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.
4 Reviews
Dog Heaven is another "Our Gang" short that skillfully mixes amusement and sentiment
tavm7 February 2008
Warning: Spoilers
It has some laughs but it also is VERY dark and disjoint.
planktonrules4 February 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Oh my gosh!!! This is an incredibly dark little 'comedy' from Hal Roach. It begins with Pete the pup trying to commit suicide!! Yes, the Our Gang mascot is shown putting his head through a noose and jumping off a box--trying to off himself!! He is fortunately saved by an other dog and then he tells his story--why Pete is so upset that Dog Heaven is his only recourse.
The film jumps back years to when he and his owner, Joe Cobb, were little. Things are fine. Joe was saving up to buy Pete a nice new collar. But, later, Joe falls for some girl and ignores his old pal Pete--and spends the money he'd been saving on the collar on her instead. Pete is a mess and eventually hits the bottle...hard. He ends up a homeless alcoholic and a shadow of his former self. What's next? See the film for yourself and see why Pete is so miserable.
This film has lots of cute vignettes but it's story about suicide is terribly dark and many of the flashback scenes really have nothing to do with the overall plot. It's worth watching because it packs in the laughs but also lacks focus. If you do watch, look for Farina and Wheezer in addition to Joe and Pete.
Note: This silent film is included with the Our Gang mega-collection of eight DVDs. However, oddly, there is no accompanying music--making this a truly silent film.
The film jumps back years to when he and his owner, Joe Cobb, were little. Things are fine. Joe was saving up to buy Pete a nice new collar. But, later, Joe falls for some girl and ignores his old pal Pete--and spends the money he'd been saving on the collar on her instead. Pete is a mess and eventually hits the bottle...hard. He ends up a homeless alcoholic and a shadow of his former self. What's next? See the film for yourself and see why Pete is so miserable.
This film has lots of cute vignettes but it's story about suicide is terribly dark and many of the flashback scenes really have nothing to do with the overall plot. It's worth watching because it packs in the laughs but also lacks focus. If you do watch, look for Farina and Wheezer in addition to Joe and Pete.
Note: This silent film is included with the Our Gang mega-collection of eight DVDs. However, oddly, there is no accompanying music--making this a truly silent film.
Hope There Are No Women in Dog Heaven
boblipton25 October 2018
Many great silent comics have found committing suicide to be a source of humor, from Max Linder to Harold Lloyd. Add to the roll the name of Pete the Pup. As this film opens, Pete is trying to hang himself, much to the enjoyment of the chickens and cat he has tormented. Another dog rescues him and asks him to tell his story.
Pete is the dog of Joe Cobb, and their life together has been idyllic. Into this Eden entered a woman, played by Annette de Kirby in her only appearance in Our Gang. She steals Joe's heart and, since she doesn't like dogs, make him cast Our Hero aside.
When originally conceived, Our Gang was intended as a series about the kids and their animals. The animals were split off into the Dippy Doo-Dads under the direction of cameraman Len Powers. Only Pete and Alfalfa's mule survived in the Rascals' series and Pete was a great performer, starring in the Buster Brown series at the Stern Brothers. He joined the Rascal in 1927 in THE GLORIOUS FOURTH and added his star power to Our Gang through 1931 and lived a long and (I hope) happy life until 1946.
Pete is the dog of Joe Cobb, and their life together has been idyllic. Into this Eden entered a woman, played by Annette de Kirby in her only appearance in Our Gang. She steals Joe's heart and, since she doesn't like dogs, make him cast Our Hero aside.
When originally conceived, Our Gang was intended as a series about the kids and their animals. The animals were split off into the Dippy Doo-Dads under the direction of cameraman Len Powers. Only Pete and Alfalfa's mule survived in the Rascals' series and Pete was a great performer, starring in the Buster Brown series at the Stern Brothers. He joined the Rascal in 1927 in THE GLORIOUS FOURTH and added his star power to Our Gang through 1931 and lived a long and (I hope) happy life until 1946.
One of the best "Our Gang" films from the late-silent era
jimtinder30 September 2003
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.
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.
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