Series: Our Gang @ MGM
Director: Edward L. Cahn
Producer: -
Screenplay: Hal Law, Robert A. McGowan
Photography: Jackson Rose
Editor: Leon Bourgeau
Art director: Richard Duce
Stars: George McFarland, Billie Thomas, Billy Laughlin, Darla Hood
Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Released: 12 July 1941
Length: 1 reel
Production No.: 2732
Filming dates: May 6-9, 1941
Rating: 5/10
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Robot Wrecks
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Available on DVD:
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During an electrical exhibit at the Black's Department Store, a professor demonstrates his new robot invention (some guy in a cheap costume made out of cheap cardboard it seems). Spanky and the other kids, who are in attendance get the idea that they want to build their own robot and set off to do so. After constructing their own miniature robot in their shed the gang are confused as to why it doesn't work. Slicker sees an opportunity to fleece some money out of the kids by offering to fix the robot for them. When Spanky and friends agree to go get all of the money they have (all 68 cents of it) Slicker gets his friend Boxcar (who named these stupid kids?) to get inside the robot costume and pretend it is real. When Spanky gives Slicker the money, he then gives Spanky an empty box and tells him there are invisible 'rays' inside that will operate the robot. They feed the rays into the robot, who then takes off and starts mowing the grass at a hundred miles per hour. The kids are initially excited that their creation now suddenly works but they soon begin to panic when it won't stop. Just then Froggy's parents return and find their lawn wrecked. After Froggy explains the whole deal, Mr. Laughlin exposes the robot and demands that Slicker returns the money to the gang. The kids are then made to tidy up the yard and when it is all done they receive some wise words of advice from Froggy's dad. It all ends well. |
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Favourite bit It has to be the moment when we are introduced to Froggy's parents and Mr. Laughlin tells his wife to go into the house. Her reply caught me off guard!! |
| Trivia • Copyrighted July 15, 1941; renewed July 16, 1968. • The 200th film in the series to be released, and the last of the 1940/41 season. • The name of the robot being demonstrated inside the store is called Volto. • Am I the only one thinking how short Darla Hood's skirt is? She was only 10 years old at the time of filming. My opinion • Average. Not rubbish, and not a classic. |
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George McFarland Spanky |
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Billy Laughlin Froggy |
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Fred Walburn Slicker |
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Vincent Graeff Boxcar |
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Billie Thomas Buckwheat |
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Robert Blake Mickey (billed as Mickey Gubitosi) |
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Darla Hood Darla |
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Joan Blake Girl watching demonstration (billed as Giovanna Gubitosi) |
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Billy Bletcher Mr. Laughlin / Julia (voice) |
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Emmett Vogan Robot owner |
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Margaret Bert Julia Laughlin (Froggy's mom) |
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UNIDENTIFIED Spectator #1 |
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UNIDENTIFIED Spectator #2 |
| CREDITS (click image to enlarge) |
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| POSTER (click any image to enlarge) 
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| Acknowledgements: http://theluckycorner.com/mt/201.html (Robert Demoss/The Lucky Corner) This page was last updated on: 12 June 2025 |