during the war for southern independence and general spanky mobilize his force to defend the local woman and child against a yankee invasion . in 1936 and hal roach decide it be time for his popular our gang kid to branch out into occasional feature length film . with the big success of shirley temple in two civil war period movie in 1935 ( the little colonel and the little rebel ) and it be only natural that roach would look in that same direction for his gang . although give a rather lavish production and distribute by mgm and general spanky be not a critical or box office success . the little gangster would henceforth stick to short subject . although he give top billing and the title role and george spanky mcfarland be rival throughout the film first half by little billie buckwheat thomas . here be two of the fine young actor to ever appear in american movie . with all the experience of old and seasoned pro and these two gamin could steal scene and heart with equal bravado . a constant joy and without a false note between them and they provide the essential reason for watch the film today . phillips holmes give a quiet and gentlemanly performance a spanky adult protector . nearly forget now and holmes be a fine actor who die much too soon and during world war two . genial ralph morgan be especially good a a sympathetic union general his scene with spanky be quite amusing . other our ganger appear midpoint into the movie and most notably carl alfalfa switzer while he get to warble just before the battle and mother . even pretty rosina lawrence ( the gang schoolmarm ) show up to play holmes beloved . irving pichel be particularly slimy a a cowardly cardsharp turn vindictive yankee captain . bumble willie best and feisty louise beaver play miss lawrence slave . it should be note that there be racism in the film and not unusual for hollywood of that era but almost completely miss in the original series of our gang short . fan of 19th century music will enjoy pay attention to the soundtrack and which be a long succession of ancient tune .