Derby Day (1923/I)

Director:

Robert F. McGowan

Writers:

Hal Roach (story)
H.M. Walker (titles)

Release Date:

18 November 1923 (USA)

Genre:

Short | Comedy | Family | Sport

Plot:

After the gang goes to the horse races, they decide to have a derby of their own.

Plot Keywords:

Race Track | Derby | Boy | Horse Race | Goat

Cast

Lassie Lou Ahern	...	Girl Applauding Band
Charles A. Bachman	...	Trumpeter
Joe Cobb	...	Joe
Jackie Condon	...	Jackie
Mickey Daniels	...	Mickey
Richard Daniels	...	Trainer
Jack Davis
William Gillespie	...	Mary's father (the horse owner)
Allen 'Farina' Hoskins	...	Farina
Wallace Howe	...	Gate attendant
Mary Kornman	...	Mary
Billy Lord	...	Billy
Sonny Loy	...	Sing Joy
Ernest Morrison	...	Ernie / Sunshine Sammy

Directed by
Robert F. McGowan

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Hal Roach		story
H.M. Walker		titles

Produced by
Hal Roach	....	producer

Art Department
C.E. Christensen	....	construction supervisor

Camera and Electrical Department
Stax Graves	....	still photographer
Eugene Kornman	....	still photographer

Production Companies

• Hal Roach Studios

Distributors

• Pathé Exchange (1923) (USA) (theatrical)
• Grapevine Video (????) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (USA) (laserdisc)

Runtime:

USA:20 min

Country:

USA

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Silent

Certification:

Australia:G

Company:

Hal Roach Studios

Quotes:

Title Card:The Horse Owner ~ He's not exactly dishonest ~ But is broadminded on the subject ~~

Derby Day is another pretty amusing "Our Gang" short

This Hal Roach comedy short, Derby Day, is the twenty-first in the "Our Gang/Little Rascals" series. Mickey, Jack, Jackie, and Joe are selling hot dogs and lemonade for 5 cents each near the horse race track across the street. One of their customers is a new gang member of Asian descent named Sing Joy. Two more potential customers, Ernie (a.k.a. "Sunshine Sammy") and Farina, are broke so Mickey asks what's in the box that Ernie has. It's a jockey uniform of his dad's who is in the race. When Mary comes by, she invites them to come in free. The adult usher won't allow it but Mary keeps talking to him as she signals the gang inside. After the race ends, Mickey tells his friends his idea to form his own race...This was a pretty amusing "Our Gang" entry with some familiar gags like Farina managing to eat two hot dogs on a stove without anyone looking-especially not Pete the Pup who runs around in circles looking for the toddler, lemon for the lemonade that-when squeezed-hits both Joe and Mickey in the faces, during the kiddie race-after a horse and cow drink a water bucket laced with alcohol that Farina poured in-the horse keeps going the wrong way frustrating Jack and the cow eventually lies down leaving poor Joe stuck, and-after the titles reveal that in the audience during the real horse race, Sing Joy says something in Chinese, Ernie-also via inter-title-replies, "Speak 'Inglish, I don't understand Chop Suey." That last one might be considered offensive today but considering the kids ages, I'd let that one slide. Anyway, while not hilarious, Derby Day does amuse enough for me to bring a big smile on my face. P.S. Mickey's father, Richard Daniels, appears as a trainer here.