That Gang of Mine

Plot-- Gorcey's convinced beyond reason that he's a born jockey and can win a trophy race if he can just ride his favorite horse. And that's despite the riding mistakes he keeps making and the Kids' own doubts. So what's the outcome going to be.

The flick's more dramatic than most Kids entries. The slap-happy's at a minimum, while Gorcey's efforts at becoming a jockey aboard promising race horse Blue Knight takes over the storyline. Gorcey shows his acting chops, going through more moods than usual as he confronts many horse-riding set-backs. Movie really belongs to veteran Black actor Clarence Muse as Blue Knight's loving care-taker. Significantly, Black-man Muse's character remains sympathetic, worldly wise, and not mocked for laughs in the style of the day. Still, there are some amusing lines as when one Kid says he has an idea while another Kid wonders if it hurts! Anyway, the entry has its own particular merits, along with a rather surprise ending that I wasn't expecting. But don't look for many humorous head-swats, or antics from that great looney, Huntz Hall.

I have never been a huge fan of the Dead End Kids, the East Side Kids or the Bowery Boys--they just aren't the sort of films I enjoy. However, I must say I was pleasantly surprised by this little public domain film--it's well worth your time and not 100% predictable.

The film begins with Muggs (Leo Gorcey), out of the blue, announcing that he wants to be a jockey! Where this idea would come from is a tad hard to believe--as it is when they stumble upon a guy who just happens to have a horse that can't help but win! At this point in the film, I was far from impressed as it all seemed incredibly contrived. Fortunately, it did get better. In the crazy world of films, you'd expect that by the end of the film Muggs and the horse would be a huge success--and fortunately that is NOT where it went. The idea of an untrained knuckle-head learning overnight to be a top jockey is patently ridiculous--and fortunately the film does NOT go there. Where exactly it goes is something you'll have to see for yourself.

Another thing you may want to pay attention to is the treatment of black performers in the film. While the owner of the horse is occasionally a walking stereotype, he's also an amazingly decent and complex character--and very sympathetic. He's not just another 'dumb black man'--but someone with kindness and intelligence--something you don't often see in films of the era.

Overall, the film offered a few surprises and taught me that the best way out of your problems is to beat someone up--probably NOT the best object lesson, but entertaining nonetheless. A notch above the norm for East Side Kids films.

This is a solid East Side Kids feature that combines their familiar style with an equally familiar story setup about a young man's dream, producing something slightly different from either. It successfully avoids being predictable, while offering Leo Gorcey, Bobby Jordan, and the rest plenty of chances to display their boisterous style.

The story has Gorcey, as Muggs, dreaming of becoming a famous jockey. This seemingly unsuitable choice of profession sets up an interesting story that even has a few thoughtful moments. Clarence Muse does quite a good job as Muggs's kindly, wise mentor (and as a side-note, it's one of the better roles for an African-American to be found in the B-movies of the era). While the other adult characters are mostly one-dimensional, they each serve a purpose in the way that things turn out.

Along the way there are a number of chances for Gorcey, Jordan, and the rest to engage in some amusing silliness, yet director Joseph H. Lewis maintains a decent balance between that and more substantial material. As a result, it's not bad at all, and is worth seeing, at least for those who like the East Side Kids and their style.

Muggs wants to follow in the footsteps of a kid who left the street years earlier to become a jockey. Muggs' idol turns out to be a stuck up kid who wants nothing more than to forget the old days now that he is a successful jockey. undeterred Muggs continues on his quest and eventually has the chance to ride a champion horse.

Very good East Side Kids movie that nicely balances the serious and the silly. Muggs attempt at bettering himself and the gang is nicely handled, and the craziness of the gang prevents things from getting too dark.

Definitely worth seeing for both fans and non-fans of the series.

With his gang's clubhouse closed for repairs, Bobby Jordan (as Danny Dolan) moves "The East Side Kids" back to a (horse) stable hangout. There, young Mr. Jordan, hard-boiled Leo Gorcey (as Muggs Maloney), Ernest "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison (as Scruno), David Gorcey (as Peewee), and Donald Haines (as Skinny) meet ageing horseman Clarence Muse (as Ben). Jordan and Mr. Muse help Mr. Gorcey realize his dream - to become a professional jockey. For "That Gang of Mine", Jordan is incredibly appealing, Gorcey is a natural jockey wannabe, and Muse contributes an engaging "guest" performance. Director Joseph H. Lewis makes the most of ordinary production values.

***** That Gang of Mine (9/23/40) Joseph H. Lewis ~ Bobby Jordan, Leo Gorcey, Clarence Muse