Peck's Bad Boy

Bill Peck is all boy and although mischievous, is a good kid. His single-father, Henry, glows with pride when young Bill is awarded first prize for his composition, "My Dad." Trouble brews when Henry invites destitute sister-in-law Lily and her obnoxious son, Horace, to come live with them. As "Aunt Lily" worms her way into his dad's good graces, Bill sees that she is doing her best to take over control of the household. The contemptible Horace breaks Bill's heart when he reveals the family secret - that Henry adopted him from an orphan asylum. Feeling unloved, and unwanted, Billy packs his things and runs away from home. Long-time family handyman, Duffy, must intervene to try to prevent Bill from throwing his life away.

Child-actor Jackie Cooper began his career with the silent Our Gang comedies and made the switch to sound with great success. His first starring role in Skippy (1931) got him an Oscar nomination. His move to MGM in the 30s brought memorable roles in such films as The Champ (1931) and Treasure Island (1934). He successfully switched gears in adulthood to the small screen where he starred in the 50s and 60s in shows such as "The People's Choice" and "Hennesey." Cooper is also an Emmy-Award winning TV director for his work on such series as "M*A*S*H" and "The Rockford Files."

Based on the hit play and series of books by George W. Peck, this moving comedy/drama stars Jackie Cooper as the innocent boy who only wants to please his father by doing well, but is instead continually blamed for the atrocious misdeeds of his cousin, Horace (Jackie Searle). Bill Peck (Cooper) and his dad (Thomas Meighan) live in a quiet state of bliss until the dreadful Aunt Lily (Dorothy Peterson) and Horace move in. They tell poor Bill he was adopted so they can try to break up the father and son's close familial bond and move Horace in as dad's favorite. Many tears are shed before things finally get straightened out. This is a rare and interesting example of early American "family" fare, filled with homespun sincerity and classic comedy touches, courtesy of director Edward F. Cline (THE BANK DICK).