The Devil Is a Sissy (1936)

Director:

W.S. Van Dyke

Writers:

John Lee Mahin (screenplay) and
Richard Schayer (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

18 September 1936 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

A well-bred young English lad living in lower Manhattan tries to gain acceptance from his not-so-well-bred peers at school.

Plot Keywords:

Gangster | Probation | Architect | Police | Divorce

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Freddie Bartholomew	...	Claude Pierce
Jackie Cooper	...	'Buck' Murphy
Mickey Rooney	...	'Gig' Stevens
Ian Hunter	...	Jay Pierce
Peggy Conklin	...	Rose Hawley
Katharine Alexander	...	Hilda Pierce
Gene Lockhart	...	Mr. Jim Murphy
Kathleen Lockhart	...	Mrs. Murphy
Jonathan Hale	...	Judge Holmes
Etienne Girardot	...	Mr. Crusenberry - the Principal
Sherwood Bailey	...	'Bugs'
Buster Slaven	...	Six-Toes
Grant Mitchell	...	Paul Krumpp
Harold Huber	...	Willie - a Gangster
Stanley Fields	...	Joe - a Gangster

Also Known As:

The Devil Takes the Count (UK)

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

USA:Approved (PCA #2529) | USA:Passed (National Board of Review) | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Finland:S

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Rowland Brown was the original director, but he was replaced after one week by W.S. Van Dyke, who reshot most of Brown's footage. This was the 4th time another director completed a film which Brown started.

Quotes:

Judge Holmes: Buck, eh? That's a swell name. They used to call me "Stinky." You know why?
Robert 'Buck' Murphy: I guess so.
Judge Holmes: Well, I certainly led with my chin that time.

Soundtrack:

The Sidewalks of New York

Mickey Rooney Steals The Show

This is a great movie. The one and only film to starr Jackie Cooper, Mickey Rooney and Freddie Bartholomew together. Mickey Rooney in my opinion steals the show from both of them. The scene where he hears his father being electrocuted is so dramatic. There is just something about the life that Mickey Rooney adds to a movie. His tough but gentle demeanor. Those dramatic facial expressions. The way he can make you laugh and tear your heart out at the same time. If anyone watches a Mickey Rooney movie and and says he cannot act don't know what acting is. Mickey Rooney can do it all and is still doing it today! LONG LIVE THE MIGHTY MICK! This is a great film Very well acted. The story is endearing! You will not be disappointed. It will be playing on TCM later this year (2005).