Youth on Parole

If you've read this under my username, you know I've been reviewing the Our Gang shorts in chronological order along with any other films outside the series featuring at least one member the same way in between. This time, however, I'm reviewing a film from a few years back of the current OG short I just wrote about featuring a former member since it also features an adult woman who played the mother of one of the current members at this point. I'm referring to Mary Kornman-the former member-and Peggy Shannon-who I just watched playing Mickey Gubitosi's mother for the second time in All About Hash. They both play characters related to the leading lady here, Marian Marsh-Mary playing her sister and Peggy playing her co-worker. Ms. Marsh plays one of two young adults being framed for a jewel robbery, the other being Gordon Oliver. There's also a nice supporting role for the Marx Brothers' dowager lady, Margaret Dumont, playing against type as a landlady for the slum apartment Ms. Marsh and Oliver reside in. For the most part, I liked this melodrama so on that note, that's a recommendation for Youth on Parole.

Two strangers, a man and a woman, are framed for a jewel robbery and thrown in jail.

After they get out, they join forces to track down the real thieves.

I know a lot of the reviews are good.

To be honest, I couldn't get into this movie. On the plus side, the production values are really nice for a cheap budget. The print I saw was really nice as well.

I just was bored silly with the plot line. It was a very slow movie. It was hard to care much for the characters too. So in the end, I was really disappointed.

Gordon Oliver and Marian Marsh are framed for a jewelry robbery. While they're serving their prison time, Oliver discovers the job and frame were courtesy of Miles Mander. They're released early for good behavior. When they get out, however, they discover that paying their debt to society doesn't end the matter. They can't get work. Finally, they decide to go after Mander.

They're a couple of fresh-faced kids in this one, and there's a decent supporting cast, including Margaret Dumont as their landlady. She sports an Irish accent, even though her name is Abernathy! It's an unexceptional but decent Poverty Row B.