When The Wind Blows

technical details:

Production G-31.

Release no. 256.

Filmed November 29 to December 10, 1929. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Also filmed in Spanish as "Las fantasmas" with the same production number. The picture negative for the Spanish version survives, but not the soundtrack. The Spanish version was 1,865 ft.

Title sheet prepared by H. M. Walker on December 26, 1929.

Cutting continuity submitted January 24, 1930.

Copyrighted February 10, 1930, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP1061. Renewed June 24, 1957, with registration no. R194352. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2025.

Released April 5, 1930. It was the 97th film in the series to be released.

All-talking two-reeler.

Opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "When The Wind Blows".'

Opening title in Spanish version: 'Hal Roach presenta Sus Actores Chiquitos en "Las Fantasmas".'

King World Productions episode no. 16, available in both colorized and original black-and-white versions.

the crew:

Produced by Robert F. McGowan for Hal Roach

This is how Maltin & Bann put it. The film credits Roach as a presenter, and doesn't mention McGowan at all, who was vacationing in Hawaii during the making of this film, as prescribed by his doctor to calm his nerves.

Directed by James W. Horne and Charles Oelze

Horne is the only one credited in the film and by Maltin & Bann. Rob Stone's list reveals that he co-directed with Oelze on the first day of filming. At least one piece of studio documentation lists Horne as Horn. He's also credited in the Spanish version.

Assistant Director: Don Sandstrom

This credit derives from studio documentation.

Photographed by Art Lloyd, A. S. C.

This credit appears in the film. He's also credited in the Spanish version.

Film Editor: Richard Currier

This credit appears in the film. He's also credited in the Spanish version.

Story Editor: H. M. Walker

This credit appears in the film. He's also credited in the Spanish version.

Recording Engineer: Elmer Raguse

This credit appears in the film. He's also credited in the Spanish version.

Story by Robert F. McGowan

This credit doesn't appear in the film.

Animal Trainer: Harry Lucenay

He was Pete's owner and trainer.

Spanish language coach: Miss Laurel Peralta

She's listed in the payroll ledger as a Spanish instructor during this period. There was another Spanish instructor listed in the summaries named Robert O'Connor, but he may have worked with other filming units. During the week ending Dec. 14th, a Spanish stenographer named Pilar Rives began to be listed.

Teacher: Fern Carter

Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Indicated in the opening title card.

Passed by the National Board of Review

As indicated in the film.

A Victor Recording, Western Electric System

As indicated in the film.

studio personnel

general manager - Warren Doane

assistant general manager - L. A. French

secretary-treasurer - C. H. Roach

assistant secretary - Mat O'Brien

construction supervisor - C. E. Christensen

laboratory superintendent - Charles Levin

optical effects supervisor - Roy Seawright

still photographer - Clarence "Stax" Graves

transportation director - Bob Davis

possible uncredited involvement

editing - Louis McManus probably edited the Spanish version.

cutting - Possibly Lloyd Campbell.

writing - Robert A. McGowan, Jean Yarbrough, Charlie Hall, Harry Keaton and Carl Harbaugh may have been among the gag writers.

property department - Charles Oelze, Don Sandstrom, Thomas Benton Roberts and Bob Saunders were probably involved in this capacity.

titles - Louis McManus probably designed the main titles, as well as the Spanish title cards.

animal training - Tony Campanaro may have been among the animal trainers.

the kids:

Jackie Cooper as "Jackie"

Lead role. He locks himself out of the house at night and tries to find another place to sleep. The cutting continuity mentions his full name. His character name in the Spanish version was "Juanito." Spanish publicity material lists him as Juanito Cooper.

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Supporting role. He's spooked by all the noise in his neighborhood. His character name was the same in the Spanish version.

Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins as "Wheezer"

Supporting role. He's Jackie's little brother and a constant source of irritation for him. His character name was the same in the Spanish version.

Mary Ann Jackson as "Mary"

Supporting role. She's visited by Jackie in the night, and is revealed at the end of the film to be Chubby's sister. Listed in the cutting continuity as "Mary Ann." Her character name in the Spanish version was "Maria." Spanish publicity material lists her as Maria Jackson.

Norman "Chubby" Chaney as "Chubby"

Small part. He's awakened by a rock thrown at his window by Jackie. His character name was the same in the Spanish version. Spanish publicity material lists him as Chubby Chaney.

Betty Jane Beard as "Hector"

Small part. She's Farina's little brother.

in still images

An aristocratic boy on a horse is shown in the portrait above Jackie's bed. Publicity photos show this clearly.

the animals:

Pete the Pup (no. 1) as "Petie" aka "Pete"

Supporting role. He seems to be Wheezer's dog more than the family dog, so he attacks Jackie. The spelling of his nickname derives from the cutting continuity. Listed in the press release as "Pete, the pup." His character name was "Pepe" in the Spanish version. Spanish publicity material lists him as "Pepe el perrito."

Leo

Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.

cat 080

Bit part. Presumably the same tabby as seen previously. He's seen exiting a garbage can.

other animals

Bit parts.

About five or six other cats spook Kennedy.

in still images

A horse is shown in the portrait above Jackie's bed.

the adults:

Edgar Kennedy as "Kennedy"

Featured role. He spends his time trying to find a burglar that doesn't exist, and ends up arresting one that does. He also appeared in the Spanish version with the same character name. He's given onscreen credit in the Blackhawk print.

Charles McAvoy as "Henry," Jackie's father

Supporting role. He spanks Jackie for not studying.

Julian Rivero as "Enrique," Juanito's father

Supporting role. He plays McAvoy's role in the Spanish version

Caroline Cooke as Jackie's mother

Supporting role. She's a lot less strict than her husband. She also played this role in the Spanish version.

Gertrude Howard as Farina's mother

Small part. She takes the laundry out into the wind. She's listed in the cutting continuity as "Mammy." She also appears in the Spanish version.

Alex Apple as Chubby's father

Small part. He asks Kennedy "What are we paying taxes for?"

Joe De La Cruz as Chubby's father

Small part. He plays Apple's role in the Spanish version.

Mary Gordon as Chubby's mother

Small part. She's in the same scenes with her husband.

Mary Lopez as Chubby's mother

Small part. She plays Gordon's role in the Spanish version.

Louis Hickus as the burglar

Small part. Jackie lands on him and knocks him out, after which Kennedy arrests him. He also appeared in the Spanish version. Later known as Lou Hicks.

Chet Brandenburg as the flustered man in shirt sleeves.

Bit part. He's the one that comes up to Kennedy to ask where the fire is. He also appeared in the Spanish version. Listed in the payroll ledger as Chet Brandy.

other adults

Bit parts.

(1.) The man who talks to Kennedy early in the film and says that it's a "fine night for a murder." He looks pretty similar to Hickus, which might make sense within the story, having the burglar brazenly say this line to the cop before he starts looking for a house to rob. Also listed in the ledger is Ham Kinsey, but I'm finding it difficult to make the connection since we only see the guy from the side.

(2.) The stunt double for Jackie Cooper, who somersaults off the porch. Maltin & Bann credit David Sharpe, who isn't mentioned in the ledger. It looks to be a young man, or perhaps a teenager, but I don't think it looks like Sharpe. Charles Bimbo is listed in the ledger, and was known for doing tumbling tricks, but should have been too old to be the young guy in the film. However, he worked on the same two days, Dec. 4th and 5th, as Donald Henderson, so if Henderson was a stunt double, perhaps Bimbo was there to coach him. The later shot of Jackie landing on the burglar is clearly of a dummy.

(3.) Farina's father, who didn't make it into the finished film. This should be either Kenneth Ingraham or Henry Smith, both of whom worked on days when Gertrude Howard and Betty Jane Beard were present. Whichever of them DIDN'T play this role must have also wound up on the cutting room floor.

in still images

Abraham Lincoln is shown in a portrait on Jackie's bedroom wall.

the music:

"That Old Gang Of Mine" by Ray Henderson

Written in 1923 with lyrics by Billy Rose and Mort Dixon. An instrumental version is played over the opening titles and continues until we see Farina's mother. It returns at the end of the film as Jackie's parents discover the rip in his nightshirt and the end title is shown. According to the Victor ledgers, this recording comes from the reel one sound disc for "Wiggle Your Ears" (no. 84) and was dubbed onto this soundtrack.

piece 097a

This is played during the opening sequence with Farina and his mother, and Kennedy's first two scenes, where it's interspersed with "Me-ow", piece 080i and piece 097b. It's played again, in part, during Jackie's scene at Farina's house, and as Kennedy first walks in. A small part is played as Chubby snores and a few seconds more of it is played after the rock goes through his window. A small bit of it is played as Jackie's father summons Kennedy.

"Me-ow" by Mel B. Kaufman

Published in 1918 with lyrics by Harry D. Kerr. Part of this is played as Kennedy gets spooked by the cat in the trash can. A shorter bit is played later when Kennedy gets spooked by several cats.

piece 080i

About two seconds of this is played as Farina walks towards the door and turns around to speak to his mother. The same bit is played as Jackie throws the rock at Chubby's window.

piece 097b

This is a short effects piece played as Farina says 'no, not much.' This same bit is played as the rock hits Chubby's window.

"Never Mind Bo Peep" by Victor Herbert

Published in 1903 as part of "Babes In Toyland," with lyrics by Glen MacDonough. An instrumental segment is heard as Jackie gets spanked, which corresponds to the lyrics 'Don't cry, Bo Peep, don't cry.'

"Dance Of The Jacks" by Poldini

Also known as "Danse des Valets." This is played as Jackie's dad scolds him.

piece 080j

This is played as Jackie sits on the tack and the boys go to bed.

"Flirtation" by Sommer

This is played as Jackie's parents look in on him. "Music Box" appears midway through.

"Music Box" by Paul Lincke

This is played as the middle section of "Flirtation."

"Marionette" by Felix Arndt

Published in 1914. This arrangement is by J. S. Zamecnik. This is played as the parents leave and Jackie looks at the portrait of Lincoln.

"Toddling" by Erno Rapee and Dr. William Axt

An edit of this piece is played as Jackie locks himself out.

piece 084h

A split second of this ending bit is played directly after the previous piece, making it clear that the soundtrack for "Wiggle Your Ears" (no. 84) served as a source for some of these tunes.

piece 097c

This is played as Jackie tries to get back in and his mother summons Kennedy.

piece 097d

This is played during the sequence in which Farina is taking care of Hector and is interspersed by piece 084f, piece 097e and piece 097f. It returns in the scene where Kennedy is in Farina's house. It's then played a bit more as Chubby screams and wakes his parents and Kennedy arrives.

piece 084f

This is played as Hector cries.

piece 097e

This is played as Farina rocks the cradle. It returns as Farina rocks the cradle so quickly that it sounds like a fire alarm.

piece 097f

This is a very short piece played as Hector sleeps.

piece 080c

Part of this piece is played as Chubby's parents talk to Kennedy. It's played again as Jackie pulls down the pile of boxes. It's played again during the scene where Jackie takes refuge in Wheezer's room. A very short bit of it is played as Kennedy climbs over the fence. It then is played a last time while Kennedy talks to Jackie's parents.

"Winter March" by Alphons Czibulka

A very short part of this piece is played after the flower pot lands on Kennedy's head.

piece 080b

A couple of seconds of this piece is played as Kennedy's jacket gets caught on the nail.

piece 097h

This is the effects piece played as Kennedy thinks he's being held up.

piece 097i

This is played as Kennedy finally makes it to the window to talk to Jackie's dad.

piece 097j

This is played as Mary writes her letter.

"Mon Homme" by Maurice Yvain

Also known as "My Man." English lyrics were added by Channing Pollack in 1920. Performed in the Ziegfeld Follies by Fanny Brice in 1921. Both instrumental versions from "Wiggle Your Ears" (no. 84) are played in this film back-to-back, while Jackie is in Mary Ann's bedroom.

piece 097k

This is played as Jackie knocks out the burglar.

piece 097l

This piece is similar to piece 097a and is played as Kennedy arrests the burglar.

miscellaneous:

10 shooting dates went into the making of this film. Nearly two weeks after shooting finished for "The First Seven Years" (no. 96), the 'start' date arrived for "When The Wind Blows" on Nov. 29th. Shooting continued until the 'finish' date of Dec. 10th. No shooting took place on Dec. 1st or 8th, which were both Sundays. James W. Horne directed on each of the shooting dates, but shared directorial duties with Charles Oelze on Nov. 29th. After this, over a week passed before the Our Gang unit began filming "Bear Shooters" (no. 98).

The reels change as Farina is on the floor rocking the cradle with his foot.

Robert F. McGowan was currently vacationing in Honolulu while this short was being filmed. Reportedly, his doctor ordered him to take six months off, but he was only gone for one.

Publicity photos reveal that Farina had a father in footage deleted from this film.

The press release states that the story takes place in Our Gang Town.

On July 6, 2014, "Las Fantasmas" was screened at the 19th International Sons of the Desert Convention at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood.

The script submitted to MGM was given the catalog number B674.

See anything that needs changing? Contact me at BtheW@aol.com.

© Robert Demoss.