Habitually mistreated at the deceptively named Happyland Home Orphanage, the Our Gang kids find a loyal and kindhearted friend in the form of a black grownup named Uncle Tom. Alas, Tom's own children -- including real-life siblings Allen "Farina" Hoskins and Jannie "Mango" Hoskins -- are carted off to Happyland by the cold-hearted county officials. Farina, Mango, and the other kids escape the cruel orphanage in the dead of night, while Uncle Tom, preparing for their return, "borrows" food, clothes, and furnishings from various merchants. Inevitably, the authorities catch up with Tom and the kids, but a friendly Judge decides to institute much-needed reforms at Happyland, beginning with the installation of Tom as the orphanage's chief cook. The role of Uncle Tom was played in blackface by white actor Tom Wilson. The silent, two-reel Our Gang comedy Bring Home the Turkey was originally released on January 16, 1927.
by Hal Erickson
synopsis
