Mischievous teenager Tommy Kelly (as William "Bill" Peck) is sidetracked on his way to summer camp, when a traveling circus comes to town. Mr. Kelly and his pals sneak in to see the show, after a job putting up circus posters fails to gain them admission. Also attending is Kelly's badder boy rival Mickey Rentschler (as Herman Boggs). Both boys want to win the camp's annual decathlon cup. At the circus, Kelly meets pretty pre-teen bareback-rider Ann Gillis (as Fleurette de Cava). When circus politics derail Ms. Gillis, Kelly dons a dress and wig to perform in her stead - leading to laughter!
RKO wisely wooed Kelly and his "Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (1938) co-stars to this natural follow-up film. Kelly updates previous "Peck's Bad Boys" Jackie Coogan (1921) and Jackie Cooper (1934) well. Based on the characters (not a re-make), "Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus" provided young moviegoers with a fun and funny winter trip to both summer camp and the circus. You may recognize gruff manager William Demarest (as Daro) and rascally "Spanky" McFarland (as Pee Wee) in the cast. Edgar Kennedy, Billy Gilbert, and Grant Mitchell are always perfect, as is Louise Beavers (as Cassey).
****** Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus (12/2/38) Edward F. Cline ~ Tommy Kelly, Ann Gillis, Mickey Rentschler, Edgar Kennedy
RKO wisely wooed Kelly and his "Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (1938) co-stars to this natural follow-up film. Kelly updates previous "Peck's Bad Boys" Jackie Coogan (1921) and Jackie Cooper (1934) well. Based on the characters (not a re-make), "Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus" provided young moviegoers with a fun and funny winter trip to both summer camp and the circus. You may recognize gruff manager William Demarest (as Daro) and rascally "Spanky" McFarland (as Pee Wee) in the cast. Edgar Kennedy, Billy Gilbert, and Grant Mitchell are always perfect, as is Louise Beavers (as Cassey).
****** Peck's Bad Boy with the Circus (12/2/38) Edward F. Cline ~ Tommy Kelly, Ann Gillis, Mickey Rentschler, Edgar Kennedy