Reviews (11)

Herbie Rides Again is no good.............
This sequel to The Love Bug, lacks a good plot, and an interesting cast. Set five years after the original, this film finds Herbie now sold to an annoying old lady living in a fire house. The fire house is the only building left in the way of Alonzo Hawk's new sky scraper being built. Robert Stevenson enters the plot as Hawk's nephew and goes against his uncle to help save the fire house. This film has nothing to do with the original and loses the formula. I would pass on this movie. However, Dean Jones and Don Knots returned in Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo to give the series back it's good name.........

Just a poor re-hash of "The Love Bug"
Like many sequels, the writers of this one were unable to come up with a new plot idea, so they basically re-hashed the original. Ken Berry takes the Dean Jones role, Stephanie Powers takes the Michelle Lee role, the demise of the firehouse replaces the demise of Herbie, etc, etc. Also like many sequels, the result was poor at best. While it had its moments [the parade of Beetles], for the most part, "Herbie Rides Again" seemed to try to hard to be clever...and as a result, fails.

As for the transfer...I couldn't help but notice how "tight" all the scenes with the actors seemed to be...especially the ones inside Herbie. The reason? It appears this movie was filmed in 1.66:1 ratio...and Disney, in its usual infinite wisdom, has trimmed information from the picture to make it fit a 16x9 screen. Geez...even Disney's widescreen movies cut out part of the picture. These guy are just clueless, aren't they?

The sound seemed a little off to me as well, with the music sometimes overwhelming the dialogue.

All that being said, my recommendation is to buy "The Love Bug" [which has an overall excellent transfer, with the exception of one out-of-focus scene in Chinatown], and forget all the sequels.

Not good for little kids
My two year old loves Herbie, so we rented this to give us all a break. Now we are paying for it! The villian in this movie rants, raves, screams, and bosses everyone around conitinuously. Perhaps it is coincidence, but our mild-mannered son has become a mini-version of this tryant. After two weeks, he is finally returning to normal. I would not recommend showing this movie to suggestible children. It is difficult to find live-action, non-violent movies with good role-model characters. Stick with "The Love Bug."

A Disney favorite is back -- this time in widescreen!
Predictable, but fun Disney comedy from the 1970's and the best of the Love Bug sequels. Thanks to Disney Home Video for releasing this film in widescreen. Please release all Disney films in their original theatrical ratios and re-release The Moonspinners, Blackbeard's Ghost, and Babes in Toyland in widescreen.

The Little Car That Could is Back
Alonzo Hawk has made his fortune by destroying old buildings and putting new office buildings and shopping centers in their place. His latest project is to build the world's tallest skyscraper in San Francisco. Unfortunately for him, one widow refuses to sell the little firehouse she's lived in since the day she got married. Even more unfortunately, she's keeping Herbie for her nephew, and Herbie has decided to protect her at all costs. But what can a VW Bug do against a man who will stop at nothing to destroy the firehouse?

This was the first sequel to the huge hit, THE LOVE BUG. Released 6 years after the original, none of the human cast returned. Only the car is around to reprise his roll. Stirring clear of racecar driving completely for this go around, the plot focuses solely on the tug of war over the firehouse. The plot itself is silly, with Herbie doing such things as driving the cable of the Golden Gate Bridge and swimming. Still, if you're in the mood for improbably fun, these movies are your ticket. The cast, lead by Helen Hayes, does a fine job keeping the storyline believable fantasy. And, of course, there's the romantic sub-plot just to add a little more tension.

I was really impressed by the Special Edition treatment that THE LOVE BUG received last year and was hoping for more of the same. Unfortunately, this is a movie only edition. This movie is presented in widescreen and full surround, however. The picture looks sharp with some dust and grain debris showing it's age. It sounds nice as well, although the movie won't give your surround sound a chance to truly shine. Then again, considering when the movie came out, that's not too different from the original source.

Despite the lack of special features, it's nice to have this fun film on DVD. I've been a fan of Herbie for as long as I can remember, and these films will always hold a special place in my heart. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Bogie and The Dead End Kids
This is the film that propelled the Dead End Kids (Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Bobby Jordan et al) to stardom.
Humphrey Bogart portrays a gangster who returns to his old neighborhood only to come to grief.
The Dead End Kids portray slum kids living right next door to the luxurious apartment houses of the rich.
Sylvia Sidney and Joel McCrea are the star-crossed lovers who try to battle their way out of the slums.
Gangster melodrama at its finest!

can't beat bogart and dead end kids
this performance doesn't rank with bogart's most famous but it should, since he is darn near perfect in the part. it makes you wonder why he struggled for so many years in his career. it also has sylvia sydney, the perfect depression era actress with her nobility and wounded sweet beauty. even joel mccrea, who i usually find to be a dud (wait, he was phenomenal in "Sullivan's Travels" and "Palm Beach Story"!) is excellent here. of course, the dead end kids became national institutions with this movie. a fine, fine, really fine movie.

"Yeah, she was my goile when we was kids"
This is a wonderful film about the life of people living in a Manhattan ghetto in the 30's. Their life is starkly juxtaposed against that of an upper class family living in a posh residence in the same neighborhood--moving there for a desirable view of the river. From their terrace, the rich folks are insulated from, and can look down upon, the poor people living in tenements.

The film has a very theatrical feel; most of the action happens right on the street in the neigborhood. The dialouge, written by Lillian Hellman, is snappy and excellent.

The kids of the Dead End are young adolescent boys on the verge of growing up. Their choices in life are constrasted by the characters of Joel McCrea and Humphrey Bogart: adults who were also once Dead End kids. McCrea, who still lives in the neigborhood, has been to college but is now is looking for work. Bogart, who is returning to the neighborhood after many years away, is the nortorious gangster, Baby-faced Martin; he has killed eight men.

The adults are facing tough choices too: McCrea is torn beween two women: Sylvia Sidney, a neighborhood friend who is trying to raise her younger brother (one of the Kids) on her own, and Wendy Barrie, a member of the rich family (her father is brother to a Judge). Sidney, when her brother gets in trouble, contemplates helping him run away. Barrie is apparently engaged but wants to go with McCrea--if a prospective job for him comes through.

Bogart has come back to the neighborhood for something...he's not sure. Perhaps he wants some stability in his life so he seeks out an former girlfriend, Clair Trevor, leading to a memorable scene:

Bogart (reminiscing): "Remember that night on the roof?"
Trevor: "The night was full of stars and I was full of dreamy ideas."

He makes a pitch for her to come away with him but she tells him to take a closer look at her... Bogart feels betrayed--and this comes shortly after being rejected by his own mother--whom he hasn't seen for years. Trevor, like other characters here, feels as if her life is at a dead end. What hope? But this film is not depressing. There is a glimmer of hope offered through the characters of McCrea and Sylvia; and, of course, in the boys.

This is a very enjoyable film, well written and executed. And the dilemmas portrayed are still with us today.

AN all time great movie
This is the movie that made Billy Halop a star..He was a fine actor and its a shame his last job was a male nurse, before he died in 1976...Only 56 years old .God Bless You Billy...You are missed indeed.

Park Ave. it ain't!
In the film Dead End, the murky waters of Manhattan's East River served as an appropriate backdrop for the squalor that manifested itself within the conefines of tenament housing. City streets that offered little hope for the jobless, poor, and oppressed were truely "dead ends". Written by Lillian Hellman and directed by William Wyler, Dead End exposed the stark social and economic divisions between the affluent and the underpriveledged. Logistically, the film was easily adapted from Sidney Kingsley's stage play, as most of the scenes are shot within the shadows of Manhattan's East 53rd street highrises. Dead End is essentially about people and their relationship with the neighborhood that spawned them. Gangster Baby Face Martin ( Humphrey Bogart) returns to his old block seeking glorified acceptance from his mother, only to be rudely rebuffed. Plastic surgery may conceal Martin's outward identity, but his crimminal persona is clearly defined through his street wise and violent attitude towards survival. At first Martin basks in the limelight; preening with sharp suit, hat, and polished shoes. As if to make a social statement exclaiming the virtues and rewards of crime, Martin becomes an icon for a teenage street gang (The Dead End Kids). When Martin is shocked by his mother's repulsive behavior, he seeks out his old flame (Clair Trevor). When she reveals that she is now a prostitute, Martin once again becomes tormented that his homecoming is a lonely one. Sylvia Sydney plays Drina, a young unemployed woman struggling to forge an identity of her own while raising her teenage brother. Drina can only dream about escaping the confines of her depressing neighborhood, since her childhood beau ( Joel McCrea) has been enticed by a society girl ( Wendy Barrie) who resides in an exclusive penthouse overlooking the shoddy apartments that define Dead End. Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell, Leo Gorcey, and the rest of the Dead End kids provide enough street talk to make an English teacher cringe with embarrassment. Is there a way out of Dead End? Most street toughs assumed a life of crime would free them from poverty. Others set up businesses relying on the patronage of tenanment residents to keep the bills paid. Others relied on marriage in hopes of "marrying up". Still others sought education as a way out. The year is 2000, and if you visit the streets of Manhattan above 110th street not much has changed since Wyler's 1937 film Dead End. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Hilarious! Danny Kaye is the best at being anyone!
This movie is about twin brothers brought back together through the death of one. Danny Kaye portrayes both brothers and is at his best being two different people. The music and dancing are wonderful and the singing as well. But it's Danny Kaye making you laugh that's makes this movie one of his all time best. This movie helps show our children what good clean fun is all about.

Buster and Danny
BUSTER! This movie is one of the funniest I've ever seen. Danny Kaye is hilarious playing 2 roles: a whimpy librarian and his ghost twin brother- Buster! The scenes in Prospect Park (aka Potato salad),the deli, and some of the on-stage routines are classics.

DOES THIS THING REALLY COST $ 259.00
I am shocked to see that Amazon is offering this DVD at the ridiculous price of $259.00. Did any of the previous reviewers pay that amount for this. If you know of any where I can purchase this at a MUCH LOWER price. Please Email me at bkuszak@hotmail.com

really witty and fun
this Danny Kaye film of "Wonderman," is very funny and a great Kaye vehicle. I highly recommend it to any fan of his films It's a must see.

stewpot
There are always films you associate with your youth and this is one of mine.To this day it is the only film that i wet myself over.It is all that is great about old movies and Danny Kaye is a genius in this film.If you only watch one old comedy film make it this one. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Gang must help Gabriel Dell. Gale Storm co-stars.
This is the ninth film for the East Side Kids (Leo Gorcey, Bobby Jordan, Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell, Bobby Stone, Sunshine Sammy Morrison, David Gorcey). A new member is introduced as "Stash", Stanley Clements joins the gang. Since they helped the police in finding the crooks behind the magnesium ring operation in LET's GET TOUGH, now they are trying to help Gabriel Dell hide from the police. Gabriel wants to break away from the gang and swears he is never coming back. Just as he trys to go out the hide-out door, Officer Joe Reagan (Roger Pryor) is hot on Gabriel's trail. He looks around the hide-out. Nothing. When the boys think the coast is clear, Gabriel tells the gang again he is not coming back. He opens the door and Officer Reagan is right there and he overheard the boys clear their names. So Gabriel is off to jail for participation in a hold-up. Gale Storm plays Danny's (Bobby Jordan) sister. Notice the ad-lib Huntz Hall does at the end of the film. Leo Gorcey puts water on himself after kissing a nurse. Huntz Hall spits some water back at him.
The next film in the series: 'NEATH BROOKLYN BRIDGE (1942). ... Read more

Description

3 Great Movies on 1 DVD.Star Power, Exciting Genre with Extras on each DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

The Andrews Sisters with Harry James
With the benefit of the DVD format, this film can be enjoyed as an Andrews Sisters concert with Harry James as well as the 1942 low-budget Universal musical that it was at the time of release (and a box office success, by the way).
The Sisters swing on "Three Little Sisters" (note this is after the disaster at Bataan/Corregidor and the lyric "from Iceland to the Philippines" is changed to "from Iceland down to New Orleans"), "That's the Moon, My Son" and "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree". This is a rare chance to hear the great Vic Schoen Andrews Sisters arrangements with the sharp James orchestra. This film also provides a glimpse of the great stage presence and commedienne quality of Patty Andrews, if only briefly.
Harry James and Helen Forrest join forces for "You Made Me Love You" and "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen".
James demonstrates his considerable talent on the trumpet several times and the Sisters keep smiling through, perhaps, their strangest novelty song, "We're Six Jerks in a Jeep".
Dick Foran croons "Private Buckaroo" and gives out with "We've Got a Job to Do" which is also the Andrews Sisters finale after the equally rare "Johnny Get Your Gun Again". Neither of these two wartime tunes were recorded by the Sisters in the Decca studio and may only exist in the Sisters surviving recordings on this film soundtrack.
Then-former Stooge Shemp Howard, Mary Wickes and the dancing team of Peggy Ryan and Donald O'Conner try to provide comic support in the tradition of musical comedy films of the era. This DVD contains an adequate print of the film with good sound and also has some World War II newsreel footage and movie bloopers in the package unrelated to "Private Buckaroo".
If Universal does not release a restored print of this film or an Andrews Sisters Universal DVD multi-film package (oh, that they would!), this is a keepsake item.

It's all in the dancing
If young dancer Donald O'Connor catches your eye in this film, it's thanks to choreographer John Mattison, who taught O'Connor (among others) much of what he knows. Mattison's daughter, Ethelyn, also dances in the chorus. Mattison, who danced in Vaudeville and on Broadway before working in Hollywood, went on to become a well-known dance teacher. His students included Basil Rathbone and Dan Dailey.

Of some historic interest...
This is essentially an armed forces recruitment film made by Universal shortly after the U.S. formal entry into World War II, utilizing some comics and swing musicians to raise the patriotic tenor. The wispy plot relates how the entire band of Harry James decides to enlist in the Army to follow its drafted leader, with a subsequent U.S.O. follies being organized directly before the entire group marches avidly into combat. With the exception of the reliable Mary Wickes, the comedians, in particular Joe E. Lewis and Shemp Howard, are dreadful and serve only to make the various musical interludes, notably those featuring the sprightly Andrews Sisters, a welcome relief --- from comedy. Former big band singer Dick Foran, who warbles the title tune, is the featured non-musical performer tasked to deal with the hapless propagandistic script, but 16 year old Donald O'Connor nearly steals the show along with some of his jitterbugging cronies.

Private Buckaroo
Private Buckaroo is a wonderful wartime movie which I would reccomend to anyone who likes movies of the 1940's, and/or The Andrews Sisters. I am also a Three Stooges fan, so I also liked seeing Shemp in it too.

Great, even still today!
It's incredible, the amount of propaganda put into this movie, "Be a Man, fight for your country!" But overall, the songs and dances are amazing...especially since i love The Andrews Sisters! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The East Side Kids help find the mugger.
Cousin Herbie (Al Stone) joins the gang. Gabriel Dell and friends beat up a rich older man (Herbert Hayes). The East Side Kids come to his safety. Grateful, he gives them his business card to call him tomorrow. Huntz notices the rich man mistakenly left his wallet behind with nearly a thousand dollars inside. They truly decide to return it to the man. Suddenly, the police catch the boys with the dough and down to the station they go. They call the rich man, Cortland and it's all straightened out. He invites the boys to his home to help them with gymnasium equipment they need. With the help of the East Side Kids (Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Bobby Stone, Billy Benedict, Dave Durrand, Jimmy Strand, Bob Gorman) and Cortland's son, Roy (Johnnie Duncan) they will catch Gabriel Dell the mugger. Bobby Stone was not credited, but I got him here. Leo Gorcey's father, Bernard Gorcey, makes an appearance as a telegram man. The next six films: Follow The Leader (1944), Block Busters (1944), Bowery Champs (1944), Docks of New York (1945), Mr. Muggs Rides Again (1945), Come Out Fighting (1945). ... Read more

Reviews (16)

"Nobody Dies," Best World War II Movie, Poorest DVD Quality
I have watched this film trillions of times, and I own many VHS and Beta copies of it. I first saw it as a kid in the 1950's, and it is truly haunting. The dialogue, acting, tension buildup, realism, psychology, and photography/camera work are nothing short of superb. It is a film way ahead of its time, true to its genre, and probably the best/most realistic film to come out of WWII. Many of the ethnic/cultural stereotypes are quite good, even considering the absence of African-American roles, probably fairly accurate for the time. The depiction of war seems very genuine. Does anyone know what Dana Andrews meant when he said "4 ways from the jack?" What a shame that the DVD version by Madacy is so poor. There are video/digital dropouts, terrible sound, missing frames. The VHS and BETA versions are of better quality overall. There is no evidence of ANY Dolby Digital sound.

I hope someone will recognize the true artistry of this film and issue it in a better DVD version.

I would also recommend "The Best Years of Our Lives", although I don't know if it is out on DVD yet.

Anyway, I rate this film as a "Must See/Own!"

Still one of the best World War II films
I too have seen A walk In The Sun countless times since I first saw it on television when I was a kid in the mid 1950's. I still believe that it is one of the best war films ever made. Yes, I also have seen Saving Private Ryan many times and love it as well.

In many ways, these films have a lot in common. They both exemplify the tenseness and horror of war. While SPR is more graphic, A Walk In The Sun succeeds with superb camera work and more subtlety.

The acting in A Walk In The Sun is excellent and I practically memorized all of the humorous dialogue between Pvts Rivera (Richard Conte) and Freedman (George Tyne). These two were a quintesential element of the film.

This film was excellently directed by Lewis Milestone and should not be missed.

Not a restored version
It is apparent that the copyright has expired on this movie, as a number of DVD houses are offering various versions. This transfer is moderately scratchy and occasionally fuzzy, and obviously slightly cropped.

It is too bad the studio hasn't seen fit to issue a restored version (and copyright the restoration). Unfortunately, judging by the offerings here on Amazon, there is no studio version available.

Outstanding Movie
Only rated 4 stars because this classic has not been restored, 5 stars for content! One of the best WWII genre movies. Directed by Lewis Milestone (All Quiet on the Western Front, Pork Chop Hill etc.) GET THIS COPY! Other manufacturer's version contain numerous drop outs/flaws. Although unrestored, the DVD quality is a decent reproduction and viewable, HIFI sound is clear. Highly recommended for those interested in the US Infantry GI's perspective in WWII! Excellent leadership study as you watch the command of the platoon adapt to combat situations!

Decent movie, excellent quality for its age
Ignoring the ignorance of other reviewers stating the quality is not Dolby Digital sound or perfect digital video quality (DUH! It was made in the 1940s!), this is actually a fairly decent film. It captures effectively the non-battle aspects of war, and delves into the personality of soldiers. Even though it is sanitized in terms of few deaths and mild language, it is a good view for children and adults alike learning about WWII. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Billy Halop leads the pack with little tough guys.
It began with DEAD END (1937), the boys came from the broadway play and landed their first starring role togther. After Dead End (1937), Warner Bros. made six more films with them in 1938 and 1939. In 1938, Billy Halop brought along Huntz Hall, Gabriel Dell and Bernard Punsly in Little Tough Guy (1938). This spun off into another film series with a total of nine films for Universal from 1938-1943. They also made film serials for the new Universal: JUNIOR G-MEN (1940), SEA RAIDERS (1941) and JUNIOR G-MEN of the AIR (1942). In 1940, Leo Gorcey and Bobby Jordan bacame The East Side Kids for Monogram Pictures Corp. for 22 films from 1940-1945. Huntz Hall and Gabriel Dell would later join the new gang. Then in 1946, The East Side Kids bacame The Bowery Boys and made 48 more films from 1946-1958. Now back to Billy Halop and Bernard Punsly. They continued with The Dead End Kids with The Little Tough Guys film series until they both said goodbye in MUG TOWN (1943). Billy Halop continued a film and television career, but getting parts was hard. In between acting jobs, Halop was a chef, electric dryer saleman and in his final years was a male nurse. He played "Bert Munson" in he CBS tv series, "All in the Family" in 1972 and aired through 1977. In 1976, Billy Halop had a heart attack and passed away ending a 50-year career in show biz that started with radio in the 1920's. Bernard Punsly last film ever was MUG TOWN (1943). He became a gynocologist M.D. in Torrence ,California and recently passed away on January 20, 2004 as the last surviving Dead End Kid. Huntz Hall died January 30, 1999. Marjorie Main who was in DEAD END (1937) plays a role as Halop's mother in this film. She went on to do THE EGG AND I (1947) as "Ma Kettle" (which spawned into a new film series "Ma & Pa Kettle"). This film, Little Tough Guy is also David Gorcey's (Leo's younger brother) film debut. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

East Side Kids meet Bela Lugosi for the first time.
the East Side boys make more trouble again. Usually they are sent back to reform school. But this time they are put in a bus and taken to a small town. At a soda fountain shoppe, they hear on the radio that a "monster" killer is on the loose. The boys have aroom to sleep in at the camp. At a gas station, Bela Lugosi as "Nardo" (Dracula [1931]) comes to town with his midget assistant, "Luigi" (Angelo Rossitto). They are looking for the Billings Estate. The gas station attendent says no one has been there since the killings ten years ago. Later, the gas station attendant meets Dr. Von Grosch (Dennis Moore). He tells the doctor he knows who he is and that he is looking for the "monster" killer. The man up ahead is the monster killer. The gas staion attendent keeps the secret of Von Grosch being in town. The boys go roamin' and they come across the graveyard at the Billings Estate. They are taken into the estate and there they meet the killer. They must stay in this spooky manor overnight. They want to get back to the camp, but they can't leave Pee Wee (played by David Gorcey, Leo's brother) who is under a spell. This is one of the more entertaining and popular films of the series. Next film in he series is: MR. WISE GUY (1943). The East Side Kids "Spooks Run Wild", Donald Haines was in World War II. It is not known if he was Missing In Action or died.

BAD DVD
i bought this dvd [SPOOKS RUN WILD] and another [KID DYNAMITE] from alpha video and these dvd's would not play at all. i was very disappointed and will not buy any products from ALPHA again.

Excellent spook classic!
Once again the boys (East Side Kids/Bowery Boys/Dead End Kids) hit the target on the bullseye. I remember seeing Spooks Run Wild on late night T.V. when I was younger. I was waiting up to see the classic Cushing/Price/Lee (Hammer mostly) films that came on late on Friday nights (I believe it was Night Flight)....once upon a time. I didnt get what I expected, instead I got this comedy that cracked me up. It reminded me of The Three Stooges/Abbott & Costello/Little Rascals........with a spooky twist. I've always loved those old horror comedies.......the way they show fear is always a winner. Hopefully Roan Group (Yep, Lloyd Kaufman of Troma fame....Toxic Avenger for the Lamen) will re-release this one as well, like Ghosts On The Loose. It will be more expensive, however like all of the Roan/Troma releases it will be packed with quality & extras. Fun for the whole family!

Campy, harmless fun
This entry in the Eastside Kids series finds the boys at a country summer camp for inner-city troublemakers. One of them gets hurt and they wind up in a house "haunted" by Bela Lugosi.
Production values are low (typical Monogram) but the fun factor is high as Bela chases the boys around for 2 or 3 reels until the rather disappointing finale.
Best for fans of the Eastside Kids/Bowery Boys or Bela Lugosi but B-movie fans should also enjoy it.

Good poverty row comedy
Lugosi plays it straight and the Boys ham it up. Just what you'd xpect. Good fun ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Series fans, add 1 *.Huntz Hall in drag is worth price alone
The East Side Kids series took a definite turn for the better when director William Beaudine joined it in 1943. CLANCY STREET BOYS is Beaudine's first, and also the first East Side escapade to be played strictly for laughs. To impress his father's old friend from Texas, Leo Gorcey has to pass off his rowdy pals as his siblings (including Huntz Hall in lipstick as sister "Annabelle," and African-American Ernie Morrison as a stepbrother!). Noah Beery and Lita Ward (the future Mrs. Gorcey) are enjoyable as Gorcey's fresh-from-Texas visitors, and Rick Vallin is personable as the heavy. (Vallin became one of producer Sam Katzman's favorite actors.) This was filmed on Katzman's usual how-low-can-we-go budget, which results in frequent ad libs and a relaxed atmosphere. An hour of fun for comedy fans, and series fans will really enjoy it. The print was frequently cut and recut by TV stations, so there are splices at scene changes. Except for a few momentary digital glitches, the image is surprisingly sharp and clear.

Antics galore!
If you grew up watching the East Side Kids/Bowery Boys, you'll love this film. Muggs and the gang are always at their hysterical best. It's just as much fun to watch them now at age 51 than when I was 10. This is a keeper! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

More drama than humor for this East Side Kids entry.
This Monogram Picture of The East Side Kids is much slower than the later Bowery Boys incarnation. The last 15 minutes of this 64 minute movie is devoted to World War II patriotism. Nothing wrong with patriotism, this film just makes war look honorable. The beginning of the film aims at Muggs getting Kidnapped, but the bulk of the story is about the relationships between the gang members of The East Side Kids. Leo Gorcey's humorous banter is there for us to enjoy, and Huntz Hall is a scene stiller!
The FRONT ROW DVD is mastered from an original 16mm print, the sound is crisp and clear and the picture is sharp with good contrast. However the original print used in the transfer has many splices, at least four times a word of conversation is lost in a splice. Considering the "Poverty Row" aspects of Monogram Pictures I can accept this and enjoy the clear picture. The dark night scenes show some artifacting, but they are few and far between. Usually the picture is sharp and clear.

Kid Dynamaite Packs A Wallop!
The story centers around Muggs and Bobby Jordan.Bobby fills in for Muggs at a boxing match and that's where the trouble starts. The film is fast, funny, and very entertaining. Huntz Hall and the rest of the gang are there too. Look for the scene with the dancing contest. It is very good! Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall put on a good and hillarious dance act! This film is a winner! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

East Side Kids back in reform school. Gabe Dell joins cast.
Now that the East Side Kids (Leo Gorcey, Bobby Jordan, Huntz Hall, Sammy Morrison) are done chasing spooks (SPOOKS RUN WILD [1941]), they get silly talking to mannequins. Someone escapes from prison on Blackwell's Island, so the boys go to investigate at the dock on West St. The police think the prisoner has drowned, but has not. By stealing a truck they helped the convict. The kids end up in reform school (again). Danny's (Bobby Jordan) brother, Bill, is wrongfully accused of murder. The real murderer is the same convict that got the boys in reform school. Within two days, the kids must break-out of reform school to save the life of Danny's brother before he is executed. Ann Doran is in this one and Bobby Stone too. Gabriel Dell who was over with Billy Halop, Huntz Hall and Bernard Punsly helping the Little Tough Guys joins the East Side Kids films too. The next film in the series: LET'S GET TOUGH! (1942).

Mr. Wise Guy
This is another DVD distributed by Alpha Video.Unfortunately the transfer to Dvd is horrible, I dont Know where they get their source material, but this Dvd is as bad as their other Bowery boy Dvds.Save your money, I wish I had.

One of Leo Gorcey's best
This is one of the best East Side Kids films available. Before they became "The Bowery Boys" and after they were known as "The Dead End Kids", "Little Tough Guys" and "Junior G-Men", there was a slew of "East Side Kids" films. A lot of these films are heavy on dramatics, not so much comedy as in the later Bowery Boys films. But this film combines both extremely well. Gorcey is, of course, classic in his role of Muggs McGinnis, along with the superb Huntz Hall as Glimpy, David Gorcey, Sunshine Sammy Morrison (uncredited for some reason!), Bobby Jordan, Gabe Dell and a comic performance by legendary Hal Roach regular Billy Gilbert as an inept crook. The film quality is actually much better than others in the East Side Kids series, not many glitches at all and the film is somewhat crisper. Lotsa fun as the kids get put in reform school for a crime they didn't commit; then they attempt to find the real bad guys and get Bobby Jordan's brother off Death Row. If you're a Bowery Boys/East Side Kids fan, you'll heartily enjoy this fine forgotten film. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

"Nobody Dies," Best World War II Movie, Poorest DVD Quality
I have watched this film trillions of times, and I own many VHS and Beta copies of it. I first saw it as a kid in the 1950's, and it is truly haunting. The dialogue, acting, tension buildup, realism, psychology, and photography/camera work are nothing short of superb. It is a film way ahead of its time, true to its genre, and probably the best/most realistic film to come out of WWII. Many of the ethnic/cultural stereotypes are quite good, even considering the absence of African-American roles, probably fairly accurate for the time. The depiction of war seems very genuine. Does anyone know what Dana Andrews meant when he said "4 ways from the jack?" What a shame that the DVD version by Madacy is so poor. There are video/digital dropouts, terrible sound, missing frames. The VHS and BETA versions are of better quality overall. There is no evidence of ANY Dolby Digital sound.

I hope someone will recognize the true artistry of this film and issue it in a better DVD version.

I would also recommend "The Best Years of Our Lives", although I don't know if it is out on DVD yet.

Anyway, I rate this film as a "Must See/Own!"

Still one of the best World War II films
I too have seen A walk In The Sun countless times since I first saw it on television when I was a kid in the mid 1950's. I still believe that it is one of the best war films ever made. Yes, I also have seen Saving Private Ryan many times and love it as well.

In many ways, these films have a lot in common. They both exemplify the tenseness and horror of war. While SPR is more graphic, A Walk In The Sun succeeds with superb camera work and more subtlety.

The acting in A Walk In The Sun is excellent and I practically memorized all of the humorous dialogue between Pvts Rivera (Richard Conte) and Freedman (George Tyne). These two were a quintesential element of the film.

This film was excellently directed by Lewis Milestone and should not be missed.

Not a restored version
It is apparent that the copyright has expired on this movie, as a number of DVD houses are offering various versions. This transfer is moderately scratchy and occasionally fuzzy, and obviously slightly cropped.

It is too bad the studio hasn't seen fit to issue a restored version (and copyright the restoration). Unfortunately, judging by the offerings here on Amazon, there is no studio version available.

Outstanding Movie
Only rated 4 stars because this classic has not been restored, 5 stars for content! One of the best WWII genre movies. Directed by Lewis Milestone (All Quiet on the Western Front, Pork Chop Hill etc.) GET THIS COPY! Other manufacturer's version contain numerous drop outs/flaws. Although unrestored, the DVD quality is a decent reproduction and viewable, HIFI sound is clear. Highly recommended for those interested in the US Infantry GI's perspective in WWII! Excellent leadership study as you watch the command of the platoon adapt to combat situations!

Decent movie, excellent quality for its age
Ignoring the ignorance of other reviewers stating the quality is not Dolby Digital sound or perfect digital video quality (DUH! It was made in the 1940s!), this is actually a fairly decent film. It captures effectively the non-battle aspects of war, and delves into the personality of soldiers. Even though it is sanitized in terms of few deaths and mild language, it is a good view for children and adults alike learning about WWII. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The East Side Kids find a secret message and magnesium.
Would you believe it? The East Side Kids (Leo Gorcey, Bobby Jordan, Huntz Hall, Sunshine Sammy Morrison, David Gorcey, Bobby Stone) want to join the U.S. Army, but they have to be 21 years of age. (In real life, they all were over 21 except for Bobby Jordan and Bobby Stone who were almost). Not even the whiskers worked. So they went to the U.S. Marines. The muscles didn't work. Too young. So they go to the U.S. Navy. Smoking cigars didn't work. The japenese small business owners don't really care for the East Side Kids because thay are trouble makers. They like to throw eggs at store front businesses. Phil Ahn (Kung Fu tv series 1972-75 as "Master Po") plays the bad guy, Joe. While they go to Miss Keno to apologize to her for the damages they made, they see Joe make an exchange with Miss Keno. Later at the hide-out, Huntz Hall had taken a pen as a "souvenir". The pen won't work, but he finds a mysterious note inside. Leo does a trick he learned from correspondence college. They discover a secret message. They go to Matsui's Tea Shop to interpret the message. mat sui tries tio take it, but Leo says "no stealing". Matsui then releases a small dagger and kills himself. The boys run to Policeman Pop (Robert Armstrong) to tell him. They all go back to Matsui's Tea Shop. The old man is alive, or is he? Policeman Pop is angry at the boys. The boys go back to Matsui's. The old man is gone now. Huntz steals a bag of tea. Outside, the boys discover in the bag, it is not tea, it is not sugar, it's magnesium. Can the boys uncover this spy ring and catch the crook, Joe? Gabriel Dell appears in this one. The next film in the series: SMART ALECKS (1942).

lets get duped
This edition of Alpha videos Lets get Tough is an abomination. Save your money until some other company decides to do it right.Unviewable. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Leo Gorcey must fight in the ring. Huntz Hall joins gang.
Huntz Hall now joins the East Side Kids, who was over with Billy Halop, Bernard Punsly and Gabriel Dell as the Dead End Kids helping the Little Tough Guys and still will until 1943.
Well as you can see Leo Gorcey with Huntz Hall, Sammy Morrison, Donald Haines and David Gorcey are still up to no good. Leo hits "Monk" (Bobby Stone) and then puts shoe polish on his nose. Policeman Tom decides to stop them and reminds the gang of reform school. He wants to talk to the kids in the Pool Hall. In the Pool Hall is Clancy (played by Keye Luke of Charlie Chan film series, Kung Fu tv series, 1972-75,86 as "Master Po"). Later, Monk tells Bobby Jordan a lie that Leo had said something about his sister. Monk's plan works and Leo and Bobby fist fight. The police show up and the kids make a run for it. Leo ges caught. Policeman Tom talks Leo into fighting in the ring for the Golden Gloves. Can Leo and Bobby ever be friends again? Bobby ends up in the hospital and Leo gives him a special gift of life. In the next film, the boys meet Bela Lugosi and have to chase some spooks in SPOOKS RUN WILD (1941).

Gotham/Alpha DVD is bad, look for the Platinum Disc DVD
If you are a Bowery Boys - East Side Kids fan, you know these low budget dramadies are entertaining. Unfortunately, the DVD issued by Gotham Distributors/Alpha Video is almost unwatchable. A Washed out picture and distorted soundtrack take away from the enjoyment of this movie.
HOWEVER, if you can find the PLATINUM DISC CORPORATION DVD, you will enjoy a sharp clear picture with excellent contrast and a crisp clear soundtrack worthy of DVD.

For What It Is . . . Not Bad
Before there were the Bowery Boys, there were the East Side Kids, and if you thought the Bowery Boys was a low budget series, wait until you catch the East Side Kids. Compared with the production values in the East Side Kids Series, the later Bowery Boys semeed like MGM.

A note of difference: though both were released by the same studio, Monogram, the 22 pictures of the East Side Kids were independently produced by Sam Katzman and his Banner Films company. Once the popularity of the series was established, the Boys wanted more money and so Katzman gladly turned the series over to Monogram, who renemd it "The Bowery Boys.For the 60 or so films that would come out, each was a money maker for this "B" studio and helped finance some of their stabs at "A" billing and the respect it brings.)For students of film, Katzman has a defined niche in history as one of the giants of the exploitation movie. Consider the title of this movie, "Bowery Blitzkreig." One would assume that somewhere along the line Nazis and other bad guys of WWII would be added.

Nope, this is a film about Golden Gloves boxing as Muggs (Leo Gorcey) fights the crooked racketeers of the game while still finding time to donate blood to pal Danny (Bobby Jordan), shot while resisting crime. The performances are nothing new: Gorcey and company simply honed their roles from their previous stint as the Dead End Kids for Warner Bros., but they are entertaining.

The transfer is not the greatest, but we must keep in mind that prints of this movie were probably treated with benign neglect at the best. (I wonder how many of the 22 movies actually survived.) Even so, the movie is clear with only a few glitches and actually lacks the darkness that distinguished most of the series on television.

All in all, it's a little slice of nostalgia (How many of us remember whiling away our Saturday or Sunday afternoons watching these on a local channel?) at just the right price. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The boys are working on a farm. Here comes John Garfield.
This is the forth Dead End Kids film. (Dead End [1937], Crime School [1938], Angeles With Dirty Faces [1938]). A boxer (John Garfield) has a little party after his fight. In a apartment, Johnnie trys to swing a punch at a nosy reporter, but he is so drunk he misses and ends-up passed out in a chair. Another man hits the reporter over the head with a whiskey bottle. The reporter McGee ends up dead. Later, they decide to make Johnnie take the fall. Johnnie is innocently drunk-sleep. The bad man and woman try to make there getaway, but with the police catching them, they go off the road and instantly die. They think it is Johnnie who is dead. But one detective is on the hunt. Johnnie runs away and he comes across a farm where the delinquent Dead End Kids (Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Billy Halop, Bobby Jordan, Gabriel Dell, Bernard Punsly) have been sent to work. There he meets the boys who he trys to reform. Also a woman at the date farm, Peggy (Gloria Dickson), softens his heart too. Meanwhile a detective (Claude Rains) is close on the trail. This is a good film for Billy Halop, who practically steals the film. Great acting from Halop. Good performances by May Robson who played the Grandma on the farm. Filmed at Palm Desert, California. Great ending. Get a hankercheif. On this DVD version, Alpha Video only offers an "index" which is a chapter selection. Very good print of film.

John Garfield meets the Dead End Kids
Future superstar, John Garfield, is cast as a boxer on the lam from a (false) murder rap.
Claude Raines is miscast as the detective who pursues him.
Garfield winds up at a farm where the ever-popular Dead End Kids are too.
There's plenty of action, drama and intrigue as Garfield gets involved with the farm's gorgeous owner and the Dead End Kids, who come to idolize him.

A Very Thirties Film
The always intense John Garfield stars as a boxer framed for the murder of a newspaper reporter who was about to expose the real story behind his carefully crafted public image. Conveniently, the real killer and the only witness to what really happened are both killed in a car accident, leaving Garfield without a defense. So he takes off, ends up in California and gets mixed up with the Dead End Kids, a girl, and an old lady who befriend him, not knowing his real identity. There's a lot left to luck in this film as dogged detective Claude Rains chases after the boxer. The Dead End Kids are an acquired taste, although in this film they aren't as grating as they would become in later years. Garfield, as usual, is very watchable and believable. Rains, on the other hand, is miscast as the detective and never for a moment seems convincing. Ann Sheridan is equally miscast as Garfield's drunk girlfriend, although she makes a quick exit in the film, despite her uncalled-for high billing. Gloria Dickson, the girl he falls in love with, has a few good moments, but lacks star quality. The script has a number of holes in it, but it also has some good moments. I particularly enjoyed the dramatic water tower sequence, as the boys must try to escape from a water tower where the water is going down. This is very much an old fashioned movie, especially in the boxing scenes, but that is also part of its appeal, since it is a great example of the kind of film Thirties audiences enjoyed.

Boxer on the lam hobos to Arizona date farm.
One of the original six DEAD END KIDS films, this "The Fugitive"-style story involves a world-class boxer(John Garfield) who is thought to be dead (but he's not) and also a murderer (but he's not). On the lam with a new identity and little money he hobos his way to an Arizona date farm where the Dead End Kids are on rehabilitation off of New York's East Side and being taken care of by a gorgeous farmer (Gloria Dickson). Garfield is a bad influence on the kids but somehow he is where he belongs. When a boxing promoter offers $500 a round for anyone who can stay in the ring with his champion, Garfield can't resist coming out of hiding to go for the prize. There is an investigation sub-plot (with Claude Rains doing what Tommy Lee Jones did in "The Fugitive") but here it is totally useless and just doesn't work. The ending is even more useless. Regardless, there is much to like due to great direction (Busby wasn't very good at telling the story but boy did he know where to put the cameras and how to fill up the screen), great acting (John Garfield brings compassion to a dislikable character, the reliable Dead End Kids are in top form, and Gloria Dickson is very appealing).

Entertaining Drama
They Made Me A Crimminal is not remembered as a classic drama, but the film still provides predictable entertainment sixty-one years after its theatrical release. Busby Berkeley's direction is excellent as the sequences involving the car crash, Garfield's train ride, and the water tower appear realistic. The fight scenes in the ring are a bit histrionic, but at least Berkeley used enough extras to create a boxing arena type atmosphere- John Avildsen (Rocky) are you reading this? The film contains a credible cast with John Garfield in the lead as Johnny a prize fighter on the run. Gloria Dickson as Peggy gives a Sylvia Sydney type performance as a reformer intent on reabilitating juvenille deliquents. Huntz Hall, Leo Gorcey, Gabriel Dell, and the rest of the Dead End Kids are the NYC teens who idolize tough Johnny, but respect Peggy. Cluade Rains plays a newspaperman who wants to rip the veil of deceit from Johnny's persona. Ann Sheridan receives top billing over Gloria Dickson and for no good reason. Sheridan's role as Goldie is brief and totally unconvincing as a drunken floozie riding the coat tails of Johnny's ring success. For those that enjoy happy endings with morality values, this 90 minute film will not disappoint you. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Rediscovered film noir gems
"Impact" and "The Second Woman" are excellent examples of the kind of quality programmers that Hollywood seemed to churn out effortlessly in its golden age. Both have clever, tight plotting, well-written dialogue and fine acting. Neither director is much remembered these days, but on the evidence here they deserve reassessment. "They Made Me a Criminal" is solid too, but not really a film noir and not as interesting as the other two. The quality of the prints on this triple-feature DVD is surprisingly good, and the whole package is an amazing bargain. ... Read more