were sold to National Telepix and other distributors, several of the Our Gang films were released into TV syndication and retitled. In 1960 the collective title "Our Gang" was changed to "Mischief Makers" and the title of "One Terrible Day" was changed to "The Outing." About two-thirds of the original footage from the film was included. Most of the original inter-titles were also cut and later replaced.The film, having been produced prior to 1923, and never having the copyright renewed, is in the public domain
Public domain
Works are in the public domain if the intellectual property rights have expired, if the intellectual property rights are forfeited, or if they are not covered by intellectual property rights at all...
. However, the "Mischief Makers" additions to the film were copyrighted in 1960.
Plot
Wealthy Mrs. Pennington Van Renssalaer, upon hearing of a rival socialite's gathering of "settlement children" for a "lawn fete", decides to conduct a similar picnic of her own. Five boys show up at her house and present her secretary Alvira, played by Clara Guilol, with their invitations. The five boys are Mickey DanielsMickey Daniels
Richard "Mickey" Daniels, Jr. was a juvenile actor. Signed by Hal Roach in 1923, he was, along with fat Joe Cobb, scruffy Jackie Condon, pretty Mary Kornman, and smiling "Sunshine Sammy" , a regular in the popular Our Gang comedies.-Biography:The red-haired, gap-toothed, freckled whipper snapper...
, Jack Davis
Jack Davis (actor)
Jackie Davis , a native of Los Angeles, California, was an American child actor, notable for appearing in Hal Roach's Our Gang series. His sister Mildred Davis also acted; she appeared in Roach comedian Harold Lloyd's films as his leading lady...
, a tall boy wearing glasses and having a snobbish attitude, and the twins, Winston and Weston Doty
Winston and Weston Doty
Winston and Weston Doty were twin child actors active for several years during the silent film era.-Biography:Winston and Weston were born in Malta, Ohio, sons of Jack and Olive Doty...
. Just as Mrs. Van Renssalaer, with her pet monkey, comes out of the house, Booker T. Bacon
Ernie Morrison
Ernest Fredric "Ernie" Morrison was an American child actor who performed under the stage name "Sunshine Sammy"...
arrives with his little sister Farina in tow in her toy wagon
Toy wagon
A toy wagon has the same structure as the traditional, larger wagon, but is much smaller and has an open top. An average wagon is able to seat one child, and is generally propelled by human power through a handle at the front. Some famous brands are Radio Flyer, Red Rider, Northern Tool and...
. Neither of these two children have an invitation. When Alvira tells Jackie
Jackie Condon
John Michael "Jackie" Condon was an American child actor who was a regular on the Our Gang short series during the Pathé silent era.-Career:...
that he cannot come because he does not have an invitation either, Jackie’s dog chases her down the street until she is forced to climb a tree out of fright. The monkey gets excited and jumps down, to be chased by Mrs. Van Renssalaer’s chauffer, (played by William Gillespie), who gets doused with water when the monkey finds a garden hose and turns it on him. When things finally settle down, Mrs. Van Renssalaer, Alvira, the chauffer, and the five boys get into the limousine
Limousine
A limousine is a luxury sedan or saloon car, especially one with a lengthened wheelbase or driven by a chauffeur. The chassis of a limousine may have been extended by the manufacturer or by an independent coachbuilder. These are called "stretch" limousines and are traditionally black or white....
. Unbeknownst to them, however, Booker and Jackie stow away on the tailgate with Jackie’s dog sitting beside them, and Farina being pulled along in her little toy wagon.
After they get going, Mickey starts flying his kite behind the car, but Mrs. Van Renssalaer’s monkey grabs the kite’s tail and is hoisted up into the sky. When the string breaks, the monkey falls. The chauffer has to get out of the car and rescue the monkey and when he returns, he discovers the stowaways in the rear of the limousine. Mrs. Van Renssalaer tells him to let all the children and the dog ride in the car. After they get going again, the limousine has a blowout. While the chauffer is changing the tire, the kids start playing with the unused tire. When the chauffer gets his tire back, he tries to replace it on the car, but the kids continue to pester him. He picks one child up and sets him aside, only to find another child standing there. He continues to set the children aside, one at a time, not noticing that the children are tricking him by running around to the end of the line to be lifted aside again. Finally, the chauffer gets the tire replaced and tells the children to get into the car. But the kids trick him again. As they get in the car, they run across and exit the car on the other side and get back in line to get back into the car. The chauffer catches on and makes all the children get in and sit down.
They finally arrive at the country estate and the kids play for a while in the house, making a mess of things and breaking a lamp, until Mrs. Van Renssalaer drives them outside where they entertain themselves by torturing the animals and swimming in the fountain in their long-handles, only to be interrupted when Peggy Cartwright
Peggy Cartwright
Peggy Cartwright was a Canadian silent film actress perhaps best known for her short stint as the leading lady of the Our Gang comedies. She appeared in four shorts in 1922 and, possibly, the pilot for the series, Our Gang .Her first husband was Phil Baker with whom she had four children...
comes riding up on a mule. They can’t get dressed because the monkey has stolen their clothes, so they hide in the barn. Peggy goes into the house and the boys get dressed and come out of the barn. They then decide to become bullfighters, but get scared and wind up cowering in a tree, only to be ridiculed by Peggy, who explains that the ‘’bull’’ is actually a cow.
When the butler, played by Charles Stevenson
Charles Stevenson
Charles Leslie Stevenson was an American analytic philosopher best known for his work in ethics and aesthetics....
, tells the kids to come into the house for dinner, they sit down at the table. Meanwhile, the monkey steals Mrs. Van Renssalaer's pearls and climbs up onto the chandelier. The boys climb up on the table to get it down, ruining the meal. The gang chases the monkey all over the house. The monkey gets away and stashes the pearls on Farina. It’s finally time to go home, and they all pile back into the car. But before they get back to town, they have another blowout, bringing the show to an end.
The Kids
- Peggy CartwrightPeggy CartwrightPeggy Cartwright was a Canadian silent film actress perhaps best known for her short stint as the leading lady of the Our Gang comedies. She appeared in four shorts in 1922 and, possibly, the pilot for the series, Our Gang .Her first husband was Phil Baker with whom she had four children...
– Her first appearance in the film is when she is seen riding up on Dinah the Mule while the boys are playing in the fountain in their undies. Later she has to explain the difference between a cow and a bull to the boys.
- Jackie CondonJackie CondonJohn Michael "Jackie" Condon was an American child actor who was a regular on the Our Gang short series during the Pathé silent era.-Career:...
– Jackie is the little boy with the wild hair and is accompanied by the large dog, probably a Golden RetrieverGolden RetrieverThe Golden Retriever is a medium-sized breed of dog. They were historically developed as gundogs to retrieve shot waterfowl such as ducks and upland game birds during hunting and shooting parties. As such, they were bred to have a soft mouth to retrieve game undamaged and have an instinctive love...
. He does not have an invitation, so he stows away in the back of the limousine. At the country estate, he teases a horse by throwing water in the horse’s face. Later the horse gets revenge by pushing him in the water.
- Mickey DanielsMickey DanielsRichard "Mickey" Daniels, Jr. was a juvenile actor. Signed by Hal Roach in 1923, he was, along with fat Joe Cobb, scruffy Jackie Condon, pretty Mary Kornman, and smiling "Sunshine Sammy" , a regular in the popular Our Gang comedies.-Biography:The red-haired, gap-toothed, freckled whipper snapper...
– The freckle faced little boy who is the first to arrive at Mrs. Van Renssalaer’s mansion with an invitation. He seems to be the leader of the gang and most of the story revolves around him. He and Ernie are the ones who later aspire to be bull fighters.
- Jack DavisJack Davis (actor)Jackie Davis , a native of Los Angeles, California, was an American child actor, notable for appearing in Hal Roach's Our Gang series. His sister Mildred Davis also acted; she appeared in Roach comedian Harold Lloyd's films as his leading lady...
– Jack is the second boy to arrive at the mansion, although his invitation is folded into a paper airplane. He is the one who comes up with the idea of using the fountain for a swimming pool.
- Weston Doty – The Doty twins get their best exposure when they present their invitations to Alvira. Their speech and gestures are all done in unison.
- Winston Doty – Winston and Weston are ensemble actors throughout the film.
- Allen Hoskins – Farina – Allen plays the part of Booker T.’s little sister, a little African American child, first seen riding in a toy wagonToy wagonA toy wagon has the same structure as the traditional, larger wagon, but is much smaller and has an open top. An average wagon is able to seat one child, and is generally propelled by human power through a handle at the front. Some famous brands are Radio Flyer, Red Rider, Northern Tool and...
. During the scene where the chauffer is changing the tire, she hides under the car. Later, she and Jackie try fishing in the fountain and Jackie uses one of her pigtails for bait.
- Ernie MorrisonErnie MorrisonErnest Fredric "Ernie" Morrison was an American child actor who performed under the stage name "Sunshine Sammy"...
– Booker T. Bacon - Ernie is the African American who does not have an invitation and convinces Jackie that they can still go if they stow away in the back of the limousine. During the scene where the chauffer is changing the tire, he convinces the other boys to let him get inside the tire and then roll him down the hill. Later he and Mickey try their hands at bull fighting, not knowing the difference between a cow and a bull.
- Unknown Child Actor - plays the tall boy wearing glasses, although it is an ensemble part throughout the film. When he arrives at the mansion, he has a snooty attitude, which causes Mickey to take great delight in making fun of him. As the story progresses, however, he does loosen up a bit and plays well with the other children.
The Adults
- Ed BrandenburgEd BrandenburgEd Brandenburg , was an American actor. He appeared in 37 films between 1922 and 1938.He was born in Kentucky, USA and died in Temple City, California.-Selected filmography:* Block-Heads...
– the cook – He has a small part as the operator of a sidewalk café where the monkey lands after falling from the kite. - William Gillespie – the chauffer who chases the monkey and gets squirted with the garden hose. He is tormented by the boys when they continue to pester him while he is changing the tire. When Farina is found hiding under the car, he crawls under the car to retrieve her, but the monkey gets into the driver’s seat, and pulls a lever, which spills oil on the chauffer’s face.
- Helen GilmoreHelen GilmoreHelen Gilmore was an American actress of the stage and silent motion pictures from Chicago, Illinois. She left acting to become a magazine editor.-Stock company player:...
– Caroline Culpepper – Society Reporter for "The Tattler". She shows Mrs. Van Renssalaer an article about a rival socialite's party. Her long haired cat also tangles with the monkey. She is listed by the Internet Movie Data Base and The Lucky Corner as Carlene Culpepper. However, her business card has the name printed as Caroline Culpepper. - Clara Guiol – Alvira, Mrs. Van Rensselaer’s secretary. She is seen receiving the boys at the mansion and accepting their invitations. She is affronted when Mrs. Van Rensselaer’s monkey mimics her with reading glasses. Throughout the film, she and Mrs. Van Rensselaer react to the children’s antics with snooty snobbishness.
- Wallace HoweWallace HoweWallace Howe , was an American actor. He appeared in 89 films between 1918 and 1936.He was born in Pennsylvania, USA.-External links:...
– The Policeman who stops the limousine at the intersection just before the car has a blowout. - Charles StevensonCharles StevensonCharles Leslie Stevenson was an American analytic philosopher best known for his work in ethics and aesthetics....
– The Butler at the country estate. - Unknown actress – Mrs. Pennington Van Renssalaer, who invites the local children on the outing to her country estate. She has a pet monkey and is the butt of many of the sight jokes because of her wealthy snootiness.
- Unknown actress - the maid (caucasian) - She is seen applying beauty cream to Mrs. Van Renssalaer's neck during the opening scene of the film. She later carries the monkey into the kitchen.
- Unknown actress - the maid (African-American) - She appears briefly and gets a face full of beauty cream courtesy of Caroline Culpepper's cat.
- Unknown actress - Lady seen with Peggy Cartwright outside of the country estate.
- Unknown actor - Man riding in the front seat of the limousine next to the chauffer.
The Animals
- Dinah the Mule, ridden by PeggyPeggy CartwrightPeggy Cartwright was a Canadian silent film actress perhaps best known for her short stint as the leading lady of the Our Gang comedies. She appeared in four shorts in 1922 and, possibly, the pilot for the series, Our Gang .Her first husband was Phil Baker with whom she had four children...
, when she almost discovers the boys swimming in their underwear. - Golden RetrieverGolden RetrieverThe Golden Retriever is a medium-sized breed of dog. They were historically developed as gundogs to retrieve shot waterfowl such as ducks and upland game birds during hunting and shooting parties. As such, they were bred to have a soft mouth to retrieve game undamaged and have an instinctive love...
, belonging to JackieJackie CondonJohn Michael "Jackie" Condon was an American child actor who was a regular on the Our Gang short series during the Pathé silent era.-Career:...
– Because of its size the dog causes considerable grief to the wealthy matron and her secretary while riding in the limousine. - MonkeyMonkeyA monkey is a primate, either an Old World monkey or a New World monkey. There are about 260 known living species of monkey. Many are arboreal, although there are species that live primarily on the ground, such as baboons. Monkeys are generally considered to be intelligent. Unlike apes, monkeys...
, owned by the wealthy matron – The monkey offends Mrs. Van Renssalaer’s secretary and douses the butler with water. Later, the monkey is hoisted into the air when it grabs hold of the tail of Mickey’s kite. - CatCatThe cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
, belonging to Caroline Culpepper – this long haired feline climbs the drapes in Mrs. Van Renssalaer's house and ultimately ends up slinging a big glob of beauty cream into a housemaid's face. - Various farm animals – The kids are seen tormenting the goats by pulling their tails, throwing water in the horse’s face, chasing the turkeys and geese, and playing bull fighter with the cow.
Questionable listings
- Mary KornmanMary KornmanMary Kornman was an American child actress who was the leading female star of the Our Gang series during the Pathé silent era.-Our Gang:...
, listed by Internet Movie Database. However, according to The Lucky Corner, she does not actually appear in the film. - Lincoln StedmanLincoln StedmanLincoln Stedman was an American actor of the silent era. He appeared in 81 films between 1917 and 1934. A large fat man, Stedman had a career in movies dating back to his boyhood in silent films with his parents...
, also listed by Maltin and Bann as well as Internet Movie Database as the secretary. However, according to The Lucky Corner, he does not actually appear in the film.
The Crew
- Produced by Hal RoachHal RoachHarold Eugene "Hal" Roach, Sr. was an American film and television producer and director, and from the 1910s to the 1990s.- Early life and career :Hal Roach was born in Elmira, New York...
- Supervised by Charles Parrott, (Charley ChaseCharley ChaseCharley Chase was an American comedian, actor, screenwriter and film director, best known for his work in Hal Roach short film comedies...
) - Directed by Robert F. McGowanRobert F. McGowanRobert Francis McGowan was an American film director and producer, best known as the senior director of the Our Gang short subjects film series from 1922 until 1933.-Career:...
and Tom McNamaraTom McNamara (director)Tom McNamara was an American film director and cartoonist from the 1910s to the 1940s. He is perhaps best known for his involvement as a director of several Our Gang shorts for the Hal Roach studio, and as the creator of the comic strip Us Boys in William Randolph Hearst's New York... - Titles by H. M. WalkerH. M. WalkerHarley M. "Beanie" Walker was a member of the Hal Roach movie production company from 1916 until his resignation in 1932...
and Tom McNamaraTom McNamara (director)Tom McNamara was an American film director and cartoonist from the 1910s to the 1940s. He is perhaps best known for his involvement as a director of several Our Gang shorts for the Hal Roach studio, and as the creator of the comic strip Us Boys in William Randolph Hearst's New York... - Story by Hal RoachHal RoachHarold Eugene "Hal" Roach, Sr. was an American film and television producer and director, and from the 1910s to the 1990s.- Early life and career :Hal Roach was born in Elmira, New York...
and Tom McNamaraTom McNamara (director)Tom McNamara was an American film director and cartoonist from the 1910s to the 1940s. He is perhaps best known for his involvement as a director of several Our Gang shorts for the Hal Roach studio, and as the creator of the comic strip Us Boys in William Randolph Hearst's New York... - Distributed by PathéPathéPathé or Pathé Frères is the name of various French businesses founded and originally run by the Pathé Brothers of France.-History:...
Production
One Terrible Day was one of four Our GangOur Gang
Our Gang, also known as The Little Rascals or Hal Roach's Rascals, was a series of American comedy short films about a group of poor neighborhood children and the adventures they had together. Created by comedy producer Hal Roach, the series is noted for showing children behaving in a relatively...
comedies produced by Roach Studios
Hal Roach
Harold Eugene "Hal" Roach, Sr. was an American film and television producer and director, and from the 1910s to the 1990s.- Early life and career :Hal Roach was born in Elmira, New York...
in the spring and early summer of 1922. The pilot film, Our Gang
Our Gang (film)
Our Gang is a 1922 silent short film. It was the third of Hal Roach's Our Gang shorts to be released, although it was the first to enter production. The two-reel short was released to theaters in October 1922 by Pathé....
, went into production in April, and Fire Fighters
Fire Fighters (film)
Fire Fighters is a 1922 silent short film, the second entry in Hal Roach's Our Gang series. Directed by Robert F. McGowan and Tom McNamara, the two-reel short was released to theaters in October 1922 by Pathé.-Notes:...
began in early May. Young Sherlocks
Young Sherlocks
Young Sherlocks is a 1922 silent short subject, the fourth entry in Hal Roach's Our Gang series. Directed by Robert F...
was produced in April and May, and One Terrible Day in early July. Roach
Hal Roach
Harold Eugene "Hal" Roach, Sr. was an American film and television producer and director, and from the 1910s to the 1990s.- Early life and career :Hal Roach was born in Elmira, New York...
showed all four films in the Los Angeles area throughout the summer for the benefit of the critics to "smash critical reaction." Of the four, Roach
Hal Roach
Harold Eugene "Hal" Roach, Sr. was an American film and television producer and director, and from the 1910s to the 1990s.- Early life and career :Hal Roach was born in Elmira, New York...
decided to release the film to the public first. Consequently, One Terrible Day was the fourth Our Gang
Our Gang
Our Gang, also known as The Little Rascals or Hal Roach's Rascals, was a series of American comedy short films about a group of poor neighborhood children and the adventures they had together. Created by comedy producer Hal Roach, the series is noted for showing children behaving in a relatively...
film to enter production, but the first to be released.
Reception
According to Maltin and Bann, The New York Post’s critic column said, “The best thing on the Rivoli Theater program this week is the funniest comedy shown for some time, One Terrible Day, bringing forth screams of laughter.” The New York Herald said, “The outstanding hit of the bill at the Rivoli is a rollicking Pathé comedy, One Terrible Day.” The New York World also commented by calling the film “extremely funny.”Technical details
- One Terrible Day was designated at Roach Studios as Production A-4 and was filmed from May 22 to June 10, 1922. It was released on September 10, 1922 and was the first Our Gang film in the series to be released.
- The original copyright was recorded on October 9, 1922, by PathéPathéPathé or Pathé Frères is the name of various French businesses founded and originally run by the Pathé Brothers of France.-History:...
Exchange, Inc. Registration no. LU18286. - The film was a silent two-reeler, approximately 20 minutes in length. Subsequent editing has reduced the film to about 15 minutes.
- Extant lobby posters indicate that the original opening title card probably read: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in One Terrible Day.' The title of some of the early Our Gang films read '"Our Gang" Comedy' or '"Our Gang" Series.'
- The film was released into TV syndication as Mischief Makers episode no. 1043, "The Outing," copyrighted Sep. 1, 1960, with registration number LP17348.