AMUSEMENTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1932, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

£VRRYBDDYS PICTURES.

TO-NIGHT AND SATURDAY

“SKIPPY.”

JUVENILE PRODUCTION

f ' At heart Jackie Cooper is typically the. “Skippy” that the world knows through Percy Crosby's famous cari toon narrative. His outlook is closely ] akin to that of the newspaper and magazine pen-and-ink character in Paramount’s talkie offering, “Skippy.” Norman Taurog, who directed the picture, is the authority for some ot young Cooper’s moods. Ever since the six-year-old boy was selected lor the title role, Taurog has spent much ' time with the boy to study his mannerisms and swing them towards those of Skippy. A lad who burst into everything, in, a devil-may-care spirit) Jackie, (like Skippy, is eternally in hot-water. Taurog tells two stories of Jackie’s characteristics. One happened when Taurog had Jackie at his . home to help decorate the Christmas tree. Tuarog noticed Jackie doing tricks with the lights. Quite sternly, Taurog instructed him to keep Lis hands off the lights. A short time ' later, from the next room, Taurog heard ia terrific crash and rushed in to see the tree resting in a heap on the floor. “Jackie, I told you to leave that tree alone,” he shouted. “Oh no,” Jackie replied. “You just mentioned the lights.” When everyone on the Paramount lot referred to Taurog as “Norm,” Jackie picked it up. His mother instructed the director to force the lad to call him ‘“Mr Taurog.” This plan was carried out unt'! one (day Taurog encountered Jackie in a sulky mood by the Paramount fish pond. “Well Jackie, ’ he called, “What seems to be wrong?” “Mr Cooper, (please,” stolidly requested Jackie, glancing slyly at tlie ail 9 ’tor. After this incident the boy and the director understood each other and the “Mr” u?as accomplished both ways by a sly wink. Good -uppoifs, also last chapter of Serial,. _