When the Wind Blows
"The Gang's All Here in a Gale of Giggles!"
Plot
On a blustery spring night, young Jackie is punished by his father for refusing to finish his homework, leading him to defiantly toss his schoolbook out the window. After overhearing his parents speaking affectionately about him, a remorseful Jackie climbs out to retrieve the book but finds himself accidentally locked out of the house. His frantic and noisy attempts to break back in are mistaken by his parents for a prowler, prompting them to call for the local law enforcement. As Officer Kennedy arrives to investigate, the situation descends into chaos involving a real burglar, a terrified Farina, and a neighborhood-wide panic over 'spooks' and intruders.
About the Production
Filmed between November 29 and December 10, 1929, this short was the 97th entry in the 'Our Gang' series. It was one of the early 'all-talking' shorts produced by Hal Roach as the studio transitioned from silent films to sound. Notably, the film was also produced in a Spanish-language version titled 'Las Fantasmas' to cater to international markets, a common practice for Roach during the early talkie era. The production utilized sophisticated (for the time) sound recording equipment to capture the atmospheric whistling of the wind, which serves as a central comedic and narrative device.
Historical Background
Released in 1930, 'When the Wind Blows' arrived during the 'Great Depression' and the 'Talkie Revolution' in Hollywood. During this period, short subjects like 'Our Gang' were essential components of the cinema-going experience, providing escapism for families facing economic hardship. The film's focus on domestic discipline and the fear of 'burglars' reflected common middle-class anxieties of the era, while the technical transition to sound was still a novelty that studios used as a primary marketing draw.
Why This Film Matters
The 'Our Gang' series is historically significant for being one of the first major Hollywood productions to feature an integrated cast of Black and White children playing as equals. 'When the Wind Blows' specifically represents the peak of the 'Jackie Cooper era' of the gang, shortly before he became a major child star in features like 'Skippy'. It also serves as a bridge between the silent era's visual comedy and the dialogue-driven humor of the 1930s.
Making Of
Director James W. Horne, known for his work with Laurel and Hardy, brought a more slapstick-heavy and atmospheric style to this short compared to the series' usual director, Robert F. McGowan. The production faced significant challenges with the early 'Vitaphone' style sound recording, as the 'wind' noise had to be carefully balanced so it wouldn't drown out the child actors' dialogue. The child actors were reportedly genuinely startled by the loud wind machines and the dark, shadowy sets designed to mimic a spooky night. Additionally, the 'Spanish version' of the film involved the same sets but often different supporting actors, though the main children remained the same, sometimes coached phonetically to deliver lines in Spanish.
Visual Style
Art Lloyd utilized low-key lighting and heavy shadows to create a 'haunted' neighborhood atmosphere, which was quite advanced for a comedy short of 1930. The use of deep focus in the outdoor night scenes helped sell the illusion of a vast, windy neighborhood despite much of it being filmed on the Roach backlot.
Innovations
The film is an early example of using sound as a narrative 'red herring,' where the audience and characters are led to misinterpret natural noises as something more sinister. It also demonstrated the studio's ability to sync complex sound effects with physical comedy.
Music
The soundtrack is notable for moving away from the typical jazz-based scores of earlier shorts. It features an orchestral mix of popular songs of the day, including 'My Man', and heavily emphasizes foley effects for the wind and various 'bumps in the night'.
Famous Quotes
Kennedy the Cop: 'It's a fine night for a murder, isn't it?'
Jackie: 'I'm not going to do my lessons! I'm not! I'm not!'
Farina: 'I's gwine to hide where the spooks can't find me!'
Memorable Scenes
- The opening sequence where the wind is so strong it blows the windows open in Farina's house, causing him to believe ghosts are entering.
- Jackie trying to climb back through his bedroom window while his father stands just on the other side of the door, unaware of the 'burglar' outside.
- The climax where Edgar Kennedy tries to act brave while investigating the alley, only to be bombarded by a 'stampede' of cats.
Did You Know?
- This was the first 'Our Gang' film to feature a synchronized background music score throughout.
- The film marks the final appearance of Edgar Kennedy as 'Kennedy the Cop' in the Our Gang series.
- In one scene, a shot of Edgar Kennedy was printed in reverse so he would appear to be pointing his gun in the correct direction; this is evidenced by his badge being on the wrong side and the signs in the background appearing backwards.
- The film was originally titled 'The Spooks' during its early production phase.
- A scene involving a large number of cats being thrown into an alley by the crew was criticized by later animal welfare observers.
- The role of Jackie's mother was long misidentified as Rosemary Theby but was actually played by Caroline Cooke.
- Farina's mother was also misidentified for years as Emma Reed; she was actually portrayed by Gertrude Howard.
- All scenes featuring Allen 'Farina' Hoskins were removed from the 1970s 'Little Rascals' television syndication package due to racial sensitivities, though they were later restored for uncut airings.
- The wind effects were created using large studio fans, which were so loud they often interfered with the primitive microphones used in 1930.
What Critics Said
At the time of release, trade papers like Motion Picture News praised the short for its 'spooky' atmosphere and the natural performances of the children. Modern critics often highlight the film's effective use of sound and shadow, though some find the 'cat-throwing' scene and certain racial stereotypes of the era difficult for contemporary audiences. It is generally regarded as one of the better-directed shorts of the early sound period due to James W. Horne's experienced hand.
What Audiences Thought
Audiences in 1930 responded enthusiastically to the 'spooky' theme, which was a popular trope in early sound comedies. The character of 'Kennedy the Cop' was a fan favorite, and his interactions with the mischievous children provided the reliable laughs that made the series a staple of American culture.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Silent 'spooky' comedies of the 1920s
- German Expressionism (visual style)
This Film Influenced
- The Little Rascals (1994)
- Home Alone (thematic similarities of a child defending a home/locked out)
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Film Restoration
Fully preserved and restored. It was included in the 'ClassicFlix' restoration of the Hal Roach 'Our Gang' sound shorts.