The thing NEWS HOUNDS has going for it is the stellar cast. There are some great actors on board here who chew up the scenery, though you can NEVER top Leo Gorcey's malaprops!
As I've said before, the difference between the 40s episodes of the 50s episodes was the balance between drama and comedy. This story relies more on high drama, but it's still fun to watch, sort of in a noir-ish Bowery Boys slant. In this case, Slip and Sach are now working at a newspaper and -- in their own insane way -- help crack a sports fixing ring.
That all said, Huntz Hall makes good use of his screen time (thanks to director William Beaudine),
by staging some fun pratfalls, including a laugh out loud scene where he (as newspaper photographer) sits high atop a bunch of stacked and wobbly tables at Louie's snapping pictures. He does it all over again in the last reel. It's one to see.
Getting to the super cast, John Hamilton (best known as Perry White on Superman) is very convincing as the notorious ring leader. We also get to see Tim Ryan, who plays Slip and Sach's boss, who actually wrote most of the BOWERY BOYS scripts over the years.
Rounding out the cast is popular heavy Anthony Caruso (who has a good old fashioned fist fight with Slip) and Christine McIntyre (as Jane), long time featured player in the THREE STOOGES short films. Nita Bieber (as Mame, Gabe's beautiful gal pal) was an actress, dancer and model and a few years later would be on the front cover of LIFE magazine.
This is also one of the few episodes where Gabe flirts with the bad guys, but saves the day! And don't miss the outstanding courtoom scene as lawyer Slip(!) addresses the judge and jury?
Released via Warner Brothers on dvd box sets of 6 to 8 films each. Classic color box covers, usually film posters. Thank you TCM for running this outrageous series.
