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Another MGM Our Gang comedy that has next to nothing to do with Our Gang, the one-reel Helping Hands gets under way when Spanky McFarland receives a letter from his recently drafted older brother. Inspired by the letter's patriotic sentiments, Spanky and the gang organize a "home guard," prepared to do battle should the Nazis invade California. This attracts the attention of Army Major Sanford (Sam Flint), who informs the kids that they would be of even greater service to Uncle Sam by looking out for fire hazards, collecting scrap metal and paper, and encouraging their parents to buy war stamps and bonds. The humor level of this film can be gauged by the final gag, in which a group of diapered babies march down the street under the banner "Infantry." Helping Hands was originally released on September 27, 1941.