Main Cast: George "Spanky" McFarland, Matthew "Stymie" Beard, Scotty Beckett, Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas, Jerry Tucker
Release Year: 1934
Country: US
Run Time: 2rl minutes
Plot
The first in a brace of "Our Gang" fantasy outings, "Mama's Little Pirate" begins when the mother of Spanky McFarland refuses to allow him to participate in a treasure hunt in a nearby cave (actually a spooky standing set left over from the 1934 Laurel and Hardy feature Babes in Toyland). Confined to his room, Spanky argues with his "inner self", who advises him to disobey his mother and join the rest of the Gang in their search for buried treasure. Though the kids miraculously unearth a fortune in gold and jewels, their triumph nearly turns to disaster when they encounter a surly giant (played by 7'6" Tex Madsen). Originally released on November 3, 1934, "Mama's Little Pirate" is enchanced by LeRoy Shield's brilliant background music composition "Cascadia", originally written for the equally thrilling "Boy Friends" comedy Air Tight (1931). Though he has never admitted it, Steven Spielberg may well have used this humble two-reeler as the inspiration for his own comedy-adventure feature The Goonies (1985). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
It begins at the breakfast table when Spanky's father reads a newspaper article about treasures found at a nearby cave. This inspires Spanky to explore another nearby cave with the gang for more treasures. The cave is too dark so Spanky goes back to his home to get a flashlight. Spanky's mother catches him and she refuses to allow him to participate in that treasure hunt. Spanky says he is going anyway and then is sent to bed until he learns to obey. Confined to his room, Spanky falls asleep and in his dream argues with his "inner self", who advises him to disobey his mother and join the rest of the Gang in their search for buried treasure. In the dream Spanky does join the gang in a nearby cave (actually a spooky standing set left over from the 1934 Laurel and Hardy feature Babes in Toyland). Though the kids miraculously unearth a fortune in gold and jewels, their triumph nearly turns to disaster when they encounter a surly giant (played by 7'6" Tex Madsen). During the height of the troubles Spanky then wakes up from his dream and the gang asks if he is going to the cave and Spanky punches his inner self and the story ends.
Note
"Mama's Little Pirate" is the first "Our Gang" fantasy outing. "Mama's Little Pirate" is enchanced by LeRoy Shield's brilliant background music composition "Cascadia", originally written for the equally thrilling "Boy Friends" comedy Air Tight (1931).[1]
