Associate producer: Ken Goldsmith. Copyright 15 September 1941 by Universal Pictures Co., Inc. New York opening at the Rialto: 19 November 1941. U.S. release: 3 October 1941. Australian release: 18 December 1941. 5,496 feet. 61 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: Tom Barker idolises the memory of his brother Eddie, who was sent to the death house. He and his gang also look up to gangster Monk Bangor, who was Eddie's partner in crime. Policeman Frank Conroy tries to keep the boys from turning to the streets by setting up a recreational project. He gains the confidence of Pig, Ape and String, but fails to motivate Tom. Conroy gets the foursome jobs in an auto wrecking yard, where they prove themselves. He gets them out of a scrap when two of Monk's henchmen use them as pigeons in a jewelry robbery. However, Tom learns that it was Frank who had arrested Eddie. Though the other boys remain with Frank's youth group, Tom sides with Monk and is used in a jewel robbery. Monk hires Tom to drive him out west, but on the way, the gangster pulls a hold-up in a drug store.
NOTES: Number 21 of the 89-picture "Dead End Kids" series.
COMMENT: Average Dead End Kids-Little Tough Guys drama, with the gang attempting to make up in noise what they lack in wit. William Nigh's direction and Woody Bredell's photography show occasional traces of style and there is a fairly exciting chase climax.
However, the cast is nothing to rave about: pasty-faced Dick Foran an a non-singing role; the innocuous Anne Gwynne, perennial "B"-grade heroine; and Darryl Hickman, the loud-voiced but untalented juvenile. Still, these three are considerably more bearable than the Dead End Kids themselves, led by that master of the facial grimace, pop-eyed (at "dramatic" moments) Billy Halop. Production values are modest.
OTHER VIEWS: Between two fairly well-staged action spots at the beginning and end of this picture, lies a dreary wasteland of seemingly endless talk and very loud (but very unfunny) horseplay. Strictly for the lower half of undiscriminating double bills. - JHR writing as George Addison.
SYNOPSIS: Tom Barker idolises the memory of his brother Eddie, who was sent to the death house. He and his gang also look up to gangster Monk Bangor, who was Eddie's partner in crime. Policeman Frank Conroy tries to keep the boys from turning to the streets by setting up a recreational project. He gains the confidence of Pig, Ape and String, but fails to motivate Tom. Conroy gets the foursome jobs in an auto wrecking yard, where they prove themselves. He gets them out of a scrap when two of Monk's henchmen use them as pigeons in a jewelry robbery. However, Tom learns that it was Frank who had arrested Eddie. Though the other boys remain with Frank's youth group, Tom sides with Monk and is used in a jewel robbery. Monk hires Tom to drive him out west, but on the way, the gangster pulls a hold-up in a drug store.
NOTES: Number 21 of the 89-picture "Dead End Kids" series.
COMMENT: Average Dead End Kids-Little Tough Guys drama, with the gang attempting to make up in noise what they lack in wit. William Nigh's direction and Woody Bredell's photography show occasional traces of style and there is a fairly exciting chase climax.
However, the cast is nothing to rave about: pasty-faced Dick Foran an a non-singing role; the innocuous Anne Gwynne, perennial "B"-grade heroine; and Darryl Hickman, the loud-voiced but untalented juvenile. Still, these three are considerably more bearable than the Dead End Kids themselves, led by that master of the facial grimace, pop-eyed (at "dramatic" moments) Billy Halop. Production values are modest.
OTHER VIEWS: Between two fairly well-staged action spots at the beginning and end of this picture, lies a dreary wasteland of seemingly endless talk and very loud (but very unfunny) horseplay. Strictly for the lower half of undiscriminating double bills. - JHR writing as George Addison.