Figure 1.--This is a scene from "Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus". I'm not sure what is going on here. It looks like a pie-eating contest. |
|
Many boys in the early 20th century dreamed of running off with the circus. "Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus is about a mischievous boy that did just that. This was the sequel to "Peck's Bad Boy" (1934). The main charcter, Bill Peck, this time was played by Tommy Kelly. He has a fight with his father and runs away with the circus. At the circus, disaster overtakes little Ann Gillis, the star bareback rider. She is thrown from her horse while attempting a difficult double somersault. Bill has to take her place. There are adventures with the elephants and other circus animals as well as circus performers. Spanky McFarland from "Our Gang" appears as Peck's friend and fellow trouble maker. Ann Gillis who also played "Little Orphan Annie" (1938) also appears. This RKO B film was made for kids. Edgar Kennedy and Billy Gilbert appear as comedic foils to Peck's misadventures. The film is a wonderful period piece for kids rather in the same vein as the Our Gang shorts. Like most kids films of the day, there was at the end of the film a moral lesson. The film was directed by Edward F. Cline who did several W.C. Fields commedies.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main alphabetical Pd-Pl movie page]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Theatricals]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]