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1 out of 1 people found the following review useful: One of the best "Our Gang" films from the late-silent era, 30 September 2003 Author: jimtinder from US
Poor Pete the Pup. He wants to hang himself because his master, Joe, has given up playing with him and going fishing for the love of a girl. A dog friend of Pete's stops him in the nick of time, and in flashback Pete tells him of his sorrows; Pete becomes a drunkard and is chased away by Joe. The last straw comes when another dog knocks Joe's sweetheart into a lake and Pete is blamed for it. Will Pete carry through with his suicide or will Joe apologize?Full of clever humor and situations, "Dog Heaven" is one of the best of the late-silent "Our Gang" comedies (a period lasting roughly from 1927 to 1929). Pete the Pup proves a fine animal actor; his facial expressions convey emotions seldom found in other animal actors, especially when playing drunk!That said, at times it appears as if Pete is really hanging from his neck! There may have been an invisible wire aiding his support, but the manipulation here is a little unsettling. All in all, however, watch "Dog heaven" for good laughs and a good canine performance. 9 out of 10.
Dog Heaven is another "Our Gang" short that skillfully mixes amusement and sentiment, 7 February 2008 Author: tavm from Baton Rouge, La.
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
This Hal Roach comedy short, Dog Heaven, is the seventieth in the "Our Gang/Little Rascals" series. It's also the earliest from Roach's new distributor, M-G-M, that's available for viewing. After another dog prevents him from hanging himself, Pete tells his sad story about his master, Joe. Initially willing to save some money to buy a new collar for his pet, Joe meets flirtatious Clarabelle (Annette De Kirby in her only "Our Gang" appearance) and decides to spend it on her instead. He even agrees to dress in his Sunday best for a kiss despite the rest of the gang openly making fun of them (including Jay R. and Jackie pecking each other on the lips for effect!). Pete, depressed from the neglect, drinks himself in a stupor and, after a cop finds him resting on a bench, gets himself tied up to a bush. At a nearby bridge, Clarabelle stands looking over when another dog pushes her into the water. When she shouts "Help!", Pete breaks loose and saves her just as Joe arrives. Because her back was turned the whole time, Clarabelle blames Pete and considers Joe her hero but a witness tells Joe the truth after Pete leaves for his fate. Having finished his story, Pete is helped by his fellow dog friend to finish the job just as Joe asks forgiveness and gives his pet his long-awaited collar...Told from a dog's point of view, Dog Heaven mixes drama and comedy for nice blend of sentiment and laughs. The only slight discordant note was the sight of Pete actually hanging himself for awhile making anyone fearful of lynchings uncomfortable I'm sure. I'd also like to note a scene of a baby's behind stripped bare for a few seconds that probably wouldn't have been shown after the Production Code went strict after 1934. One more thing, according to some production notes made by "Gang" member Jean Darling's mother, Roach effects maven Charles Oelze was co-director with Anthony Mack but took no credit. So on that note, I highly recommend Dog Heaven. P.S. This rare short first appeared on home video on a 1997 "Little Rascals 75th Anniversary" tape dedicated to Pete the Pup. It appeared alongside For Pete's Sake, Dogs is Dogs, and The Pooch. Former "Our Gang"-er Tommy "Butch" Bond hosted.
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