Dog Days

In the early Our Gang silent comedies, Ernie Morrison played Farina's older brother. Well, in 1924, Ernie's parents decided to put him in Vaudeville so this left a Farina (who was often billed as a girl even though he was played by Allen Hoskins) without a brother. So, for a few films they had Eugene Jackson play 'Pineapple'.... Farina's older brother. "Dog Days" is one of these films with Jackson.

The boys are all comparing what tricks their dogs can do but it seems only Mickey's dog has any abilities. He not only can be sneaky, but he is a real hero when Mary's pony cart runs amok with her in it...and the dog saves her. As a result, she is grateful and invites the Gang and the hero dog to her birthday party...where, oddly, the Gang is actually pretty well behaved!!

Overall, it seems as if the filmmakers were going less for laughs in this one and more for a stronger story. I appreciate this and think it's actually among the better Our Gang silents. Well worth seeing.