technical details:
Production K-1.
Release no. C-581.
Filmed July 13 to 16, 1936. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.
First previewed at the Stadium on August 5, 1936.
Title sheet prepared by Elmer Raguse on August 6, 1936.
Negative shipped on August 13, 1936.
Cutting continuity submitted August 19, 1936.
Released August 29, 1936. It was the 146th film in the series to be released. The reissue of the book lists Aug. 20th, while the 1977 edition, and Maltin's earlier book, list Aug.
29th, which makes it the usual Saturday release.
Copyrighted September 3, 1936, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP6593. Renewed November 1, 1963, with registration no. R324749. This copyright is
currently due to expire at the end of 2031.
All-talking one-reeler.
Opening title: 'Hal Roach presents Our Gang in "Bored Of Education".' This film was the first with a new title design.
King World Productions episode no. 11a, available in both colorized and original black-and-white versions.
the crew:
- Produced by Hal Roach
- Credited in the film as a presenter.
- Directed by Gordon Douglas
- This credit appears in the film.
- Assistant Director: Don Sandstrom
- This credit derives from the production sheets.
- Photography: Art Lloyd, A. S. C.
- This credit appears in the film.
- Assistant Cameraman: Ernie Smith
- This credit derives from the production sheets.
- Film Editor: William Ziegler
- This credit appears in the film. Maltin & Bann credit William Randall.
- Sound: William Randall
- This credit appears in the film.
- Animal trainer: Tony Campanaro
- He trained the current Pete.
- 1st Prop Man: Bob Saunders
- This credit derives from the production sheets.
- 2nd Prop Man: Dick Varni
- This credit derives from the production sheets.
- 1st Grip: Bones Vreeland
- This credit derives from the production sheets.
- 2nd Grip: Jaques
- This credit derives from the production sheets, which don't reveal the last name.
- Script Clerk: Ellen Hansen
- Later known as Ellen Corby. This credit derives from the production sheets.
- Wardrobe: Mary
- This credit derives from the production sheets, which don't reveal the last name.
- Makeup: Jack Casey
- This credit derives from the production sheets.
- Hairdresser: Peggy Zardo
- This credit derives from the production sheets.
- Gaffer: J. Hollywood
- This credit derives from the production sheets.
- Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Indicated in the opening title card.
- Passed by the National Board of Review
- As indicated in the film.
- Western Electric System
- As indicated in the film.
- Approved by the Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America
- Certificate no. 2431.
- studio personnel
- general manager - David Loew until early to mid 1936. He was replaced by Mat O'Brien, who was also secretary and treasurer.
- vice president in charge of production - S. S. Van Keuren
- Roach's assistant on production activities - Lawrence Tarver
- assistant secretary-treasurer, comptroller - Hugh Huber
- film editor and sound department - Elmer Raguse
- story department - Jack Jevne
- casting - Joe Rivkin
- publicity and advertising - Fred Purner
- art department - Arthur I. Royce
- construction department - C. E. Christensen
- paint department - James Follette
- property department - W. L. Stevens
- electrical department - William Lewis
- laboratory superintendent - Charles Levin
- process department - Roy Seawright
- still photographer - Clarence "Stax" Graves
- musical director - Marvin Hatley
- men's wardrobe - Harry Black
- women's wardrobe - Dorothy Callahan
- purchasing department - Russell Walker
- cashier - Mrs. M. Van Keuren
- paymaster - Mrs. Grace Cash
- transportation director - Bob Davis
- garage - Walter Johnson
- commissary - W. M. Furlong
- school teacher - Fern Carter
- possible uncredited involvement
- writing - Hal Yates, Carl Harbaugh, Hal Law, John Guedel, Felix Adler, Harry Langdon, Richard Flournoy and Gordon Douglas
may have been among the gag writers.
- property department - Charles Oelze was probably involved in this capacity.
the kids:
- Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer
- Lead role. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He pretends to have a toothache, and ends up singing with a stopper caught in his throat.
- George "Spanky" McFarland
- Featured role. The nickname wasn't used in this film. Everything that happens to Alfalfa is Spanky's idea.
- Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas
- Supporting role. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He's left out of Spanky and Alfalfa's scheme.
- Eugene "Porky" Lee
- Small part. The nickname wasn't used in this film. He eats Darla's apple.
- Darla Hood
- Small part. She's the only one who's excited about the first day of school.
- Baby Patsy May
- Extra. Her photo is shown during the opening credits, but she isn't noticeable in the film. However, she does appear in publicity photos for the scene in front of the school.
- Joe "Corky" Geil
- Extra. He sits behind Alfalfa.
- Harold Switzer
- Extra. He sits behind Spanky.
- John Collum
- Extra. He sits behind Corky.
- Sidney Kibrick
- Extra. He sits to the right of Corky.
- Natalie Lowell
- Extra. She sits behind Buckwheat.
- Genie Lowe
- Extra. He's the Asian boy sitting behind Porky. Otherwise known as Eugene Lowe.
- Daniel Boone
- Extra. He sits behind Sidney.
- Donald Proffitt
- Extra. He sits behind Harold.
- Dickie DeNeut
- Extra. He sits in front of Sidney.
- Barbara Goodrich
- Extra. She sits in the back of Buckwheat's row.
- Billy Minderhout
- Extra. Also known as Billy Mindy. He sits in front of Alfalfa.
- Barbara Bletcher
- Extra. She sits two seats behind Porky.
- Patsy Barry
- Extra. She's seen in the opening scene in front of the school. There's a famous photo of this scene in which she's on the left side, and copies of this photo often have
her signature. She's also signed classroom photos as well, but is identified as a different kid in those.
- other kids
- Extras. There are four additional kids in the classroom, and perhaps one or two shown outside the school in the opening scenes that didn't make it into the classroom scene. Maltin
& Bann list Dorian Johnston in both editions of their book, and added Robert "Spike" Lentz for the 1992 edition. The payroll ledger doesn't mention either of them
regarding this production.
the animals:
- Pete the Pup IV
- Bit part. He's shown outside the school at the beginning of the film.
- Leo
- Bit part. The MGM lion appears at the opening of the film.
the adults:
- Rosina Lawrence as "Miss Lawrence"
- Featured role. She's given onscreen credit. She's the new teacher and isn't easily fooled.
- Jack Egan as the ice cream man
- Small part. He delivers ice cream to the school.
- in still images
- The Unfinished Portrait of George Washington is hanging in the classroom.
the music:
- "Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield
- Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.
- (A15.) This is played over the opening titles and as we first see the school. The second verse is repeated as Spanky and Alfalfa eat ice cream and the end title appears.
- "Good Morning To You" by Mildred J. Hill and Patty Smith Hill
- First published in 1893 as "Good Morning To All" in a songbook called Song Stories For The Kindergarten. In this film, Alfalfa sings it outside, and later, the class
sings it to Miss Lawrence. The song was rewritten with new lyrics as "Happy Birthday To You."
- "Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms" by Thomas Moore
- This melody was put to the poem My Lodging It Is In The Cold Ground, and first printed that way in 1737, but probably existed long before that. Moore put new words to the
melody in 1808. The melody was also used for "Fair Harvard." The Moore song was a number ten hit for John McCormack in 1911. In this film, it's sung by Alfalfa. Marvin
Hatley received arrangement credit for this version, which was copyrighted on May 18, 1936.
locations:
- Hal E. Roach Studios
- This entire film was shot at the studio, no doubt on Stage 4.
miscellaneous:
Four shooting dates went into the making of this film. Almost five months had passed since shooting finished for "Arbor Day" (no. 145). Shooting started on July 13th
and continued until July 16th. After this, six days would pass before the Our Gang unit began work on "General Spanky" (no. 150).
Here's a breakdown of the production costs:
wk. ending July 4 - $381.07.
wk. ending July 11 - $1676.30.
wk. ending July 18 - $2604.49.
wk. ending July 25 - $317.77.
wk. ending Aug. 1 - $281.62.
wk. ending Aug. 8 - $56.33.
wk. ending Aug. 15 - $254.37.
As can be seen, the highest dollar amount occurred during the week of shooting. The second highest amount is for the previous week, which probably reflects the writing process. Later
weeks reflect the editing and printing stages of production.
On July 10th, the Evening Vanguard of Venice, CA, reported the following: "Production starts next week on the heaviest schedule in the more than twenty-two
years' history of the Roach studios. Filming opens on the series of twelve 'Our Gang' shorts. 'Spanky' McFarland will be featured with Darla Hood, 'Alfalfa'
Switzer, 'Buckwheat' Thomas, 'Porky' Lee and 'Baby Patsy' May. It marks the fifteenth year for 'Our Gang.' "
July 18, 1936, was considered by the studio to be the 15th anniversary of the Our Gang series. A reunion took place at the studio that day with Allen 'Farina' Hoskins, Jackie
Condon, Mary Kornman, Johnny Downs, and Joe Cobb. Newsreel footage was shot showing the former Gangsters with the current group. Messages were read from Jackie Cooper, Mickey Daniels, and
Dickie Moore. Also present were four Our Gang directors: Bob McGowan, Gus Meins, Fred Newmeyer, and Gordon Douglas. A Los Angeles Examiner article of July 19th mentions that
Newmeyer (erroneously identified as Fred Kenmeyer) directed the first film. It also states that "Pete the Pup IV barked the greeting for his great-grandfather, the
original monocled dog, who was unable to be present because of personal appearances in Atlantic City." Also not able to attend were Jackie Davis, who was on a European tour, and
Sunshine Sammy, who was conducting an orchestra in New York. "Hal Roach, Jr., announced that the studio was organizing an Our Gang Club, whose members were to consist of the 35
children who have been under contract with Our Gang. Every effort is to be made to locate each one of these children, and a monthly News Letter will be sent out to each of those
located. . . Each person present was presented a silver loving cup as a momento of the luncheon and their association with Our Gang."
Prior to filming this short, the Our Gang kids went on a nationwide tour beginning on April 12th in Duluth. Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, and Darla, were joined by Pete the Pup, Harold
Switzer, and master of ceremonies Joe Cobb. The tour was cut short in June while visiting Detroit. All of the kids came down with the measles, except Alfalfa.
The negative cost on this film was $18,471.78.
An item of August 13, 1936, reveals that this short was shown as part of the "Our Gang" Review along with "Arbor Day" (no. 145) 'from last season's
schedule' and a silent classic, "The Big Show" (no. 7).
The same press item states that "Bored Of Education" was the first of the new season's series of twelve one-reelers on school days. This is almost correct, as over
half of the season's releases dealt with school.
The date of the first day of school in this film is Sep. 14th.
This film won the Academy Award for Best One-Reel Short of 1936. The awards ceremony took place on Mar. 4, 1937.
The script submitted to MGM was given the catalog number B357.
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