Boys of the City (1940)

Director:

Joseph H. Lewis

Writer:

William Lively (original story and screenplay)

Release Date:

15 July 1940 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Thriller

Tagline:

The Story Of Men In The Making By Just Plain American Boys!

Plot:

Street kids get sent to the country, where they get mixed up in murder and a haunted house. |

Plot Keywords:

Haunted House | Murder | Organ | Niece | False Accusation

Cast

Bobby Jordan	...	Danny Dolan
Leo Gorcey	...	Muggs McGinnis
Hal E. Chester	...	Buster (as Hally Chester)
Frankie Burke	...	Skinny
Vince Barnett	...	Simp
Inna Gest	...	Louise Mason
Dave O'Brien	...	Knuckles Dolan (as David O'Brien)
Ernest Morrison	...	Scruno (as Sunshine Sammy)
Minerva Urecal	...	Agnes
Dennis Moore	...	Giles
Donald Haines	...	Peewee
David Gorcey	...	Pete
Eugene Francis	...	Algy Wilkes
Forrest Taylor	...	Judge Malcolm Parker
Alden 'Stephen' Chase	...	Jim Harrison (as Alden Chase)

Also Known As:

The Ghost Creeps (USA) (alternative title)

Runtime:

68 min | USA:62 min (DVD version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

USA:TV-PG (TV rating) | USA:Approved (PCA #6447) (original rating)

Company:

Four Bells Pictures

Goofs:

Continuity: Early in the film when the boys are driving at night in a station wagon up the mountains to a lodge, they turn a corner on a dirt road in the forest. Speeding close behind them is the judge's car which also turns the same corner, overtaking them and forcing them off the road. The judge's car continues on about 30 yards and is seen going around the same corner both cars had already passed. When the camera returns to the boy's station wagon, they come back onto the road and, even though it is supposedly the same road, this time there is no corner, the road is straight and trees are only on one side of the road.

Quotes:

Muggs: Five millions guys thumbing their way along the road and we gotta pick up a Judge. That's fate.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Muppet Babies: Is There a Muppet in the House? (#5.4)" (1988)

The Importance of Being Ernest Morrison

The fourteen "Dead End"-related film introduces "The East Side Kids" as a series banner. Herein, Bobby Jordan replaces Harris Berger (as Danny Dolan), from the previous "East Side Kids" movie. Dave O'Brien (as "Knuckles" Dolan) continues as Mr. Jordan's reformed older brother. Fellow "Dead End" kid Leo Gorcey (as Muggs McGinnis) joins "Danny's Gang" (after three films, Mr. Gorcey will become the undisputed leader). The returning junior gangsters are: Hally Chester (as Buster), Frankie Burke (as Skinny), Donald Haines (as Peewee), and David Gorcey (as Pete).

This film most notably introduces former "Our Gang" member Ernest "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison (as Scruno), a new member of the Bowery "kids". Unfortunately, Mr. Morrison is included as insulting, race-based comic relief; and, the story doesn't take advantage of Joseph H. Lewis' relatively fine direction (or some good locations). Fortunately, Morrison would be allowed to bring some integrity to the "Scruno" character; in later films (like "Bowery Blitzkrieg") he plays a more dignified humorous role.

The story begins with Mr. O'Brien and well-to-do Eugene Francis (as Algy Wilkes) expressing concern about "Danny's Gang", and their propensity for trouble. Their fears prove to be well-founded, as Jordan and the "Boys of the City" decide to get relief from hot New York City streets by opening up a fire hydrant. The incident lands the lads in juvenile court - but, the judge allows them cool their heels by spending some time in the country. They wind up in a spooky old mansion, with scene-stealing Minerva Urecal (as Agnes).

*** Boys of the City (7/15/40) Joseph H. Lewis ~ Bobby Jordan, Leo Gorcey, Ernest Morrison