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Bill Peck, the title role, is played by Jackie Cooper in this this 1934 remake of a silent film. Jackie of course was the mos popular boy star of th 1930s. Of course no one was in the same league as Shirley Temple. This films were based on the popular series of books by George W. Peck which were turned into stage plays. Bill of course adores his father and does attempt to be a good boy. Problems begin when his father (Thomas Meighan) tells Bill that he is adopted. Then obnoxious Aunt Lily Clay (Dorothy Peterson) shows up with bratty cousin Horace (Jackie Searl) in tow. Bill sorely tries. Horace proves to be a brat and soon it is Bill getting into trouble. Aunt Lily wants to break the bond between Bill and his father. She wants Horace to replace Bill. Of course Bill comes out on top. Jackie of course has a loyal pooch and has ample screen time to pout and cry. Producer Sol Lesser reports that Jackie Cooprr had a littlee troublr crying. He finally solved the problem by threatening to fire director Eddie Cline which upset Jackie. Jackie had a close relationship with Cline. It was all abluff, but Jackie didn't know that.
'Peck's Bad Boy' was the perfect vehicle for popular child star Jackey Cooper. A silent version starred Jackie's 1920s counterpart, Jackie Coogan. The film was directed by Edward F. Cline. The screen play was written by Marguerite Roberts Roberts and Bernard Schubert. Sol Lesser produced the film.
This films and otherin the Peck's Bad Boy films were based on the popular series of books by George W. Peck which were turned into a barnstorming stage play.
Bill Peck, the title role, is played by Jackie Cooper in this this 1934 remake of a silent film. Jackie of course was the mos popular boy star of th 1930s. Of course no one was in the same league as Shirley Temple. Jackie of course has a loyal pooch and has ample screen time to pout and cry. Producer Sol Lesser reports that Jackie Cooprr had a little trouble crying. He finally solved the problem by threatening to fire director Eddie Cline which upset Jackie. Jackie had a close relationship with Cline. It was all a bluff, but Jackie didn't know that.
Bill of course adores his father and does attempt to be a good boy. Billy wins a trophy for best essay about his dad. His mother died some time ago. He and his dad are very close. Billy learns his aunt and cousin are coming to stay for a few weeks. Then obnoxious Aunt Lily Clay (Dorothy Peterson) shows up with bratty cousin Horace (Jackie Searl) in tow. Horace is a name Billy and his friends do not like. Billy and his dad meet the train the relations arrive on. Horace wears a long trouser suit. Bill wears a short trouser suit. It is clear the boys are not going to get along. Bill sorely tries to be good. Horace proves to be a brat and soon it is Bill getting into trouble. Aunt Lily wants to break the bond between Bill and his father. She wants Horace to replace Bill. Horace aided by his mother is a little sneak and bit by bit userp Billy's position. Horace makes sure that Billy gets into plenty of trouble thus driving a wedge between them. He covets Billy's dad. He grabs Mr. Peck's affection. Horace makes Billy loose face in the gang and and worms his way in. Duffy- the gardener Billy's mentor is sacked. Billy's dad is made to live outside because Horse's mum's dog is scared of Billy's dog. Horace tells Bill he is adopted and came from an orphanage and thus not realy a family member. Bill is hurt by this revelation and tries to find out if its true. Bill shows Horace his bedroom. His cousin coverts it. Horace's mum talks his dad into punishing Bill by making him swop rooms thus her son takes over Billy's bedroom. The continuing punishment for his aledged bad behaviour makes Bill very sad. The sacking of Duffy ads to his sadness as does his dog's banishment. His sadness turns to sorrow when he realises he really is adopted. He is crushed and mortified when he discovers he has lost his room. He runs away but the darkness scares him. He makes for the home of his one remaining friend--the gardener. Bill breaks down and tells Duffy everything. Duffy encourages him to fight back. The next day he returns home and boxes Horaces ears in a fight to regain his rightful place in the family. Aunt Lilly and Horace are told to return home. Horace is shown with a black eye. To which Duffy says, 'You forgot to duck!' This is a comment about an earlier scene in which Horace wins a fight against Billy. Horace says to him, 'Always remember to Duck.' Bill and his dad make up and become friends again. Their relationship is stronger because of the ordeal Bill has gone through. The film ends with Bill smiling at being reunited with his dad, his dog, Duffy, the cook and his room back .
The first Peck book was the Jackie Coogan silent, 'Peck's Bad Boy' (1921). The 1934 Jackie Coogan film was largelyva remake. A third film was 'Peck's Bad Boy at the Curcus' (1938).
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