Commencement Day

film no. 26

availability:

Our Gang Silent Comedies Volume 3 (VHS) from Video Classics and

Our Gang Comedies III (VHS) from The Picture Palace

This copy is a TV print from the Mischief Makers series entitled "Little Red Schoolhouse." The print totals 12:23, with 12:09 of it original footage. Roughly two-thirds of the original film is included.

DVD-R Sampler (DVD-R) from Grapevine Video

Released 2002. This is also the TV print, but with a new opening title card, and one in the middle of the film, by Grapevine.

special note

I've been able to view some of this film on home movie prints, which retain the original inter-titles.

technical details:

the crew:

Produced by Hal Roach

Probably credited in the film as a presenter.

Directed by Robert F. McGowan and Mark Goldaine

This credit probably appears in the film, but without McGowan's middle initial. According to Rob Stone's list, Goldaine was the sole director. Goldaine was listed as "Mark Haldane" in the 1977 edition of Maltin & Bann's book.

Photographed by Harry W. Gerstad

This credit derives from the weekly studio payroll summaries, which indicate that Gerstad was the regular Our Gang cameraman during this period. He is no longer shown to be working with the unit by the time of the January retakes.

Titles by H. M. Walker

This credit probably appears in the film.

Story by Hal E. Roach

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
• still photographer - Bud "Stax" Graves
• transportation director - Bob Davis
• school teacher - Fern Carter

possible uncredited involvement

• editing - Credit usually went to Thomas J. Crizer during this period, but Richard Currier and Bert Jordan were also in the editorial department.
• writing - Robert F. McGowan, Thomas J. Crizer and Leo McCarey may have been among the gag writers.
• property department - Charles Oelze was probably involved in this capacity, and possibly Sherbourne Shields and Roy Seawright.
• animal training - Tony Campanaro was probably among the animal trainers.

the kids:

Mickey Daniels as "Mickey"

Lead role. He's basically the lead character, beating up the bully, and performing violin in front of the class.

Mary Kornman as "Mary"

Featured role. She's picked on by the bully, which leads to Mickey defending her. She's humiliated in front of the class when she can't remember the words to "Mary Had A Little Lamb."

boy 003 as "Snoozer"

Featured role. He's the bully, and picks on anybody that happens to be nearby.

Joe Cobb as "Joe"

Supporting role. He's the victim of a practical joke out in the yard, then plays his saxophone in front of the class.

Allen "Farina" Hoskins as "Farina"

Supporting role. He falls in the well, which brings all the parents outside to his rescue.

Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison

Supporting role. Maltin & Bann indicate that the nickname was used. He operates the merry-go-round in exchange for some lunches.

Jackie Condon

Supporting role. He plays a few practical jokes during the course of this film.

Ivadell Carter

Supporting role. She's the first kid picked on by the bully, at least in this print, and is with Mary in the scene leading to the big fight. I'm almost certain this is her. Maltin & Bann list her first name as Wadell.

boy 007a

Small part. He's the studious boy in Harold Lloyd glasses listed by Maltin & Bann as Billy Lord. However, I don't think Billy Lord appeared in any of the films he's listed for.

Andy Samuel

Small part. He's basically a background kid in this film, without anything too specific to do. He's one of the three boys that take a ride on Ernie's merry-go-round.

girl 021

Bit part. The fat girl from "Derby Day" (no. 21).

boy 021

Bit part. At least I think it's him. He's sits in one of the back row seats in the classroom, and is also seen during the fight.

Jannie "Mango" Hoskins

Presumed bit part. According to Maltin & Bann. She doesn't appear in the TV print.

Peggy Ahern

Extra. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. She's seen sitting behind Snoozer in the classroom.

other kids

Bit parts and extras. In addition to the kids already mentioned, there are about 10 kids in this film.

the animals:

dog 001

Small part. This was the last appearance of this original Our Gang dog, until he returned for one last time in "The Sun Down Limited" (no. 31).

Dinah the Mule

Small part. She provides locomotion for the laundry line turned merry-go-round.

mule 026

Bit part. This is the white mule that pokes its head in the window during the sneezing scene.

other animals

Supporting roles, small parts and bit parts.
(1.) Mary's goat, which Snoozer has to kiss after Mickey beats him up.
(2.) Mickey's toad, which is stuck in the back of his shirt until it ends up at the end of his violin bow.
(3.) The dog that licks the pepper off of the sucker.

the adults:

George B. French as the teacher

Supporting role. Featured fairly strongly in this film.

Dorothy Vernon as Mickey's mom

Small part. She's the woman who gets a look of pride on her face as Mickey gets up to perform.

Gus Leonard as the man with the earhorn

Small part. The frog ends up in his earhorn.

Charley Young as one of the parents

Bit part. He's the man sitting next to Vernon.

Lillian Lawrence as one of the parents

Bit part. Not listed by Maltin & Bann. She sits to the right of Young.

Lyle Tayo as Mary's mom

Bit part. She sends Mary off to school, but we don't get a good look in this print.

Helen Gilmore as Joe's mom

Presumed bit part. According to Maltin & Bann. She doesn't appear in the TV print, but may be in an earlier scene as Joe is leaving for school.

other adults

Bit parts and extras. One additional man and one additional woman play parents at the commencement ceremony. There's also a black maid at the school.

miscellaneous:

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