Derby Day - 1923

Country: United States

Director: Robert F. McGowan

Writers: Hal Roach (story), H.M. Walker (titles)

Stars: Charles A. Bachman, Joe Cobb and Jackie Condon

Release Date: 18 November 1923 (USA)

Production Co: Hal Roach Studios

Sound Mix: Silent

Color: Black and White

Plot Keywords: Race Track | Derby | Boy | Horse Race | Goat  | Lemonade Stand | Mule |

Hot Dog | Horse Owner | Cow | Dog | Puppy Love | Band | Jockey | Dust Cloud | Policeman | Stealing Food | Girl | Sneaking In Without Paying | Fat Girl | Cat Versus Dog | Silent Comedy | Our Gang | Chinese Boy | Black Boy | Taking Off Pants | Fat Boy | Betting On Horse | Stable | Actor Shares First Name With Character

Genres: Short | Comedy | Family | Sport

After the gang goes to the horse races, they decide to have a derby of their own.

With a little bit of capital (specifically fifty cents) the gang is able to set up a lemonade stand and an adjoining hot dog stand near a race track. Mary stops by for some lemonade, while nearly charming the boys out of their socks. As the daughter of a horse owner, she manages to sneak them inside the track to watch the race. The whole thing is terribly exciting; and it gives Mickey an idea. The gang quickly abandons the idea of selling food and drink. Instead, they create their own race track. Of course, their own derby day is not quite like the adult version. Instead of horses, one boy has a cow, another a mule; a third rides in cart driven by a goat and a fourth in a dog-driven cart. Farina, whose vehicle is a tricycle, spikes the water of some of the animals beforehand. Before the race is through, the animals will be too drunk, lazy or overworked to finish. The horse race becomes a foot race.

Quotes

[first title card]

Title Card: Betting on a horse isn't the quickest way to lose money ~~ But it's the surest.

Title Card: The Gang ~ They have established a big business on borrowed capital ~ somebody loaned them fifty cents ~

Title Card: Jack ~ Some neighbors say he'll be hanged when he grows up ~ Others hope it will happen sooner ~

Mickey: The lemonade is great! Nobody'll ever know the pup fell in it ~

Title Card: Sing Joy ~~ Popular with the gang ~~ They can all lick him ~~

Title Card: The Horse Owner ~ He's not exactly dishonest ~ But is broadminded on the subject ~~

Ernie: Talk Inglish ~ Ah don't understand chop sooey!

Title Card: Derby Day ~ When a small boy gets a "great idea" there's only one safe thing for the neighbors to do ~ Move out ~

[last lines]

Mickey: Cops! The plant's pinched!