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7.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 7.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Free Eats remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have any patience for the classic Our Gang shorts, you’ll probably find this one pretty breezy and fun. If you hate kids shouting, dogs barking, or plotlines that rely entirely on slapstick and coincidences, you should probably just skip this. It isn’t going to change your life, but it’s a decent way to kill fifteen minutes if you like old-timey comedy.
The whole thing kicks off with the kids trying to scrounge up a meal, which is basically their default setting. The way they go about it is pure, unfiltered kid-logic. It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in Dodge Your Debts, just with more kids and less financial responsibility.
There is this one moment where the burglars are trying to act all tough and menacing, but they’re just totally outclassed by the sheer volume of noise coming from the children. It’s funny because you can see the actors trying to keep a straight face while Spanky and Stymie are essentially running circles around them. It’s not high art, but it’s definitely got that heart.
Specific Observations:
I found myself wondering if they actually fed the kids during the shoot or if that was real hunger on their faces. They really do look like they’d eat anything put in front of them. The pacing feels a bit jumpy, like the editors were just cutting out whatever took too long to get to the next punchline.
It doesn't reach the heights of something like Felix Turns the Tide, but it’s not trying to. It’s just a messy, loud, and sweet little bit of fluff. I’m not sure why I care so much about these kids, but here we are. 🐶
Watching this made me miss the days when comedy was just people falling over things. It’s simple. Maybe that’s why it still works today.