A Tough Winter

A Tough Winter
A Tough Winter
Directed by	Robert F. McGowan
Written by	Robert A. McGowan; H. M. Walker
Produced by	Robert F. McGowan; Hal Roach
Starring	Allen Hoskins; Mary Ann Jackson; Bobby Hutchins; Jackie Cooper; Norman Chaney; Pete the Pup
Cinematography	Art Lloyd
Edited by	Richard C. Currier
Music by	Ray Henderson; Marvin Hatley
Distributed by	MGM
Release date	June 21, 1930;
Running time	20' 22"
Country	United States
Language	English

A Tough Winter is a 1930 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan.^[1] It was the 99th (11th talking) Our Gang short that was released.

Plot[]

More a vehicle for black comedian Stepin Fetchit, the gang go to Wheezer's and Mary Ann's house to have a taffy pull. But they get the ingredients mixed up and make a huge mess. They attempt to clean up and ask Stepin to help, but he crosses wires, plumbing and gas lines. As a result, light bulbs pop, water sprays from gas heaters, a phone acts as a vacuum cleaner and music plays from the icebox.

Fetchit was actually signed to a one year contract with Hal Roach Studios to appear with the gang in 9 episodes from the 1930-31 season. He was originally written into the scripts for several episodes, including Pups Is Pups, Helping Grandma, and Little Daddy. However, his contract was canceled for unknown reasons and the Our Gang Series continued without him.

Cast[]

The Gang[]

Norman Chaney as Chubby
Jackie Cooper as Jackie
Allen Hoskins as Farina
Bobby Hutchins as Wheezer
Mary Ann Jackson as Mary Ann
Beverly Parrish as Girl with Mary Ann
Warner Weidler as Our Gang member
Wolfgang Weidler as Our Gang member
Pete the Pup as Himself
Dinah the Mule as Herself
Tommy Atkins as Toddler (unconfirmed)

Additional cast[]

Stepin Fetchit as Stepin
Lyle Tayo as Miss Radio

Production notes[]

The first Pete the Pup was poisoned by an unknown assailant after this film. Because of perceived racism toward African Americans, A Tough Winter was eliminated from the syndicated Little Rascals television package in 1971. Also Beverly Parrish was signed for two years to be on Our Gang films to replace Jean Darling who was dismissed 6 months before but she died suddenly a week and a half after this episode was filmed. wound up replacing her several episodes later though she lasted only half a season as well. This was the last episode to feature an Orchestral Music Scoring and the last to feature the theme song on the credits. The film also was the first to feature a couple of Leroy Shield jazz type pieces which would become a big part of Our Gang episodes right after on their next film.

References[]

^ McKinley, Jesse (2011). "New York Times: A Tough Winter". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Baseline & All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2008.

External links[]

A Tough Winter at IMDb

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[NY_Times-1] McKinley, Jesse (2011). "New York Times: A Tough Winter". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Baseline & All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2008.

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