Bored Of Education

technical details:

Production K-1.

Release no. C-581.

Filmed mid-July 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 - Bud "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.

girl 146

Extra. She sits behind Buckwheat.

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.

boy 136

Extra. He sits in front of Alfalfa.

other kids

Extras. There are six 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 listed Dorian Johnston in the 1977 edition of their book, and added Robert "Spike" Lentz to the 1992 edition without removing Johnston's name. This was the same mistake they made for "Sprucin' Up" (no. 137), where two names end up on the list for one kid. In any event, none of these kids look like either Lentz or Johnston to me. Patsy Barry signs photos for this film, and I think she might be one of the brunette girls outside the school. She also signs classroom photos as well, but is identified as a different kid in those.

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.

George Washington

The Unfinished Portrait 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:

I've been able to verify July 13th and 14th as the first two days of shooting, but I haven't come across any subsequent dates. Shooting probably continued until close to the end of that week. 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.

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.

availability:

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 8 (VHS) from Cabin Fever and

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Volume Two (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 10:06. This version has appeared on numerous bootlegs. There's also a clip lasting 0:03 included in the opening advertisement of all the Cabin Fever VHS releases, showing Porky licking his lips.

The Little Rascals Volume 8: Collector's Edition (VHS) from Hallmark Home Entertainment

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

The Little Rascals Remastered & Unedited Vol. 7 & Vol. 8 (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 Digitally Remastered - Collector's Edition III (DVD) from Hallmark Home Entertainment

Released Nov. 15, 2005. This derives from the Cabin Fever release.

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

Released late Oct. 2008. This is identical to the Cabin Fever version. There are also four clips from this film shown in the main menu.

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

Canadian release.

The Little Rascals Colorized Collection (VHS) from Hallmark Home Entertainment

Released Apr. 19, 1999. One of six same-named VHS releases, each with three colorized films, deriving from the Cabin Fever versions.

The Little Rascals Volume 2 (VHS) from Spotlite Video

Released 1985. 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, but the soundtrack is a bit shaky. The original footage totals 9:37, but the original soundtrack lasts an additional 0:19.

The Little Rascals Book X (VHS) from Blackhawk Video

This is the Blackhawk print.

The Little Rascals: Bored Of Education/Arbor Day (VHS) from Republic Pictures Home Video

Released May 1991. This is the Blackhawk print.

Rascal Dazzle (VHS/LD) from Embassy Home Entertainment

Original film released 1981. Video released 1984. A clip lasting 0:36 is included, showing the kids looking glum on the school steps, with music and narration added.

Jackie Remembers Our Gang - Memories From Little Rascals Family Theater (VHS/DVD) from Jackie Taylor

A clip lasting 3:32 is included, showing various scenes from the film.

© Robert Demoss.