It's a boxing film --BOWERY BOYS STYLE, and you know what that means. Insanity.
The gang is helping another damsel in distress (played by Gale Robbins), and the way to do it is to win money in a boxing match? Of course, Sach is elected to go a few rounds with a bone crusher? The clever angle here is that hypnotism is introduced, via professor Ian Keith, who gets Sach into the ring with his special powers.
Hilarious stuff, which was actually co-writen by the series producer, Jan Grippo. The focus is especially on pretty Gale Robbins, who was originally a popular model, then singer for Jan Garber's orchestra. This was her second film role and she's good, caught between all the goofy situations these guys usually get themselves into anyway.
Also watch for Ian Keith as the hypnotist. Keith was a popular actor in many B films, and at the time was appearing in the DICK TRACY series as the vitamin popper.
This is one of the first series entries directed by William Beaudine, whose career went back to silent films, and considered the "poppa" of the Bowery Boys films, One of the few directors who could work with the guys and keep everybody on the same page. Not an easy job.
Top honors also to funny character actor Ben Welden as Bull Laguna, who would go on to play bad guys on the SUPERMAN tv series, also Sammy Cohen as Evil Eye Fagan, a cross-eyed goon who tries to break the spell on Sach when he's in the ring. Eddie Gribbon plays Blackie. Eddie appeared in more than 200 films and was one of the original Keystone Cops in early silent films.
Is it Billy Butterworth OR Billy Butterball?
Packaged in 8 episodes per dvd box set by Warner Brothers for all of us fearless fans.
