Peck's Bad Boy With the Circus (1938)

In this sequel to PECK'S BAD BOY (based on the series of books by George W. Peck), our little hero (now played by Tommy Kelly) has a fight with his pa and runs away with the circus for some typically wild adventures amid the elephants and sawdust. OUR GANG regular Spanky McFarland is on hand as Peck's partner in crime, as is Ann Gillis (who starred in LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE that same year). This is a genial children's picture in a LITTLE RASCALS sort of vein, only with some pathos and morality to balance out the more insane moments. Jack Benny fans will delight at the presence of Benita Hume (Mrs. Ronald Coleman) as Myrna. Edgar Kennedy and Billy Gilbert are also both excellent as the slapstick foils to the kids' mischief. The film is comic melodrama like they don't make anymore, ably directed by Edward F. Cline (THE BANK DICK, MY LITTLE CHICKADEE).