Dead End (1937)

100% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
70% of users liked it
(1,834 ratings)

Adapted by Lillian Hellman from Sidney Kingsley's Broadway play, Dead End concerns itself with several denizens of New York's East River district. Here the elite and the slum-dwellers rub shoulders due to the close proximity of the riverfront tenements with the East Side luxury hotels. Slum girl… More Adapted by Lillian Hellman from Sidney Kingsley's Broadway play, Dead End concerns itself with several denizens of New York's East River district. Here the elite and the slum-dwellers rub shoulders due to the close proximity of the riverfront tenements with the East Side luxury hotels. Slum girl Drina Gordon (Sylvia Sidney) tries to prevent her younger brother Tommy (Billy Halop) from wasting his life as a member of the local street gang. Tommy and the other kids idolize Baby Face Martin (Humphrey Bogart), a onetime East- sider who has hit the "big time" as a notorious gangster. Dodging the cops, Martin makes a sentimental journey to the neighborhood to visit his mother (Marjorie Main) and his old girlfriend Francie (Clare Trevor). But Martin's mother coldly tells him to get lost, while Francie reveals herself to be a consumptive prostitute. Despite his depressed state, Martin is still admired by the local kids; this displeases sign painter Dave Connell (Joel McCrea), who hopes to escape the slums via his romance with wealthy Kay Burton (Wendy Barrie). Attempting to kidnap a rich boy who'd earlier been beaten up by the street kids, Martin is prevented from making the snatch by Dave, who shoots Martin down. Receiving a large reward, Dave decides to give the money to Drina so that she can afford a lawyer to defend her brother Tommy, who has wrongfully been accused of masterminding the beating of the rich kid. His outlook on life altered by this unselfish act, Dave gives up his mercenary romance with Kay Burton, choosing instead the poverty-stricken Drina. The film introduces the Dead End Kids--Billy Halop, Leo Gorcey, Gabe Dell, Huntz Hall, Bernard Punsley and Bobby Jordan--all of whom were veterans of the Broadway version of Dead End and would be metamorphosed into the East Side Kids and The Bowery Boys. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: William Wyler
Written By: Lillian Hellman
Genres: Drama, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Aug 27, 1937 Wide
On DVD: Mar 8, 2005
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
William Wyler's screen version of this juvenile delinquency drama features the Dead End Kids and boasts excellent performances from Bogart as a criminal before he became star and Joel McCrea as the decent guy.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...worth a look, especially for fans of Bogart...
Michael W. Phillips, Jr., Goatdog's Movies
It's still a compelling film, and it features a novelty: Humphrey Bogart's name isn't at the top of the credits.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Intelligent, generally effective film version of the Kingsley play.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Dated but excellently acted drama.
Cassandra M

I recently picked up a copy of Dead End from a market stall and was pleased I did. A gangster, "Baby Face" returns to New York's Lower East Side, where he grew up. He goes to visit his mum and ex girlfriend, but they are not pleased to see him. He then gets involved in… More
I recently picked up a copy of Dead End from a market stall and was pleased I did. A gangster, "Baby Face" returns to New York's Lower East Side, where he grew up. He goes to visit his mum and ex girlfriend, but they are not pleased to see him. He then gets involved in a shootout which claims his life. We also see what the Dead End Kids get up to and they course plenty of trouble. Two of the residents also fall in love with each other. This movie gives you an idea on what life was like in this period in New York's poorer Lower East Side and the rich peoples' apartments are overlooking this slum area. The cast includes an excellent performance from Humphrey Bogart as Baby Face and is joined by Sylvia Sydney (Sabotage), western star Joel McCrea, Claire Trevor (Key Largo, which also starred Bogie), Wendy Barrie and a brief appearance by Ward Bond. Dead End is worth watching, a good way to spend 90 minutes one afternoon or evening.
Stella D

pretty melodramatic. supporting characters are much better than the main story here. ma kettle is one cold hearted bitch, the punk kids are fun and an extra half star for claire trevor :)
Ken S

Depression Era Melodrame is boring at best. Bogart, when he's actually on the screen, chews the scenery a bit.
cody f

Very enjoyable film about the Lower East Side in the 30's.The rich are starting to move into the slums in high rise apartments,and a change is staring to take place.The film is about Bogie,a wanted Gangster, going back to his old neighborhood to see is Mom and a old… More
Very enjoyable film about the Lower East Side in the 30's.The rich are starting to move into the slums in high rise apartments,and a change is staring to take place.The film is about Bogie,a wanted Gangster, going back to his old neighborhood to see is Mom and a old girlfriend.Bogart has had surgery and no one recognizes him except for a old childhood friend(McCrea) who don't see eye to eye. The movie is also about The Dead End Kids, a gang of toughs who keep getting into trouble,but their ways are becoming out of date. Everyone is great in this and the subject matter is harsh and very adult oriented. This is based on a stage play and it must have been great to see back in the day.The only problem I had was I wanted a more McCrea and Bogie and a little less Dead End Kids. I was really surprised how much I enjoyed this and it goes to show you what a great actor Bogart was.The scene between him and Claire Trevor(his old squeeze) and Marjorie Main (his mother) is extremely powerful and really holds up. William Wyler in the 30's couldn't be stopped and this is another great one from him.
Anthony V

Nice bit of New York life from the 30's. Bogart gives a powerhouse performance, and the kids do good work.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Sylvia Sidney as Drina

            Joel McCrea as Dave Connell

            Humphrey Bogart as Baby Face Martin

            Wendy Barrie as Kay

            Claire Trevor as Francie

            Allen Jenkins as Hunk

            Marjorie Main as Mrs. Martin

            Billy Halop as Tommy

            Huntz Hall as Dippy

            Bobby Jordan as Angel

            Leo Gorcey as Spit

            Gabriel Dell as T.B.

            Bernard Punsly as Milty

            Charles Peck as Philip Griswold

            James Burke as Mulligan

            Ward Bond as Doorman

            Esther Dale as Mrs. Fenner

            Marcelle Corday as Governess

            Earl Askam as Griswold chauffeur

            Don 'Red' Barry as Interne

            Wade Boteler as Cop

            Al Bridge as Cop

            Lucille Browne as Well-dressed woman

            Gilbert Clayton as Man with Weak Voice

            Dead End Kids
            
            Elizabeth Risdon as Mrs. Connell

            Bud Geary as Kay's chauffeur

            Wesley Giraud as Tough Boy

            Charles Halton as Whitey

            Robert E. Homans as Cop

            Esther Howard as Woman with coarse voice

            George Humbert as Pascagli

            Mickey Martin as Tough boy

            Tom Ricketts as Old man

            Minor Watson as Mr. Griswold

            Norman Salling as Boy

            Frank Shields as Well-dressed man

            Thomas E. Jackson as Police Lieutenant

            Charlotte Treadway as Woman

            Jerry Cooper as Milty's brother

            Larry Harris
            
            Gertrude Valerie as Old Lady
See full cast