Skippy

Skippy
1931 - Paramount
Directed By Norman Taurog



SYNOPSIS

Skippy (Jackie Cooper) is a privledged young boy who would rather play in the nearby shanty town than with the kids in his neighborhood. There, he meets Sooky (Robert Coogan) and his beloved dog, Penny. When the dog catcher gets Penny, the two boys scramble to get the 3 dollars needed to get the dog a license and bail him out.



MY THOUGHTS

Skippy is based off of a now-forgotten comic strip that was popular at the time... and made a successful transition into 3 dimensions.

It's a film that sometimes feels like a feature-length Our Gang/Little Rascals short and sometimes like something a little deeper.

Jackie Cooper made this shortly after his time as a Little Rascal and shortly before his triumph in The Champ. This film netted him a Best Actor Oscar nomination. Compared to other young child actors before and since, Cooper gives a three-dimensional and real performance and is light-years ahead of any other kids. He was better in The Champ, but he's strong and likable here.

Compared to Robert Coogan, Cooper is the greatest actor of all time. Robert, younger brother of Jackie Coogan, is horrible. The kid clearly doesn't know any of his lines and has more 'dramatic pauses' than the most over-the-top William Shatner impression. When he does remember, the dialogue is mumbled or slurred.

The film is pleasant and good-natured until the kids finally get the money and return to the dog catcher only to find out the dog was put down. This is a big downer and most likely sent audiences reaching for their hankies. Skippy was nominated for best picture and screenplay, probably on the strength of that scene.... making it very memorable to audiences.

Norman Taurog won the film's only Oscar, for Best Director. Taurog had a long career... starting with some silent comedy shorts in the 20's and wound up his career making several of Elvis Presley's films. Skippy could have easily become very hammy and maudlin... but Taurog keeps everything in check.

It's some good innocent fun that's probably best for really young kids, before cynicism sets in. They may actually learn something about friendship and loyalty.

The film is not available on DVD.