Skippy (1931)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Norman Taurog

Writers:

Percy Crosby (comic strip) and
Joseph L. Mankiewicz (writer)

Release Date:

25 April 1931 (USA)

Genre:

Family | Drama | Comedy

Plot:

In this film based on the popular comic strip, Skippy interrupts his usual routine of finding loopholes...

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Lemonade Stand | Dogcatcher | Shantytown | Bully

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 3 nominations

Cast

Jackie Cooper	...	Skippy Skinner
Robert Coogan	...	Sooky Wayne
Mitzi Green	...	Eloise
Jackie Searl	...	Sidney
Willard Robertson	...	Dr. Herbert Skinner
Enid Bennett	...	Mrs. Ellen Skinner
Donald Haines	...	Harley Nubbins
Helen Jerome Eddy	...	Mrs. Wayne
Jack Clifford	...	Dog-Catcher Nubbins
Guy Oliver	...	Dad Burkey
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Carl R. Botefuhr	...	Skippy Skinner (age 3)

Runtime:

85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

San Bernardino, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

After 'Jackie Cooper' was hired for the part, he and his mother read many of the comic strips and other long-running features to help him get to know the character. He thought the costume he would have to wear was rather silly, but understood that it was a basic feature that couldn't be changed.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "MGM: When the Lion Roars" (1992)

Beyond Three (3) Handkerchiefs...

SKIPPY (1931) has nothing to do with the Childhood of a certain obnoxious and whining 'Sports Commentator' on ESPN. Nor is it directly related to a similarly named (but excellent) peanut butter. It is a heart warming film about Children and their simple but important life forming adventures.

The film centers around two (2) characters SKIPPY (Jackie Cooper) and his new found friend SOOKY (Robert Coogan). SKIPPY is from the right side of the tracks, SOOKY the wrong, Shanty Town, which SKIPPY finds far more interesting then his native haunts. Excellently directed by Norman Taurog, slighting neither the Child actors nor the Adult supporting cast, there is a fine morality lesson here showing the importance of friendship and loyalty, both in joyful times and in tragedy. It also shows the importance of parental understanding for Children's problems.

Norman Tourog won the Best Directing Oscar for his sensitive handling of what could have become maudlin. Sad to say this film is seldom seen today nor its sequel SOOKY (1931). The film is appropriate today for Parents to watch with their young Children ages four (4) to eight (8) for it still has lessons of value to teach. After those ages in the 21st Century they will be to bored or cynical to care and that's a shame.