Buster's Skyrocket

I saw this Buster Brown short on YouTube. While the uploader correctly ID'd this one, onscreen it has the alternate title "Sparky and the Tutor", "Sparky" being the name of the dog though he's really Tige played by Pal the Wonder Dog who would later become Pete the Pup in the Our Gang series. Speaking of Our Gang, the director is Gus Meins who replaced Robert F. McGowan in that series during the talkie era. Anyway, Buster plays golf in the house which causes havoc before he and Mary Jane get their lessons by the visiting tutor. But leave it to Tige to mess things up as well! The version I saw had a couple of commenters either predicting what will next happen or making assumptions of what's going on while a score obviously from the '60s is playing. Doesn't really add to anything but I wasn't too irritated. Worth a look even with what I just mentioned.

Here's an episode of a long forgotten two reel comedy series based on long forgotten comic strip character Buster Brown. Buster is played by Arthur Trimble, his little friend is Doreen Turner, both today, alas, are footnotes to footnotes in cinema history. But Buster's dog 'Tige' is instantly recognizable as Pete the Pup from the Our Gang shorts and he easily steals the show here too. Director Gus Meins would also go onto great fame overseeing some of the funniest Little Rascals comedies. As far as I know, this specific title is only available today in an abridged form as SPARKY AND THE TUTOR, a 15 minute episode of COMEDY CAPERS the early 1960's TV package of silent comedies. Even in a shortened version (with almost all the inter-titles removed!) this is a pretty funny comedy with 'Sparky' (that's Tige as portrayed by Pete) playing the piano, stealing an old coot's glasses and joining in with Buster for a wild chase finale. There's even a neat animated effect when the pooch is knocked in the air down a block or two then eagerly scampers back. One hopes no cartoon characters were injured in the making of this film.