The Boy Friends

This article is about the 1930s comedy films. For other uses, seeBoyfriend (disambiguation).

The Boy Friendsis a series of AmericanPre-Codecomedyshort filmsreleased between 1930 and 1932.The series consisted of fifteen films and was spun off from the long runningOur Gangfilm series (also known asThe Little Rascals).

Overview

Like theOur Gangshorts of the time,The Boy Friendsfilms are two-reelshort subjectsproduced byHal RoachthroughMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer.They feature teenage actors including some, particularlyMickey DanielsandMary Kornman,who as children had starred in the early silentOur Gangshorts.Grady Suttonwas also a lead player in the series. Daniels and Sutton appear in every short, while Kornman appears in all but one (1932'sYou're Telling Me).

Roach released threeThe Boy Friendsfilms in 1930:Doctor's Orders,Ladies Last,andBigger and Better.The series added seven installments in 1931:Blood and Thunder,High Gear,Love Fever,Air Tight,Call a Cop,Mama Loves Papa,andThe Kickoff.Finally, 1932 saw the release of the last five films:Love Pains,The Knockout,Too Many Women,Wild Babies,andYou're Telling Me.At least some of the films in the series took place atElmira College,an actual school located in Roach's home town ofElmira, New York.

Characters

• Mickey(Mickey Daniels): The main character. Appears in all entries.
• Mary(Mary Kornman): Mickey's girl friend. Appears in all entries exceptYou're Telling Me.
• Grady "Alabam" Sutton(Grady Sutton): Mickey's best friend and sidekick. Appears in all entries.
• Dave(David Sharpe): Mickey and Grady's friend. He is their rival in his first short. Last appears inCall a Cop!
• Gertie(Gertrude Messinger): Dave's love interest. Last appears inThe Kick-Off.
• Dorothy(Dorothy Granger): Alabam's love interest. Last appears inLove Fever.
• Betty(Betty Bolen): Alabam's love interest. Appears inAir-Tight,Mama Loves Papa,The Kick-Off!,Love Pains,The Knockout,You're Telling MeandWild Babies.
• Jacqui(Jacqueline Wells): Appears inThe KnockoutandYou're Telling Me.

Filmography

1930

• Doctor's Orders
• Bigger and Better
• Ladies Last

1931

• Blood and Thunder
• High Gear
• Love Fever
• Air-Tight
• Call a Cop!
• Mama Loves Papa
• The Kick-Off!

1932

• Love Pains
• The Knock-Out
• You're Telling Me
• Too Many Women
• Wild Babies

Sources

• "Most Popular 'The Boy Friends' Titles".Internet Movie Database.RetrievedNovember 27,2018.
• Wood, Bret (2017)."Introduction to the Boy Friends Shorts".Turner Classic Movies.Archived fromthe originalon November 9, 2017.RetrievedMarch 1,2019.

External links

• Introduction to The Boyfriends Shorts(TCM's details)
• 'The Boy Friends' thread at Proboards