Filmdom's oddest stars are the "Barnyard Actors."
The troup includes domestic animals, from ducks to donkeys, that perform singly and in groups for Hal Roach's comedies. They live on the "Roachero Rancho," Culver City, Calif., where they are trained by Tony Campanaro.
Perhaps the best known barnyard actor is Pete, the bulldog with a ring around one eye. He appears in every "Our Gang" comedy. Other dogs include Jiggs, the great Dane of "Dodsworth;" Buster, comical terrier that appears with Laurel and Hardy, and Brownie, the bulldog in many Irvin S. Cobb comedies.
Wave of a Hand.
A real star is Prof. Peppy, a monkey. "He will do anything at the wave of a hand," Mr. Campanaro writes Parade. "His imitations of the Hitler salute, and of Stan Laurel scratching his head are his best tricks. He was with Shirley Temple in 'Poor Little Rich Girl.'
"Bonzo, a pure white duck that walks like a penguin, has also worked with Shirley and many other stars. Diana, the mule, has just finished a picture with Stan Laurel. I have four trained cats, three black and one white. The black ones play in murder mysteries.
"Merely for background I keep 48 ducks, 18 geese, 2 turkeys and many chickens and pigeons. All my pets love me. My dogs bark at every car entering the rancho but mine."
The animals' affection probably is due to his careful handling. During the early days of the silent films, Mr. Campanaro trained many dog stars. After serving in the World War, he returned to Hollywood. For the last 15 years, he has lived with his animals at the Roachero Rancho.
Little Each Day
"I train animals with kindness, thus gaining their confidence," he says. "I begin when they are very young. I teach a little each day, gradually lengthening the time until they know the essential tricks.
"When they master a trick, I always applaud. Then I let them rest a little. When they think they have pleased me, they try even harder the next time."