This East Side Kids melodrama introduces Huntz Hall, one of the original Dead End boys, to this series, and quaintly casts Keye Luke, Charlie Chan's "Number One Son" as a pool hall manager (named Clancy!), but each performer plays only a small role in this story of Muggs McGinnis (Leo Gorcey) and his gang. Released before the U.S. entry into WWII (ergo the Teutonic title), the film is devoid of the customary wartime propaganda that the series featured, but it is also shorn of the snappy ad libbing that caught the Gotham flavour of most of these affairs, and we must settle for a rapidly moving but largely uninvolving account of Muggs' decision to go straight amidst the usual background of the fight game and gangsters.
16 Reviews
Simple pre-war fun and light drama that moves along well.
thunderfoot181228 September 2005
I enjoyed this lightweight pre-war drama/comedy.
In those days I guess life was simple. Tough Irish kids had golden hearts if you could just get them a mentor in the police department. Fighting showed character. There were good guys and bad guys. Loyalties ran strong. Not much a good right/left combo would not solve.
But, you know, this movie was fun. It all fell together. There were moments of drama. There was some humor. Muggsy, the anti-hero turned hero was a likable kid. The lines were snappy. The exposition brisk.
So, hey, watch this movie with your young kids. See the gang at the pool hall. Learn about bad guys trying to fix fights. Learn about loyalties to the family, to the gang, and to the police force. See Muggsy take on all comers, from the college-bound kid, to the police, to organized crime, to the reform school.
In those days I guess life was simple. Tough Irish kids had golden hearts if you could just get them a mentor in the police department. Fighting showed character. There were good guys and bad guys. Loyalties ran strong. Not much a good right/left combo would not solve.
But, you know, this movie was fun. It all fell together. There were moments of drama. There was some humor. Muggsy, the anti-hero turned hero was a likable kid. The lines were snappy. The exposition brisk.
So, hey, watch this movie with your young kids. See the gang at the pool hall. Learn about bad guys trying to fix fights. Learn about loyalties to the family, to the gang, and to the police force. See Muggsy take on all comers, from the college-bound kid, to the police, to organized crime, to the reform school.
Blitzkrieg Bop
wes-connors15 March 2009
This sixth "East Side Kids" film is one of the better Bowery boy adventures. During this era, the movies focused on the characters played by Leo Gorcey (as Muggs) and Bobby Jordan (as Danny). Usually, Mr. Jordan and an adult relative provided the storyline, for leader Gorcey and the lads. Criminal activity and reform school were a part of many plots. "Bowery Blitzkrieg" has all the elements which were, obviously, very popular with young audiences (or, they wouldn't have made so many of these films).
The storyline is a "Bowery Blitzkrieg". Apparently, Gorcey and Jordan have taken up boxing (wouldn't you know it?). It's clear from shirtless Jordan's opening workout (cut from some versions of this film) that hunky Jordan is the gang's choice for champ. Instead, Jordan decides to pursue an education. Probably, this put a strain on the otherwise tight Gorcey/Jordan (Muggs/Danny) relationship. This would help explain some, but not all, of the ensuing contrived, continuity-starved events...
Jordan meets sleazy, seductive Bobby Stone (as Monk Martin), and is sucked into becoming the driver for Mr. Stone's petty thievery. Stone drives a wedge between Jordan and "The East Side Kids" by telling him that Gorcey has been talking dirty about Jordan's sister, Charlotte Henry (as Mary Breslin) and her "copper" fiancé. At the local pool hall, Jordan gets the best of his old pal, which helps land Gorcey in reform school. After becoming chummy with law enforcement, Gorcey is paroled, by Jordan's sister's policeman boyfriend, Warren Hull (as Tom Brady).
Officer Hull wants Gorcey to become law enforcement's champion boxer. Gorcey is a success at boxing, but draws criminal interest; and, he is paid to throw an upcoming "big fight". Meanwhile, Jordan continues to drive the getaway car for more of Stone's robberies. On the eve of the "big fight", policeman Hull catches up with Jordan and Stone; then, a dramatic shoot-out connects Gorcey and Jordan in life-or-death struggles
Jordan and Gorcey do very well with the script (and they can still pass for reform school age delinquents). Future regular Stone has one of his best "Bowery" roles; he and Jordan have an unusual (gay?) relationship, and their dramatic shoot-out is surprisingly well done (by director Wallace Fox), for the series' budget. Former "Dead End" kid Huntz Hall joins the "East Side" cast, happily; he's an amusingly thirsty ringside trainer. And, intelligent Ernest Morrison's "Scruno" has a great "against type" bit. Watch for some of the cast's better Bowery moments.
******* Bowery Blitzkrieg (8/1/41) Wallace Fox ~ Bobby Jordan, Leo Gorcey, Bobby Stone, Huntz Hall
The storyline is a "Bowery Blitzkrieg". Apparently, Gorcey and Jordan have taken up boxing (wouldn't you know it?). It's clear from shirtless Jordan's opening workout (cut from some versions of this film) that hunky Jordan is the gang's choice for champ. Instead, Jordan decides to pursue an education. Probably, this put a strain on the otherwise tight Gorcey/Jordan (Muggs/Danny) relationship. This would help explain some, but not all, of the ensuing contrived, continuity-starved events...
Jordan meets sleazy, seductive Bobby Stone (as Monk Martin), and is sucked into becoming the driver for Mr. Stone's petty thievery. Stone drives a wedge between Jordan and "The East Side Kids" by telling him that Gorcey has been talking dirty about Jordan's sister, Charlotte Henry (as Mary Breslin) and her "copper" fiancé. At the local pool hall, Jordan gets the best of his old pal, which helps land Gorcey in reform school. After becoming chummy with law enforcement, Gorcey is paroled, by Jordan's sister's policeman boyfriend, Warren Hull (as Tom Brady).
Officer Hull wants Gorcey to become law enforcement's champion boxer. Gorcey is a success at boxing, but draws criminal interest; and, he is paid to throw an upcoming "big fight". Meanwhile, Jordan continues to drive the getaway car for more of Stone's robberies. On the eve of the "big fight", policeman Hull catches up with Jordan and Stone; then, a dramatic shoot-out connects Gorcey and Jordan in life-or-death struggles
Jordan and Gorcey do very well with the script (and they can still pass for reform school age delinquents). Future regular Stone has one of his best "Bowery" roles; he and Jordan have an unusual (gay?) relationship, and their dramatic shoot-out is surprisingly well done (by director Wallace Fox), for the series' budget. Former "Dead End" kid Huntz Hall joins the "East Side" cast, happily; he's an amusingly thirsty ringside trainer. And, intelligent Ernest Morrison's "Scruno" has a great "against type" bit. Watch for some of the cast's better Bowery moments.
******* Bowery Blitzkrieg (8/1/41) Wallace Fox ~ Bobby Jordan, Leo Gorcey, Bobby Stone, Huntz Hall
Great Bowery Boys
arfdawg-126 May 2014
The public domain prints suck. Bad print. Sound is horrible. But these comedies were fun.
The Plot East Side Kids: Fighters Danny Breslin and Muggs McGinnis, once boyhood chums, have drifted apart. Policeman Tom Brady - because his own former friend fell into a life of crime and got the electric chair - takes rough and tumble Muggs under his wing to turn the lad's life around, but Danny, brother of Mary Breslin (whom Tom plans to marry), is also at risk. Everyone believes studious Danny is on his way to being president someday, but while Tom's focus goes toward putting Muggs on the straight and narrow, ambitious petty criminal Monk Martin's been working slyly on steering Danny into a life of crime. Adding a little complication, racketeers get involved, trying to set up a fixed fight with Muggs.
The Plot East Side Kids: Fighters Danny Breslin and Muggs McGinnis, once boyhood chums, have drifted apart. Policeman Tom Brady - because his own former friend fell into a life of crime and got the electric chair - takes rough and tumble Muggs under his wing to turn the lad's life around, but Danny, brother of Mary Breslin (whom Tom plans to marry), is also at risk. Everyone believes studious Danny is on his way to being president someday, but while Tom's focus goes toward putting Muggs on the straight and narrow, ambitious petty criminal Monk Martin's been working slyly on steering Danny into a life of crime. Adding a little complication, racketeers get involved, trying to set up a fixed fight with Muggs.
Gorcey Does Bogart
dougdoepke20 March 2023
I was expecting the usual East Side Kids comic knock-about. You know, Gorcey, Hall, and guys playfully pummeling each other while the plot only serves to advance these goofy antics. I get a kick out of the usual series entries which is what I expected here.
But there's none of that in Blitzkrieg. Instead it's second-rate drama where Gorcey tries to escape clutches of urban crime and maybe get back together with estranged buddy Jordan. As a result, the comedic gang is reduced to secondary on-lookers as the dramatics take over. Too bad, since the plot threads meander in not very involving fashion.
But at least the flick works in a pretty girl (Charlotte) for some relief from all the ugly guys. Then too, there's the neat little blood-donor twist that makes the flick's upshot less predictable as to who will win Gorcey's big boxing match. Too bad the movie's remainder doesn't show similar skills.
Anyway, it looks like the hour's mainly an effort at showing Gorcey as more than just a comic, which, in fact, the drama does. Now, I'm not against departures from a good series norm, (here East Side Kid antics), but the exception should be a good one. Unfortunately, this one ain't.
But there's none of that in Blitzkrieg. Instead it's second-rate drama where Gorcey tries to escape clutches of urban crime and maybe get back together with estranged buddy Jordan. As a result, the comedic gang is reduced to secondary on-lookers as the dramatics take over. Too bad, since the plot threads meander in not very involving fashion.
But at least the flick works in a pretty girl (Charlotte) for some relief from all the ugly guys. Then too, there's the neat little blood-donor twist that makes the flick's upshot less predictable as to who will win Gorcey's big boxing match. Too bad the movie's remainder doesn't show similar skills.
Anyway, it looks like the hour's mainly an effort at showing Gorcey as more than just a comic, which, in fact, the drama does. Now, I'm not against departures from a good series norm, (here East Side Kid antics), but the exception should be a good one. Unfortunately, this one ain't.
Fighting With Half A Tank
bkoganbing25 June 2011
This East Side Kids film from Monagram has a two track plot line with two estranged best friends Leo Gorcey and Bobby Jordan. Gorcey is training for the amateur Golden Gloves boxing tournament when he's offered a nice hefty bribe to tank it.
As for Jordan he gets himself involved with a young punk played by Bobby Stone who commits a series of robberies until he's caught and Stone shoots Jordan after Jordan prevents him from shooting police officer Warren Hull who is both going out with Charlotte Henry who is Jordan's sister and Hull is also training Gorcey for his fight.
Playing a very small role is trainer Pat Costello who had a more famous brother Lou Costello whom he occasionally doubled for as they had similar builds. Pat has a very nice scene where plays straight man to Huntz Hall trying to show him what a corner man does in the boxing game. Interesting to see a Costello as a straight man.
The two estranged kids do come together in the end though I won't tell about the courageous, but almost costly decision Gorcey makes involving Jordan.
Note the title, Bowery Blitzkrieg. That German word was coming into the English language as an idiom for a lightning attack that the opponent has no time to defend against be it in war or in the ring.
It's a Monagram Picture so don't expect too much production values, but Bowery Blitzkrieg does have a nice sentimental story in it if your taste runs in that direction.
As for Jordan he gets himself involved with a young punk played by Bobby Stone who commits a series of robberies until he's caught and Stone shoots Jordan after Jordan prevents him from shooting police officer Warren Hull who is both going out with Charlotte Henry who is Jordan's sister and Hull is also training Gorcey for his fight.
Playing a very small role is trainer Pat Costello who had a more famous brother Lou Costello whom he occasionally doubled for as they had similar builds. Pat has a very nice scene where plays straight man to Huntz Hall trying to show him what a corner man does in the boxing game. Interesting to see a Costello as a straight man.
The two estranged kids do come together in the end though I won't tell about the courageous, but almost costly decision Gorcey makes involving Jordan.
Note the title, Bowery Blitzkrieg. That German word was coming into the English language as an idiom for a lightning attack that the opponent has no time to defend against be it in war or in the ring.
It's a Monagram Picture so don't expect too much production values, but Bowery Blitzkrieg does have a nice sentimental story in it if your taste runs in that direction.
The East Side Kids: Fighting Trouble
lugonian19 March 2023
BOWERY BLITZKREIG (Monogram Pictures, 1941), directed by Wallace Fox, marks the sixth installment to the "East Side Kids" comedy/dramas produced from 1940 to 1945. While the original screenplay is credited to Sam Robins, the story in itself is hardly original but one of several to depict two good friends, Muggs and Danny, pitted against each other and going in different directions. Regardless of how they feel for one other, the remain loyal when situations occur to have them realize what good friendship is all about.
As much as this low-budget series is not consistent from one movie to the next, Bobby Jordan returns as Danny, with new last last being Breslin, as opposed to previous installments as Danny Dolan, Danny Graham and Danny Jackson. Why the writers couldn't keep his surname the same remains a mystery. This time Danny has a sister, played by brunette Charlotte Henry, better known for her blondish portrayals a decade earlier in such classics as ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Paramount, 1933) and as Bo-Peep in BABES IN TOYLAND (Hal Roach/MGM, 1934), opposite Laurel and Hardy, now nearing the end of her movie career. Aside from the usual East Side Kids support by Donald Haines (Skinny); Sunshine Sammy Morrison (Scruno); and David Gorcey (Pee-Wee); this installment introduces Huntz Hall to the series playing Limpy, whose character name would soon change and remain in future installments as Glimpy.
As for the plot summary, which opens with a sky view of New York City and other neighboring areas, the story readily begins with Danny Breslin (Bobby Jordan), with intentions on going to college to become a lawyer, training for an amateur boxing tournament sponsored by the police department. Though he has great possibilities in becoming a good citizen, according to Tom Brady (Warren Hull), a police officer engaged to his sister, Mary (Charlotte Henry), Danny happens to be involved with "Monk" Martin (Bobby Stone), a petty crook, who, through his lies, turns Danny against his good pal, Muggs Maginnis (Leo Gorcey), leader of the East Side Kids. After Muggs is released from Whitney Reform School to the custody of Tom Brady, he comes to live with him and his mother, Mrs. Brady (Martha Wentwood). Because Danny is no longer in the boxing tournament, Brady gets Muggs to train for the police athletic club with a boxing match to be held at the Manhattan Arena. During the course of the story, Danny and Muggs grow further apart, with Danny and Monk now involved in a series of neighborhood robberies, while Muggs finds himself being bribed to throw the upcoming fight by Slats Morrison (Eddie Foster), working for mob boss, Dorgan (Dennis Moore). Other cast members include Keye Luke (Clancy, a poolhall proprietor); Jack Mulhall (Officer Sherrill); Minerva Urecal (The Reform School Official); Jeff Corey (Doctor Nick Sterling); and Pat Costello, brother of comedian Lou Costello, as a boxing trainer, doing a comedy bit with Huntz Hall.
BOWERY BLITZKREIG is standard "East Side Kids" formula, with Leo Gorcey getting most of the attention with his headstrong personality, with the other members of the gang as background material. Though Huntz Hall isn't as much as the goofy character he would later become, he gets some moments to shine as does Sammy Morrison, the only black member of the East Side Kids, through his ad-libs. Clocked at 62 minutes, pace is good while editing portions are below average.
Available on home video and later DVD format, BOWERY BLITZKREIG did have some cable television broadcasts over the years as USA Channel (around 1991) and Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: April 12, 2004). The boxing formula with Muggs against Danny theme would be repeated again, notably KID DYMANTE (1943), actually a better film. Next installment: SPOOKS RUN WILD (1941), better known mostly for its presence of horror film actor, Bela Lugosi. (** golden gloves)
As much as this low-budget series is not consistent from one movie to the next, Bobby Jordan returns as Danny, with new last last being Breslin, as opposed to previous installments as Danny Dolan, Danny Graham and Danny Jackson. Why the writers couldn't keep his surname the same remains a mystery. This time Danny has a sister, played by brunette Charlotte Henry, better known for her blondish portrayals a decade earlier in such classics as ALICE IN WONDERLAND (Paramount, 1933) and as Bo-Peep in BABES IN TOYLAND (Hal Roach/MGM, 1934), opposite Laurel and Hardy, now nearing the end of her movie career. Aside from the usual East Side Kids support by Donald Haines (Skinny); Sunshine Sammy Morrison (Scruno); and David Gorcey (Pee-Wee); this installment introduces Huntz Hall to the series playing Limpy, whose character name would soon change and remain in future installments as Glimpy.
As for the plot summary, which opens with a sky view of New York City and other neighboring areas, the story readily begins with Danny Breslin (Bobby Jordan), with intentions on going to college to become a lawyer, training for an amateur boxing tournament sponsored by the police department. Though he has great possibilities in becoming a good citizen, according to Tom Brady (Warren Hull), a police officer engaged to his sister, Mary (Charlotte Henry), Danny happens to be involved with "Monk" Martin (Bobby Stone), a petty crook, who, through his lies, turns Danny against his good pal, Muggs Maginnis (Leo Gorcey), leader of the East Side Kids. After Muggs is released from Whitney Reform School to the custody of Tom Brady, he comes to live with him and his mother, Mrs. Brady (Martha Wentwood). Because Danny is no longer in the boxing tournament, Brady gets Muggs to train for the police athletic club with a boxing match to be held at the Manhattan Arena. During the course of the story, Danny and Muggs grow further apart, with Danny and Monk now involved in a series of neighborhood robberies, while Muggs finds himself being bribed to throw the upcoming fight by Slats Morrison (Eddie Foster), working for mob boss, Dorgan (Dennis Moore). Other cast members include Keye Luke (Clancy, a poolhall proprietor); Jack Mulhall (Officer Sherrill); Minerva Urecal (The Reform School Official); Jeff Corey (Doctor Nick Sterling); and Pat Costello, brother of comedian Lou Costello, as a boxing trainer, doing a comedy bit with Huntz Hall.
BOWERY BLITZKREIG is standard "East Side Kids" formula, with Leo Gorcey getting most of the attention with his headstrong personality, with the other members of the gang as background material. Though Huntz Hall isn't as much as the goofy character he would later become, he gets some moments to shine as does Sammy Morrison, the only black member of the East Side Kids, through his ad-libs. Clocked at 62 minutes, pace is good while editing portions are below average.
Available on home video and later DVD format, BOWERY BLITZKREIG did have some cable television broadcasts over the years as USA Channel (around 1991) and Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: April 12, 2004). The boxing formula with Muggs against Danny theme would be repeated again, notably KID DYMANTE (1943), actually a better film. Next installment: SPOOKS RUN WILD (1941), better known mostly for its presence of horror film actor, Bela Lugosi. (** golden gloves)
Probably not what you'd expect...
planktonrules14 August 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Considering the film's title, you'd think the film would have to do with WWII and the Nazis. Well, the film has absolutely nothing to do with them, as in 1941 man film studios were still apprehensive to even mention the war or Hitler's regime. Instead, it's a film about the East Side Kids and boxing! In another unusual twist, Bobby Jordan (who usually played the nice kid in this gang) plays the crooked jerk and Leo Gorcey (who almost always played the know-it-all jerk) plays the guy who decides to do the right thing and stay on the straight-and-narrow! As I said in the summary, this film was not what I had expected!
The film begins with both Jordan and Gorcey talking about trying to win the Golden Gloves tournament. However, Gorcey is soon sent to reform school and Jordan gets involved in organized crime. A nice cop (who is dating Jordan's sister) sees good in both boys and manages to get Gorcey paroled to him so he can train faithfully for the boxing tournament. But, despite attempts to rescue Jordan, he is steadfast in his love of evil! At the same time, a group of gamblers approaches Gorcey as he works his way through the ranks. They want him to throw the big fight so they can make a killing by betting against him. And, it appears that he might be willing to do so. Can either or both of these young roughnecks manage to make good? Well, considering what I said about Gorcey's character, at least he seems certain. But, when Jordan is shot and Gorcey gives him a pint of blood just before the big fight, it seems even more certain that both will end up badly.
Overall, it's a fairly typical East Side Kids films. It is one of the first to feature Huntz Hall--who had been one of the original Dead End Kids with Gorcey but had gone on, briefly, to other film projects before coming to the East Side Kids and their later incarnation as the Bowery Boys. It's contrived but enjoyable--and what you'd expect from the series...a decent B-series that always seemed a bit better than average for the genre.
The film begins with both Jordan and Gorcey talking about trying to win the Golden Gloves tournament. However, Gorcey is soon sent to reform school and Jordan gets involved in organized crime. A nice cop (who is dating Jordan's sister) sees good in both boys and manages to get Gorcey paroled to him so he can train faithfully for the boxing tournament. But, despite attempts to rescue Jordan, he is steadfast in his love of evil! At the same time, a group of gamblers approaches Gorcey as he works his way through the ranks. They want him to throw the big fight so they can make a killing by betting against him. And, it appears that he might be willing to do so. Can either or both of these young roughnecks manage to make good? Well, considering what I said about Gorcey's character, at least he seems certain. But, when Jordan is shot and Gorcey gives him a pint of blood just before the big fight, it seems even more certain that both will end up badly.
Overall, it's a fairly typical East Side Kids films. It is one of the first to feature Huntz Hall--who had been one of the original Dead End Kids with Gorcey but had gone on, briefly, to other film projects before coming to the East Side Kids and their later incarnation as the Bowery Boys. It's contrived but enjoyable--and what you'd expect from the series...a decent B-series that always seemed a bit better than average for the genre.
"I can't write a 'thousand bucks', it makes me nervous, my hand trembles."
classicsoncall30 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
The opening credits state 'Introducing' Huntz Hall, which surprised me a little because Hall was part of the gang in the earlier Warner Brothers flicks, including the original "Dead End" which introduced the boys to film. Of course they were the Dead End Kids during their WB days, so maybe this was the first 'East Side' Kids picture Hall appeared in; I'll have to find out more. In fact, the early part of the story does have a Warner Brothers feel to it as it explores Officer Tom Brady's (Warren Hull) repeated assertions that all kids aren't bad, they just need the right kind of direction in life.
The story has a boxing theme like many of the Dead End/East Side movies would. What's a little different here is that Muggs (Leo Gorcey) and Danny (Bobby Jordan) are on the outs for much of the film. Danny falls under the sway of small time hood Monk Martin (Bobby Stone), while Muggs gets sponsored to represent the Police Athletic League in a Golden Gloves tournament. As a kid watching these pictures, I remember being annoyed that the characters didn't maintain continuity from film to film, even having different names for their characters. It doesn't seem like such a big deal anymore.
Muggs is approached by crooked promoter Slats Morrison (Eddie Foster) to throw his fight against Joe Ryan so local mobsters can cash in on a rigged payday. If you listen carefully, you'll hear Muggs say 'Slats Martin' while talking to him, and immediately after officer Brady arrives and calls him 'Morrison'. No do-overs for these Poverty Row efforts, just get them into the can!
I got a kick out of the casting of the owner of Clancy's pool hall. Charlie Chan's Number #1 Son Keye Luke appears as Clancy, in a bit of a turn around to the practice of using non Asian actors in Asian parts during this era. The story doesn't attempt to answer why his name is Clancy, but it would have been a hoot to find out.
As happens virtually every time out, the so called 'bad boys' wind up on top, Muggs wins his final Golden Gloves fight with all the heavy money on his opponent. He even managed to do it right after donating blood to the injured Danny, a bit of a stretch, but hey, it's the East Side Kids.
The story has a boxing theme like many of the Dead End/East Side movies would. What's a little different here is that Muggs (Leo Gorcey) and Danny (Bobby Jordan) are on the outs for much of the film. Danny falls under the sway of small time hood Monk Martin (Bobby Stone), while Muggs gets sponsored to represent the Police Athletic League in a Golden Gloves tournament. As a kid watching these pictures, I remember being annoyed that the characters didn't maintain continuity from film to film, even having different names for their characters. It doesn't seem like such a big deal anymore.
Muggs is approached by crooked promoter Slats Morrison (Eddie Foster) to throw his fight against Joe Ryan so local mobsters can cash in on a rigged payday. If you listen carefully, you'll hear Muggs say 'Slats Martin' while talking to him, and immediately after officer Brady arrives and calls him 'Morrison'. No do-overs for these Poverty Row efforts, just get them into the can!
I got a kick out of the casting of the owner of Clancy's pool hall. Charlie Chan's Number #1 Son Keye Luke appears as Clancy, in a bit of a turn around to the practice of using non Asian actors in Asian parts during this era. The story doesn't attempt to answer why his name is Clancy, but it would have been a hoot to find out.
As happens virtually every time out, the so called 'bad boys' wind up on top, Muggs wins his final Golden Gloves fight with all the heavy money on his opponent. He even managed to do it right after donating blood to the injured Danny, a bit of a stretch, but hey, it's the East Side Kids.
Make it 6.5!
JohnHowardReid14 December 2015
Warning: Spoilers
By the humble standards of the Bowery Boys, this one is not bad at all. In fact, it's more a straight crime entry than a comedy, although it does have its amusing moments. No doubt, the input of screenwriter Carl Foreman has a great deal to do with the movie's success, although the players themselves led by Leo Gorcey (more believable than usual) and Huntz Hall (far more restrained than usual), plus the two Bobbies (Bobby Jordan as the good kid and Bobby Stone as the two-bit crook) also contribute. Charlotte Henry and Keye Luke are also on hand and whilst there are a few hasty set-ups here and there, by the extremely humble standards of a Sam Katzman production, this entry is reasonably entertaining and can be viewed right here at IMDb.
Leo Gorcey Makes Medical History
richardchatten10 April 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Despite the title, this is an East Side Kids picture, not the Bowery Boys, and bears the once-in-a-lifetime credit "Introducing Huntz Hall". Since it was made before America entered the war, why it has 'Blitzkrieg' in the title is anybody's guess.
Whenever a doctor in an old movie gravely announces "he's lost a lot of blood", you know that one of the cast will have to do the decent thing and offer to personally make up the shortfall. Leo Gorcey as Muggs McGinnis duly obliges, despite being due to immediately fight in a boxing tournament; in which he energetically participates with no visible mark on either of his arms, let alone a sticking plaster or a bandage. Where did they stick the needle?
Whenever a doctor in an old movie gravely announces "he's lost a lot of blood", you know that one of the cast will have to do the decent thing and offer to personally make up the shortfall. Leo Gorcey as Muggs McGinnis duly obliges, despite being due to immediately fight in a boxing tournament; in which he energetically participates with no visible mark on either of his arms, let alone a sticking plaster or a bandage. Where did they stick the needle?
Very good
SanteeFats2 March 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Another "Kids" movie but this one features the introduction of Huntz Hall as Limpy. This is where comedy gets thrown into mix. Before Hall showed up any comedy was an after thoughts. Leo Gorcy is Muggs, a typical slum area young tough. He is very sensitive to any slurs and responds with physical violence. In this film Muggs gets placed in a cops home to be trained for the Golden Gloves. He is approached by organized crime to throw a fight' He is offered a thousand bucks to do so, but the offer is a scam as it is placed under a sash by Slats, who is a low level criminal trying to make the big time. When the fight takes place it is generally opined that Muggs is going to throw the fight for the racketeers. While Muggs a product if the slums of New York he does have a lot of honor. So after donating blood for a critically injured Danny Mugs goes to the ring and wins the fight even while reeling from his donation. The bad guys get arrested. The cop gets married and every thing turns out for the better This is a decent but semi-predictable film. Still a nice way to spend an hour.
An Irishman needs a good scrape every now and then.
mark.waltz8 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Kids are like a leak in the roof. If you don't fix it after a while, it gets worse. That's the theory of cop Warren Hull who wants to prevent the East Side Kids from further trouble. Charlotte Henry is concerned about scrappy brother Bobby Jordan for public fighting, but ma Martha Wentworth (surrogate mother to everybody on the east side) encourages the boys to be boys. Former friends Jordan and Leo Gorcey fight over remarks that Gorcey made about Henry which results with Gorcey ending up in jail.
Gorcey and Huntz Hall provide their numerous assortment of malapropisms, some funnier than others, and Sammy Morrison surprises everyone with frequent bursts of knowledge. Keye Luke is bery funny as the pool hall operator, jokingly nicknamed Clancy. Hull works to turn the kid's lives around by getting them to take their fighting into the ring which of course leads to criminal activity going on.
Corny Irish humor overwhelms, some of it actually funny. Minerva Urecal (who would be a recurring presence in many of the future endeavors of the East Side/Bowery Boys) gets laughs at her expense as a reform school matron. At just over an hour this speeds by, but the title doesn't seem right for the film. Interesting note about one of the standing sets is that it would be used for other structures in future films, some nowhere close to the Bowery.
Gorcey and Huntz Hall provide their numerous assortment of malapropisms, some funnier than others, and Sammy Morrison surprises everyone with frequent bursts of knowledge. Keye Luke is bery funny as the pool hall operator, jokingly nicknamed Clancy. Hull works to turn the kid's lives around by getting them to take their fighting into the ring which of course leads to criminal activity going on.
Corny Irish humor overwhelms, some of it actually funny. Minerva Urecal (who would be a recurring presence in many of the future endeavors of the East Side/Bowery Boys) gets laughs at her expense as a reform school matron. At just over an hour this speeds by, but the title doesn't seem right for the film. Interesting note about one of the standing sets is that it would be used for other structures in future films, some nowhere close to the Bowery.
So Bad, It's Prostitutly Metioric
florida8730 October 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I grew up watching the "Bowery Boys" on the weekends and even at young an age I could tell this was low rent stuff as the name implies. Still it was fun to watch Satch (Hall) get the better of Muggs (Gorcey) after Muggs would beat the crap out him. The East Side Kids stuff were never shown even though it was public domain stuff and probably cheap to run, it was just to low a standard for kids to tune in even though we only had like 5 channels to watch. Enter the year 2005 and I am repossesin about my childhood. I can't find any Bowery Boys on DVD but I found The East Side Kids on disc and also on a public domain website. Thankfully I saved my dough and saw Bowery Blitz on the web for free, and it really really blows. Now I can see there are some Bowery Boys and maybe Monogram bad movie lovers here that gave this melodrama crap a 7 of 10 but c'mon folks, this ain't even trying to be funny. It's an East Side Kids drama, not a comedy so it's no good. The best part was seeing Muggs fight at the end, he reminded me of my grade school days flayling away like a girl when I would get in a fight, it was kinda abusin. Leonard Maltin said in his mini bio that this flick is one of the better ones, so you can just imagine the rest. If you wanna see some halfway decent East Side action see Ghosts on The Loose maybe but the bottom line is usually a comedy team starts out strong in their career and tapers off, these mugs blew chucks early on then slowly picked it up until Hall's antics dominated than they were at best. Still 2nd tier stuff way below the 3 stooges, who they imitate but amusing for those who grew up with them. This feature won't bring back pleasant "Bowery Boys" memories and is best left to Monogram fanatics.
it was a set up!
ksf-22 October 2022
At this point, leo gorcey was still known as "muggs". He and the gang are playing pool. When monk (bob stone) starts rumors that muggs is talking dish about danny's sister, danny picks a fight. Now the coppers are involved, and muggs is locked up, and off to reform school. Monk is so slimey, and is clearly no good; when he talks, you can just feel the lies falling out as he speaks. Can muggs get himself out of this mess before it goes too far? His family and friends are trying to help, but he can't seem to stop finding trouble. This one is okay... doesn't have the fun word play that gorcey would be known for. Directed by wally fox. This was the first of nine east side kids films in the 1940s that he directed. A little ironic that the film was called blitzkrieg, filmed just a few months before pearl harbor. According to wikipedia dot org, the term had appeared in a german periodical, but was used mostly by the western media.
Bowary Blitzfrige was a pretty good East Side Kids flick
tavm20 June 2015
Leo Gorcey has a chance to redeem himself if he doesn't throw a fight. This was Huntz Hall's first time in an East Side Kids flick and he has quite a goofily amusing presence so it's not surprising that he and Leo eventually took over the series and made them actual comedies when the team became the Bowery Boys. Keye Luke-Charlie Chan's No. 1 son-plays a pool hall worker named Clancy. Charlotte Henry (L & H version of Babes in Toyland, 1933 live-action version of Alice in Wonderland) is the lady who's involved in the cop who's trying to reform Gorcey. Oh, and Pat Costello-yes, Lou's brother-has an amusing scene with Hall as a boxing trainer. I really liked this entry in the ESK series so on that note, Bowery Blitzkrieg is worth a look for fans of the people I just mentioned.
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