Honky Donkey: A Mule, A Mess, and Too Much Noise

Is this actually worth the time?

Look, if you have a soft spot for the classic gang antics of the era, you’ll probably find something to chuckle at here. If the sight of a mule standing awkwardly in a room full of shouting children sounds like a nightmare, stay away. Far away. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, and it’s about as subtle as a brick to the forehead. 🐴

Wally brings this mule home like it’s a golden retriever or something. The rest of the gang—Stymie, Spanky, the whole crew—are just stuck playing along with this disaster. You can practically see the parents in the background (if they were even there) wanting to pull their hair out.

There’s a specific scene where the mule is just… standing there. It’s not doing anything. But the kids are buzzing around it like flies, and the camera just lingers on the animal’s face. The mule looks more bored than anyone in the audience. It’s honestly the most relatable performance in the film.

It’s weird how these films sometimes feel like a fever dream you had after eating too much candy. Much like the erratic energy in Circus Capers, this one just throws everything at the wall to see what sticks. Spoiler: Not much does.

Small observations from the notebook:

• The sound mixing is… something. Every time the mule makes a noise, it feels like it’s coming from inside your own ear.
• The way Spanky tries to look annoyed is pure gold, even if he clearly forgot his lines for a second.
• I’m still not sure why a wealthy kid has a mule in the first place. Nobody explains it. We just accept it.

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not even trying to be one. It’s just a bunch of kids in a room with a mule, and honestly? Sometimes that’s all you get. It reminded me a bit of the frantic pacing in Twisted Triggers, where everything happens at once and none of it really matters.

If you find yourself watching this, don't overthink the plot. There isn't one. It’s just a mule. In a room. With kids. Good luck. 🙄