Every wants to get out of the slums, by any means necessary. Drina is on strike to get better pay at work. Her friend Dave (McCrea) is an architect, doing odd jobs to make some money. While cleaning up after a job, he encounters Hugh "Baby Face" Martin (Bogart), a gangster who grew up in the neighborhood. Martin is back to visit his mother (Marjorie Main) and romance his old girlfriend Francey (Trevor). Martin is trying to stay incognito, but Dave recognizes him and warns him to leave. As the boys escalate their antics, causing the ire of the police, can anyone escape the dead end life on the street?
The film is based on the 1935 Broadway play "Dead End," which was written by Sidney Kingsley and Norman Bel Geddes. MGM purchased the film rights and brought in William Wyler to direct. Wyler hired some of the boys from the play to play the Dead End Kids in the film.
The Dead End Kids made 6 movies from 1934 to 1939. Some of the boys also made movies for Universal Studios under as the Little Tough Guys Under the Little Tough Guys moniker, they made 12 films and serials from 1938 to 1943. The group moved to Monogram Pictures and made 22 films as the East Side Kids between 1940 and 1945. In 1946 they rebranded as the Bowery Boys under Jan Grippo Productions. As the Bowery Boys, their 48 films were more formulaic and the characters were the same across the series (unlike the earlier films). The boys changed over time, starting as dark juvenile delinquents and ending as comedy stars.
Dead End (1937) 93 minutes
Director: William Wyler
Starring: Sylvia Sidney as Drina Gordon
Joel McCrea as Dave Connell
Humphrey Bogart as Hugh "Baby Face" Martin
Wendy Barrie as Kay Burton
Claire Trevor as Francey
Allen Jenkins as Hunk
Billy Halop as Tommy Gordon
Huntz Hall as Dippy
Bobby Jordan as Angel
Leo Gorcey as Spit
Gabriel Dell as T.B.
Bernard Punsly as Milton
The film is based on the 1935 Broadway play "Dead End," which was written by Sidney Kingsley and Norman Bel Geddes. MGM purchased the film rights and brought in William Wyler to direct. Wyler hired some of the boys from the play to play the Dead End Kids in the film.
The Dead End Kids made 6 movies from 1934 to 1939. Some of the boys also made movies for Universal Studios under as the Little Tough Guys Under the Little Tough Guys moniker, they made 12 films and serials from 1938 to 1943. The group moved to Monogram Pictures and made 22 films as the East Side Kids between 1940 and 1945. In 1946 they rebranded as the Bowery Boys under Jan Grippo Productions. As the Bowery Boys, their 48 films were more formulaic and the characters were the same across the series (unlike the earlier films). The boys changed over time, starting as dark juvenile delinquents and ending as comedy stars.
The Good:
The scenery is fantastic. It feels like a real street: lived-in and authentic. They also make great use of light and shadows. Everything about the mise-en-scene draws you into the film. The cast is fantastic and the story is compelling.
The Bad:
There is a little too much of the juvenile delinquents...
Other Comments:
-This film was Humphrey Bogart's big break.
-This film was Humphrey Bogart's big break.
-The film was nominated for 4 Oscars: Best Picture, Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Claire Trevor), Best Cinematography (Gregg Toland), Best Art Direction (Richard Day).
Dead End (1937) 93 minutes
Director: William Wyler
Starring: Sylvia Sidney as Drina Gordon
Joel McCrea as Dave Connell
Humphrey Bogart as Hugh "Baby Face" Martin
Wendy Barrie as Kay Burton
Claire Trevor as Francey
Allen Jenkins as Hunk
Billy Halop as Tommy Gordon
Huntz Hall as Dippy
Bobby Jordan as Angel
Leo Gorcey as Spit
Gabriel Dell as T.B.
Bernard Punsly as Milton
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