Moan & Groan, Inc. (1929)

This Our Gang short is notable for its two guest stars. Edgar Kennedy appears as, appropriately enough, Kennedy the Cop. And, although he's almost completely forgotten today, the Jewish comic Max Davidson appears in the film as a crazy old man. I say 'Jewish' because in most of his films, Davidson's shtick was playing an extremely stereotypical Jewish man. Sadly, Davidson isn't given a whole lot to do in this film other than to act crazy--which was a waste of his considerable talents (he could be VERY funny).

Nice Officer Kennedy is a friend to all the kids. He tells them that when he was a kid, he and his friends liked to go look for buried treasure. So, the Gang heads over to a nearby haunted house to dig for treasure in the basement. However, instead of actually being haunted there is a crazed but harmless nut-job living there--who takes considerable pleasure in scaring the kids. Eventually, Kennedy comes to the rescue, but the nut takes extra efforts scare Kennedy.

All in all, a very contrived and not particularly inspired film. It lacks subtlety and isn't all that funny. Plus, Davidson's nutsy performance really dominates the film...and that's not such a good thing.