This is a stunning little film that stars the 3 top boy stars of the 30s - although at this point they were all at different stages in their careers. Freddie Bartholomew was at the peak of his fame. Constant court appearances kept him from the studio and roles that would have given him a longer career went to others instead. Jackie Cooper had had a tremendous career in the early thirties, appearing in "Skippy", "The Champ" and as a featured player of "Our Gang" but was now at an awkward age. Mickey Rooney was at the start of his greatest acclaim. He had been in films since the 20s and had starred in his own series "Mickey McGuire". He had been noticed in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" playing mischievous Puck and also as Dick, the bootblack in "Little Lord Fauntelroy". In my opinion Mickey walks away with the acting honours for "The Devil is a Sissy".
Claude (Bartholomew of course) comes to stay with his father for six months in his Bowery flat. He is overjoyed and at the local school meets Buck (Jackie Cooper) and Gig (Mickey Rooney). Gig's father is due to be electrocuted that night for a gangland murder. He tries to save up the money to buy his father a tombstone. The three fellows (who are now friends) go to see Gig's Aunt Rose, played by Peggy Conklin, who made only five films before returning to her first love - the theatre. She gets the boys to join in singing "Say Ah!!!". There are some funny scenes, when Claude is placed on lookout having to whistle if the police come. He finds he can't but gets the policeman to whistle instead.
When robbing a Park Avenue apartment brings them before the court, Claude astonishes everyone by confessing that it was his mother's house and they were his own toys!!! Thejudge ends his speech by saying "the devil is really a sissy"!!! Buck and Gig decide to run away so they don't have to report to the probation officer, but Claude is determined to stop them. They all hitch a ride with a car load of shifty looking gangsters. The gangsters get the impression that Claude is wealthy and when Claude, who has cottoned on instantly that things are not right, asks the french proprietor of the diner to call the police (in french!!) he saves the day. He contacts pneumonia but with the hope that he will soon be with his friends, he pulls through.
Gene Lockhart plays Buck's bullying, insensitive father and Dorothy Peterson plays Gig's worn out mother (a role she played to perfection.)
See it for the title alone!!!
Highly Recommended.
Claude (Bartholomew of course) comes to stay with his father for six months in his Bowery flat. He is overjoyed and at the local school meets Buck (Jackie Cooper) and Gig (Mickey Rooney). Gig's father is due to be electrocuted that night for a gangland murder. He tries to save up the money to buy his father a tombstone. The three fellows (who are now friends) go to see Gig's Aunt Rose, played by Peggy Conklin, who made only five films before returning to her first love - the theatre. She gets the boys to join in singing "Say Ah!!!". There are some funny scenes, when Claude is placed on lookout having to whistle if the police come. He finds he can't but gets the policeman to whistle instead.
When robbing a Park Avenue apartment brings them before the court, Claude astonishes everyone by confessing that it was his mother's house and they were his own toys!!! Thejudge ends his speech by saying "the devil is really a sissy"!!! Buck and Gig decide to run away so they don't have to report to the probation officer, but Claude is determined to stop them. They all hitch a ride with a car load of shifty looking gangsters. The gangsters get the impression that Claude is wealthy and when Claude, who has cottoned on instantly that things are not right, asks the french proprietor of the diner to call the police (in french!!) he saves the day. He contacts pneumonia but with the hope that he will soon be with his friends, he pulls through.
Gene Lockhart plays Buck's bullying, insensitive father and Dorothy Peterson plays Gig's worn out mother (a role she played to perfection.)
See it for the title alone!!!
Highly Recommended.