Readin' And Writin'

technical details:

Production G-4.

Release no. C-434.

Filmed September 30 to October 10, 1931. See the 'miscellaneous' section below for details.

Title sheet prepared by Richard Currier on November 5, 1931.

Cutting continuity submitted November 14, 1931.

Copyrighted December 17, 1931, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Corporation. Registration no. LP2702. Renewed March 5, 1959, with registration no. R232199. This copyright is currently due to expire at the end of 2026.

Released January 2, 1932. It was the 111th film in the series to be released. This release date is according to Richard Lewis Ward's A History Of The Hal Roach Studios, which makes it a Saturday release, as per normal for Roach films of this era. Maltin & Bann list it as a February 2, 1932 release.

All-talking two-reeler.

Opening title: '"Our Gang" Comedies - Hal Roach presents His Rascals in "Readin' And Writin'".'

King World Productions episode no. 8, available in both colorized and original black-and-white versions. This version is listed as "Readin' & Writin'."

the crew:

Produced by Robert F. McGowan for Hal Roach

This is the way Maltin & Bann put it. The film credits Roach as a presenter, with a separate credit reading "A Robert McGowan Production."

Directed 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.

Dialogue by H. M. Walker

This credit appears in the film.

Recording Engineer: Elmer Raguse

This credit appears in the film.

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.

Western Electric System

As indicated in the film.

studio personnel

general manager - Warren Doane was replaced in Nov. 1931 by Henry Ginsberg

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 - Bud "Stax" Graves

transportation director - Bob Davis

school teacher - Fern Carter

possible uncredited involvement

assistant direction - Possibly Don Sandstrom.

writing - Robert F. McGowan probably headed story development, while Robert A. McGowan, Carl Harbaugh, Frank Terry, Billy Gilbert and Charlie Hall 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.

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

animation - Probably the work of Roy Seawright.

the kids:

Kendall "Breezy Brisbane" McComas as "Brisbane"

Lead role. He disrupts the class to get himself expelled. He's called "Brisbane" in the dialogue, but the cutting continuity otherwise refers to him as "Breezy." This was his series debut.

Matthew "Stymie" Beard

Featured role. The nickname wasn't used in this film, but appears in the cutting continuity. He's paired up with Wheezer and takes care of his little sister. He refers to himself as "Puddin' Tane," though the continuity spells it "Puddin' Tame."

Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins

Featured role. The nickname isn't used in this film, but appears in the cutting continuity. He's paired up with Stymie, and has to keep Pete out of the classroom. He refers to himself as "John Brown."

Sherwood Bailey as "Sherwood"

Supporting role. He recites a sappy poem for the teacher.

Dorothy "Echo" DeBorba as "Dorothy Betty Jane DeBorba"

Supporting role. She and Miss Crabtree each think the other is hard of hearing. The cutting continuity lists her full name as "Dorothy, Betty Jane DeBorba." Presumably, the comma is the result of the pause in the dialogue.

Donald Haines as "Donald"

Small part. He has to repeatedly go outside to see about the car horn.

Betty Jane Beard as "Marmalade"

Small part. She's seen at the beginning of the film, mostly giving the raspberries, and then at the end bringing the skunk into the class. Identified by Maltin & Bann as her sister Carlena.

Patsy Britten as "Patsy"

Bit part. She confuses 'alligator' with 'escalator.'

girl 111a as "Bobby"

Bit part. She doesn't think Miss Crabtree could lay an egg. The spelling of the character name derives from the cutting continuity, where it's also indicated that this kid was a boy.

girl 111b

Bit part. This is the girl that defines the word 'acre.'

boy 111a

Bit part. This is the tall blonde boy that Wheezer apologizes to.

boy 111b

Bit part. This is the little blonde boy that sits directly to the left of Stymie in class.

other kids

Bit parts and extras.

(1.) The girl that plays "Pansy," whose father is in prison.

(2.) 12 additional kids in the classroom. A 1932 casting directory states that Billy Melman was one of these kids, but I'm not able to spot him in the footage.

the animals:

Pete the Pup III as "Pete" aka "Petey"

Supporting role. He follows Wheezer to school and perches himself on the teacher's desk.

mule 111

Small part. Brisbane brings this mule into the classroom. Maltin & Bann list Dinah the Mule, but this is clearly a new mule.

skunk 014

Bit part. Marmalade brings this skunk into the classroom. Presumably the same skunk as seen before.

Leo

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

bugwatch

Can you spot the bug crawling on "Bobbie"?

the adults:

June Marlowe as "June Crabtree" aka "Miss Crabtree" aka "Crabby"

Featured role. It's the first day of school, and she has the challenge of dealing with Brisbane.

Otto Fries as the blacksmith

Small part. He talks with Brisbane about a kid he knew that got expelled.

May Wallace as Wheezer's mother

Small part. She tells Wheezer to leave Pete at home.

Lyle Tayo as Brisbane's mother

Small part. She wants her son to be president.

Harry Bernard as the fruit vendor

Small part. He watches as Wheezer walks off with some free apples.

the music:

"Fanfare" by Leroy Shield

This is played over the MGM lion.

"Good Old Days" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931.

(A1.) This is played over the opening titles, and continues as we're introduced to Miss Crabtree, Stymie and Marmalade. It's played again, and mostly repeated as Brisbane sets up his pranks in the classroom and with the other kids. One verse is repeated as Marmalade brings the skunk into the classroom.

"Little Dancing Girl" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Also known as "Dancing Girl" and "Dancing Girls." This is played and the middle part is partially repeated as we're introduced to Wheezer and Brisbane. It's played again as Miss Crabtree quizzes the students and Brisbane decides to learn the poem. This is the version reproduced on the first Beau Hunks CD.

"Bride's Song" by Leroy Shield

Most of this piece is played as Wheezer and Stymie are walking to school. Most of it is repeated as Brisbane returns to class and recites.

"Intermezzo" by Leroy Shield

About half of this piece is played as Wheezer gives up on trying to teach Stymie math.

"Candy Candy" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. This is played as Brisbane visits the blacksmith. The introduction is played as Sherwood recites the last verse of his poem.

"Antics" by Leroy Shield

A short part of this piece is played as the blacksmith gives Brisbane the idea to get expelled.

"Hide And Go Seek" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. A short part of this piece is played as Pete tries to play baseball. Another short part is played as Miss Crabtree chases the mule out of the classroom.

"Riding Along" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Dec. 23, 1930. This is played through, minus the introduction, and mostly repeated as Brisbane teases Sherwood about his poem and plays with the car horn in class.

"Dash And Dot" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted 1930. This is played during Dorothy's shouting match with Miss Crabtree.

"The One I Love Best" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. Also known as "All The World (To Me)." The first part of this piece is played as Miss Crabtree tries to talk with Wheezer and Stymie.

"In My Canoe" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played as Sherwood starts his poem and Brisbane is sent into the hall. This is the version reproduced on the first Beau Hunks CD.

"Dog Song" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Aug. 13, 1931. Part of this is played as Pete jumps onto Miss Crabtree's desk.

piece 111

This is a short effect piece played as Brisbane brings the mule into the classroom.

"Look At Him Now" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted 1931. Half of this piece is played as Miss Crabtree expels Brisbane.

"Beautiful Lady" by Leroy Shield

Copyrighted Jan. 10, 1931. This is played as Brisbane happily leaves class and then realizes his mistake.

piece 108

This is played over the end title.

the locations:

Hal Roach Ranch

District School No. 6 was located here. Also, the blacksmith shop seen in this film was located at the ranch, and was right next to the school. It was later featured in "Roamin' Holiday" (no. 156). The barn seen directly across from the blacksmith shop was previously featured in "It's A Bear" (no. 27).

miscellaneous:

10 shooting dates went into the making of this film. Four and a half weeks had passed since shooting finished for "Dogs Is Dogs" (no. 110). The studio was closed during one of those weeks. The 'start' date for "Readin' And Writin'" arrived on Sep. 30th, and shooting continued until the 'finish' date of Oct. 10th. No shooting took place on Oct. 4th, which was a Sunday. After this, three and a half weeks passed before the Our Gang unit began filming "Free Eats" (no. 112). The studio was closed for one of those weeks.

Patsy Britten's work permit reveals that she worked on October 5th and 7th.

Brisbane's club is called The Secret Order of the Winking Eye.

Reel two begins as Dorothy hands the note to Miss Crabtree.

The script submitted to MGM was given the catalog number B575.

availability:

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 4 (VHS) from Cabin Fever and

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Volume One (4 LD set) from Cabin Fever

Released July 6, 1994. Also released as part of 12 VHS boxed set. This is a complete original print with excellent picture quality. The total footage lasts 20:47. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs. There are also three clips included in the opening advertisement of all the Cabin Fever VHS releases. The 1st lasts 0:02, and shows Miss Crabtree with Pete. The 2nd lasts 0:02, and shows Stymie greeting Miss Crabtree. The 3rd lasts 0:03, and shows Brisbane saying goodbye to Miss Crabtree. There's also a clip lasting 0:01 included in the opening montage of all the Cabin Fever releases, which shows Pete's eyes bulging out.

The Little Rascals Volume 4: Collector's Edition (VHS) from Hallmark Home Entertainment

Released Aug. 15, 2000. Also included as part of The Little Rascals Volumes 1-5: Collector's Edition (5 VHS set) and The Little Rascals Volumes 1-10: Collector's Edition (10 VHS set), both released Aug. 15, 2000.

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 3 & Vol. 4 (DVD) from Cabin Fever

Same contents as the Cabin Fever VHS releases. Also released as part of The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited (6 DVD set).

The Little Rascals (DVD) from Hallmark Home Entertainment

Released Aug. 19, 2003. This is a copy of the Cabin Fever version.

The Little Rascals - The Complete Collection (8 DVD set) from Genius Products

Released late Oct. 2008. This is identical to the Cabin Fever release.

Little Rascals: Readin' And Writin' & Bored Of Education from Cabin Fever

Canadian release.

The Little Rascals: Readin' And Writin'/Mail And Female (VHS) from Republic Pictures Home Video

Released May 1991. This is a home movie print from Blackhawk. The opening title and crew credits are remade, but the end title is original. The picture quality is very good. The original footage totals 20:17, but the original soundtrack lasts an additional 0:22.

The Little Rascals Book V (VHS) from Blackhawk Video

This is a home movie print from Blackhawk.

Rascal Dazzle (VHS/LD) from Embassy Home Entertainment

Original film released 1981. Video released 1984. A clip lasting 0:02 is included, showing Pete's eyes popping out, with music and narration added. Another clip lasting 1:10 is included, showing Wheezer and Brisbane being sent off to school, with music and narration added.

© Robert Demoss.