When 'Skippy' knelt down beside his bed in the Paramount picture of that name and talked confidentially to God about Sooky, he was not acting, but merely following a natural procedure. This was told by his mother on the Paramount set as Jackie Cooper and Robert Coogan were reunited for the continuation of their Percy Crosby adventures in a new picture titled 'Sooky,' now at the Stanley Theatre.
"Jackie always talks to God," Mrs. Cooper says. "He has his little prayer which he rambles off at lightning speed and then settles down to discuss his problems with God.
"He recently asked a minister why God hadn't answered all his prayers and when the preacher told him God took care of the most important things first, Jackie replied, 'I sort of figured it was that way - I guess lots of folks have bigger things to ask him for.'
"Jackie's chief subject of discussion with God is his lack of a father. His daddy died when Jackie was little more than two.
"When I saw Jackie pray in 'Skippy,' I couldn't hold back my tears because I could remember the times when he used to say to God, 'Why is it I can't have a daddy like the other guys, God? Gee, that's about the only thing I really do want. I know you can't bother with everyone, but I didn't think it's right for me not to have a dad 'cause you know I don't ask you for many things'."
Jackie's mother states that he must have it reasoned out that God wants folks to help themselves as much as possible, because he continually is picking out husbands for her. She had several embarrassing moments, she says, when Jackie endeavored vigorously to consummate her marriage to Richard Dix while the famous kid was working in a picture with that star.