Sweet little children aren't really my cup of tea: I was interested at finally seeing a 'Baby Peggy' picture after the recent publicity, but as an actual comedy it's more of a curiosity.
I have to say that Baby Peggy didn't strike me as much of a rival to Jackie Coogan in the acting stakes, so either you're enchanted by the cuteness factor or you aren't, and I wasn't. The scenes I did find funny were those where the director managed to obtain mimicry of an adult look or pose from his young star, as when she sits in the secretary's chair, all business, to take down dictation; but mostly, I think, the laughs are expected to come from simply seeing this child dressed in her miniature costumes or toddling through her role with self-conscious deliberation, and I find that sort of thing a case of diminishing returns. I couldn't forget the child star and simply see the child character.
But I freely admit that I'm really not the best reviewer for this due to my general aversion to cherubic small children, so others' mileage may vary...
I have to say that Baby Peggy didn't strike me as much of a rival to Jackie Coogan in the acting stakes, so either you're enchanted by the cuteness factor or you aren't, and I wasn't. The scenes I did find funny were those where the director managed to obtain mimicry of an adult look or pose from his young star, as when she sits in the secretary's chair, all business, to take down dictation; but mostly, I think, the laughs are expected to come from simply seeing this child dressed in her miniature costumes or toddling through her role with self-conscious deliberation, and I find that sort of thing a case of diminishing returns. I couldn't forget the child star and simply see the child character.
But I freely admit that I'm really not the best reviewer for this due to my general aversion to cherubic small children, so others' mileage may vary...
