Five-year-old orphan Jackie Coogan (as Jackie Blair, "The Boy") arrives at New York's Ellis Island; his father was killed in France, and his mother passed away during the voyage. United States immigration officials want to take him back, but young Coogan thwarts fate by slipping through with a family of eight. With no place to go (but with cuteness to spare), Coogan tags along with grumpy old man Claude Gillingwater (as Bill Hicks, "The Captain"). Desperate for lodgings, Coogan seeks to make himself useful to crusty Gillingwater; and, his growing fondness for the boy makes increasingly difficult for Gillingwater to throw Coogan out.
Coogan's late 1921 follow-up to earlier-in-the-year hits "The Kid" and "Peck's Bad Boy" owes much to the former (Charlie Chaplin) film. Still, "My Boy" does rate very highly on its own. First of all, Coogan is, by now, obviously a remarkable young actor. Suspicions about the five-year-old's performances owing everything to "Kid's" Chaplin and "Peck's" Sam Wood are laid firmly to rest. Coogan proves himself, herein directed by Victor Heerman and Albert Austin, an actor to be reckoned with.
Coogan's characterization is incredibly natural, under the circumstances. He steers clear of the tendency to become mawkishly cloying -- the road, unfortunately, taken by many a "child star". At this point in his career, the credit must be given to Coogan's camp (perhaps, the boy and his father). "My Boy" solidified Coogan as a box office super-star. Gillingwater and Mathilde Brundage (as Mrs. J. Montague Blair, "The Grandmother") provide fine support.
There are (at least) two absolutely indispensable film sequences to watch for, in "My Boy": The first is when Coogan gives himself a bath and shower; his performance is wonderful. The second is when Coogan runs away from a party, after being accused of stealing a lady's purse; the resulting cinematic poetry might have left Chaplin feeling envious. Coogan dancing to an organ-grinder's beat is almost as indelible.
"My Boy" features one of the most endearing child performers in one of his best roles.
********* My Boy (1921) Victor Heerman, Albert Austin ~ Jackie Coogan, Claude Gillingwater, Mathilde Brundage
