Reg'lar Fellers (1941)

Based on the comic strip by Gene Byrnes, the "Reg'lar Fellers", and one girl-feller, tinker with building a land/water machine, form a kid-band and go on the radio, celebrate a birthday, ... See full summary »

Director:

Arthur Dreifuss

Writers:

Gene Byrnes (comic strip), Arthur Hoerl (story),

Stars:

Billy Lee, Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer, Buddy Boles

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Billy Lee	...	Pinhead Duffy
Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer	...	Bump Hudson
Buddy Boles	...	Jimmy Dugan
Janet Dempsey	...	Aggie Reilly
Henry 'Spike' Lee	...	Skeeter (as Jerry Wilson)
Malcolm Hutton	...	Puddin'Head Duffy
Sarah Padden	...	Hetty Carter
Roscoe Ates	...	Emory McQuade
Danna Callahan	...	Jane Watson
Diane Ware	...	Hazel Barry
Leonard Grassi	...	Warren Hamilton
Sharon Lynne	...	Baby Carter
Maren Mayo	...	Caroline Carter
Netta Packer	...	Martha
Jack C. Smith	...	Officer Flynn

Storyline

Based on the comic strip by Gene Byrnes, the "Reg'lar Fellers", and one girl-feller, tinker with building a land/water machine, form a kid-band and go on the radio, celebrate a birthday, get involved with gangsters...and reunite a wealthy recluse with her baby granddaughter and estranged daughter-in-law.

---

Plot Keywords:

birthday | party | small town | danger | song | 

---

Taglines:

We're Doing Our Stuff On The Screen Just As We Do It In The Comic Strip, And We're Having The Time Of Our Life! And You"ll Have The Time Of Your Life When You See Us! No Fooling!

---

Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Crime

---

Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 September 1941 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Reg'lar Fellers"
by Ethel Meglin and Dean Harmon

User Reviews

Comic Strip Brought To Life By Talented Young Cast

Young actor Billy Lee heads up the cast in this 1941 film, "Reg'lar Fellers", this time in the role of "Pinhead Duffy". A comic strip called "Reg'lar Fellers" had been very popular for some time when this film, based upon its characters was made.

Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer plays "Bump Hudson" who finally gets his chance to join the pint-sized clique who call themselves the Reg'lar Fellers. "Jimmy Dugan", the leader of the "fellers" is played by Buddy Boles. The film opens with a kids' radio quiz show in progress, starting with a song from the (real life) Meglin Glee Club, which would include actor Billy Lee, who, beginning at age 3, had received his acting, singing and dancing instruction from The Meglin Professional School For Kiddies. Next is the quiz portion of the radio program where some of the kids battle it out in the quiz. Jimmy Dugan places first. From there, the film takes you around the town to meet some of the adult central characters and to set up the film's plot. Finally, it's off to the "Reg'lar Fellers'" clubhouse. There, we get to learn a little bit about each of the kids. One of the feller's, the child inventor of the group, Puddn'head Duffy, (played by Malcolm Hutton) has invented what he calls his "Colossal Amphibious Tank #1". It's supposed to run on land, as well as sail in water.

And so, a big outdoor get-together is announced. It's held by the fellers out by the lake, to celebrate the christening of the vessel, and to test its seaworthiness. On hand is Pinhead's band to provide some music, and Aggie Reilly, (the oldest girl among the "fellers", played by Janet Dempsy) handles the christening. Billy Lee's Band, as they are listed in the credits, is actually providing the music for this segment, but Billy has other, non-musician actors filling in on-screen as his character, "Pinhead's" band-mates. (It is hard to tell whether it is Billy Lee or his character, "Pinhead" who is making a point of showing off his fancy moves behind the drum set. No doubt, Billy Lee was an accomplished drummer by age ten, when he appeared in this film.) After a drum roll, and the christening, the colossal Amphibious Tank #1 sets off. It is soon obvious that Tank #1 will need to be replaced by a Tank #2, as the vessel sinks along with the hopes of its inventor.

The fellers then get involved, through the inventions of newcomer, "Bump" (Switser), as well as through the brave efforts of Pinhead and Jimmy, in helping to capture the two thieves who not only framed a local man who wound up in prison, but who came into town to rob the man's mother, Hettie Carter, (played by Sarah Padden). Hettie Carter, who had been against her son's marriage and had no time for his wife or their child, or for any children, repents of her ways after the fellers save the day. She not only provides a brand new club house for the feller's, but a needed home for her daughter-in-law and the baby. The grand opening of the new club house brings everyone together for a huge party. The closing event at the party, is one more song by Pinhead's band, "Hoorah For Fun" as sung by Billy Lee.

Billy Lee and Carl "Alafalfa" Switzer were to star in a number of additional episodes of "Reg'lar Fellers", but the project ended with this first installment. Lee & Switzer also appeared together in the movies, "Easy To Take" (1936) and "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch" (1942).