Three Smart Guys

This film appeared on at least one bootleg release.

Production 2844.

Release no. C-498.

Filmed May 13 to 18, 1943, over six days of shooting.

Released October 23, 1943. It was the 218th film in the series to be released.

All-talking one-reeler, lasting 10 minutes and 39 seconds.

Opening title: 'Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer presents Our Gang in "Three Smart Guys".'

Produced by M-G-M: The film credit reads: Produced by Loew's Incorporated.
Directed by Edward Cahn: This credit appears in the film.
Director of Photography: Jackson Rose, A. S. C.: This credit appears in the film.
Film Editor: John D. Faure: This credit appears in the film.
Screen Play by Hal Law and Robert A. McGowan: This credit appears in the film, but without McGowan's middle initial.
Art Director: Paul Youngblood: Not listed by Maltin & Bann. This credit appears in the film.
Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer: Indicated in the opening title card.
Western Electric Sound System: As indicated in the film.
Approved by the Production Code Adminstration of the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America
Passed by the National Board of Review: As indicated in the film.
Teacher: Fern Carter

Billy "Froggy" Laughlin as "Froggy" aka "Billy": Featured role. He has the idea to act up in class, as well as the time-saving trick with the chalk and the eraser.
Bobby Blake as "Mickey": Featured role. He has a fair share of the dialogue among the three hooky players.
Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas as "Buckwheat": Featured role. He's virtually on equal footing with Froggy and Mickey as the three play hooky.
Janet Burston as "Janet": Small part. She answers a question in class, and meets the boys after school.
other kids: Extras. There are perhaps twenty-five more kids in the classroom. Maltin & Bann list Eleanor Taylor, who might be the girl whose face is shown directly over Froggy's as Janet answers the math question, and Marlene Kisker, who might be the girl sitting behind Mickey, but I'm not positive.

Leo: Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.
other animals: Bit parts and extras. The only remaining animals are the two fish seen underwater, and the one that Buckwheat catches, as well as several more that had been caught by the old man.

Marta Linden as "Miss Pillsbury," the teacher: Supporting role. She punishes the boys for acting up in class.
Edward Fielding as the fisherman: Small part. He lectures the boys on the importance of an education.

"Our Gang" by David Snell: This is played over the opening titles. This is the earlier recording, used prior to "The Big Premiere" (no. 189). This is a medley of three songs:
(1.) "London Bridge" - The earliest reference to this nursery rhyme is in a play from 1659, and it was associated with children by 1720. It may derive from a part of the "Heimskringla" by Snorri Sturluson, which was composed around 1225.
(2.) "Mulberry Bush" - Also known as "So Early In The Morning" and "This Is The Way." It was probably originally called "Here We Go Round The Bramble Tree" in the mid 18th century, with the type of tree changed by inmates of Wakefield Prison, who exercised around a mulberry bush.
(3.) "The Farmer In The Dell" - This nursery rhyme is of uncertain origins.
"The Gang Goes Home" by David Snell: This is a shorter version of "Our Gang," including only "London Bridge."

At the start of the film, Froggy is reading Dynamo Dick Electrifies The Saboteurs, no. 74 in the series.

The gang goes to Greenpoint Public School.

In the category of unseen characters is Janet's "Uncle John."

See page 236 of Maltin & Bann's book for this film's expenses and profits. This film suffered a loss at the box office.