This week’s mystery movie was the 1936 MGM picture “Tough Guy,” with Jackie Cooper, Joseph Calleia, Rin Tin Tin Jr., Harvey Stephens, Jean Hersholt, Edward Pawley, Mischa Auer and Robert Warwick. Original story and screenplay by Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf. Musical score by Dr. William Axt, recording director Douglas Shearer, art direction by Cedric Gibbons, associates Paul Crawley and Edwin B. Willis, photographed by Leonard Smith, edited by James E. Newcom.
Produced by Harry Rapf. Directed by Chester M. Franklin.
“Tough Guy” is available on DVD from Warner Archive, but TCM has a slightly better price.
Howard Mandelbaum points out that the close relationship between Cooper as the runaway boy and Calleia as the tough gangster with a soft spot, “would never go over today.”
Also notice the large map on the wall. At one point Robert Warwick says “Altadena?” the way Robert Morley says “Africa?” in “The African Queen,” and the police refer to the Arroyo Seco as Arroyo Sick-o.”
And how often does Eagle Rock get screen time?
Rin Tin Tin Jr. does lots of stunts in “Tough Guy,” but this may be my favorite shot in the entire film.
Writing in the New York Times (March 14, 1936), J.T.M. said:
Even without the excellent Joseph Calleia, probably our favorite public enemy, “Tough Guy would have pleased this reviewer mightily, because he is an assured success for any story about a boy and a dog.
The dog, incidentally, is Rin Tin Tin Jr., a recent graduate from the serials and, if his performance in “Tough Guy” is any criterion, well fitted to pad along the first-run trail in the footprints of his illustrious ancestor…
Jackie Cooper is getting to be quite a husky young fellow these days, and the way he stood up and called the dread Salerno [Joseph Calleia] a “palooka” should be an inspiration to boys planning to run away from home and mix up with gangsters this spring.
The story was well paced, and the director, Chester M. Franklin, wisely let action replace the flood of sentimental dialogue that usually flows through boy and dog stories.
For Monday, we have a mystery dog. And as incredible as it may seem, our mystery pooch does NOT approve of such goings-on.
Update: This is Rin Tin Tin Jr.
For Tuesday, a newsboy cap is the perfect headgear for our mystery guest to peruse display ads for the Broadway.
Update: This is William Tannen.
Brain Trust roll call: Sylvia E. (mystery movie and Monday’s mystery dog), Sue Slutzky (mystery movie and Monday’s mystery dog) and Thom and Megan (Monday’s mystery dog).
For Wednesday, our mystery chap is bewildered by such goings-on.
Update: This is Billy Dooley, who starred as a sailor in a series of comedy shorts.
Brain Trust roll call: Howard Mandelbaum (mystery movie, mystery pooch and Tuesday’s mystery newsboy cap gent), David Inman (Monday’s mystery pooch), Don Danard (Tuesday’s mystery newsboy cap guest), Sue Slutzky (Tuesday’s mystery newsboy cap guest) and Sylvia E. (Tuesday’s mystery newsboy cap guest).
For Thursday, our mystery pooch has a touch of lead poisoning and is treated by our mystery vet.
Update: Jean Hersholt treats the wounded Rin Tin Tin Jr.
Why yes, our mystery movie is set in Los Angeles.
Update: This is Harvey Stephens.
Thursday’s mystery guest No. 3 does not approve of such goings-on.
Robert Warwick: “Altadena?”
Brain Trust roll call: Howard Mandelbaum (Wednesday’s mystery gas station attendant), Sylvia E. (Wednesday’s mystery gas station attendant) and Sheila (Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s mystery guests but the wrong movie).
For Friday, an unmysterious hoodlum who knows how to wear a hat.
Update: This is Joseph Calleia.
Our unmysterious hoodlum has an even less mysterious young companion.
Update: Jackie Cooper and Joseph Calleia.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (mystery movie, Monday’s mystery pooch, Wednesday’s former silent comedian and Thursday’s mystery guests), Sue Slutzky (Thursday’s mystery guests), Howard Mandelbaum (Thursday’s mystery guests), Sheila (Thursday’s mystery guest no. 3), Thom and Megan (mystery movie and Thursday’s mystery guests), Don Danard (Thursday’s mystery guest No. 3) and Sylvia E. (Thursday’s mystery guests).
ladailymirror.com 
This is Ace the Wonder dog as Rusty in one of the Ted Donaldson Rusty films.
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A good guess, but alas I’m afraid not.
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one mad dog, am I right ?
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Displeased. He does not approve of such goings-on.
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Yo Rinny?
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Rinny had crossed Rainbow Bridge by the time our mystery film was made.
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Ace the Wonder Dog–from “Rookie Cop” with Tim Holt?
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A good guess, but alas, I’m afraid not.
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The dog likely had to sit thru’ a Lassie movie.
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Ha. Our mystery movie predates Lassie. 🙂
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Flame?
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An excellent guess. But alas our mystery movie predates Flame.
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Lobo the Marvel Dog from 1935’s “Guard That Girl.”
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A good guess. Right era, wrong studio(s)
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My first guesses:
I think the dog is Rin Tin Tin Jr. (had no idea – the things you learn playing this game)
Maybe the movie is Tough Guy 1936 (if it is, I’ve got the cast list)
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LIghtning the Dog.
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Lightning the Dog had crossed Rainbow Bridge by the time our mystery movie was filmed.
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It’s Rin Tin Tin Jr. in 1936’s Tough Guy.
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From the markings, we think it’s Rin Tin Tin Jr..
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The ever present William Tannen.
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Monday: Rin Tin Tin Jr. in TOUGH GUY (1936).
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Wasn’t there a Rin Tin Tin Junior?
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Tuesday’s Mystery Man is William Tannen.
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William Tannen on Tuesday?
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Tuesday – William Tannen (I think I spelled that correctly)
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Our Tuesday Newspaper rider is William Tannen.
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Billy Dooley.
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Is Wednesday’s chap Irving Bacon?
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Alas, I’m afraid not.
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I’m pretty sure that Wednesday’s guy is Billy Dooley (in a gas station attendant’s uniform instead of what seems to be his usual sailor’s outfit.)
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William Tannen and Billy Dooley, ‘Foolproof’?
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TOUGH GUY. Rinnie Jr. on Monday, Edward Norris Tuesday, Billy Dooley Wednesday, Harvey Stephens, Jean Hersholt, and one of my favorites, Robert Warwick, today. Love those LA newspapers!
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I don’t recognize Wednesday’s guest. Thursday we have: #1- Jean Hersholt, #2- Harvey Stephens, #3- Robert Warwick.
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Jean Hersholt, Harvey Stephens, Robert Warick.
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Robert Warwick for Thursday!
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Our movie is Tough Guy with Jean Hersholt, Harvey Stephens, and Robert Warwick for today.
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Thursday’s Mystery Man #3 is Robert Warwick.
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Thursday – Jean Hersholt is our kindly vet. Harvey Stephens and Robert Warwick are 2 and 3.
So Friday will be full: Jackie Cooper, Joseph Calleia for sure and I’m guessing Mischa Auer and Edward Pawley may make appearances, too.
Looking forward to your Saturday breakdown.
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Where is/was Belvedere? Maybe a Red Car stop?
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That’s a short question with a long answer… Let me pull it together for you.
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Joseph Calleia and Jackie Cooper.
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Joseph Calleia, Jackie Cooper.
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Let’s start with Jackie Coogan circa 1930. If no one else I should hope I recognize Jackie Coogan.
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Joseph Calleia ..one of the latest Mystery Men.
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Friday – Joseph Calleia and Jackie Cooper.
Do you know if any ‘stunt dogs’ were used for Rin Tin Tin Jr.?
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