| Arbor Day | |
| Director: | Fred C. Newmeyer |
| Producer: | Hal Roach |
| Starring: | George McFarland Carl Switzer George Branso Olive Branso George Guhl Maurice Cass Darla Hood Billie Thomas Rosina Lawrence Hattie McDaniel |
| Music: | Marvin Hatley |
| Cinematography: | Milton R. Krasner |
| Editing: | Bert Jordan |
| Distributor: | MGM |
| Runtime: | 17' 14" |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
Arbor Day is a 1936 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer. It was the 145th Our Gang short to be released.[1]
Spanky attempts to hide from the truant officer and avoid going to school, where he is being forced to participate in the Green Street Grammar School's annual Arbor Day show. Alfalfa tries to talk him out of his fears, but truant officer Smithers happens along to personally usher both children to school himself.
Meanwhile, a husband and wife midget pair (George and Olive Brasno) walk out on their circus sideshow jobs. They disguise themselves as children to enjoy a day about town, but Smithers mistakes them for actual children and takes them to school. At school, the kids trudge through their Arbor Day recitals and songs (Alfalfa contributes a squeaky rendition of Joyce Kilmer's "Trees" set to music by Oscar Rasbach.) When the midgets-in-disguise offer to join in the show, they contribute a shimmy routine which shocks the entire audience of faculty and parents. The circus proprietor turns up to apprehend the two midgets, who, as they are carried away back to the circus, call out to the recital audience "Come over and see a good show sometime!" Principal Cass then informs Smithers he's fired, to Spanky and Alfala's delight.