Jack O'Brien Movies

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Noisy Noises: 1929

Despite its title, this "Our Gang" comedy was a silent film, albeit one outfitted with a synchronized music and sound-effects track. The spotlight is on chubby Gang member Joe Cobb, who tries to take care of his squalling baby brother Rupert, while he himself is suffering from the Grandaddy of all toothaches. Once the Rupert situation is settled, Joe submits to an "oral surgery" experimented conducted by his pals Allen "Farina" Hoskins, Harry Spear, Jay R. Smith and Jean Darling. Somehow this all ends up with a hectic chase, as do most "Our Gang" two-reelers from the late silent period. Noisy Noises was first distributed to theaters on February 9, 1929. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Starring:: Joe Cobb, Farina Hoskins, (more)

Cat, Dog & Co.: 1929

One of the livelier late-silent entries in the "Our Gang" series, Cat, Dog & Co. begins with the kids thoughtlessly abusing or overworking their pets. But thanks to the gentle admonitions of a lady from the Be Kind to Animals Society (played by future gossip columnist Hedda Hopper), the kids tearfully vow to change their ways. Determined to extend kindness and generosity to all forms of animal life, the youngsters set loose all the critters in town, including a rather fearsome collection of oversized rodents and amphibians from a local experimental laboratory. The film's strangest sequence finds a conscience-stricken Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins imagining that he has been put on trial in an all-animal court for being cruel to chickens! Upon its original release on September 14, 1929, "Cat, Dog & Co." came equipped with a sound-on-disc musical score, played on a pipe organ by future Hal Roach composer-arranger LeRoy Shield. This score has been restored for the film's reissue as part of the VHS/DVD "Little Rascals" package--necessitating the interminable stretch-printing of one dialogue subtitle in order to achieve proper synchronization. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Starring:: Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins, Joe Cobb, (more)

Saturday's Lesson: 1929

The last of the silent "Our Gang" comedies, Saturday's Lesson was also one of the best in the entire series. It is Saturday, and the Gang members would rather be playing than doing their accustomed household chores. Escaping the watchful eyes of their parents, the kids scurry off to a local park, congratulating one another for their evasive action. This is overheard by a sandwich-board man (Jack O'Brien) who is dressed in a Devil costume. Deciding to have some fun with the kids -- and to teach them a lesson in the bargain -- the "Devil" makes a spectacular appearance in a puff of smoke, then scares the youngsters into returning to their chores, warning them that he'll "catch 'em" if they don't obey their parents. Duly chastened, the kids perform their duties so energetically that their mothers are left dumbstruck. The film ends with one of the rare moments in which the Gang comes "out" of the picture to address the audience. Though filmed before the "Our Gang" talkies Small Talk, Railroadin', Lazy Days, Boxing Gloves and Bouncing Babies, Saturday's Lesson was withheld from release until November 9, 1929. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Starring:: Bobby "Wheezer" Hutchins, Joe Cobb, (more)

Reckless Courage: 1925

Having already established Wally Wales as a viable western star, poverty row producer Lester F. Scott, Jr. launched yet another newcomer, Buddy Roosevelt (née Kenneth Stanhope Sanderson), in this average oater about a cowboy who is hit on the head with a bag of jewels dropped from an airplane! The careless traveller is pretty Helen Foster, whose father (J.C. Fowler) is a diamond importer. Suddenly in possession of what amounts to a minor fortune, Roosevelt is chased by any number of cutthroats, but, as always, fast riding and a way with a fist saves the day. Producer Scott's affinity for what he considered "catchy" monikers reached a ridiculous zenith with Roosevelt, presumably named in honor of former President (and admirer of all things western) Theodore Roosevelt. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi

Starring:: Buddy Roosevelt, J.C. Fowler, (more)

Thunder Island: 1921

Isola Garcia (Edith Roberts) is kidnapped by a band of Mexican sheep bandits. Paul Corbin, an American (Jack O'Brien), rescues her and they fall in love. There's one problem, however -- Isola discovers that the old man she married two years prior is still alive when all this time she thought him dead. The husband has sent an agent to take Isola to Thunder Island. On the way there, the agent discovers that the husband finally has expired. Since he lusts after the pretty Isola himself, he tries to impersonate the dead husband. Isola escapes from him and hides on Corbin's ship. The agent's men give chase and the result is a free-for-all fight on board Corbin's ship. As usual, the good guys win out, and Isola and Corbin are united. ~ Janiss Garza, Rovi

Starring:: Edith Roberts, Fred DeSilva, (more)

Daughter of the Law: 1921

Eddie Hayes (Joe Bennett) is the son of police inspector Hayes (Charles Arling), but that doesn't stop him from becoming involved with a gang of crooks. His sister Nora (Carmel Myers) goes on a search for him in underworld dives and haunts. She finds him, along with gang leader George Stacey (Fred Kohler). Even though she tells her father of Eddie's whereabouts, he refuses to save him. Meanwhile, Nora's sweetheart, Jim Garth (Jack O'Brien) discovers that the gang plans to rob a certain house and makes sure it is surrounded by the police. In the ensuing fight, Eddie is killed and the others arrested and sent to prison. But they escape and kidnap Nora. They threaten to kill both her and Garth unless Hayes frees them. But through Nora's ingenuity, the gang is captured once again. ~ Janiss Garza, Rovi

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