Housemaster (1938)

This British film of 1938, set in a public school, features a caning scene right at the beginning when the housemaster of the title, played by Otto Kruger, is seen chastising a pupil. The film is based upon the novel by Ian Hay, first published in 1936, and an excerpt from the opening chapter of the book is appended.

'All over! You can remove yourself now.' Mr Donkin restored the cane to its residence in the locked cupboard below the study window. The very young gentleman addressed, Master Bimbo Farringdon, was at the moment occupying two chairs simultaneously. These were set back to back in the middle of the study and Bimbo was kneeling on a book laid upon the one with his head well down upon the seat of the second, his slender form thus presenting the maximum surface for chastisement.

Upon hearing his housemaster's words, Bimbo gave a resolute gulp, straightened himself painfully, and descended from his lexographical perch. The Moke had only given him a quick five, but the Moke was an experienced and conscientious performer over any distance.

'Did it hurt?' enquired Mr Donkin, his back still turned. 'Yes sir,' replied Bimbo, applying clandestine massage.

'I meant it to. Otherwise we should both have been wasting our time...And now for heaven's sake don't get sent up to me again. Do you think I enjoy beating people?'

'Some of the fellows think you do, Sir.'

Mr Donkin gazed down upon the small, freckled, deferential, impudent face before him. 'Oh, they do, do they? You have my authority to correct that impression. Now go and examine your disgusting stripes before a mirror! Do you do that?'

'Usually, Sir.'

'So did I. Out!'

Bimbo slid from sight and joined the other fifty-three assorted Bimbos who constituted the Red House of Marbledown School.