technical details:
Production G-36.
Release no. C-333.
Filmed June 17 to 25, 1930. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.
Cutting continuity submitted July 29, 1930.
It appears that MGM either failed to copyright this film back in 1930, or copyrighted it under a different title. Because of this, it is treated as a public domain film.
Released November 22, 1930. It was the 102nd film in the series to be released.
All-talking two-reeler.
Opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "School's Out".'
Talking title: 'Hal Roach presents, for your entertainment and approval, His Rascals in their latest "Our Gang" Comedy, entitled "School's Out."
King World Productions episode no. 31, available in both colorized and original black-and-white versions.
the crew:
- Produced by Hal Roach
- Credited in the film as a presenter.
- Direction by Robert F. McGowan
- This credit appears in the film, but without his middle initial.
- Photographed by Art Lloyd
- This credit appears in the film.
- Edited by Richard Currier
- This credit appears in the film.
- Recording by Elmer Raguse
- This credit appears in the film.
- Dialogue by H. M. Walker
- This credit appears in the film. Studio documentation credits him as a story editor.
- Animal Trainer: Harry Lucenay
- He was Pete's owner and trainer.
- 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
- School Teacher - Fern Carter. The additional kids in this film were taught by Mrs. Grace Chapman, Mrs. A.
Campbell and Mrs. Kate Morrison.
- possible uncredited involvement
- assistant direction - Possibly Charles Oelze.
- writing - Robert F. McGowan probably headed story development, while Robert A. McGowan, Carl
Harbaugh, Jean Yarbrough, Charlie Hall and Harry Keaton 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.
the kids:
- Jackie Cooper as "Jack Cooper" aka "Jackie Cooper"
- Featured role. Most of the ideas for keeping Miss Crabtree from getting married are his.
- Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"
- Featured role. He gets plenty of dialogue, with a big crying scene at the end of the film.
- Norman "Chubby" Chaney as "Chubby Chaney"
- Featured role. He has a lot of the more humorous lines.
- Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins
- Featured role. The nickname wasn't used in this film, but does appear in the cutting continuity. He does most of the talking among the younger set.
- Mary Ann Jackson as "Mary" aka "Mary Ann Jackson"
- Featured role. She's present through most of the film, with her big scene being the one with Creighton Hale.
- Dorothy "Echo" DeBorba
- Supporting role. She accompanies Wheezer throughout the film, repeating most of what he says. This was her first film under her new five year contract. Presumably, she was a day worker
for her two earlier appearances. Her nickname was used in the publicity photos, though she's listed as "Dorothy" in the cutting continuity.
- Matthew Beard
- Supporting role. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He's with Wheezer and Dorothy throughout the film, adding comic punctuation to their scenes. The nickname wasn't used
in the film. A publicity photo refers to him only as 'a little pickaninny.' The cutting continuity refers to him as "Hercules," his name from the previous film.
- Bobby "Bonedust" Young as "Bonedust" aka "Robert"
- Supporting role. He sells the answers to the quiz, which backfires on him. The cutting continuity introduces him as "Bonedust (Robert Young)."
- Thomas "Buddy" McDonald as "Bud" aka "Buddy O'Donnell"
- Supporting role. Maltin & Bann list him as Buddy MacDonald. He's with the main kids throughout the film, but only has a few lines.
- Donald Haines as "Donald Haines"
- Supporting role. He's also with the main kids, with only a few lines of dialogue. He's listed as "Don" in the dialogue sheet, though Wheezer gives him the nickname
"Turkey." His full name is used in the cutting continuity.
- Bobby Mallon as "Bobby Mallon"
- Small part. He's mostly seen in the background in the classroom, but has his one joke answer to Miss Crabtree's question.
- Douglas Greer as "Douglas Greer"
- Small part. He's also seen in the background, but also has his one joke answer.
- Wallace Carter
- Extra. He's best seen to the left as Donald is standing to answer Miss Crabtree's quiz question. He's also seen in the doorway of the school as the kids talk to Creighton
Hale.
- Seessel Anne Johnson
- Extra. She sits right in front of Donald Haines in the classroom.
- George Savidan
- Extra. He sits in the front seat of the second row from the right.
- Barbara Jean Roach
- Extra. She sits right behind Douglas Greer, and is best seen as he says "Mrs. Lincoln." She was the daughter of Hal Roach's brother, Jack.
- Mildred Kornman
- Extra. She's listed in the payroll ledger, so she's presumably one of the kids in the classroom.
- Betty and Billy Allgrunn
- Extras. These two were Bob McGowan's niece and nephew. I don't yet know where they are in the classroom.
- other kids
- Bit parts and extras. Also in the classroom are Jimmy Peregoy, Billy Seay, Alice Ernest, Buddy Moore, Willie Savidan, Byron Wells, Jules
Molnar and Muriel Murray. One of the boys is referred to as "Bill," but two of them have this name, and he's too far away to be identified.
the animals:
- Pete the Pup III
- Supporting role. He accompanies the little kids in this film, without drawing much attention. He's still less than full-grown. Listed as "Petie the pup" in publicity
photos for this film, and "Pete" in the cutting continuity.
- Leo
- Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.
the talking titles:
- Beverly and Betty Mae Crane as the talking titles
- Small parts. They appear in addition to the opening title card, and in place of the crew credits.
the adults:
- June Marlowe as "Miss Crabtree"
- Featured role. She's featured strongly throughout the short, particularly during the quiz sequence.
- Creighton Hale as "Jack"
- Featured role. He visits his sister, Miss Crabtree, only to have his clothes stolen.
- Ida Allgrunn
- Bit part. She's the woman walking through the trees. She was Bob McGowan's sister, and the mother of Betty and Billy. Maltin & Bann identify her as Lyle Tayo.
- William Courtwright as the old man
- Presumed bit part. A publicity photo reveals that he appeared in deleted footage in which he carried a present to the school, presumably for Miss Crabtree.
- other adults
- The only adult remaining is the driver of the car in the background as Miss Crabtree drops off her brother.
the music:
- "Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield
- Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.
- (A1.) This is played over the opening titles and talking titles, and as we first meet Miss Crabtree and her brother. It's played again as Jackie tries to get the other kids
to sign the 'partition.' It's played again as the kids arrive at school and enter the schoolhouse.
- (A9.) The ninth version is played as the older kids discover that their pie is missing.
- (A3.) The third version is played as the kids lie about Miss Crabtree to her brother.
- (A6.) The sixth version is played as Farina confesses to Miss Crabtree.
- (A4.) The fourth version is played as Jack shows up in a dress and the little kids show up with his clothes and the end title appears.
- "Crabtree" by Leroy Shield
- Also known as "Girl & Stick." The middle 'laugh' segment of this tune is played very briefly as brother Jack teases Miss Crabtree. A more complete edit of the piece
is heard when Miss Crabtree picks up the kids in her car. The 'laugh' bit is heard again as Bonedust reacts to Chubby's correct answer.
- "Garden Gaities" by Leroy Shield
- This is played briefly as Miss Crabtree drops off her brother.
- "Wishing" by Leroy Shield
- Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. The second half of this is played as the kids contemplate the possibility of losing Miss Crabtree.
- piece 102
- This is a short effect piece played on a single violin as Wheezer reacts to what Farina says.
- "Teeter-Totter" by Leroy Shield
- This is played as Wheezer opens Jackie's lunchbox and Chubby arrives.
- "By Rote" by Leroy Shield
- This is played as the car pulls away, living the little kids behind in their wagon.
- "Riding Along" by Leroy Shield
- Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. This is played as the kids discourage Miss Crabtree from getting married. This is the faster version heard in "Teacher's Pet" (no. 101),
and it's played twice in a row, the first time without the introduction. This introduction is heard on its own as Wheezer looks into the window at the apples. The introduction is played
again as Donald is called.
- "Laugh" by Leroy Shield
- A small bit of this, the 'salute' bit, is played as Miss Crabtree and Wheezer wave to each other. This is the first of the four effect pieces with this title heard on the first
Beau Hunks CD. A bit of this same piece is played after Farina gives his first answer. The 'salute' bit returns as Jackie stands up in class. Another bit is played as Farina is
called a second time. The low note heard in this piece is played as Farina retreats to his seat. One chord is played as Jack discovers his clothes missing (the second chord played in
this scene). This low note is played again as Farina realizes the mistake they made with Miss Crabtree's brother.
- "The One I Love Best" by Leroy Shield
- Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Also known as "All The World (To Me)." Most of this piece is played as Miss Crabtree hands the apples to the three little kids. It returns
briefly as Miss Crabtree enters the classroom and questions Chubby. It returns briefly again as Miss Crabtree asks the class about her brother.
- "Little Dancing Girl" by Leroy Shield
- Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Also known as "Dancing Girl" and "Dancing Girls." A small part of the slower version of this tune is played as Miss Crabtree kicks the
bucket and walks back into class. The alternate xylophone-dominated version (heard on the second Beau Hunks CD) is played as brother Jack talks to Mary Ann.
- "Sneaking" by Leroy Shield
- Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played briefly as the little kids steal the older kids' lunches. It's played in full as the kids steal the clothes.
- "Ants (Hurry)" by Leroy Shield
- Also known as "Antics" and "Sneaking," but not to be confused with either of the other pieces with those names. This is played briefly as the kids decide to follow
Miss Crabtree's brother. Part of it is played again as Jack tries to avoid being seen by a woman walking down the path.
- "Confusion" by Leroy Shield
- This is played briefly as the kids hide the clothes. Part of it is played again as Miss Crabtree questions Bonedust.
- "Your Piktur" by Leroy Shield
- Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Part of the "School Room Suite." Two bits of this piece are played as Chubby says 'hunged', only to be corrected with 'hanged'. Two
more bits of this are played as Miss Crabtree reacts to Jackie's answer. Another bit is played as Farina stands up a second time.
- "Stand Up" by Leroy Shield
- One chord from this effects piece is played the first time Farina stands up. More of the piece is played as Miss Crabtree reacts to Farina's answer. Isolated chords are played as
Donald gives his answer and sits back down as Miss Crabtree frowns. Two more chords are played as Douglas Greer stands and as Miss Crabtree reacts to his answer. Another chord is played as
Miss Crabtree reacts to Bobby's answer. Another bit is played as Mary Ann stands up. One more chord is played as Jack discovers that his clothes are missing (the first of the two
chords in this scene).
- "Fliver Flops" by Leroy Shield
- Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. A small bit of this piece is played as Miss Crabtree asks the children if they're trying to be funny. Another short bit is played as Miss Crabtree makes
her second threat. Another short bit is played as Miss Crabtree threatens to punish the next child severely.
- "Hide And Go Seek" by Leroy Shield
- Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. A small bit of the introduction to this piece is played as Miss Crabtree quizzes Buddy.
- "Ezra" by Leroy Shield
- Also known as "Ears." Part of this piece is played as Miss Crabtree quizzes Bobby.
the locations:
- Hal Roach Ranch
- District School No. 6 was located here. The spot where Miss Crabtree picks up the kids was the access road leading into the ranch.
- Ballona Creek, Culver City
- The swimming scene and presumably the earlier creek scene were shot here.
miscellaneous:
8 shooting dates went into the making of this film. Two and a half weeks after shooting finished for "Teacher's Pet" (no. 101), the 'start' date for
"School's Out" arrived on June 17th. Shooting continued until the 'finish' date of June 25th. No shooting took place on June 22nd, which was a Sunday. After this, four
and a half weeks passed before the Our Gang unit began filming "Helping Grandma" (no. 103). The studio was closed during one of those weeks.
In the category of unseen characters, this film has the most famous of them all, "Miss McGillicuddy."
When Miss Crabtree asks about what George Washington said when he crossed the Delaware, and Mary Ann replies "Boo-boop-pa-doop," this is a reference to a song called "What
Did Cleopatra Say?" The response comes from the song, which was introduced in the 1930 film "Paramount On Parade," and sung by Helen Kane.
A publicity photo reveals a deleted scene with William Courtwright, reprising his role as the old man from "Teacher's Pet" (no. 101). The photo shows him showing up
at the school with a wrapped present and talking to Jackie Cooper.
This film's status as the sequel to "Teacher's Pet" is corroborated by the press release.
Footage left over from the establishing shot of the school was used in "Love Business" (no. 104).
The script submitted to MGM was given the catalog number B591.
Reel one ends after Creighton Hale says 'Hello boys, what's on your mind?'
A clip from this film was used in the Spike Lee feature "Bamboozled," which was released on Oct. 20, 2000.
See anything that needs changing? Contact me at BtheW@aol.com.