King of the Newsboys (1938)

Director:

Bernard Vorhaus

Writers:

Horace McCoy (story)
Samuel Ornitz (story)

Release Date:

18 March 1938 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

MEN IN THE MAKING But what kind of men grow out of the squalor of the tenements...from the sordid back alleys of the slums?

Plot:

A poor young man's girlfriend leaves him for a gangster, who has the money and power she wants and the young man doesn't have...

Plot Keywords:

Newspaper | Gangster | Newsboy

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Lew Ayres	...	Jerry Flynn
Helen Mack	...	Mary Ellen Stephens
Alison Skipworth	...	Nora
Victor Varconi	...	Wire Arno
Sheila Bromley	...	Connie Madison
Alice White	...	Dolly
Horace McMahon	...	Lockjaw
William 'Billy' Benedict	...	Squimpy (as Willam Benedict)
Ray Cooke	...	Pussy (as Victor Ray Cooke)
Jack Pennick	...	Lefty
Mary Kornman	...	Peggy
Gloria Rich	...	Maizie
Oscar O'Shea	...	Mr. Stephens

Runtime:

65 min | 69 min (dvd version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

George Lewis Mansion - Benedict Canyon Drive, Bel Air, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Republic Pictures

A really great love story - it stands the test of time!

Even though this film is a little dated, the basic premise still works. Lew Ayers plays the blue collar guy with dreams and plans to marry his sweetheart, played by the beautiful Helen Mack. Unfortunately, Helen's character wants to have the finer things in life and leaves the life she has for one of money and powerful men (albeit a gangster). Lew's character feels betrayed and sets out to prove to himself (and mostly to his ex-girlfriend) that he can succeed and to show her that he doesn't need her. He starts a newspaper distribution company, and soon has made it the largest distributership in town. He is jealous of Helen's new boyfriend and ends up trying to show Helen what a mistake she made. Alas, as with all stories like this, both characters realize soon enough (the hard way) that what is truly important is each other and that happiness can not be bought for any price. Of course, this realizaton comes after both have lost everything that they worked hard for. The movie is quick paced and covers a lot of ground. There is so much good material for a much more detailed film. Helen shines in her dramatic role. She has a lot of the time in the film to showcase her abilities and strength as an actor - and does so well. Lew Ayers does a great job portraying the blue collar type. He surprised me in his role as a rough and tough guy. I think his acting is underrated and this movie role makes him shine. My only complaint is that this movie QUICKLY wraps up. In one short scene all loose ends are tied up. I think the ending does not do justice to this film. I wanted to see more of the resolution of the problems and how the two main characters resolved their differences.