Figure 1.--Here Wesley models his angel costume which he is not to excited about wearing.

Entertaining family film set at the end of World War I, about 1919. It is based on Booth Tarkington's Penrod stories and depicts a mid-Western family led by a stoggy, but soft hearted father, with a love-struck daughter and an 11-year old son--Wesley. The son is nicely played by Billy Gray (who was to become Bud in "TV's "Father Knows Best"). He is a cute little guy and gets up to all kinds of boyish devilment. He hates his piano lessons and teacher who is sweet on his sister. When her boyfriend comes back from the war, he is unhappy that the boyfriend doesn't bop the piano teacher. He gets into trouble for purloining a turkey (to save the family turkey). His father gets out his belt, but is dissuaded my mom. Welsely always seems to squirm out of trouble. He wears over the knee knickers, often as part of a suit. He even puts on a tie without being prompted to do so. There is even a nice party scene with girls in frilly dresses and boys in smart knicker suits.

Filmology

Entertaining family film set at the end of World War I, about 1919. The film is a musical. Perhaps the best known song is "On Moonlight Bay".

Penrod

The film is based on Booth Tarkington's Penrod stories. Perod is named Wesley in the film version. Penrod is today a lesser-known American boy literary hero. But what wonderful Americana the Penrod novels are! The 1914 book, Penrod. was written by Booth Tarkington. It chronicled the travails of an American boy, duely outfitted in knickers--usually buckled above the knee. Penrod is confronted with the normal trials of pre-World War I American boyhood. He has to dress up in an enbarassing pagent costume, attend dancing school, face bullies, and many other problems. Apparently sailor suits by the 1910s were just for little boys and chaps like master Roderick Bitts outfitted by his parents in a crisp white sailor suit were in for trouble when they cross Penrod's path.

Cast

The stars off the film are Dorris Day and Gordon MacRae who play moon-struck teenagers. The son, Wesley, is nicely played by Billy Gray (1938- ). Billywas to become Bud in "TV's "Father Knows Best" (195?- . Billy played Wesley again in "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" (1953). He was also in the Bob Hope film, "The Seven Little Foys" (1955).

Plot

The film depicts a mid-Western family, the Winfields,led by a stoggy, but soft hearted father, with a love-struck daughter and an 11-year old son--Wesley. Father Winfield beings the family to a new town so he can be closer to his bank. His daughter Matjorie falls in love. This is fine until father finds out that her heartthrob doesn't believe in marriage and that he strongly disapproves of banks.

Costuming

Wesley wears over the knee knickers, often as part of a suit. He even puts on a tie without being prompted to do so. There is even a nice party scene with girls in frilly dresses and boys in smart knicker suits.