Hal Roach Studios
Starring: George ‘Spanky’ McFarland, Billie ‘Buckwheat’ Thomas
Directed by: Gordon Douglas, Fred Newmeyer

Synopsis: A full length Hal Roach film featuring several of the Our Gang stars, this story is unlike the short films in that it is set in the south during the Civil War where the kids create their own army and bravely stand up to the Union Army on their own.

Purr Blur: The beginning of the film is set on a riverboat where Buckwheat is getting himself into all kinds of trouble by being a curious little boy.  As the Captain complains to the slave shipper about the various things Buckwheat has done (including bathing a cat in the soup pot) a small grey kitten walks across the scene underneath Buckwheat, who gets up to follow the tiny animal.

The kitten is next seen on top of the cabin and wanders off screen.  Buckwheat follows, calling “Here kitty!” and ends up getting his foot tangled in the ship’s whistle, setting off a panic amongst the passengers when Spanky speculates that the ship might be sinking.

Final Mewsings: Kittens and little boys can’t help but be curious.

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