Main Cast: Matthew "Stymie" Beard, Kendall McComas, Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins, Dorothy de Borba, George "Spanky" McFarland
Release Year: 1932
Country: US
Run Time: 2rl minutes
Plot
To further her husband's political career, wealthy Mrs. Clark (Lillian Elliot) throws a lavish party in her home for the poor children of the community. Among the invitees are the Our Gang kids, including Matthew "Stymie" Beard, who of late has been getting into trouble because of his tall tales. Thus, no one believes Stymie when he claims that a pair of midgets, disguised as infants, have invaded the party for the purpose of stealing everybody's wallets and jewelry. As it turns out, however, Stymie is telling the truth for the first time in his life. Originally released on February 11, 1932, "Free Eats" benefits from a strong adult supporting cast, including Billy Gilbert and Paul Fix (the latter in female drag!) as a pair of crooks. The film is best remembered, however, as the "Our Gang" debut of 3-year-old George "Spanky" McFarland, who delivers a rambling, impromptu monologue about monkeys, swings, and airplanes --- hardly a high point in American comedy, but enchanting nonetheless. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Ray McCarey - Director, Robert F. McGowan - Director, Richard C. Currier - Editor, Art Lloyd - Cinematographer, Hal Roach - Producer, Robert F. McGowan - Producer, H.M. Walker - Dialogue Writer
The gang along with other poor children in the town are given a party with games and great food to eat. In addition, each child would be given a food basket to bring home to their parents. Its given by a wealthy woman whose husband is running for office. Meanwhile a couple criminals have set up two midgets to come to the party as babies. They would steal tons of expensive jewelry and planned on robbing a safe filled with tons of money. Stymie caught the "fidgets" in the safe. The rest of the gang come to Stymie's rescue as the midgets pull a gun. An alarm goes off and the police come and arrest the midgets and all ends well.
Note
This is Spanky Mcfarland's first Our gang appearance. He and his brother try for Our Gang back in the Spring of 1931. Spanky passed the screen test easily and is hired to become part of the gang in the fall of 1931. He begins filming late that year for this early 1932 production. His brother Tommy also appears in many Our gang episodes but has no speaking roles.
