When I popped the bonus disk for Chaplin's "The Kid" into my DVD player, I had no idea it also contained a full-length Jackie Coogan starring vehicle--one about as long as "The Kid".
Unfortunately, when the film began, I was less thrilled. The movie clearly needed restoration as the print was quite scratchy. In addition, there was no musical accompaniment--making for a rather dull viewing experience compared to the typical fully restored silent. So is it still worth viewing? Read on a see.
Jackie Coogan plays a newly orphaned boy on a ship from Europe bound for America (with Jackie's signature hair style, it might be likely viewers would at first think he was a little girl). While being held in a holding cell awaiting deportation since he has no family, Jackie manages a clever escape. Soon, Jackie latches on to an old sea captain. The crusty old guy wants nothing to do with him, but Jackie persists until ultimately he wins the old guy's heart. But soon the old man becomes sick and they can't afford his medicine--so it's plucky Jackie to the rescue. Ultimately, however, the boy's rich and kindly grandmother learns where the child is and wants to help out herself. What will happen next, you'll just have to see for yourself.
I so many ways, this film is an awful lot like "The Kid" but with a salty old captain playing the role of a foster-father instead of the comedian Chaplin. And, like the Chaplin film, by the end the child is taken from the captain--who he has come to love. As a result, the film does seem a bit lazy and derivative--but is still nice but schmaltzy entertainment. Coogan was a very good little star and the film was quite enjoyable.
Unfortunately, when the film began, I was less thrilled. The movie clearly needed restoration as the print was quite scratchy. In addition, there was no musical accompaniment--making for a rather dull viewing experience compared to the typical fully restored silent. So is it still worth viewing? Read on a see.
Jackie Coogan plays a newly orphaned boy on a ship from Europe bound for America (with Jackie's signature hair style, it might be likely viewers would at first think he was a little girl). While being held in a holding cell awaiting deportation since he has no family, Jackie manages a clever escape. Soon, Jackie latches on to an old sea captain. The crusty old guy wants nothing to do with him, but Jackie persists until ultimately he wins the old guy's heart. But soon the old man becomes sick and they can't afford his medicine--so it's plucky Jackie to the rescue. Ultimately, however, the boy's rich and kindly grandmother learns where the child is and wants to help out herself. What will happen next, you'll just have to see for yourself.
I so many ways, this film is an awful lot like "The Kid" but with a salty old captain playing the role of a foster-father instead of the comedian Chaplin. And, like the Chaplin film, by the end the child is taken from the captain--who he has come to love. As a result, the film does seem a bit lazy and derivative--but is still nice but schmaltzy entertainment. Coogan was a very good little star and the film was quite enjoyable.