The First Seven Years

First Seven Years, The (1930)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Jackie gets a crush on Mary Ann but just as he's about to win her another guy comes along wanting to take her out. Mary Ann recommends that the two have a duel and the winner can have her. This is a step up from some of the previous shorts but I'd say this here is more cute than anything else. Jackie Cooper does a very good job in his role and really sells his character with some funny sequences including the advice he gets from Edgar Kennedy. Mary Ann also comes off quite cute here with Chubby and Farina getting some nice scenes as well. The actual duel when the kids are tearing up everything in the yard is handled quite well and manges to get quite a few laughs. Pete the dog might have the best sequence and that happens after being hit with a sword he must walk backwards to sit in some water. It's easy to see how this effect is done but it still works fine.