Mack Sennett Comedies
Starring: Louise Fazenda, Bert Roach, James Finlayson
Also Starring: Pepper
Directed by: Ray Grey, Richard Jones, Erle C. Kenton
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!
Synopsis: Louise (Louise Fazenda) is the daughter of a Farmer (Bert Roach) and has eyes for a Rustic Sweetheart (Harry Gribbon) but unfortunately she catches the eye of a ruthless Banker (James Finlayson).
Kitty Cameo: At the very beginning of the film Louise is introduced as the main character. She is seen in costume holding a calico kitten which she is pretending to have clawing her hair. She drops the kitten after just a moment.
Cinema Cat: This five-reel comedy film features prominent performances by two of Sennett’s most famous animal actors; Teddy the dog and Pepper the cat. Pepper is first spotted at the beginning of the piece walking along a fence at daybreak.
Pepper’s major scenes are later in the film and take place in a general store setting which the Farmer runs. The Farmer is eating a pie but is interrupted by a customer. Pepper, who is called Pep for short, jumps up and quickly eats the pie.
Pepper then walks down the counter and gets onto the top of a barrel.
The Farmer returns and finds pawprints across the counter and his missing pie. He looks down and sees Pepper looking innocent.
Pepper runs behind the counter and out the door, then peeks back in and meows before running away.
Later Pepper is seen watching a mouse on the floor.
The mouse scares Louise, who jumps up on counters and makes a mess knocking everything everywhere. Pepper chases the mouse but loses it.
Later the Banker is about to leave when the mouse runs along a shelf above the door. Pepper follows and knocks a pitcher down on the Banker’s head.
Pepper is only seen once more briefly chasing the mouse in the house.
Pepper was so popular with movie goers that her name and likeness, along with Teddy’s, even appeared in print ads for the film.
Final Mewsings: It’s clear to see why Pepper was a star.
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