Shiver My Timbers

Fondly remembered short in the wonderful "Our Gang" series. Ask any fan of these films which is their favorite, and chances are this will be in at least the top five, if not the the #1 spot. The great character actor Billy Gilbert--a mainstay of Hal Roach's "stock company" and memorable in so many Laurel & Hardy shorts--shines as a crusty but kind-hearted sea captain who loves telling the kids seafaring tales, but finds that his stories are causing them to neglect their schoolwork. He and the gang's teacher, Miss Crabtree (how come none of my teachers ever looked as hot as Miss Crabtree?), cook up a scheme to have "pirates" kidnap the kids and their teacher in order to teach them a lesson, but their plan winds up with some unintended results. Very well directed, cleverly written and very, very funny, with Gilbert and the kids working great together. Don't miss this one.