SCHOOL'S OUT(1930) Matthew 'Stymie' Beard, Norman 'Chubby' Chaney & Jackie Cooper | Comedy | B&W

School's Out is a 1930 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. Produced by Hal Roach and released to theaters by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, it was the 102nd Our Gang short to be released.

SYNOPSIS
The morning ride to school in Miss Crabtree's roadster was always an adventure for the gang. They had grown fond of their teacher, and their minds were occupied with two pressing concerns: the looming threat of summer break and the mistaken identity of Miss Crabtree's brother.

As they settled into the car, whispers and hushed conversations ensued among the kids. Jackie, ever the proactive leader, was busy drafting a petition to keep the school open during the summer. He feared losing Miss Crabtree's guidance and warmth during the break, not to mention the possibility of her getting married and leaving them for good.

Meanwhile, the rest of the gang exchanged worried glances, convinced that Miss Crabtree's brother, whom they knew as "Jack," was actually a potential suitor. Determined to discourage him, they plotted elaborate schemes to scare him away. Little did they know, their misidentification would lead to comical chaos later in the day.

Their fears escalated when, during lunchtime, a man named "Jack" arrived at the school looking for Miss Crabtree. Assuming him to be a suitor, the kids panicked and spun wild tales about their teacher to dissuade him. Outlandish lies filled the air: "She has two false sets of teeth and one wooden leg!" one exclaimed. "She's got seven husbands!" another chimed in, "And twenty-one kids!"

Meanwhile, Jackie, Farina, and Chubby decided to take matters into their own hands. They followed "Jack" to the nearby lake, where he went for a swim. In a desperate attempt to keep him away from Miss Crabtree, they stole his clothes, leaving him to wander around dressed in leaves and branches.

The day was filled with chaos and confusion, as the gang's efforts to protect their beloved teacher led to a series of misadventures. But through it all, their bond grew stronger, and their determination to keep Miss Crabtree at their side remained unwavering.

CAST & CREW
Jackie Cooper as Jackie Cooper
Norman Chaney as Chubby Chaney
Matthew Beard as Hercules
Dorothy DeBorba as Echo
Allen Hoskins as Farina
Bobby Hutchins as Wheezer
Mary Ann Jackson as Mary Ann Jackson
Donald Haines as Donald Haines
Buddy McDonald as Buddy O'Donnell
Bobby Young as Robert 'Bonedust'
Pete the Pup as himself
Douglas Greer as Douglas Greer
Bobby Mallon as Bobby Mallon
June Marlowe as Miss Crabtree
Creighton Hale as Jack Crabtree
Lyle Tayo as Woman on path
Mildred Kornman as Classroom extra
Barbara Roach as Classroom extra
Beverly and Betty Mae Crane as the title readers

Directed by: Robert F. McGowan
Written by: H. M. Walker
Produced by: Hal Roach
Cinematography: Art Lloyd
Edited by: Richard C. Currier
Music by: Leroy Shield, Marvin Hatley
Distributed by: MGM
Release date: November 22, 1930
Running time: 20 minutes, 38 seconds
Country: United

NOTES
A sequel to Teacher's Pet, School's Out was the second of six Our Gang shorts to feature June Marlowe as Miss Crabtree. This was also Bobby Young's first talkie short in Our Gang. When shown on television as part of King World's The Little Rascals package beginning in the 1970s, School's Out was edited to remove racial humor and stereotypes relating to African-Americans.

The kids lost their last teacher, Miss Magillicuddy, when she got married. In the 1930s, female teachers were usually not allowed to continue their profession after marriage.

School's Out is one of four sound Our Gang shorts that fell into the public domain after the copyright lapsed in the 1960s (the other three being Bear Shooters, Our Gang Follies of 1938 and Waldo's Last Stand). As such, these films frequently appear on inexpensive video and/or DVD compilations.