The Big Show (1923)

Hal Roach Studios
Starring:
 Mickey Daniels, Jackie Condon, Joe Cobb
Directed by: Robert F. McGowan

Synopsis: After failing to sneak into to the big fair in town, the Gang decides to create their own makeshift fair.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): One of the attractions of the Gang’s fair is a handmade tilt-a-whirl style amusement ride which runs on dog power.  As would be the case is many future installments of the series, a cat is used as motivation for the dog to run (this is the first instance we see of this in an Our Gang short).  In this case the cat is in a cage on one of the arms.  When Booker T. (Ernest Morrison) wants the ride to stop he pushes a lever and the door of the cat’s cage closes, making the dog stop.  When he wants it to run he pulls back on the lever and opens the door, revealing the cat.  In this case it is a small black and white cat inside the cage.

Our Gang - The Big Show - black and white cat in cage on ride

The cat appears to be moonlighting, as it shows up again when the kids are preparing to put on a moving picture show.  One boy is going to impersonate Harold Lloyd and is rubbing goose grease on this shoes.  The cat shows up, interested in having a taste.

Our Gang - The Big Show - black and white cat approaches Harold Lloyd impersonator

Our Gang - The Big Show - black and white cat sniffs at can of goose grease

The boy pushes the cat aside and starts his performance.  The cat then shows up again, looking to lick his shoes.

Our Gang - The Big Show - black and white cat licks at goose grease on shoes

The boy tries raising his foot to deter the cat but it is no use.

Our Gang - The Big Show - black and white cat still wants goose grease on raised shoe

Eventually the cat wanders towards a crate and ventures inside.  Moments later he is followed by a bunch of pigs, which then interrupt the scene.

Our Gang - The Big Show - black and white cat goes inside crate

Kitty Cameo: Two other cats appear in the short inside a cage marked “Wild Cat” in the wild animals exhibit of the fair.

Our Gang - The Big Show - cats inside box marked Wild Cats

Final Mewsings: Cats don’t find being chased in circles by dogs amusing.


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