Choo-Choo!

CHOO- CHOO was co-written by producer Hal Roach himself, who had a keen eye for talent and a few wild stories up his sleeve. This was one of them. I agree with the last reviewer, it's probably the BEST Our Gang short ever.

This one is jammed with laugh out loud gags and situations that the kids get themselves into while choo-chooing across country by train. The star of the show is Del Henderson, who worked with Laurel and Hardy (and many other comedians), playing the gang's frustrated chaperone. Henderson's facial expressions are classic as the kids pull every trick on him.

Baby Spanky has to bunk with Del, punching him in the nose, then taking turns tooting a party horn? Del also gets into a slapping match with a female passenger in the train bathroom. His constant comment, "It makes me so angry!" seals the deal.

This film also marked the first appearance of Our Gang member Wally Albright (the one with the curly hair) and also an early film appearance of Donald Haines, who would appear with the East Side Kids.

Wally appeared in films for years, later becoming a well-known skier. Mastered by director Robert McGowan, perhaps the best to handle the series because he knew how to relate to children. McGowan was a retired fire fighter who struck up a friendship with Hal Roach when he built his studio, and landed a job as a director.

The animals on board the train --and there's a bunch -- get loose and go WILD. Classic scenes with the donkey kicking everybody, the flying chickens and the monkey? WAIT for the ending, replete with fireworks! A gotsta' see.

10 Stars.

Get the short films dvd box set, just for this comedy. Thanks much to METV Plus for running these great films on their Comedy Classics segment.