Hell's Kitchen

The Dead End Kids are unfortunate residents of the crookedly run Hudson Boys Shelter. Paroled gangster Buck Ceaser is advised by his lawyer nephew that making a contribution to the shelter would be good for his image. For a while conditions at the shelter improve, but Krispen, the shelters warden, fears the contributions from Caeser might raise suspicion, and lead to an audit. An audit is the last thing Krispen wants. Krispen fears an audit would certainly expose his clever graft scheme. Krispen arranges for Ceaser to get into a fight, thus violating his parole. With Caeser out of the way, Krispen returns to his iron fist rule over the boys. Krispens favorite punishment is locking unruly boys in "the cooler." When Joey (Bobby Jorden) causes Krispens wrath, he locks Joey in the cooler. Joey, a weak sickly boy dies as result of his stretch in the cooler. Krispen arranges a private funeral. At the funeral the arrogant Krispen delivers an eulogy that blames the boys. This causes the boys to revolt and take control of the shelter. The boys put Krispen on a mock trial. The Verdict: Krispen is to "join Joey." This is my favorite Dead End Kids film. The boys are all in top form and they overshadow the films star lead Ronald Reagan. Frankie Burke, who played James Cagney as a boy in ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES, plays a member of the gang in this one. His resemblance to James Cagney was uncanny.

When you come down to it, THE DEAD END KIDS were a teenage version of OUR GANG/THE LITTLE RASCALS, only with more trouble on their hands! These guys were a phenom when they all made their debut in the iconic DEAD END (1937) for Warner Brothers. And it's not to say, as I have mentioned in my last review, that they didn't drive ole Jack Warner and company bonkers with their antics, both on and off the screen! That said, the kids had an immense amount of talent, of course lead by the outrageous Leo Gorcey! Gorcey admitted in a 1960s radio interview (on YOUTUBE) that they did a lot of crazy stuff on the lot and were very lucky. No one in Hollywood had ever seen their likes before, and perhaps that was made them so original. Here, the gang goes after distinguished Grant Mitchell, who runs a reformatory like a prison. This scenario is not new by any means, but it makes for some dynamic confrontations, including poor Bobby Jordon being locked in a freezer by Mitchell and eventually dying.

The kids are aided by Stanley Fields (as Buck) a Runyanesque character if there ever was one, playing a reformed gangster himself who steals a lot of scenes here! Fields was in high demand throughout the 1930s up until his sudden death in 1941. This film marks Ronald Reagan's first appearance with the Dead End Kids, portraying Jim, a social worker who is watching over the boys. It was either Gorcey or Huntz Hall, in later years, that said Reagan (behind the scenes) was originally a bit scared of them and kept his distance! At least in this film. Beautiful Margaret Lindsay plays Beth, the other social worker and, of course, love interest for Reagan. There are some publicity shots of Lindsay and Gorcey kidding around and look like they are genuinely enjoying each others company (she was not married at the time!), so there are two sides to a story! Gorcey also said he had a crush on Ann Sheridan, who he worked with at WB. Also the great Vera Lewis is in the cast as Sarah, who majored in matronly roles for decades, later to appear in the Bowery Boys SPOOK BUSTERS as a mean old lady! She was in many classics. Note the cool names the guys have; Gorcey plays Gyp, Hall plays Bingo and Gabe Dell as Ace. This was directed by veteran German silent film director EA DuPont, who did a superb job, especially with the powerful ending. Always on Warner Brothers box set dvd.

The fact that this is a remake of a 1933 film and a reworking of a film made in 1938 is not that unusual for Warner Brothers. Often they remade films only a year or two or three later. Other studios often did the same but Warner seemed to do it a lot.

In spite of this being a remake, and I usually hate remakes, I found I enjoyed this every bit as much as the other two films--perhaps a little more. This is because instead of the tough guys Cagney or Bogart playing the lead, this one had Stanley Fields who brought an entirely different element. He was much larger and scarier looking but also had a comedic edge to him--sort of like a big criminal teddy bear!! The only part that didn't work for me was the whole hockey team angle--that was weird and the street kids seemed practically like champion skaters almost immediately! Still, this is an enjoyable Warner film and another chance to see the early (and best) incarnation of the Dead End Kids--a group that morphed and changed a lot over the years as the East Side Kids and the Bowery Boys (which were almost like a parody of the Dead End Kids). Well worth seeing.

That doesn't mean "Hell's Kitchen" isn't worth a viewing though. The cast is fantastic, where you have the Dead End Kids, Ronald Reagan, the gorgeous Margaret Lindsey, and other familiar faces. Stanley Fields is a decent mug leaving the rackets, and Grant Mitchell also plays a fantastic evil head of the reform school.

Fields plays Buck, who is on probation and wants to clean up the school. There are some decent curiosities, like hockey footage that resembles a 1939 version of "Slap Shot," and Frankie Burke, the Cagney lookalike (and soundalike) first seen as a young Rocky Sullivan in "Angels with Dirty Faces." His film career lasted only four years but he managed to appear in no less than eighteen films.

As good as Stanley Fields is, it's tough to beat Cagney in "The Mayor of Hell," which also had the advantage of being pre-code. The Dead End Kids take over the movie, with Billy Halop and Leo Gorcey getting the most lines.

Overall, a decent enough movie, but not one you'll be in a rush to view again. Still, decent.

Crime boss Buck Caesar gets a suspended sentence. Supported by his nephew and lawyer Jim Donahue (Ronald Reagan), he decides to go legit. His criminal minions are not so supportive. Jim suggests contributing to a reform school for boys. Unbeknownst to them, the place is a cruel place run by Krispan. He fires caring teacher Beth Avery which happens to be seen by Buck and Jim. Buck is taking over. He intends to reform the reform school.

It's the "Dead End" kids. It's their third movie. The subject matter is still serious with some moments of humor. It has the stiff acting of Ronald Reagan. He's the quintessential square jaw actor. Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall are still only two of the boys. It's good standard Dead End Kids.