Whose idea was it to have a spot light? Was it Kitty? She was doing everything in her power to make sure Spanky was going to be the "hit" of the show and win the prize. Or was it the MC's idea suggested to Kitty to show off Spankys armor and to be the main focus on stage. Also with the several run-ins with Kitty, did the MC sabotage the act by having a spot light not follow him on stage and piss off Kitty.
shareI always thought it was kittys idea to show off spanky, however then when spanky tripped and fell on his cape, she seemed to be concerned, “why don’t you give him some light so he can act” so then I thought it was the MCs idea. Either way she should have yanked him off the stage at that moment because it was an omen of thing to come!
This short had to be the most humiliating and embarrassing scene for a mother and son!
I think Kitty made the decision on the spot light but when things went south her self absorbed self wouldn't admit the mistake and said to the MC he needs more light to act--haha. Maybe the MC should have lowered the lights at the end and put the spotlight on Kittys slip clad body and then her stunned face.
shareThat is a good thought. She was too self absorbed and certainly didn’t want to show weakness to the MC and admit she had made a mistake and that her idea to put the spotlight on spanky backfired on her!
I wish they had lowered the lights and flipped the spotlight on his mother too!! They needed to place the camera on her longer and a real tight closeup!
They list BL at 18.35 minutes long. I've seen other Rascal shorts at 19 plus and occasional 20 minutes long. Adding 1 minute of time to BL spreading the time around extending certain scenes by adding dialog or just extending scenes would really send BL over the top. There is a new Blue Ray version of BL coming out next year. They say they are taking the original uncut Hal Roach film version and cleaning it up--I'll be curious to see if they find any additional scenes that were cut by TV stations back in the 50's-60's
shareOh Definitely! I agree. I can’t wait to see. That blue ray version when it is out!
I was always curious how many takes of BL were done before deciding on the final version. Could you imagine being there for take after take ? Seeing spankysmothers dress being ripped off over her head over and over again!? Lol
As stated in another post, Kitty was wearing knee pads so there had to be quite a few retakes!! Different angles, positions and some special shots for the boss. I would assume most of those guys were trying to hide their hard- ons while working and positioning Kitty LOL. I can't believe some of those retakes or outtakes haven't been discovered in someones garage sale or basement in LA. I read somewhere there was a big sale at the Roach Studios I believe back in the 60's when they went out of business. I wonder if any of those outtakes weren't sold there and now long forgotten.
shareBoy, would I have loved to work on that set for that short. Know what is going to happen to Kitty each time! Lol I would get a hard on as soon as spanky started his recital “Friends Romans and Country men, lend me your EARS as the pea shooters stated hitting his metal Roman soldier outfit and looking at kitty pleading waving her hands to get off the stage!! “Spanky spanky get off! They re LAUGHING at you!” Seeing her face desperately trying to convince spanky to leave the stage. Pleading then with the MC as the entire theater is exploding in that roaring laughter!! Seeing. Everyone backstage doubled over in hysterical laughter at both kitty and spanky! Lol
Watching her face begin to quickly turn beet red with blush!