BAGGY TROUSERS – Behind the Scenes

About the audio | Behind the Scenes | Cast and Crew | Distribution
Extra | Grint’s Quotes |

Recording: 25 November 2003

Behind the Scenes

  • “Down with skool” is Molesworth’s very own manifesto and the first of the four books:

    • Down with Skool! A Guide to School Life for Tiny Pupils and their Parents (1953); How to be Topp: A Guide to Sukcess for Tiny Pupils, Including All There is to Kno about Space (1954); Whizz for Atomms: A Guide to Survival in the 20th Century for Fellow Pupils, their Doting Maters, Pompous Paters and Any Others who are Interested (1956) (Published in the US as Molesworth’s Guide to the Atommic Age); Back in the Jug Agane (1959); The Compleet Molesworth (1958, all four books in one, as Molesworth (2000 Penguin reprint), ISBN 0-14-118600-3

  • The title of the audio actually is “Baggy Trousers”. “Down with Skool” is the title of the book the audio is based on. “Molesworth” is the name of the book series, hence the four books mentioned above. There are audios of the other books as well, all of them titled “Baggy Trousers – …”.
  • The song playing at the beginning and end of the clip is “Baggy Trousers” by Madness. Listen to it here on youtube.
  • ”as any fule kno”, a quote often used by Nigel, can occasionally be seen in British mainstream press, usually in satirical context.
  • Simon Brett eventually wrote two sequels about a grown-up Nigel: Molesworth Rites Again (1983) and How To Stay Topp (1987)
  • J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, may have taken the name Hogwarts from the Molesworth books. The name features in one of Molesworth’s imitation Latin plays, while Hoggwart is also the name of the headmaster of Porridge Court, a rival school of St Custard’s.
  • The Molesworth Institute was established in honour of Nigel and his contributions to the world of learning.