Ma..a..archand..d..d'habits

Tim Kelly (Jackie Coogan) runs away from his Lower East Side orphanage after it burns down. He's presumed dead and starts roaming the streets of New York. He encounters Max Ginsberg, an old Jewish junk dealer and begs to join him. They become the best of friends as the young boy tries to care for his aged senior partner.

Jackie Coogan was the child star of his day. This is not quite The Kid. He's a little older and this doesn't have Chaplin. The humor is nice and there are great bits like pouring out the bottles. It does need to get going with the drama faster. The patent story takes forty minutes to start. I can't believe the man's name is Henry Winkler. The story isn't that dramatic although the movie does have some fun moments.

In "New York, a world within a city, where anything might happen," Irish Catholic lower East Side kid Jackie Coogan (as Timothy Kelly) survives a fire at St. John's Orphanage fire, and takes to the streets. Ten-year-old Coogan meets Jewish junk dealer Max Davidson (as Max Ginsberg); and, after Coogan returns Mr. Davidson's dropped wallet, he moves in with the rheumatic old man. The two become business partners "Ginsberg and Kelly", after Coogan proves his "Rag Man" mettle by filling Davidson's junk truck with four dollars worth of merchandise. Along the way, Coogan helps right and old wrong; he tracks down thieving Robert Edeson (as Mr. Bernard aka Mr. Bishop), who robbed Davidson of a patent fortune.

"The Rag Man" is a top-of-the-line Metro-Goldwyn-Coogan production, smoothly directed by Edward F. Cline; it is highlighted by the Frank Good/Robert Martin photography, which features some great New York City sets and locations. Coogan and Davidson aren't very original, basically re-treading their "Kid" and "Izzy" characterizations; but, the Irish/Jewish teaming adds some freshness (as does Linda Martinez' new soundtrack). In the sequel "Old Clothes", Coogan and Davidson wisely take in young Joan Crawford (as Mary Riley) as a boarder.

******** The Rag Man (1925) Edward F. Cline ~ Jackie Coogan, Max Davidson, Robert Edeson

The on location scenes showing 1920s New York were incredible, as were the performances of Jackie Coogan and Max Davidson. Especially liked the new score, it was perfect for this movie, you would not know it was not written in 1925. I don't generally like silent movies but this one was much better than most.

This is a must-see movie! It took a long time for me to finally get the opportunity to see it, but it was well worth the wait!!!! I had previously seen young Jackie Coogan in The Kid (1921) and knew that he was quite a charmer and a scene-stealer -- he did it AGAIN in The Rag Man! Young Jackie Coogan displays an excellent acting ability at such a young age.

This movie was, in so many ways, reminiscent of The Kid. The rapport between Coogan and Max Davidson was super! One cannot help feeling emotion when watching this. Although this is definitely a comedy, there are some heart-wrenching scenes in the movie, as well! So, be sure to have a box of tissue handy when watching it!

Hopefully, before long, this movie will be released on DVD and/or VHS.

I have seen more comedy flicks in my life than I ever care to count, and yet this SILENT film, made in the 1920s, trumps them all! By chance, I caught it on one of those old-movie channels, and it had me on the floor dying with laughter. I was amazed--that little boy had such a phenomenal understanding of humor, and what makes a punch line or a reaction or comedic timing funny! Brilliant. If a movie keeps me laughing the whole way through, it deserves ten stars. (I am normally very picky about my comedies.) It's definitely a new favorite.

Does anyone know where I can get it? I'd love to see it again! Apparently Netflix and Amazon have never even heard of it. Blockbusters, of course, do not hold it.