Crime School (1938)

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(185 ratings)

This entry in the Dead End Kids series of adventures makes critical comments about the failings of reform schools. The story begins as the boys are sent to the Gatesville Reformatory, a cruel institution where the discipline is often violent. They boys do their best, but it is difficult to cope.… More This entry in the Dead End Kids series of adventures makes critical comments about the failings of reform schools. The story begins as the boys are sent to the Gatesville Reformatory, a cruel institution where the discipline is often violent. They boys do their best, but it is difficult to cope. Things get a little better when the deputy commissioner of corrections makes a surprise visit to the institution. He is appalled and immediately fires the sadistic warden. He then begins instituting gentler ways of treating the inmates. The grateful youths save the new warden's life after he is machine gunned during a political double-cross. As a reward, the boys are paroled. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 25 min.
Directed By: Lewis Seiler
Genres: Drama, Classics, Comedy

In Theaters: May 28, 1938 Wide
Studio: Warner Brothers

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cassandra M

They did it with The Maltese Falcon/Dangerous Woman & got it right the third time under John Huston. Crime School was Mayor of Hell in 1933 with Cagney and finally in 1939 also with the Kids & Ronald Regan as Hell's Kitchen which the UK Censor considered so brutal he… More
They did it with The Maltese Falcon/Dangerous Woman & got it right the third time under John Huston. Crime School was Mayor of Hell in 1933 with Cagney and finally in 1939 also with the Kids & Ronald Regan as Hell's Kitchen which the UK Censor considered so brutal he clapped on the then rare 'H'certificate (16+ only). Indeed,check out punishment meted out to one of the Kids by sadistic reform school super,Grant Withers who kills him by locking him in a refrigeration unit. I waited many years before catching an isolated TCM screening (since this is not on commercial video) having formerly seen a wartime reissue alongside Return of Dr X. It is better directed than the other two versions but it is the Kids + Reagan all the way battling Grant Withers in true Capt Bligh form. But grim stuff.

Cast

            Billy Halop as Frankie Warren

            Bobby Jordan as Squirt

            Huntz Hall as Goofy

            Leo Gorcey as Spike Hawkins

            Bernard Punsly as Fats Papadopolo

            Gabriel Dell as Bugs Burke

            Humphrey Bogart as Mark Braden

            Gale Page as Sue Warren

            George Offerman as Red

            Weldon Heyburn as Cooper

            Cy Kendall as Morgan

            Charles Trowbridge as Judge Clinton

            Milburn Stone as Joe Delaney

            Harry Cording as Guard

            Spencer Charters as Old Doctor

            Donald Briggs as New Doctor

            Frank Jaquet as Commissioner

            Helen MacKellar as Mrs. Burke

            Al Bridge as Mr. Burke

            Paul Porcasi as Nick Papadopolo

            Jack Mower as John Brower

            Frank Otto as Junkie

            James B. Carson as Schwartz

            Dead End Kids
            
            Edward Gargan as Officer Hogan

            Sibyl Harris as Mrs. Hawkins

            John Ridgely as Reporter

            Hally Chester as Boy

            Ted Offenbecker as Red
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