The Bowery Boys made several dozen movies from the mid-1940s to late 1950s. However, after the death of Leo Gorcey's father, Bernard (who played 'Louie' the malt shop owner in most of the group's films), Leo tired of the movies and quit. Now you'd THINK this would spell the end of the series, as Leo was the unquestioned star of the movies. But the studio was greedy and went on to make a few more films....with Huntz Hall in the lead and Stanley Clements doing a Leo Gorcey immitation of sorts. None of these films are particularly good...which makes you wonder why I bothered watching "Hot Shots". I do wonder myself. Perhaps it was because the movie featured gorgeous Joi Lansing in a leading role.
When the story begins, a bratty kid is trying to steal Sach's car. But the kid is very clever and creates a long lie--about how he was an abused kid and was starving. Soon they are feeding and caring for the kid. However, soon afterwards some private detectives arrive and announce that Joey is a famous TV star! But instead of admitting he ran away, he says he was kidnapped!! What a jerky kid! Fortunately, the studio folks soon realize what really happened and they inexplicably offer Sach and the gang a job....to care for bratty little Joey and be his pal. The thinking is that perhaps Sach and Duke (Clements) can get him under control. Soon the pair realize that the kid is a pretty miserable tike, as he's never given a chance to be a kid. But what they don't soon realize is that the kid is being exploited...and the same crooks are stealing him blind.
This is actually much better than the average Bowery Boys film....mostly because Sach isn't as stupid and annoying as usual. On top of that, it's well written and enjoyable...something I usually don't say about the team's films.
When the story begins, a bratty kid is trying to steal Sach's car. But the kid is very clever and creates a long lie--about how he was an abused kid and was starving. Soon they are feeding and caring for the kid. However, soon afterwards some private detectives arrive and announce that Joey is a famous TV star! But instead of admitting he ran away, he says he was kidnapped!! What a jerky kid! Fortunately, the studio folks soon realize what really happened and they inexplicably offer Sach and the gang a job....to care for bratty little Joey and be his pal. The thinking is that perhaps Sach and Duke (Clements) can get him under control. Soon the pair realize that the kid is a pretty miserable tike, as he's never given a chance to be a kid. But what they don't soon realize is that the kid is being exploited...and the same crooks are stealing him blind.
This is actually much better than the average Bowery Boys film....mostly because Sach isn't as stupid and annoying as usual. On top of that, it's well written and enjoyable...something I usually don't say about the team's films.