Joseph H. Lewis, who went on to become one of the leading directors of B movies in the 40s and 50s, here directed Leo Gorcey, Bobby Jordan and the East Side Kids as they head for the country as members of FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps. The story is a pot-boiler about bad-boy Gorcey's reformation, which takes place more in the boxing ring than in the work camp. The boxing scenes are pretty weak, but the rapid editing and a long tracking shot suggest Lewis's later stylishness. Not that much of a movie, but a reasonably diverting way to spend 61 minutes.
15 Reviews
Mugs Malone and the boys go to CCC Camp!
Sylviastel10 December 2010
The East Side Boys lived in the poor section of Manhattan in the Lower East Side known as the Bowery. Leo Gorcey leads the cast and the gang as Mugs Malone. When somebody tricks him and the gang to sign up for the Civilian Conservation Corps in the country, he is at first arrogant that he is too good for them. But slowly, he manages to come around. He and the gang work all day with food and shelter provided for them. In exchange, they get to send some money home like $22.00 a month to their families which is a lot of money during the end of the Great Depression. Anyway, Mugs Malone is a good friend and will help out a friend in need. When a friend gets into trouble, Mugs comes to the rescue and boxes to help him out without explanation. This film is part of the East Side Boys film series.
Pretty much what you'd expect from the East Side Kids
planktonrules6 August 2010
This film is pretty much what you'd expect from an East Side Kids film--nothing more nothing less. As usual, Leo Gorcey plays a VERY pugnacious fellow and Bobby Jordan is the more thoughtful and philosophical member of the gang. And, since this film is before the group morphed into the Bowery Boys (with the ever so subtle Huntz Hall taking up the slack after Bobby Jordan left), you know that the quality of the production is pretty good--perhaps not as good as when they were the Dead End Kids with Warner Brothers, but that's another story...
The film begins with Gorcey being convinced to go to a 'training camp' to get ready for a career in boxing. What he doesn't know is that it's actually a Civilian Service Corps camp and they are there to work hard for government wages. This was one of many such public works programs created by Roosevelt's New Deal administration--and this is one of the very few films I've seen that even mentions it.
Unfortately, Gorcey acts EXACTLY like the sort of hard-headed mug he usually played and as a result makes a nuisance of himself at first. Later, however, he shows a depth of character that really impresses the camp's commandant as well as his daughter. Will Gorcey live up to their new expectations or show himself to be just a punch-happy palooka? Tune in and see for yourself.
This is solid and entertaining though without such a strong message as the Dead End Kids dramas. It's a pretty good B-movie--one that features decent acting and a likable, though predictable, script.
The film begins with Gorcey being convinced to go to a 'training camp' to get ready for a career in boxing. What he doesn't know is that it's actually a Civilian Service Corps camp and they are there to work hard for government wages. This was one of many such public works programs created by Roosevelt's New Deal administration--and this is one of the very few films I've seen that even mentions it.
Unfortately, Gorcey acts EXACTLY like the sort of hard-headed mug he usually played and as a result makes a nuisance of himself at first. Later, however, he shows a depth of character that really impresses the camp's commandant as well as his daughter. Will Gorcey live up to their new expectations or show himself to be just a punch-happy palooka? Tune in and see for yourself.
This is solid and entertaining though without such a strong message as the Dead End Kids dramas. It's a pretty good B-movie--one that features decent acting and a likable, though predictable, script.
The Usual Solid Combination
Snow Leopard14 March 2006
One of the earlier features in the 'East Side Kids' series, "Pride of the Bowery" has the usual solid combination of youthful antics, rivalries, and action, with a few more serious moments along the way. Like a number of the features, it can be interesting to take note of the ways that the characters and the overall approach were developing.
The setup has Leo Gorcey as Muggs letting Danny (Bobby Jordan) trick him into entering a Civilian Conservation Corps camp, to get in shape. The story that follows has Muggs in a running battle of words with the camp captain, in a running battle of fists with another camper, and getting involved in trying to help a desperate pal. Much of the plot is predictable, at least for anyone familiar with the series, but there are some good sequences.
As this was still relatively early in the 'East Side Kids' series, the camaraderie among the gang members is still developing, and Muggs is really the only character with more than one side to him. It's interesting that, contrary to what is often the convention in movies about such characters, he makes quite a few mistakes and is at times pretty unlikable and small-minded, which tends to make him also a little more believable.
It can also be interesting to watch the various movies in the series to see how the group of generally sympathetic roughnecks is viewed by the adult characters. Here the script calls for the captain to make repeated statements to the effect that 'Muggs is a good kid who just needs a lot of discipline', probably to make sure that viewers don't take all of his behavior as a model to follow. As the series progressed, this kind of commentary became less commonplace, and the characters more often spoke for themselves.
The setup has Leo Gorcey as Muggs letting Danny (Bobby Jordan) trick him into entering a Civilian Conservation Corps camp, to get in shape. The story that follows has Muggs in a running battle of words with the camp captain, in a running battle of fists with another camper, and getting involved in trying to help a desperate pal. Much of the plot is predictable, at least for anyone familiar with the series, but there are some good sequences.
As this was still relatively early in the 'East Side Kids' series, the camaraderie among the gang members is still developing, and Muggs is really the only character with more than one side to him. It's interesting that, contrary to what is often the convention in movies about such characters, he makes quite a few mistakes and is at times pretty unlikable and small-minded, which tends to make him also a little more believable.
It can also be interesting to watch the various movies in the series to see how the group of generally sympathetic roughnecks is viewed by the adult characters. Here the script calls for the captain to make repeated statements to the effect that 'Muggs is a good kid who just needs a lot of discipline', probably to make sure that viewers don't take all of his behavior as a model to follow. As the series progressed, this kind of commentary became less commonplace, and the characters more often spoke for themselves.
Training At The CCC
bkoganbing27 June 2011
This East Side Kids Drama celebrates the Civilian Conservation Corps one of the best programs of FDR's New Deal of the Thirties. In fact when I wrote the review for Wild Boys Of The Road, I mentioned that the CCC was the New Deal answer to the homeless young men of America wandering the country looking for work.
In Pride Of The Bowery Leo Gorcey is a budding prizefighter of one of lighter weight classes and Bobby Jordan is his manager. Because Gorcey needs to train and doesn't, too many distractions in the big city, Jordan tricks him and friends into signing up for the CCC where he'll get plenty of exercise in dealing with the preservation of America's wilderness.
With the usual Leo Gorcey attitude he doesn't make too many friends in the camp other than the ones he brought with him from the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Later on true to the street code Gorcey gets himself jammed up when he's accused of stealing and he won't rat out the guy who did.
Pride Of The Bowery is one of the better East Side Kids features awash with sentimentality, but still entertaining after over 70 years.
In Pride Of The Bowery Leo Gorcey is a budding prizefighter of one of lighter weight classes and Bobby Jordan is his manager. Because Gorcey needs to train and doesn't, too many distractions in the big city, Jordan tricks him and friends into signing up for the CCC where he'll get plenty of exercise in dealing with the preservation of America's wilderness.
With the usual Leo Gorcey attitude he doesn't make too many friends in the camp other than the ones he brought with him from the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Later on true to the street code Gorcey gets himself jammed up when he's accused of stealing and he won't rat out the guy who did.
Pride Of The Bowery is one of the better East Side Kids features awash with sentimentality, but still entertaining after over 70 years.
East Side Kids: Hard-Boiled Maloney
lugonian8 April 2023
PRIDE OF THE BOWERY (Monogram, 1940) directed by Joseph H. Lewis, is the fourth installment of the "East Side Kids" franchise and third headed by series regulars, Bobby Jordan, Leo Gorcey. This time Gorcey heads the cast, with this being HIS film. Regardless of its title, the story doesn't take place entirely in the Bowery of New York City but in the great outdoors outside their jurisdiction in the country.
Following its aerial view to neighboring district of the Bowery to the Vassey Street Boys Club, Danny Jackson (Bobby Jordan), manager and fight promoter to Muggs Maloney (Leo Gorcey), wants his arrogant friend to train for the Golden Gloves championship. Without his knowledge, Danny, along with his other pals, Skinny (Donald Haines) and Pee-Wee (David Gorcey) trick Muggs into spending six months in the country at the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This way Muggs not only can develop himself into a champion boxer, but to earn $22 a month to send to his mother back home. Upon their arrival to the camp, Muggs, living by his own rules, starts off by showing who's boss to group leader, Allen (Kenneth Howell). Although Muggs later rescues Allen from a falling tree, he still insists on settling matters with his fists. Though Muggs and Allan put up a good fight in the boxing ring, Captain Jim White (Kenneth Harlan) calls it a draw. Rather than becoming friends with Allan, Muggs becomes a bad sport, causing the other group members to give him the silent treatment. Regardless of his arrogance, Muggs shows sympathy towards Willie (Bobby Stone), a troubled youth needing $100 to send to his aunt for his brother. Having stolen the money from the captain's office, Muggs helps Willie by earning back the money by fighting at Norton's (Carleton Young) fight arena. Through his winnings, Muggs agrees to replace the stolen money, only to be caught and accused of theft while Willie runs away, leaving Muggs to take the blame. Co-starring Mary Ainsley (Elaine); Nick Stuart (The Ranger); and Lloyd Ingraham (The Doctor).
A sort of rehash of ON DRESS PARADE (Warner Brothers, 1939) starring Billy Halop and the Dead End Kids, where Leo Gorcey is the basic arrogant character. More drama than comedy, production values for PRIDE OF THE BOWERY are poverty-row material, typical for Monogram Pictures. With more scenes screened outdoors with few scenes inside offices and barracks, everything moves by very quickly in 60 minutes. See how fast its prologue opening goes only to blink and now into the very next scene. Bobby Jordan resumes his typical best friend quota to Leo Gorcey, but the other East Side Kids (Donald Haines and David Gorcey) are strictly background material and nothing else. It's interesting seeing Scruno (Sunshine Sammy Morrison), having played one of the East Side Kids in the previous two entries, to continue playing Scruno, but now a member of the CCC. He's seen here meeting with the East Side Kids for the very first time rather than as former acquaintances meeting up again. Morrison does have a couple of amusing scenes built around his character, but gets little time to shine considering how much Gorcey is around taking all the glory. Mary Ainsley, its only female characte, with facial features of Lyda Roberti and blonde hair style of Ginger Rogers, is quite impressive as the gal believing she can help Muggs, but as Danny says, "Women and fighting don't mix."
Distributed on video cassette and later DVD, PRIDE OF THE BOWERY did include broadcasts on public television, cable television's USA Network and years later Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: September 13, 2004). Next installment: FLYING WILD (1941) where Leo Gorcey resumes his Muggs character, assuming a new surname used for the series duration of Muggs Maginnis. (**)
Following its aerial view to neighboring district of the Bowery to the Vassey Street Boys Club, Danny Jackson (Bobby Jordan), manager and fight promoter to Muggs Maloney (Leo Gorcey), wants his arrogant friend to train for the Golden Gloves championship. Without his knowledge, Danny, along with his other pals, Skinny (Donald Haines) and Pee-Wee (David Gorcey) trick Muggs into spending six months in the country at the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). This way Muggs not only can develop himself into a champion boxer, but to earn $22 a month to send to his mother back home. Upon their arrival to the camp, Muggs, living by his own rules, starts off by showing who's boss to group leader, Allen (Kenneth Howell). Although Muggs later rescues Allen from a falling tree, he still insists on settling matters with his fists. Though Muggs and Allan put up a good fight in the boxing ring, Captain Jim White (Kenneth Harlan) calls it a draw. Rather than becoming friends with Allan, Muggs becomes a bad sport, causing the other group members to give him the silent treatment. Regardless of his arrogance, Muggs shows sympathy towards Willie (Bobby Stone), a troubled youth needing $100 to send to his aunt for his brother. Having stolen the money from the captain's office, Muggs helps Willie by earning back the money by fighting at Norton's (Carleton Young) fight arena. Through his winnings, Muggs agrees to replace the stolen money, only to be caught and accused of theft while Willie runs away, leaving Muggs to take the blame. Co-starring Mary Ainsley (Elaine); Nick Stuart (The Ranger); and Lloyd Ingraham (The Doctor).
A sort of rehash of ON DRESS PARADE (Warner Brothers, 1939) starring Billy Halop and the Dead End Kids, where Leo Gorcey is the basic arrogant character. More drama than comedy, production values for PRIDE OF THE BOWERY are poverty-row material, typical for Monogram Pictures. With more scenes screened outdoors with few scenes inside offices and barracks, everything moves by very quickly in 60 minutes. See how fast its prologue opening goes only to blink and now into the very next scene. Bobby Jordan resumes his typical best friend quota to Leo Gorcey, but the other East Side Kids (Donald Haines and David Gorcey) are strictly background material and nothing else. It's interesting seeing Scruno (Sunshine Sammy Morrison), having played one of the East Side Kids in the previous two entries, to continue playing Scruno, but now a member of the CCC. He's seen here meeting with the East Side Kids for the very first time rather than as former acquaintances meeting up again. Morrison does have a couple of amusing scenes built around his character, but gets little time to shine considering how much Gorcey is around taking all the glory. Mary Ainsley, its only female characte, with facial features of Lyda Roberti and blonde hair style of Ginger Rogers, is quite impressive as the gal believing she can help Muggs, but as Danny says, "Women and fighting don't mix."
Distributed on video cassette and later DVD, PRIDE OF THE BOWERY did include broadcasts on public television, cable television's USA Network and years later Turner Classic Movies (TCM premiere: September 13, 2004). Next installment: FLYING WILD (1941) where Leo Gorcey resumes his Muggs character, assuming a new surname used for the series duration of Muggs Maginnis. (**)
Boxing Camp for East Side Kids
wes-connors15 March 2009
Bobby Jordan (as Danny) thinks Leo Gorcey (as Muggs) could be a champion boxer, so he tricks "The East Side Kids" leader into signing up with a training camp for young boxers. At first, Mr. Gorcey is disgruntled - but, eventually, he works out, with young Mr. Jordan as his trainer. Bowery mates Donald Haines (as Skinny) and David Gorcey (as Peewee) cheer leader Gorcey in his match with handsome Kenneth Howell (as Alan). When Gorcey tries to help out fellow camper Bobby Stone (as Willie), he is falsely accused of stealing. To clear his pal, Jordan comes out swinging
Good change of pace setting and direction, by Joseph H. Lewis.
***** Pride of the Bowery (12/15/40) Joseph H. Lewis ~ Leo Gorcey, Bobby Jordan, Kenneth Howell, Bobby Stone
***** Pride of the Bowery (12/15/40) Joseph H. Lewis ~ Leo Gorcey, Bobby Jordan, Kenneth Howell, Bobby Stone
Pride of the Bowery was another okay East Side Kids movie
tavm28 January 2015
This is the third East Side Kids picture former Our Ganger Ernie "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison appeared in as Scruno. Here, he doesn't seem part of the gang but already part of the Civilian Conservation Corps group but his demeaning scene of carrying the bags of the gang is one of the few he's in. He has a better scene with lead Leo Gorcey when he's selling flowers in the street on the weekend. Gorcey wants to box but in a better place than the slums so his buddy Bobby Jordan tricks him into joining the organization I just mentioned. I'll just now say this wasn't a bad drama with some good humor sprinkled in. So on that note, I say give Pride of the Bowery a look.
"You know, you're a lot better man than you even think you are."
classicsoncall15 October 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Once again, a boxing milieu provides the backdrop to an East Side Kids film, as the boys initially make their way to a Civilian Conservation Corps camp under Danny's (Bobby Jordan) pretext of finding a training camp for Muggs (Leo Gorcey). Muggs' character follows the pattern of starting out as a street wise tough guy only to soften up when he comes to realize the world isn't out to get him. Along the way he manages to stage a few boxing scenes with various opponents, and interestingly, he doesn't actually win any of them.
When I used to watch these flicks as a kid back in the 1950's I recall how frustrated I would get about the lack of character continuity from story to story. For example, in this picture, Scruno isn't a member of the East Siders, he's already at the CCC camp as a worker. Apart from the single demeaning chore of bringing in the boys' gear, this film doesn't get into the rather common practice of providing racial stereotypes.
The set ups in the film almost always center on Muggs' character, and they never really get beyond simplistic. However I can see how young audiences of the era would be captivated by Muggs' traits of loyalty to his friends and willingness to work things out for himself in a jam; not squealing on a guy who might have gotten him into a mess was a plus. Even when he gets booed for bad sportsmanship in the first camp fight, you get the feeling there will be redemption on the horizon for this Vassey Street bad boy.
As for the boxing scenes, there's not much to see in the un-choreographed action, which gets sloppy with pushing and shoving, and virtually no emphasis on technical pugilism. For some reason, those scenes were generally sped up adding even more to the unrealistic feel of the fights. Ultimately though it doesn't matter much, as the boys come through showing what they're made of, and that's usually a pretty good reason to cheer. Fans of the East Side Kids who want to sample more of the boxing adventures might try looking up "Bowery Blitzkrieg" and "Kid Dynamite".
When I used to watch these flicks as a kid back in the 1950's I recall how frustrated I would get about the lack of character continuity from story to story. For example, in this picture, Scruno isn't a member of the East Siders, he's already at the CCC camp as a worker. Apart from the single demeaning chore of bringing in the boys' gear, this film doesn't get into the rather common practice of providing racial stereotypes.
The set ups in the film almost always center on Muggs' character, and they never really get beyond simplistic. However I can see how young audiences of the era would be captivated by Muggs' traits of loyalty to his friends and willingness to work things out for himself in a jam; not squealing on a guy who might have gotten him into a mess was a plus. Even when he gets booed for bad sportsmanship in the first camp fight, you get the feeling there will be redemption on the horizon for this Vassey Street bad boy.
As for the boxing scenes, there's not much to see in the un-choreographed action, which gets sloppy with pushing and shoving, and virtually no emphasis on technical pugilism. For some reason, those scenes were generally sped up adding even more to the unrealistic feel of the fights. Ultimately though it doesn't matter much, as the boys come through showing what they're made of, and that's usually a pretty good reason to cheer. Fans of the East Side Kids who want to sample more of the boxing adventures might try looking up "Bowery Blitzkrieg" and "Kid Dynamite".
Darn good
SanteeFats2 March 2014
Warning: Spoilers
If you have watched later "Kids" movies you will not get the humor that is prevalent in those. This movie is sans Huntz Hall and he was the real comedic influence in the movies he was in. Leo Gorcy plays Muggs in the movies and he is always a pugnacious ready, willing, and usually able to fight anyone at any time for any reason. Then there is Bobby Jordan as Danny. Danny supports Muggs through thick and thin. It gets pretty thin in this film when Muggs alienates the entire CCC camp during a boxing match. No one can that will not help a friend though. Muggs has one (Willie) come to him to fess up to stealing $100 (BIG money back then) from the camp commander's office to help his family out. Muggs enters a boxing match in the city to try and get the money. He does. Muggs is then caught trying to replace the loot and is caught as a thief. Willie leaves him hanging, Danny knows all and sees all and smacks a confession out of Willie thus clearing Muggs and teaching the lesson that certain actions do need to told to authority.
A new deal for the East Side Kids.
mark.waltz8 April 2024
Warning: Spoilers
It's the East Side Kids against nature, and nature may never recover from it. They are sent to the Civilian Conservation Corps, a program created by FDR for young men who may have problems finding jobs which in the case of most of this gang isn't difficult to believe. Leo Gorcey and Bobby Jordan as Muggs and Danny are the two who have the most difficult time adjusting.
The camp's captain (Kenneth Harlan) believes that Muggs, the worst of a lot, is a good boy who just need to learn discipline. That discipline comes through the captain's daughter (Mary Ainslee) whom Gorcey wants to take out. He has issues with another boy (Kenneth Howell), leader of the gang, and ends up fighting in the camp boxing match, going up against Bobby Stone, a troubled boy whose life he saved.
While at times Gorcey seems to be doing a heavy Cagney impression, his character is soft at heart which really humanizes him. Unfortunately, this isn't a great episode of the series for Sammy Morrison who is reduced to some harsh stereotyping. This one is better when it's dealing with the boys against nature, which unfortunately isn't as much as it should have been, focusing on themes that had already been dealt with in earlier films on troubled teen boys. Ultimately, it's a little too sappy and derivative.
The camp's captain (Kenneth Harlan) believes that Muggs, the worst of a lot, is a good boy who just need to learn discipline. That discipline comes through the captain's daughter (Mary Ainslee) whom Gorcey wants to take out. He has issues with another boy (Kenneth Howell), leader of the gang, and ends up fighting in the camp boxing match, going up against Bobby Stone, a troubled boy whose life he saved.
While at times Gorcey seems to be doing a heavy Cagney impression, his character is soft at heart which really humanizes him. Unfortunately, this isn't a great episode of the series for Sammy Morrison who is reduced to some harsh stereotyping. This one is better when it's dealing with the boys against nature, which unfortunately isn't as much as it should have been, focusing on themes that had already been dealt with in earlier films on troubled teen boys. Ultimately, it's a little too sappy and derivative.
one of the early east side kids films
ksf-226 September 2022
When they were still the east side kids. Pretty rough copy on tubi free streaming... and badly in need of restoration. Rough edits, washed out pictures. Sound quality to match. But it is free! Muggs (leo gorcey) shows up at a training camp, and tries to take over as lead dog. But the boys push back and put him in his place. The usual antics and arguements, that will be settled in the ring. Gotta learn some lessons. Right and wrong. Seems to be aimed at a younger crowd, but it's watchable. Bobbie jordan, sam morrison. Gorcey's brother david is in this one, but not his dad. Directed by joe lewis, who made three of these films with leo gorcey. From monogram pics. After this series, gorcey, hall and some of the crew started making the bowery boys films.
Deep in the Bowery...
Spuzzlightyear7 March 2006
It seems that as of late, I've gotten a sick addiction to the Bowery Boys. I'm actually starting to look FORWARD to seeing their movies. Although the movies don't really change from movie to movie (Leo Gorcy always begins tough but softens by the end, Huntz Hall is there to screech at Gorcy, and Bobby Jordan, the best looking one (he's a real hottie actually) is always there to neutralize everything. For some dumbass reason, and maybe I'm not the only one thinking this, I'm starting to detect a rather subtle homoerotic undertone to their movies too. That would be a real cool subject to study.
Anyways, on to the movie! In Pride Of The Bowery, for some odd reason, Huntz Hall is missing, not for the plot of the movie, just nada, he's not in the movie at all. It's just Gorcy and Jordan, plus a bunch of kids I didn't recognize. Anyways, Gorcy is training to be a boxer. And the gang decide the way to make some money is to go to a work camp. (smart move). Of course Gorcy is butting heads almost immediately with authority figures in the camp, and of course the obligatory boxing match between Gorcy and one of the authority figures there (who, coincidentally, is quite good looking) doesn't solve anything. But soon, yes, Gorcy's heart melts for a down-in-his-luck bunkmate's tale of woe about his Mom and how she needs money for something. So Gorcy agrees to fight for cash down at the stadium, and soon there's a goyle that wanders into the picture too.
So once again, hyper male-dominated situations, curious shirtless scenes (nearly all the Bowery Boys films has them) and suggestive dialogue.
Yeah, something is not quite right in Bowreyville
Anyways, on to the movie! In Pride Of The Bowery, for some odd reason, Huntz Hall is missing, not for the plot of the movie, just nada, he's not in the movie at all. It's just Gorcy and Jordan, plus a bunch of kids I didn't recognize. Anyways, Gorcy is training to be a boxer. And the gang decide the way to make some money is to go to a work camp. (smart move). Of course Gorcy is butting heads almost immediately with authority figures in the camp, and of course the obligatory boxing match between Gorcy and one of the authority figures there (who, coincidentally, is quite good looking) doesn't solve anything. But soon, yes, Gorcy's heart melts for a down-in-his-luck bunkmate's tale of woe about his Mom and how she needs money for something. So Gorcy agrees to fight for cash down at the stadium, and soon there's a goyle that wanders into the picture too.
So once again, hyper male-dominated situations, curious shirtless scenes (nearly all the Bowery Boys films has them) and suggestive dialogue.
Yeah, something is not quite right in Bowreyville
going didactic: defeat, swell
Cristi_Ciopron21 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
A highly didactic installment, a cautionary tale, and in most ways typical for the director: even the captain is the very same he'll send, years later, in Korea. Again, one may suppose for a while that the psychology, even stylized, may be realist; but it's phony. Something is real, but intended to convey an educative message, and not one of the best kind. Then again, one also feels that the director believed in this ethics.
Mary Ainslee, not very seductive, has a supporting role.
In this movie, Muggs isn't that likable, but this is the idea: he's altruist and petty, generous and too impulsive. The director was fond of the thought of a potentially good man, being educated by an officer.
The director being Joseph Lewis, a comedy wasn't probable, and if comedy wasn't available, at least an adventure yarn could of been, but an educative storyline has been chosen, of course with the regular filthy racism, and the excellent blond guy; the captain from this movie was going to make a comeback in one of the director's later movies, again as a military authority, as an ideal officer. The movie exhibits Joseph Lewis' peculiar hybrid of heroism and schmaltz.
Mary Ainslee, not very seductive, has a supporting role.
In this movie, Muggs isn't that likable, but this is the idea: he's altruist and petty, generous and too impulsive. The director was fond of the thought of a potentially good man, being educated by an officer.
The director being Joseph Lewis, a comedy wasn't probable, and if comedy wasn't available, at least an adventure yarn could of been, but an educative storyline has been chosen, of course with the regular filthy racism, and the excellent blond guy; the captain from this movie was going to make a comeback in one of the director's later movies, again as a military authority, as an ideal officer. The movie exhibits Joseph Lewis' peculiar hybrid of heroism and schmaltz.
Gorcey's Pugnacious Showcase
dougdoepke20 September 2021
Plot - Along with the guys, Gorcey gets sent to a forestry camp where he comes to exercise both his pugnacious boxing skills and a better inner self.
Oh my, only one skirt in the whole 60-minutes, and she doesn't show up until minute 35. Nonetheless, it's an entertaining Bowery Boys entry, giving Gorcey a real chance to parade his talents, especially his swagger. The plot's more dramatic than most, probably because there's no Huntz Hall for Gorcey to trade comedic swats with. Nonetheless, the rest of the gang's all there, this time as members of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), a government program meant to employ idled city boys into rural betterment projects.
Here the guys work in para-military fashion on forrest projects, giving them a chance to improve their skills for later employment, that is, if Roosevelt's New Deal programs can revive the larger Depression Era economy. In fact, the movie's first part gives us a flavor of what those camps were like. Importantly, such look-sees provide a lingering advantage for old-movie fans like me.
Anyhow, the entry may be short on BB's usual slap-happy antics, but it still keeps eyes glued, thanks also to director Lewis's fast-moving camera. All in all, the flick shows how Gorcey's many talents have been unfortunately ignored by critics too often absorbed with good looks and bigger productions. Too bad. Then again, I can always hope.
Oh my, only one skirt in the whole 60-minutes, and she doesn't show up until minute 35. Nonetheless, it's an entertaining Bowery Boys entry, giving Gorcey a real chance to parade his talents, especially his swagger. The plot's more dramatic than most, probably because there's no Huntz Hall for Gorcey to trade comedic swats with. Nonetheless, the rest of the gang's all there, this time as members of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), a government program meant to employ idled city boys into rural betterment projects.
Here the guys work in para-military fashion on forrest projects, giving them a chance to improve their skills for later employment, that is, if Roosevelt's New Deal programs can revive the larger Depression Era economy. In fact, the movie's first part gives us a flavor of what those camps were like. Importantly, such look-sees provide a lingering advantage for old-movie fans like me.
Anyhow, the entry may be short on BB's usual slap-happy antics, but it still keeps eyes glued, thanks also to director Lewis's fast-moving camera. All in all, the flick shows how Gorcey's many talents have been unfortunately ignored by critics too often absorbed with good looks and bigger productions. Too bad. Then again, I can always hope.
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