Moleque de Circo

This is the third and final cinematic appearance of a character based upon a humourous series of newspaper tales written by George W. Peck in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries (Jackie Coogan and Jackie Cooper portrayed him in the first two films) with this Depression era RKO entry starring Tommy Kelly in an often silly but always briskly moving work offering, along with expected slapstick, some realistic dialogue, good direction from dependable Edward F. Cline, seamless ad libbing by beautiful Benita Hume, and other nice turns from William Demarest and Grant Mitchell.

"Peck's Bad Boy" was made twice--one in 1921 with Jackie Coogan in the lead and another in 1934 with Jackie Cooper. Here in 1938 in "Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus", it stars a virtual unknown--Tommy Kelly. However, the different leading man isn't the only difference. In fact, the story and characters are mostly different. Peck now has a mother (his mother died when he was a baby), there is no bratty cousin or aunt and you really won't recognize the sequel as a sequel at all. That's okay--just assume it's NOT a sequel and you'll be fine.

In addition to Kelly, the film has an interesting cast that includes: Spanky McFarland, Billy Gilbert, Edgar Kennedy, William Demarest and Grant Mitchell as Dad. So, even if this is a low-budget film, the cast is made up of some excellent supporting actors.

The story is crazy but works if you suspend disbelief...and I mean TOTALLY suspend disbelief. It begins with Peck about to go to camp while his parents are on a vacation. His parents leave the day before Peck is to go on the train to camp. During this day, he goes to the circus with his friends. But, when they are forced to sneak in (after being cheated out of their tickets), they are caught and Peck feels obliged to pay for every one of his friends. BUT, then he's left with no money for the train and decides to hitch a ride with the circus to the next town--which is near the camp. It is AMAZING how easy this is and how the circus folk have no problem with him hanging out with them!

There is a subplot involving an evil lady who is intent on becoming THE star at the circus--and Billy Peck is able to help foil her plans. It's all pretty weird--and difficult to believe at times (such as when she locks Edgar Kennedy in the cage with the nasty lion, Demon). But, it's all in good fun.

The bottom line is that in spite of a plot that occasionally made no sense, I still enjoyed the movie. It's the sort of fun old fashioned film I like, even if it isn't exactly Shakespeare--it's just entertaining. Worth seeing if you are an old movie buff--those who aren't probably won't understand or care for it. But even if you don't like it, you can at least say you saw a film where Spanky got loopy while taking drugs (you have to see it to understand).

It's too bad this movie isn't more well-known these days. It probably was a B movie in it's time but regardless, it is a gem. Very nice performances throughout with several alumni from the Little Rascals comedies (Spanky, Woim and Officer Kennedy) thrown in to make it a special treat for those who enjoy those classic shorts. The story is simple, a boy has won an obstacle race at a summer camp for two years in a row and if he wins the third year he gets to keep the trophy cup. The movie follows his adventures getting to the race by way of a circus. To say any more would just spoil your fun in seeing this movie. It is definite;y worth your time to seek out this film.

This is the film Spanky McFarland made while missing the last three Hal Roach entries of the Our Gang series as well as the first two from new producer M-G-M. Besides him, former bully of the series Leonard Kibrick also appears here. Also, Edgar Kennedy-who was the cop in the early talkie entries when Jackie Cooper was the star-and Billy Gilbert-who played Spanky's father in one of his early entries-are also on hand here. Cooper had starred in the previous Peck's Bad Boy film from 1934. He and Spanky had missed each other when he left the OG series and the little toddler came in but they would both appear subsequently in O'Shaughnessy's Boy with McFarland playing Cooper as a little kid. They'd also, a few decades later, present their former boss Hal Roach with an honorary Oscar. Anyway, this version now has young teen Tommy Kelly playing Cooper's former title role with his The Adventures of Tom Sawyer co-star Ann Gillis as the leading lady. Plenty of funny stuff involving most of whom I mentioned especially when Kennedy confronts Gilbert. So on that note, Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus is worth a look if you're a fan of all of the above.

Mischievous teenager Tommy Kelly (as William "Bill" Peck) is sidetracked on his way to summer camp, when a traveling circus comes to town. Mr. Kelly and his pals sneak in to see the show, after a job putting up circus posters fails to gain them admission. Also attending is Kelly's badder boy rival Mickey Rentschler (as Herman Boggs). Both boys want to win the camp's annual decathlon cup. At the circus, Kelly meets pretty pre-teen bareback-rider Ann Gillis (as Fleurette de Cava). When circus politics derail Ms. Gillis, Kelly dons a dress and wig to perform in her stead - leading to laughter!

RKO wisely wooed Kelly and his "Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (1938) co-stars to this natural follow-up film. Kelly updates previous "Peck's Bad Boys" Jackie Coogan (1921) and Jackie Cooper (1934) well. Based on the characters (not a re-make), "Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus" provided young moviegoers with a fun and funny winter trip to both summer camp and the circus. You may recognize gruff manager William Demarest (as Daro) and rascally "Spanky" McFarland (as Pee Wee) in the cast. Edgar Kennedy, Billy Gilbert, and Grant Mitchell are always perfect, as is Louise Beavers (as Cassey).

****** Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus (12/2/38) Edward F. Cline ~ Tommy Kelly, Ann Gillis, Mickey Rentschler, Edgar Kennedy