Boys Will Be Boys
Date: 1935
Director: William Beaudine
Production Company: Gainsborough Pictures, Gaumont British Picture Corporation
Stars: Will Hay, Jimmy Hanley, Gorden Harker
Location(s): Hertfordshire
Region(s): South East A-D
Storyline:
A teacher in a prison applies for the position of headmaster at a public school.
Additional Information:
Replacement screen captures by Phil Wilkinson
This is the first screen appearance of Will Hay in what became his famous schoolmaster role.
The setting is loosely based on the works of ‘Beachcomber’, Major John Bernard Arbuthnot, where Narkover is a school specialising in gambling and extortion, and the headmaster is a ‘Dr. Smart-Allick’.
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We are aware that there are films on the site that were added when the criteria for the inclusion of locations was very different from today and, as a result, there may be scenes missing from some productions. Please do not forward additional screen captures to us but bring the detail to our attention, for we do, and are, 're-addressing' these older entries as time allows.
- Capture 1
- 'Now' required
The Boys of Narkover School prepare to greet their new Headmaster. This is the entrance to North Mymms Park near Welham Green in Hertfordshire.
- Capture 2
- Pre 2008
Dr. Alec Smart's taxi brings him to his new school. Facing the south-east on Tollgate Road in North Mymms with East Lodge to the right. Location found by John Gomez.
Looking in the same direction, John Gomez took this shot.
- Capture 3
- Pre 2008
Cyril Brown (Jimmy Hanley) checks on Jennings and the detonator that will set off a real Narkover reception. The gates to North Mymms Park on Tollgate Road located by John Gomez. The bridge beyond the gates also appears in 'The Horror of Frankenstein' while the house can be seen in 'Girls Will Be Boys' and 'Wedding Rehearsal'.
John provides this view of the same gates.
- Capture 4
- Pre 2008
As the cab comes to a halt the detonator is pressed, setting off pyrotechnic screeches and screams in a cloud of smoke. Outside Octagon Lodge on Tollgate Road, North Mymms identified by John Gomez.
Octagon Lodge now captured by John Gomez.
- Capture 5
- 'Now' required
The new Headmaster is dragged away by the taxi after one of the boys attaches a rope between the carpet he is standing on and the vehicle's bumper. Tollgate Road in North Mymms.
- Capture 6
- 'Now' required
Still on the carpet, Dr. Alec Smart (Will Hay) gets up after the taxi comes to a stand. Facing north from the southern end of Dixons Hill Road, North Mymms. The A1(M) now cuts through the view.
- Capture 7
- 'Now' required
As the Boys' laughter fills the air, the taxi moves off again causing Dr. Smart to fall back onto the carpet. This is the War Memorial situated in the triangle formed by the junction of Tollgate Road, Dixons Hill Road and St. Mary's Church Road.
- Capture 8
- 'Now' required
The cab drags the Headmaster back towards the school gates. The gateway to St. Mary's Church Road on Tollgate Road, North Mymms.
- Capture 9
- 'Now' required
Still struggling to get off the carpet, Dr. Smart continues on his uncomfortable journey. East Lodge facing Tollgate Road.
- Capture 10
- 'Now' required
The taxi reaches the Boys at the gate before stopping. Looking towards Octagon Lodge and the gates to North Mymms Park on Tollgate Road.
- Capture 11
- 'Now' required
Following the initiation, Dr. Alec Smart is carried into the school. Facing Octagon Lodge on Tollgate Road in North Mymms, Hertfordshire.
- Capture 12
- 'Now' required
A team of Old Boys runs onto the pitch to play against the Teachers and Boys on Narkover School's Founder's Day.
- Capture 13
- 'Now' required
The rugby match gets under way.