That Gang of Mine (1940) User Reviews

They're Off To The Races

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 4 July 2011]

In That Gang Of Mine, the East Side Kids get themselves involved in the horse racing game when they offer shelter to Clarence Muse and the thoroughbred horse he won in a poker game. Muse has been around the race tracks for a long time and he's convinced he's got a winner on his hands. As it turns out Leo Gorcey has ambitions to be a jockey and the horse and Gorcey's ambition form the basis for the plot of this film.

The horse may be talented and Milton Kibbee whose son Eugene Francis hangs out with the East Side Kids agrees. They pony up the entry and stabling fees and then later takeover the training of the horse itself with their stable string and their professional trainer. Clarence Muse however is not cut out of the picture at all.

The problem is Gorcey who just hasn't got the experience and maybe not the raw talent needed to be a jockey. But he doesn't want to hear that from anyone. Both Gorcey and Muse deliver some really great performances in That Gang Of Mine, making it maybe the best of the East Side Kids features.

Also in the cast is Canadian jockey Nick Wall playing a rather arrogant top jockey who came from the East Side and forgets his roots or would like to. When Gorcey finally wakes up and smells the coffee he gives Wall an attitude adjustment and Wall rides him in the big race at the finale.

Definitely the best or one of the best of the East Side Kids features.

Good entry in the long running series is worth a look for anyone looking for a good movie

[dbborroughs · 7/10 · 15 September 2006]

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.

Better Than I Expected

[Space_Mafune · 6/10 · 27 January 2008]

Streetwise Muggs Maloney (Leo Gorcey) has dreams of becoming a world class jockey and finally gets his chance after befriending a kindly old poor black man named Ben (Clarence Muse) who just happens to possess and take care of a championship thoroughbred race horse.

This movie proves far more dramatic than most East Side Kids films with a fine performance from Clarence Muse as wise old Ben, who acts as a sort of adviser/mentor for Muggs and shows considerable care for him, something which is not lost on Leo Gorcey's Muggs either. The type of friendship displayed here was arguably ahead of its time in many respects. Leo Gorcey too does surprisingly well in this more dramatic role displaying the inner struggle going on in Muggs when he has to try and come to grips with his fear of racing and also his fear of letting everyone down.

While no doubt some may be a bit disappointed the humor more or less takes a back seat to the drama in this one, it actually proves a far more effective drama, and director Joseph H. Lewis does manage to keep an exciting focus on the horse racing too, than I thought was possible from many involved.

"Listen, you see things those white boys don't see..."

[classicsoncall · 6/10 · 4 October 2006]

The East Side Kids films would often use the boxing ring as the focus of their stories, but the sport dealt with here is horse racing, as Muggs Maloney (Leo Gorcey) fancies himself a championship rider. When an itinerant black trainer and his horse find temporary shelter at the abandoned Acme Stable, Muggs and his gang befriend the old gentleman and start getting Blue Knight ready for a successful payday.

Muggs however is a tenuous rider, and is seen as a drawback for Blue Knight's success. The story gets some mileage out of Muggs defending himself against 'back out' talk from the horse's financial backers, as well as East Sider Danny (Bobby Jordan). He even gets to mix it up with one of his racing idols, Jimmy Sullivan (Nick Wall), before it finally sinks in that maybe it's the right thing to do.

That's where the story gets interesting for me. The East Side Kids films and others of the era, like the Charlie Chan series, often used black characters for comic relief and as denigrating stereotypes. This one though, contains two unique scenes that seem to be an attempt to address the stereotype and convey sympathy for the black character. The first is when Scruno (Sunshine Sammy Morrison) and Ben (Clarence Muse) discuss what they see as fear in Muggs' behavior when riding Blue Knight. Scruno's observation is dead on, and Ben answers with the comment in my summary above; to me it was taken as an insightful observation by someone who had known fear himself.

The other scene comes across more forcefully, and looked like it might have been groundbreaking for it's time. When Ben himself questions Muggs about riding to win, Muggs' anger surfaces and he slaps the black man in the face. White teenage aggression slaps down the uppity Negro. It was an awkward moment, and it left me wondering how the scene might have played for it's audience of the time. Immediately after, realizing what he's done, Muggs challenges Ben to fight back and beat him; not so much to defend himself, but to beat the fear out of Muggs, who now realizes it for himself. Later, a redemptive moment occurs when Muggs saves Ben from a fire, and the two embrace in friendship, realizing that they really needed each other all along.

All that said, it's notable to mention I've seen Clarence Muse in only two other films, 1936's "Daniel Boone" and 1941's "Invisible Ghost". However in both pictures, his subservient role is handled respectfully and with dignity. The thought just occurred that he might have been the Morgan Freeman of his era.

Of course, as all the East Side Kids stories do, this one ends on a successful note, with Blue Knight winning the big race finale in a photo finish. Muggs isn't part of that decision, but he doesn't have to be. It's a classy ending where making a tough decision winds up being the right one for everyone to come out a winner.

Solid East Side Kids Feature

[Snow Leopard · 17 November 2005]

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.

The East Side Kids: Six Kids on a Horse

[lugonian · 7/10 · 29 May 2023]

THAT GANG OF MINE (Monogram, 1940), directed by Joseph H. Lewis, the third in the "East Side Kids" series, should have been titled THAT HORSE OF MINE. Rather than a story dealing with rival gangs with street rumbles, it more about horse racing set outside New York City's Bowery section where the East Side Kids reside. For its second official installment featuring series regulars as Bobby Jordan, Leo Gorcey, Donald Haines, David Gorcey, "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison and Eugene Francis, it also became Dave O'Brien's final role as Danny's older brother and guardian, "Knuckles." O'Brien would return for three more installments playing different characters. Though Bobby Jordan (the one with the striped shirt) continues to head the cast, the story, as in most of the series, centers mostly on the second-billed Leo Gorcey.

The story opens with the Eastside Kids, Danny Dolan (Bobby Jordan), Pee-Wee (David Gorcey), Skinny (Donald Haines) and Scruno (Sammy Morrison) fooling around while supposedly to be painting their club. Muggs Maloney (Leo Gorcey), who feels "work is for suckers," is seen waiting for a letter from Jimmy Sullivan, a notable jockey, which doesn't get delivered. It's soon learned that Muggs ambition is to become a jockey. With the suggestion of Danny's brother, "Knuckles" (Dave O'Brien), the boys get some racing atmosphere by coming to the Acme stable. While there, they meet Ben (Clarence Muse), an old horseman from Kentucky down on his luck living in the barn with his prized possession thoroughbred racehorse, Blue Knight. It's Ben who becomes Muggs' trainer with Algernon "Algy" Wilkes (Eugene Francis), a sophisticated friend of the East Side Kids, to have his father, Conrad (Milton Kibbee) put up the $100 entrance fee for Muggs. Though the horse is recognized by Morgan (Forrest Taylor) to have great racing potential, Muggs loses his confidence as a jockey to later find his idol Jimmy Sullivan (Nick Wall) to be a major disappointment; and gamblers, Nick Buffalo (Wilbur Mack) and "Blackie" Towne (Richard B, Terry) entering the scene to throw the race. Co-starring Joyce Bryant (Knuckle's Girl, Louise) and Hazel Keener (Mrs. Wilkes) in supporting roles.

Clocked at 62 minutes (with Savoy Pictures reissue being five minutes shorter), THAT GANG OF MINE is a satisfactory time filler. Little comedy to this straight-laced drama. There is a moment where deep singing voice of Clarence Muse vocalizing "All God's Children" while Scruno goes into his dance. The idea of placing Muggs as a jockey would turn up again in MR. MUGGS RIDES AGAIN (Monogram, 1945), one of the last films of the "East Side Kids" series.

Although the movie contains some interesting tracking and camera shots, some portions are still poorly edited, the true charm of Monogram Pictures. Regardless of its faults, this series did improve from one film to the next before coming to a close in 1945, and revamped far more successfully as "The Bowery Boys" series (1946-1958) headed by Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hal respectively.

Available on video cassette and DVD format, THAT GANG OF MINE turned up on cable television, notably Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: September 13, 2004). Next installment: PRIDE OF THE BOWERY (1941) starring Leo Gorcey and Bobby Jordan in that order. (**1/2)

Worthwhile East Side Kids

[JohnSeal · 4/10 · 15 September 2004]

That Gang of Mine was the second Monogram East Side Kids movie and was the first to feature Leo Gorcey as Muggs, the archetypal character he would play uninterrupted for the next seventeen years. Thanks to his small stature, he gets roped into jockeying in this episode, and while the narrative is no more complex or interesting than in any of the other series entries, the film has points of interest. First and foremost is the direction of Joseph H. Lewis, the 'B' specialist who is remembered today for Gun Crazy and The Big Combo. Lewis does his best to create interesting moments in the film, notably during an opening sequence atop a swaying gangplank. Also of considerable interest is the third billed presence of Clarence Muse as Ben, the African-American trainer of the horse Muggs' is going to ride. Whilst his role isn't entirely free of the racial stereotyping of the period, Muse is such a fine actor that he inevitably rises above it, offering perhaps the finest acting performance of ANY of the post-Warners East Side Kids/Bowery Boys productions. It's also worth noting that Sam--the analogous character in the recent Hollywood production Seabiscuit--has virtually no dialogue and simply follows orders. Things really haven't changed as much as we'd like to think they have.

Far better than I'd anticipated

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 7 August 2010]

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.

A so-so film with too much racial stereotyping

[fasulo · 2/10 · 31 July 2005]

I grew up watching the "Bowery Boys" on TV. Their movies were always fun and you could enjoy them without having to deal with a message. Everything always worked out in the end. Yes, the plots were corny, but they were always enjoyable. I recently bought 10 CDs of their films as "East Side Kids" for $19.95 and considered it money well spent.

However, I wish I had missed this particular film. I know of racial prejudice as I was born in the late 40's. I understand the social attitudes of the times, even if I don't approve of them. But this film, which is suppose to be lighthearted, has so much racial stereotyping that at times it is hard to watch. I could give specific examples, but why bother.

The boys find their muse.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 8 April 2024]

The legendary Clarence Muse has a great role in this entry of the East Side Kids series, which should have been recurring. It's also a great chance for Sunshine Sammy Morrison to show off his talents in many ways, dancing when Muse sings a spiritual, and getting more to do dramatically than normal. It's obvious that the writers were trying to get away from stereotypical roles for black actors, and while there are a few cliches they are minor.

Playing an aging jockey with a big heart, Muse comes to New York from Kentucky and gets Mugs (Leo Gorcey) to ride his beloved horse Bluenight. Of course there's shady goings on its track, and the boys must deal with a crooked bookie. The plot here is deeper than normal which is a good thing and the script is quite solid. Gorcey shows great heart here, tetting his guard down in a very touching way and for once forced by his own ethics to be honorable. Oscar nominations didn't go to actors in programmers like this, but Muse certainly should have been considered.

Here We Go Again, Boys!

[wes-connors · 5/10 · 28 March 2009]

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

That Gang of Mine was a touching East Side Kids film about dreams that may or not come true

[tavm · 8/10 · 26 January 2015]

This is the second East Side Kids film to feature former Our Ganger Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison as Scruno. In this one, Muggs (Leo Gorcey) wants to be a jockey and so when Clarence Muse arrives at the gang's barn with a horse, Muggs befriends Muse and gets his chance. Now in some films, an unlikely hero cast as the lead usually emerges triumphant against all odds. What happens here I'll just let you find out when you decide to watch this and yes, That Gang of Mine is worth a look for any fan of the East Side Kids. Another point of interest is Ernie Morrison's character having an interesting dialogue with Muse about Muggs and their take of his chances and how they know about what they know. Also, Mr. Morrison does an entertaining tap dancing scene when Muse sings a song.

More Drama Than Usual

[dougdoepke · 21 February 2021]

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.