General Spanky
Seen it?1936 | 71 min | Comedy, War
Weeknight Watchearly ratingWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
With soft box office and little lasting buzz, it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- One for anyone who wants a laugh and anyone interested in what war does to ordinary people. Good for nights when you want to switch off and laugh. Sits nicely alongside Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb or The Great Dictator.
- The mood
- Light and funny, intense.
- The pace
- Light on its feet, at 1 hr 11 min. Short enough for a weeknight.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1936: an older pace and style.
- Skip it if you're after something serious tonight.
Orphaned shoeshine boy Spanky is working on a Mississippi riverboat during the Civil War. There he befriends young runaway slave Buckwheat. After wronging a vicious gambler, Spanky and Buckwheat are forced to jump ship. Finding solace at a nearby house, the two are picked by Marshall Valiant for an important mission. This inspires Spanky to organize the local kids to form a small army of their own.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
- AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
- AwardsBelow par
Nominated for 1 Oscar.
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
About 12K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb
Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed comedy.
The Great Dictator Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed comedy.
Duck Soup Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed comedy that fewer people know today.
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Sunday Safe BetAnother comedy, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Shoulder Arms Weeknight WatchAnother comedy, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Gordon Douglas, Fred C. Newmeyer
- George McFarlandSpanky Leonard
- Phillips HolmesMarshall Valient
- Ralph MorganYankee General
- Irving PichelSimmons
- Rosina LawrenceLouella Blanchard
- Billie ThomasBuckwheat
- Carl SwitzerAlfalfa
- Hobart BosworthColonel Blanchard
- Robert MiddlemassOverseer
- James P. BurtisBoat Captain