I’ve probably seen more silent Our Gang than sound Our Gang, which admittedly isn’t saying much as I’ve never really been a particular fan of Our Gang. That’s not to say it’s necessarily bad, it has its moments, but I would never go out of my way to watch every Our Gang short.
I think the big issue for me is that it’s just too difficult to make kids funny. It’s not impossible, but in the case of Our Gang, it always felt like they were trying to capture what being a real kid was like in those days, with an occasional adult sense. I suppose someone being a kid back then could relate, but for someone just looking for an entertaining comedy, there’s a lot better out there.
Another issue at least with silent Our Gang is “the Bowery Boys” effect, where you have essentially two distinct characters, and then just a few other people in the background. In this case, the distinct ones are Joe Cobb and Farina, but unlike Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall who do have chemistry together, Farina and Joe just kind of get on each other’s nerves and not much else. Everyone else is just kind of in the background and not very distinct in personalities; I know this does kind of change later in the sound era, which is probably why those are the ones most people remember.
As far as highlights go, I actually do like the intro with the kids caught in the middle of the shootout; it’s funny seeing everyone just run back and forth constantly, with the kids essentially doing the same thing as Harry Langdon and expressing constant confusion. And I do kind of like the concept of them ruining the fake seance with their tunnel digging, that was kind of funny too. Beyond that, though, the second half is mostly these scare reactions that I just don’t think are very amusing; I guess I’ve just been spoiled by the great scare reactions from people like Lou Costello or even Harold Lloyd. The Our Gang kids are clearly trying their best, so I do give them props for that, but it’s just not that funny to me.
I feel like Our Gang is one of those series that should have focused mainly on one-reelers; I don’t think I’ve ever seen an Our Gang two-reeler from start to finish that I thought was super consistent. Again, though, it does have its moments, and at least none of the characters are annoying.