Jack White's comedy team tried to come up with a knock-off of Hal Roach's OUR GANG and, like all the others who tried, never quite succeeded -- White, while a fine comedy producer, came out of editing. He was all about structure, timing and speed. OUR GANG was about attitude and Robert McGowan was quite content to to film kids not doing much, which was usually a lot more amusing.
Nonetheless, this series, with its many expertly executed and edited pratfalls, soon established a star in Malcolm "Big Boy" Sebastian, a toddler who traipsed around in a diaper, a bowler hat and a big, open smile. In this one, his grumpy grandfather, who apparently did not know he existed, is ordered by the authorities to provide a home for Big Boy, so he sends his butler off to fetch him. There are an awful lot of comedy falls here, usually 108s, all under the supervision of Charles Lamont, a specialist in kiddy comedies. he would discover Shirley Temple and cast her as a three-year-old prostitute in POLLY-TICKS IN WASHINGTON and eventually work with Abbott & Costello.
In the meantime, there are kids, dogs, and some impeccably timed jokes. More than good enough.
Nonetheless, this series, with its many expertly executed and edited pratfalls, soon established a star in Malcolm "Big Boy" Sebastian, a toddler who traipsed around in a diaper, a bowler hat and a big, open smile. In this one, his grumpy grandfather, who apparently did not know he existed, is ordered by the authorities to provide a home for Big Boy, so he sends his butler off to fetch him. There are an awful lot of comedy falls here, usually 108s, all under the supervision of Charles Lamont, a specialist in kiddy comedies. he would discover Shirley Temple and cast her as a three-year-old prostitute in POLLY-TICKS IN WASHINGTON and eventually work with Abbott & Costello.
In the meantime, there are kids, dogs, and some impeccably timed jokes. More than good enough.
