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A 1935 tearjerker where your mom goes to prison... but make it precious?
TMDB
73
IMDb
55

Dinky (1935)

pre-Code melodramachild star showcasematernal sacrifice

Overview

Drama

A mother sends her young son to military school so he won't find out she's been sentenced to a prison term on a framed fraud charge.

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Content warning

Standout Aspects

Acting

Jackie Cooper's waterworks — the kid could CRY.

Direction

Dual directors = tonal whiplash between weepie and military yarn.

Production

Warner Bros.' B-unit efficiency: 65 minutes, no fat.

Best for:Solo: Quiet afternoon with vintage tissues ready.·Rewatch: Spotting two directors' competing visions.
Heads up:Emotional: Child separation trauma played straight for tears.·Triggers: Framed incarceration, class-based humiliation.
Howard Bretherton

Director

Howard Bretherton

ReleasedMay 11, 1935
Runtime1h 5m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensitymedium
Tonemixed
Feelheavy
Warner Bros. Pictures

Top Cast

Jackie Cooper

Jackie Cooper

Dinky Daniels

Mary Astor

Mary Astor

Martha Daniels

Roger Pryor

Roger Pryor

Tom Marsden

Henry Armetta

Henry Armetta

Tony Karamazo

Betty Jean Hainey

Betty Jean Hainey

Mary

Henry O'Neill

Henry O'Neill

Col. Barnes

Jimmy Butler

Jimmy Butler

Cadet Lane

Edith Fellows

Edith Fellows

Sally

George Ernest

George Ernest

Jojo

Richard Quine

Richard Quine

Jackie Shaw

Addison Richards

Addison Richards

District Attorney

James Burke

James Burke

Truck Driver

Joseph Crehan

Joseph Crehan

Orphanage Director

Howard Hickman

Howard Hickman

Judge Barlow

Florence Fair

Florence Fair

Mrs. Shaw

Ask about Dinky

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Trivia

Two directors credited because Warner Bros. reportedly scrapped and reshot the ending after poor previews.

Cultural

Part of 1930s 'reform school' cycle; Cooper made this between Skippy and Peck's Bad Boy, peak child stardom.

Gallery

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