American Baby Boomers are known to be more nostalgic than other modern era generations. I guess that's because of being post Great Depression and post WWII, so our childhood memories are purely kids' experiences. When I was a kid the Bowery Boys (previously Dead End Kids, Eastside Kids, but all known to us as the Bowery Boys) were must see when on our one TV station or free Saturday morning theater movies. Now with grandchildren 4 and 7 years old, I thought they might enjoy the same simple movies I did. So confident was I that I bought a collection of 12 of them on DVD from Warner Archives.
I thought I'd watch them first, to be sure there wouldn't be too much that I had to explain or regret, so I started going through the DVDs. Well, like this one, they are seriously disappointing. The humor doesn't hold up. The stories are weak, even for kids' movies. The characters are not very likable. In short, I'm almost hesitant to admit I ever found them entertaining. Except for this one, I've not yet been able to watch a whole movie, in spite of their best attribute--they're generally only an hour or so running time.
So if you remember the Bowery Boys from your childhood, and you remember liking the movies, take my advice and just stick with your memories. The real thing will disappoint.
I thought I'd watch them first, to be sure there wouldn't be too much that I had to explain or regret, so I started going through the DVDs. Well, like this one, they are seriously disappointing. The humor doesn't hold up. The stories are weak, even for kids' movies. The characters are not very likable. In short, I'm almost hesitant to admit I ever found them entertaining. Except for this one, I've not yet been able to watch a whole movie, in spite of their best attribute--they're generally only an hour or so running time.
So if you remember the Bowery Boys from your childhood, and you remember liking the movies, take my advice and just stick with your memories. The real thing will disappoint.