General Spanky (1936): cast, story & where to watch
1936 · Film · ★ 4.7
Released in 1936, General Spanky is a comedy, war and family film directed by Gordon Douglas, running about 71 minutes.
What it’s about. Orphaned shoeshine boy Spanky is working on a Mississippi riverboat during the Civil War. There he befriends young runaway slave Buckwheat. After wronging a vicious gambler, Spanky and Buckwheat are forced to jump ship. Finding solace at a nearby house, the two are picked by Marshall Valiant for an important mission. This inspires Spanky to organize the local kids to form a small army of their own.
Who’s in it. General Spanky stars George McFarland as Spanky Leonard, Phillips Holmes as Marshall Valient, Ralph Morgan as Yankee General and Irving Pichel as Simmons, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 4.7/10, General Spanky has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch General Spanky page.
If you liked it. Fans of General Spanky tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch General Spanky (1936)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for General Spanky change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is General Spanky worth watching?
- General Spanky holds an audience score of 4.7 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, war and family. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in General Spanky?
- General Spanky stars George McFarland, Phillips Holmes, Ralph Morgan, Irving Pichel and Rosina Lawrence.
- When was General Spanky released?
- General Spanky was released in 1936, with a runtime of about 71 minutes.