Boys To Board

film no. 10

availability:

Our Gang Silent Comedies Vol. 5 (VHS) from Video Classics and

Our Gang Comedies V (VHS) from The Picture Palace

This is a home movie print from Exclusive Movie Studios, Inc., in Chicago, called "Boarding House Frolics." It's of very poor picture quality, with mostly original inter-titles and one that's not. The ending title card is generic. The print total 13:00, with 12:45 of it original footage. Roughly two-thirds of the original film is included.

Rascals Silents Vol. 2 (VHS) from A-1 Video

This is a TV print from the Mischief Makers program called "Boarding School." The opening title has been replaced by an A-1 title card, but the one from the TV print can be seen for a split second. The end title has been replaced with a Pathé ending title card, no doubt put there by A-1. All of the inter-titles have been removed. The picture quality is less than ideal, but a lot better than the Video Classics print, which is also missing some of the footage seen in this print. The print totals 12:32, with 12:16 of it original footage. Roughly two-thirds of the original film is included. Watching this version with the Video Classics version might bring the total to roughly three quarters.

Our Gang Silent Comedies Vol. 9 (VHS) from HenryButch

This is the TV print.

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Probably credited in the film as a presenter.

Directed by Tom McNamara

This credit probably appears in the film.

Photographed by Len Powers

This credit is based on Powers' payroll status as the Our Gang cameraman during this period. Harry W. Gerstad was also involved with the series during this period.

Titles by H. M. Walker and Tom McNamara

This credit probably appears in the film, but may omit McNamara's name.

Story by Hal E. Roach and Tom McNamara

This credit probably doesn't appear in the film.

Released by Pathé Exchange, Inc.

Passed by the National Board of Review

Probably indicated in the film.

studio personnel

• general manager - Warren Doane
• assistant general manager - L. A. French
• secretary-treasurer - C. H. Roach
• construction supervisor - C. E. Christensen
• purchasing superintendent - John L. Murphy
• still photographer - Gene Kornman
• transportation director - Bob Davis
• school teacher - Fern Carter

possible uncredited involvement

• supervision - Charles Parrott (better known as Charley Chase) was still director-general at the studio when this film was made, but had stepped down by the time of its release.
• editing - Credit usually went to Thomas J. Crizer during this period, but Richard Currier and Bert Jordan were also in the editorial department.
• titles - Tom McNamara probably illustrated the title cards.
• writing - Robert F. McGowan, Tom McNamara, Thomas J. Crizer and Leo McCarey may have contributed gags.
• property department - Charles Oelze was probably involved in this capacity, and possibly Roy Seawright.
• animal training - Tony Campanaro was probably among the animal trainers.

the kids:

Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison

Featured role. Maltin & Bann indicate that the usual nickname was used, but these prints don't reveal anything. He appears pretty much throughout the film, delivering Joe to the boarding school, then having to wash dishes to pay for the damage his dog has done. He then helps the boys escape that night.

Joe Cobb

Featured role. He's the new boy at the boarding school, and appears in most of the scenes.

Jackie Condon

Featured role. He provides some comic relief in the classroom, being the victim of a pea-shooter, and ultimately getting the dunce cap.

Mickey Daniels

Featured role. He mostly causes mischief in the classroom and gets into a fight with Jack Davis.

Jack Davis

Supporting role. Most of what he does is ensemble work, but he's clearly a main player in this film.

Andy Samuel

Supporting role. This is one of the few films he was strongly featured in prior to Jack Davis's departure from the series. He later said that he was often used for the more risky stuff, since he was 13 at the time. It may be him doubling for the other boys as they climb down the rope they've made out of sheets.

Allen "Farina" Hoskins

Supporting role. There's no indication whether or not his nickname was used in this film. He gets relatively little screen time, at least in these prints, but is the one that leads the gang into the bootlegger's hideout.

the animals:

dog 001

Small part. This is Ernie and Farina's dog, who causes some damage after chasing the cat around.

mule 007 as "The Sheik"

Small part. The mule that pulls Ernie's wagon is "Featherfoot" from "The Big Show" (no. 7). Maltin & Bann list Dinah, but she doesn't appear in these prints.

other animals

Bit parts.
(1.) Joe's cat, which he bring along in a travel bag. Possibly the cat from "Our Gang" (no. 1).
(2.) An owl seen in a single shot at the bootlegger's hideout.

the adults:

Richard Daniels as "'Pop' Malone"

Featured role. He's the benevolent patriarch of the orphanage and decides to escape with the kids. He's seen pretty much throughout the film.

Helen Gilmore as "'Mother' Malone"

Featured role. She's the nasty old woman who eventually caves in when her husband returns home with renewed confidence.

Clara Guiol as the household helper

Supporting role. She appears sporadically and is terrified of Gilmore.

Charles Stevenson as "'Moonshine' Mose"

Small part. He's the bootlegger and appears towards the end of the film.

Wallace Howe as the sheriff

Small part. He appears towards the end to arrest Stevenson.

the music (sort of):

"America (My Country 'Tis Of Thee)" by Samuel F. Smith

The music first appeared in Thesaurus Musicus in 1744. Smith added the lyrics in 1832. The inter-titles reveal that this is the song sung by the schoolboys at the beginning of the film. Interestingly enough, even though the TV print removes the inter-titles, the soundtrack still plays this tune.

miscellaneous:

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