Dancing Romeo

Though "Tale of A Dog" is usually listed as the last OUR GANG film, "Dancing Romeo" was both filmed and released afterwards, making it truly the last entry in the series. And unlike "Tale of A Dog", "Dancing Romeo" is actually a decent film.

Sure, it's fairly pale compared to "School's Out", "Fishy Tales", "Forgotten Babies" and the other great "Our Gang" films from when they were produced by creator Hal Roach. It's even tame compared to early M-G-M entries such as "Party Fever". But it has to be by far the best entry of the last season. In fact it's a relief compared to such travesties as "Benjamin Franklin Junior". This the only one that isn't either steeped in condescending morals or a hopelessly halfhearted token of "comedy". It's also the rare Our Gang that actually makes good use of Froggy ("Going to Press" is another.)

The story of Froggy's attempts to impress a dancer whom he has a crush on is simple and effective, and given restrained direction. There are a few genuine laughs. Perhaps the best moment comes after Froggy has confessed he's about to do the most desperate thing possible. Janet worries he's going to shoot himself, and he replies "Worse than that! I'm gonna learn how to dance!" Also amusing is the kiddie audience's earnest response to Froggy's "recital" ("he must have been practicing for his whole life!")

This is no classic, certainly not to be confused as representative of Our Gang at its best. Yet it demonstrated that if the series could no longer be saved, at least it could end on a relatively high note.