Boxing Gloves

"Boxing Gloves" was the third "Our Gang" talkie filmed, but the fourth to be released (following "Lazy Days.") The film marks the debut of Jackie Cooper in the Gang.

Farina and Harry are boxing promoters who have to result to promoting a fight between preschoolers Wheezer and Beezer to fill the card. While they would love to book a match between heavyweights Joe and Chubby, they've been pals for years. Farina and Harry convince the duo to fight, with very funny results.

"Boxing Gloves" is fun to watch, but it is a curiosity. The film, although billed as "All-Talking," is actually part silent/part talkie. There are long gaps during the the heavyweight fight that are entirely silent. Why the director filmed it this way is unknown. One idea I have for why this may have occurred is that sound equipment was extremely sensitive at this time, and the fear could have been that crowd noise could have damaged the equipment. It does seem that when the crowd is at their noisiest, the mikes go silent, so this well could have been the reason.

"Boxing Gloves" is fun, however, and enjoyable to watch. This was the earliest talkie syndicated by King World when "The Little Rascals" came to TV. 6 out of 10.