The Bowery Boys
Encyclopedia
The Bowery Boys were fictional New York City
characters who were the subject of feature films released by Monogram Pictures
from 1946 through 1958.
The Bowery Boys were successors of the "The East Side Kids
," who were the subject of films since 1940. The group originated as the The "Dead End Kids
", who originally appeared in the 1937 film Dead End
. A few of the actors previously appeared together as "The Little Tough Guys
."
turned the play into a 1937 film
, he recruited the original kids (Leo Gorcey
, Huntz Hall
, Bobby Jordan
, Gabriel Dell
, Billy Halop
, and Bernard Punsly
) from the play to appear in the same roles in the film. This led to the making of six other films under the moniker "The Dead End Kids."
launched its own tough-kid series, "Little Tough Guys
." Gradually Universal recruited most of the original Dead End Kids, so the series ultimately featured "The Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys
." Universal
made twelve feature films and three 12-chapter serials with the gang. The final film in Universal
's series, Keep 'Em Slugging
, was released in 1943, with Bobby Jordan
replacing erstwhile ringleader Billy Halop
at Monogram acted quickly and hired several of them, including Jordan and the Gorcey brothers Leo and David, as well as some of the 'Little Tough Guys,' including Hally Chester, to star in a new series using the team name "East Side Kids." These films also introduced 'Sunshine' Sammy Morrison, one of the original members of the Our Gang
comedy team, as part of the gang.
The original members of the 'Dead End Kids' were now working at several studios, so these films were made at the same time that Universal was making 'The Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys' series. A total of twenty-one films were made, with the final one, Come Out Fighting, being released in 1945.
The original main characters were Terrence Aloysius "Slip" Mahoney (Leo Gorcey
), Horace Debussy "Sach" Jones (Huntz Hall
), Bobby (Bobby Jordan
), Whitey (Billy Benedict), and Chuck (David Gorcey
, sometimes billed as David Condon). "Sunshine" Sammy Morrison ("Scruno" in the East Side Kids films), declined the invitation to rejoin the gang (later stating in an interview that he "didn't like the setup", possibly referring to the idea of Gorcey and Hall being in the forefront, and being paid much more than the other members). When Bobby Jordan quit the series for the same reason, his character was replaced by Butch Williams (with former East Side Kids Bennie Bartlett and Buddy Gorman
alternating in the role). The proprietor of the malt shop where they hung out was the panicky Louie Dumbrowski (Bernard Gorcey - Leo and David's father). Perhaps to emphasize they were no longer teenagers, the "boys" now wore suits; and their mothers, who appeared in some of the "East Side Kids" series were rarely seen.
Like the previous incarnations of the team, the members went through a number of changes over the course of the series. Thirteen actors were members of the team at one time or another. Bobby Jordan, an original Dead End Kid, appeared in the first eight films, but left after being injured in an elevator accident. Jordan was also unhappy with the direction of the series, which favored Gorcey and Hall and limited the participation of the other gang members.
Gabriel Dell
returned in the fourth entry, Spook Busters
(1946) as "Gabe Moreno," a former member of the gang just out of the Navy with a French war-bride in tow. He remained (minus spouse) for the next 16 features. Gabe was a convenient "utility" character, frequently changing jobs (private investigator, policeman, songwriter, reporter) to suit the story at hand — and the limited casting budget. Dell often acted as a bridge between the real world and those of the Boys who he would summon to assist him. He reprised one of his East Side Kids roles in Hard Boiled Mahoney
(1947), playing Gabe as a myopic nerd with thick glasses, ascot, and cap. His final appearance was in Blues Busters
in 1950, generally regarded as one of the funniest in the series.
The early films such as In Fast Company
(1946) flirted with the same crime-drama laced with humor of the previous series, but they gradually shifted to all-out comedy, growing more slapstick and fantasy-oriented over the next decade. After 1950 the series began to resemble the farcical Abbott and Costello
comedies—a far cry from the grim social realism of their 1930s films. The grittiness of the old days was sanitized; the gang's dingy basement club-house was replaced by an ice cream parlor.
The team spirit of the ensemble cast faded as Huntz Hall was elevated to co-star status to showcase his comedic skills. The stories now focused entirely on Slip (the self-proclaimed leader of the bunch) and his zany sidekick, Sach, with the diminished three or four "boys" receding into the background with little to do. Time and again the plot revolved around Sach accidentally acquiring some strange power or ability (he becomes a psychic, champion wrestler, crooner, etc.) that Slip is quick to exploit. In most of the films, the gang pursues a scheme for quick riches or gets mixed up with neighborhood thugs. Story elements from their earlier films (haunted houses, mad scientists, nefarious spies) were also frequently incorporated into the new series.
Like a streetwise Abbott and Costello
, Gorcey and Hall became a cohesive comedy duo, extending their verbal and physical humor into broader slapstick comedy that served to increase the popularity of the series. In 1953 Edward Bernds
a new producer and director who had previously worked with The Three Stooges transformed the series into lucrative kiddie-matinée fodder, with Gorcey and Hall re-enacting gags borrowed from the Stooges. (Huntz Hall cited Shemp Howard, who did three Little Tough Guys films, as a major influence during this latter phase in the series.)
Leo's character "Slip" was famed for his malaprops (always delivered in a Brooklyn accent), such as "a clever seduction" for "a clever deduction," "I depreciate it!" ("I appreciate it!"), and "I regurgitate" ("I reiterate").
As the series wore on, the writers appear to have drawn more than a little inspiration from the hugely successful Abbott and Costello films. In the 1940s, Abbott & Costello did a quartet of "service comedies" for each branch of the military. The Bowery Boys duplicated this feat a decade later with Bowery Battalion
, Let's Go Navy!
, Here Come the Marines
, and Clipped Wings. Abbott and Costello spoofed westerns: Ride 'Em Cowboy
(1942), the upper-classes: In Society
(1944), and hillbillies: Comin' Round the Mountain
(1951). The Bowery Boys repeated this formula in Bowery Buckaroos
(1947), High Society
(1955), and Feudin' Fools
(1952), respectively.
Abbott and Costello went on safari: Africa Screams
(1949), to the Middle East: Lost in a Harem
(1944), and even tangled with pirates in Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd
(1952). Once again, the Bowery Boys followed suit with Jungle Gents
(1954), Bowery to Bagdad
(1955), and Hold That Hypnotist
(1957). Abbott and Costello become private detectives in Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man
(1951); the Bowery Boys open up a detective agency in 1953's Private Eyes.
After Abbott and Costello's haunted-house comedy Hold That Ghost
(1941) became a smash hit, the East Side Kids released the similar Spooks Run Wild with Bela Lugosi later that year. Ironically, Lugosi went on to help make Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
one of A&C's most popular and critically acclaimed comedies. The basic premise—Dracula schemes to transplant Costello's brain into the Frankenstein monster (played by Glenn Strange
)—was duplicated a few months later by The Bowery Boys in Master Minds
(1949). Glenn Strange once again plays a hulking monster who switches minds with Sach (Huntz Hall).
After filming Dig That Uranium
in 1955, Bernard Gorcey was killed in an automobile accident, devastating his son Leo. Leo drank heavily, and it visibly affected his performance in the following film, Crashing Las Vegas, which would be his last. (During filming he became violently unhinged, trashing the set and destroying every prop in sight.) At a subsequent meeting with Allied Artists, Gorcey demanded an increase on the 40% interest he held in the series. This was denied, and after a heated exchange he quit the series and stormed off the studio lot.
The studio owed exhibitors three more films for the 1956 season, so Gorcey was replaced by Stanley Clements
, a former tough-teen actor who had been in a few East Side Kids movies. Clements, as "Duke Coveleskie," adapted to the series easily and completed the three films, which now starred "Huntz Hall and The Bowery Boys." The new Hall-Clements partnership was successful enough to be renewed for the 1957 season. Four more films were made, with Eddie LeRoy joining the cast as bespectacled "Blinky."
In all, there were 48 Bowery Boys films (the longest feature-film series in motion picture history), with the final film, In the Money
, being released in 1958. Only Huntz Hall and David Gorcey had remained with the series since 1946.
The Bowery Boys and East Side Kids picked up a new generation of mostly younger fans when the films were repackaged and syndicated for television in the 1960s and '70s. They became a staple for independent stations across the U.S., often used to fill up the early-afternoon time-slots on weekends. In 1967 The Beatles
even paid homage by selecting pictures of Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall for the photo-montage cover of their celebrated Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
album. (The Gorcey photo was removed after Gorcey's agent demanded a $400 payment for use of his image.)
characters who were the subject of feature films released by Monogram Pictures
from 1946 through 1958.
The Bowery Boys were successors of the "The East Side Kids
," who were the subject of films since 1940. The group originated as the The "Dead End Kids
", who originally appeared in the 1937 film Dead End
. A few of the actors previously appeared together as "The Little Tough Guys
."
turned the play into a 1937 film
, he recruited the original kids (Leo Gorcey
, Huntz Hall
, Bobby Jordan
, Gabriel Dell
, Billy Halop
, and Bernard Punsly
) from the play to appear in the same roles in the film. This led to the making of six other films under the moniker "The Dead End Kids."
launched its own tough-kid series, "Little Tough Guys
." Gradually Universal recruited most of the original Dead End Kids, so the series ultimately featured "The Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys
." Universal
made twelve feature films and three 12-chapter serials with the gang. The final film in Universal
's series, Keep 'Em Slugging
, was released in 1943, with Bobby Jordan
replacing erstwhile ringleader Billy Halop
at Monogram acted quickly and hired several of them, including Jordan and the Gorcey brothers Leo and David, as well as some of the 'Little Tough Guys,' including Hally Chester, to star in a new series using the team name "East Side Kids." These films also introduced 'Sunshine' Sammy Morrison, one of the original members of the Our Gang
comedy team, as part of the gang.
The original members of the 'Dead End Kids' were now working at several studios, so these films were made at the same time that Universal was making 'The Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys' series. A total of twenty-one films were made, with the final one, Come Out Fighting, being released in 1945.
The original main characters were Terrence Aloysius "Slip" Mahoney (Leo Gorcey
), Horace Debussy "Sach" Jones (Huntz Hall
), Bobby (Bobby Jordan
), Whitey (Billy Benedict), and Chuck (David Gorcey
, sometimes billed as David Condon). "Sunshine" Sammy Morrison ("Scruno" in the East Side Kids films), declined the invitation to rejoin the gang (later stating in an interview that he "didn't like the setup", possibly referring to the idea of Gorcey and Hall being in the forefront, and being paid much more than the other members). When Bobby Jordan quit the series for the same reason, his character was replaced by Butch Williams (with former East Side Kids Bennie Bartlett and Buddy Gorman
alternating in the role). The proprietor of the malt shop where they hung out was the panicky Louie Dumbrowski (Bernard Gorcey - Leo and David's father). Perhaps to emphasize they were no longer teenagers, the "boys" now wore suits; and their mothers, who appeared in some of the "East Side Kids" series were rarely seen.
Like the previous incarnations of the team, the members went through a number of changes over the course of the series. Thirteen actors were members of the team at one time or another. Bobby Jordan, an original Dead End Kid, appeared in the first eight films, but left after being injured in an elevator accident. Jordan was also unhappy with the direction of the series, which favored Gorcey and Hall and limited the participation of the other gang members.
Gabriel Dell
returned in the fourth entry, Spook Busters
(1946) as "Gabe Moreno," a former member of the gang just out of the Navy with a French war-bride in tow. He remained (minus spouse) for the next 16 features. Gabe was a convenient "utility" character, frequently changing jobs (private investigator, policeman, songwriter, reporter) to suit the story at hand — and the limited casting budget. Dell often acted as a bridge between the real world and those of the Boys who he would summon to assist him. He reprised one of his East Side Kids roles in Hard Boiled Mahoney
(1947), playing Gabe as a myopic nerd with thick glasses, ascot, and cap. His final appearance was in Blues Busters
in 1950, generally regarded as one of the funniest in the series.
The early films such as In Fast Company
(1946) flirted with the same crime-drama laced with humor of the previous series, but they gradually shifted to all-out comedy, growing more slapstick and fantasy-oriented over the next decade. After 1950 the series began to resemble the farcical Abbott and Costello
comedies—a far cry from the grim social realism of their 1930s films. The grittiness of the old days was sanitized; the gang's dingy basement club-house was replaced by an ice cream parlor.
The team spirit of the ensemble cast faded as Huntz Hall was elevated to co-star status to showcase his comedic skills. The stories now focused entirely on Slip (the self-proclaimed leader of the bunch) and his zany sidekick, Sach, with the diminished three or four "boys" receding into the background with little to do. Time and again the plot revolved around Sach accidentally acquiring some strange power or ability (he becomes a psychic, champion wrestler, crooner, etc.) that Slip is quick to exploit. In most of the films, the gang pursues a scheme for quick riches or gets mixed up with neighborhood thugs. Story elements from their earlier films (haunted houses, mad scientists, nefarious spies) were also frequently incorporated into the new series.
Like a streetwise Abbott and Costello
, Gorcey and Hall became a cohesive comedy duo, extending their verbal and physical humor into broader slapstick comedy that served to increase the popularity of the series. In 1953 Edward Bernds
a new producer and director who had previously worked with The Three Stooges transformed the series into lucrative kiddie-matinée fodder, with Gorcey and Hall re-enacting gags borrowed from the Stooges. (Huntz Hall cited Shemp Howard, who did three Little Tough Guys films, as a major influence during this latter phase in the series.)
Leo's character "Slip" was famed for his malaprops (always delivered in a Brooklyn accent), such as "a clever seduction" for "a clever deduction," "I depreciate it!" ("I appreciate it!"), and "I regurgitate" ("I reiterate").
As the series wore on, the writers appear to have drawn more than a little inspiration from the hugely successful Abbott and Costello films. In the 1940s, Abbott & Costello did a quartet of "service comedies" for each branch of the military. The Bowery Boys duplicated this feat a decade later with Bowery Battalion
, Let's Go Navy!
, Here Come the Marines
, and Clipped Wings. Abbott and Costello spoofed westerns: Ride 'Em Cowboy
(1942), the upper-classes: In Society
(1944), and hillbillies: Comin' Round the Mountain
(1951). The Bowery Boys repeated this formula in Bowery Buckaroos
(1947), High Society
(1955), and Feudin' Fools
(1952), respectively.
Abbott and Costello went on safari: Africa Screams
(1949), to the Middle East: Lost in a Harem
(1944), and even tangled with pirates in Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd
(1952). Once again, the Bowery Boys followed suit with Jungle Gents
(1954), Bowery to Bagdad
(1955), and Hold That Hypnotist
(1957). Abbott and Costello become private detectives in Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man
(1951); the Bowery Boys open up a detective agency in 1953's Private Eyes.
After Abbott and Costello's haunted-house comedy Hold That Ghost
(1941) became a smash hit, the East Side Kids released the similar Spooks Run Wild with Bela Lugosi later that year. Ironically, Lugosi went on to help make Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
one of A&C's most popular and critically acclaimed comedies. The basic premise—Dracula schemes to transplant Costello's brain into the Frankenstein monster (played by Glenn Strange
)—was duplicated a few months later by The Bowery Boys in Master Minds
(1949). Glenn Strange once again plays a hulking monster who switches minds with Sach (Huntz Hall).
After filming Dig That Uranium
in 1955, Bernard Gorcey was killed in an automobile accident, devastating his son Leo. Leo drank heavily, and it visibly affected his performance in the following film, Crashing Las Vegas, which would be his last. (During filming he became violently unhinged, trashing the set and destroying every prop in sight.) At a subsequent meeting with Allied Artists, Gorcey demanded an increase on the 40% interest he held in the series. This was denied, and after a heated exchange he quit the series and stormed off the studio lot.
The studio owed exhibitors three more films for the 1956 season, so Gorcey was replaced by Stanley Clements
, a former tough-teen actor who had been in a few East Side Kids movies. Clements, as "Duke Coveleskie," adapted to the series easily and completed the three films, which now starred "Huntz Hall and The Bowery Boys." The new Hall-Clements partnership was successful enough to be renewed for the 1957 season. Four more films were made, with Eddie LeRoy joining the cast as bespectacled "Blinky."
In all, there were 48 Bowery Boys films (the longest feature-film series in motion picture history), with the final film, In the Money
, being released in 1958. Only Huntz Hall and David Gorcey had remained with the series since 1946.
The Bowery Boys and East Side Kids picked up a new generation of mostly younger fans when the films were repackaged and syndicated for television in the 1960s and '70s. They became a staple for independent stations across the U.S., often used to fill up the early-afternoon time-slots on weekends. In 1967 The Beatles
even paid homage by selecting pictures of Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall for the photo-montage cover of their celebrated Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
album. (The Gorcey photo was removed after Gorcey's agent demanded a $400 payment for use of his image.)
characters who were the subject of feature films released by Monogram Pictures
from 1946 through 1958.
The Bowery Boys were successors of the "The East Side Kids
," who were the subject of films since 1940. The group originated as the The "Dead End Kids
", who originally appeared in the 1937 film Dead End
. A few of the actors previously appeared together as "The Little Tough Guys
."
turned the play into a 1937 film
, he recruited the original kids (Leo Gorcey
, Huntz Hall
, Bobby Jordan
, Gabriel Dell
, Billy Halop
, and Bernard Punsly
) from the play to appear in the same roles in the film. This led to the making of six other films under the moniker "The Dead End Kids."
launched its own tough-kid series, "Little Tough Guys
." Gradually Universal recruited most of the original Dead End Kids, so the series ultimately featured "The Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys
." Universal
made twelve feature films and three 12-chapter serials with the gang. The final film in Universal
's series, Keep 'Em Slugging
, was released in 1943, with Bobby Jordan
replacing erstwhile ringleader Billy Halop
at Monogram acted quickly and hired several of them, including Jordan and the Gorcey brothers Leo and David, as well as some of the 'Little Tough Guys,' including Hally Chester, to star in a new series using the team name "East Side Kids." These films also introduced 'Sunshine' Sammy Morrison, one of the original members of the Our Gang
comedy team, as part of the gang.
The original members of the 'Dead End Kids' were now working at several studios, so these films were made at the same time that Universal was making 'The Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys' series. A total of twenty-one films were made, with the final one, Come Out Fighting, being released in 1945.
The original main characters were Terrence Aloysius "Slip" Mahoney (Leo Gorcey
), Horace Debussy "Sach" Jones (Huntz Hall
), Bobby (Bobby Jordan
), Whitey (Billy Benedict), and Chuck (David Gorcey
, sometimes billed as David Condon). "Sunshine" Sammy Morrison ("Scruno" in the East Side Kids films), declined the invitation to rejoin the gang (later stating in an interview that he "didn't like the setup", possibly referring to the idea of Gorcey and Hall being in the forefront, and being paid much more than the other members). When Bobby Jordan quit the series for the same reason, his character was replaced by Butch Williams (with former East Side Kids Bennie Bartlett and Buddy Gorman
alternating in the role). The proprietor of the malt shop where they hung out was the panicky Louie Dumbrowski (Bernard Gorcey - Leo and David's father). Perhaps to emphasize they were no longer teenagers, the "boys" now wore suits; and their mothers, who appeared in some of the "East Side Kids" series were rarely seen.
Like the previous incarnations of the team, the members went through a number of changes over the course of the series. Thirteen actors were members of the team at one time or another. Bobby Jordan, an original Dead End Kid, appeared in the first eight films, but left after being injured in an elevator accident. Jordan was also unhappy with the direction of the series, which favored Gorcey and Hall and limited the participation of the other gang members.
Gabriel Dell
returned in the fourth entry, Spook Busters
(1946) as "Gabe Moreno," a former member of the gang just out of the Navy with a French war-bride in tow. He remained (minus spouse) for the next 16 features. Gabe was a convenient "utility" character, frequently changing jobs (private investigator, policeman, songwriter, reporter) to suit the story at hand — and the limited casting budget. Dell often acted as a bridge between the real world and those of the Boys who he would summon to assist him. He reprised one of his East Side Kids roles in Hard Boiled Mahoney
(1947), playing Gabe as a myopic nerd with thick glasses, ascot, and cap. His final appearance was in Blues Busters
in 1950, generally regarded as one of the funniest in the series.
The early films such as In Fast Company
(1946) flirted with the same crime-drama laced with humor of the previous series, but they gradually shifted to all-out comedy, growing more slapstick and fantasy-oriented over the next decade. After 1950 the series began to resemble the farcical Abbott and Costello
comedies—a far cry from the grim social realism of their 1930s films. The grittiness of the old days was sanitized; the gang's dingy basement club-house was replaced by an ice cream parlor.
The team spirit of the ensemble cast faded as Huntz Hall was elevated to co-star status to showcase his comedic skills. The stories now focused entirely on Slip (the self-proclaimed leader of the bunch) and his zany sidekick, Sach, with the diminished three or four "boys" receding into the background with little to do. Time and again the plot revolved around Sach accidentally acquiring some strange power or ability (he becomes a psychic, champion wrestler, crooner, etc.) that Slip is quick to exploit. In most of the films, the gang pursues a scheme for quick riches or gets mixed up with neighborhood thugs. Story elements from their earlier films (haunted houses, mad scientists, nefarious spies) were also frequently incorporated into the new series.
Like a streetwise Abbott and Costello
, Gorcey and Hall became a cohesive comedy duo, extending their verbal and physical humor into broader slapstick comedy that served to increase the popularity of the series. In 1953 Edward Bernds
a new producer and director who had previously worked with The Three Stooges transformed the series into lucrative kiddie-matinée fodder, with Gorcey and Hall re-enacting gags borrowed from the Stooges. (Huntz Hall cited Shemp Howard, who did three Little Tough Guys films, as a major influence during this latter phase in the series.)
Leo's character "Slip" was famed for his malaprops (always delivered in a Brooklyn accent), such as "a clever seduction" for "a clever deduction," "I depreciate it!" ("I appreciate it!"), and "I regurgitate" ("I reiterate").
As the series wore on, the writers appear to have drawn more than a little inspiration from the hugely successful Abbott and Costello films. In the 1940s, Abbott & Costello did a quartet of "service comedies" for each branch of the military. The Bowery Boys duplicated this feat a decade later with Bowery Battalion
, Let's Go Navy!
, Here Come the Marines
, and Clipped Wings. Abbott and Costello spoofed westerns: Ride 'Em Cowboy
(1942), the upper-classes: In Society
(1944), and hillbillies: Comin' Round the Mountain
(1951). The Bowery Boys repeated this formula in Bowery Buckaroos
(1947), High Society
(1955), and Feudin' Fools
(1952), respectively.
Abbott and Costello went on safari: Africa Screams
(1949), to the Middle East: Lost in a Harem
(1944), and even tangled with pirates in Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd
(1952). Once again, the Bowery Boys followed suit with Jungle Gents
(1954), Bowery to Bagdad
(1955), and Hold That Hypnotist
(1957). Abbott and Costello become private detectives in Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man
(1951); the Bowery Boys open up a detective agency in 1953's Private Eyes.
After Abbott and Costello's haunted-house comedy Hold That Ghost
(1941) became a smash hit, the East Side Kids released the similar Spooks Run Wild with Bela Lugosi later that year. Ironically, Lugosi went on to help make Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
one of A&C's most popular and critically acclaimed comedies. The basic premise—Dracula schemes to transplant Costello's brain into the Frankenstein monster (played by Glenn Strange
)—was duplicated a few months later by The Bowery Boys in Master Minds
(1949). Glenn Strange once again plays a hulking monster who switches minds with Sach (Huntz Hall).
After filming Dig That Uranium
in 1955, Bernard Gorcey was killed in an automobile accident, devastating his son Leo. Leo drank heavily, and it visibly affected his performance in the following film, Crashing Las Vegas, which would be his last. (During filming he became violently unhinged, trashing the set and destroying every prop in sight.) At a subsequent meeting with Allied Artists, Gorcey demanded an increase on the 40% interest he held in the series. This was denied, and after a heated exchange he quit the series and stormed off the studio lot.
The studio owed exhibitors three more films for the 1956 season, so Gorcey was replaced by Stanley Clements
, a former tough-teen actor who had been in a few East Side Kids movies. Clements, as "Duke Coveleskie," adapted to the series easily and completed the three films, which now starred "Huntz Hall and The Bowery Boys." The new Hall-Clements partnership was successful enough to be renewed for the 1957 season. Four more films were made, with Eddie LeRoy joining the cast as bespectacled "Blinky."
In all, there were 48 Bowery Boys films (the longest feature-film series in motion picture history), with the final film, In the Money
, being released in 1958. Only Huntz Hall and David Gorcey had remained with the series since 1946.
The Bowery Boys and East Side Kids picked up a new generation of mostly younger fans when the films were repackaged and syndicated for television in the 1960s and '70s. They became a staple for independent stations across the U.S., often used to fill up the early-afternoon time-slots on weekends. In 1967 The Beatles
even paid homage by selecting pictures of Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall for the photo-montage cover of their celebrated Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
album. (The Gorcey photo was removed after Gorcey's agent demanded a $400 payment for use of his image.)
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
characters who were the subject of feature films released by Monogram Pictures
Monogram Pictures
Monogram Pictures Corporation is a Hollywood studio that produced and released films, most on low budgets, between 1931 and 1953, when the firm completed a transition to the name Allied Artists Pictures Corporation. Monogram is considered a leader among the smaller studios sometimes referred to...
from 1946 through 1958.
The Bowery Boys were successors of the "The East Side Kids
East Side Kids
The East Side Kids were characters in a series of films released by Monogram Pictures from 1940 through 1945. Many of them were originally part of The Dead End Kids and The Little Tough Guys, and several of them later became members of The Bowery Boys....
," who were the subject of films since 1940. The group originated as the The "Dead End Kids
Dead End Kids
The Dead End Kids were a group of young actors from New York who appeared in Sidney Kingsley's Broadway play Dead End in 1935. In 1937 producer Samuel Goldwyn brought all of them to Hollywood and turned the play into a film...
", who originally appeared in the 1937 film Dead End
Dead End
Dead End is a 1937 crime drama film. It is an adaptation of the Sidney Kingsley 1935 Broadway play of the same name. It stars Humphrey Bogart, Joel McCrea, and Sylvia Sidney...
. A few of the actors previously appeared together as "The Little Tough Guys
Little Tough Guys
The Little Tough Guys were a group of actors who made a series of films and serials released by Universal Studios from 1938 through 1943...
."
The Dead End Kids
"The Dead End Kids" originally appeared in the 1935 play, Dead End. When Samuel GoldwynSamuel Goldwyn
Samuel Goldwyn was an American film producer, and founding contributor executive of several motion picture studios.-Biography:...
turned the play into a 1937 film
Dead End
Dead End is a 1937 crime drama film. It is an adaptation of the Sidney Kingsley 1935 Broadway play of the same name. It stars Humphrey Bogart, Joel McCrea, and Sylvia Sidney...
, he recruited the original kids (Leo Gorcey
Leo Gorcey
Leo Bernard Gorcey was an American stage and movie actor who became famous for portraying on film the leader of the group of young hooligans known variously as the Dead End Kids, The East Side Kids and The Bowery Boys. Always the most pugnacious member of the gangs he participated in, young Leo...
, Huntz Hall
Huntz Hall
Henry Richard "Huntz" Hall was an American radio, theatrical, and motion picture performer noted primarily for his roles in the "Dead End Kids" movies, such as Angels with Dirty Faces , which gave way to the "The Bowery Boys" movie franchise, a prolific and highly successful series of comedies in...
, Bobby Jordan
Bobby Jordan
Robert "Bobby" Jordan was an American actor, born in Harrison, New York, most notable for being a member of the Dead End Kids, the East Side Kids and the Bowery Boys.-Early life and career:...
, Gabriel Dell
Gabriel Dell
Gabriel Dell was an American actor and one of the members of what came to be known as the Dead End Kids/East Side Kids/The Bowery Boys.-Early life:...
, Billy Halop
Billy Halop
William "Billy" Halop was an American actor born in New York City.He came from a Jewish theatrical family: his mother was a dancer, and his sister Florence Halop was a child actress, who later worked on radio and in television...
, and Bernard Punsly
Bernard Punsly
Bernard Punsly , was a New York City-born American actor who later left show business to become a physician.-Career and personal life:...
) from the play to appear in the same roles in the film. This led to the making of six other films under the moniker "The Dead End Kids."
The Little Tough Guys
In 1938, UniversalUniversal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
launched its own tough-kid series, "Little Tough Guys
Little Tough Guys
The Little Tough Guys were a group of actors who made a series of films and serials released by Universal Studios from 1938 through 1943...
." Gradually Universal recruited most of the original Dead End Kids, so the series ultimately featured "The Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys
Little Tough Guys
The Little Tough Guys were a group of actors who made a series of films and serials released by Universal Studios from 1938 through 1943...
." Universal
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
made twelve feature films and three 12-chapter serials with the gang. The final film in Universal
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
's series, Keep 'Em Slugging
Keep 'Em Slugging
Keep 'Em Slugging is a 1943 American film starring The Little Tough Guys.-Plot:Tommy and his gang decide to get jobs in order to free draft-age men for the war effort. Because of their previous encounters with the law, the group has a tough time getting hired. Eventually, Tommy gets a job at a...
, was released in 1943, with Bobby Jordan
Bobby Jordan
Robert "Bobby" Jordan was an American actor, born in Harrison, New York, most notable for being a member of the Dead End Kids, the East Side Kids and the Bowery Boys.-Early life and career:...
replacing erstwhile ringleader Billy Halop
Billy Halop
William "Billy" Halop was an American actor born in New York City.He came from a Jewish theatrical family: his mother was a dancer, and his sister Florence Halop was a child actress, who later worked on radio and in television...
The East Side Kids
When Warner Brothers released the remaining 'Dead End Kids' from their contracts in 1939, producer Sam KatzmanSam Katzman
Sam Katzman was an American film producer and director. Born into a poor Jewish family, Katzman went to work as a stage laborer at the age of 13 in the fledgling East Coast film industry...
at Monogram acted quickly and hired several of them, including Jordan and the Gorcey brothers Leo and David, as well as some of the 'Little Tough Guys,' including Hally Chester, to star in a new series using the team name "East Side Kids." These films also introduced 'Sunshine' Sammy Morrison, one of the original members of the Our Gang
Our Gang
Our Gang, also known as The Little Rascals or Hal Roach's Rascals, was a series of American comedy short films about a group of poor neighborhood children and the adventures they had together. Created by comedy producer Hal Roach, the series is noted for showing children behaving in a relatively...
comedy team, as part of the gang.
The original members of the 'Dead End Kids' were now working at several studios, so these films were made at the same time that Universal was making 'The Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys' series. A total of twenty-one films were made, with the final one, Come Out Fighting, being released in 1945.
The Bowery Boys
In 1945, when East Side Kids producer Sam Katzman refused to grant Leo Gorcey's request to double his weekly salary, Gorcey quit the series, which ended immediately. Bobby Jordan then suggested a meeting with his agent, Jan Grippo. Grippo, Gorcey, and Hall formed Jan Grippo Productions, revamped the format, and rechristened the series The Bowery Boys (the earlier films credits appear as: "Leo Gorcey and The Bowery Boys"). Gorcey, who owned forty percent of the company, starred, produced, and contributed to the scripts. The new series followed a more established formula than the prior incarnations of the team, with the gang usually hanging out at Louie's Sweet Shop (at 3rd & Canal St.) until an adventure came along.The original main characters were Terrence Aloysius "Slip" Mahoney (Leo Gorcey
Leo Gorcey
Leo Bernard Gorcey was an American stage and movie actor who became famous for portraying on film the leader of the group of young hooligans known variously as the Dead End Kids, The East Side Kids and The Bowery Boys. Always the most pugnacious member of the gangs he participated in, young Leo...
), Horace Debussy "Sach" Jones (Huntz Hall
Huntz Hall
Henry Richard "Huntz" Hall was an American radio, theatrical, and motion picture performer noted primarily for his roles in the "Dead End Kids" movies, such as Angels with Dirty Faces , which gave way to the "The Bowery Boys" movie franchise, a prolific and highly successful series of comedies in...
), Bobby (Bobby Jordan
Bobby Jordan
Robert "Bobby" Jordan was an American actor, born in Harrison, New York, most notable for being a member of the Dead End Kids, the East Side Kids and the Bowery Boys.-Early life and career:...
), Whitey (Billy Benedict), and Chuck (David Gorcey
David Gorcey
David Gorcey was an American actor and comedian best known as being a member of the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. He was the younger brother of Dead End Kids member Leo Gorcey.-Career:...
, sometimes billed as David Condon). "Sunshine" Sammy Morrison ("Scruno" in the East Side Kids films), declined the invitation to rejoin the gang (later stating in an interview that he "didn't like the setup", possibly referring to the idea of Gorcey and Hall being in the forefront, and being paid much more than the other members). When Bobby Jordan quit the series for the same reason, his character was replaced by Butch Williams (with former East Side Kids Bennie Bartlett and Buddy Gorman
Buddy Gorman
Charles J. "Buddy" Gorman is an American stage and movie actor who became famous for portraying a member of the comedy teams, The East Side Kids and The Bowery Boys. Prior to acting he tried out for the Brooklyn Dodgers farm team, the Montreal Royals, as a shortstop...
alternating in the role). The proprietor of the malt shop where they hung out was the panicky Louie Dumbrowski (Bernard Gorcey - Leo and David's father). Perhaps to emphasize they were no longer teenagers, the "boys" now wore suits; and their mothers, who appeared in some of the "East Side Kids" series were rarely seen.
Like the previous incarnations of the team, the members went through a number of changes over the course of the series. Thirteen actors were members of the team at one time or another. Bobby Jordan, an original Dead End Kid, appeared in the first eight films, but left after being injured in an elevator accident. Jordan was also unhappy with the direction of the series, which favored Gorcey and Hall and limited the participation of the other gang members.
Gabriel Dell
Gabriel Dell
Gabriel Dell was an American actor and one of the members of what came to be known as the Dead End Kids/East Side Kids/The Bowery Boys.-Early life:...
returned in the fourth entry, Spook Busters
Spook Busters
Spook Busters is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the fourth film in the series.-Plot:All of the boys have just graduated from school where they learned exterminating, except for Sach who flunked out. They set up their new business in a corner of Louie's Sweet Shop...
(1946) as "Gabe Moreno," a former member of the gang just out of the Navy with a French war-bride in tow. He remained (minus spouse) for the next 16 features. Gabe was a convenient "utility" character, frequently changing jobs (private investigator, policeman, songwriter, reporter) to suit the story at hand — and the limited casting budget. Dell often acted as a bridge between the real world and those of the Boys who he would summon to assist him. He reprised one of his East Side Kids roles in Hard Boiled Mahoney
Hard Boiled Mahoney
Hard Boiled Mahoney is a 1947 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the sixth film in the series.-Plot:Sach just lost his job as an assistant to a private detective, but he wasn't paid. Slip goes with him down to the detective's office to demand payment, but finds the office...
(1947), playing Gabe as a myopic nerd with thick glasses, ascot, and cap. His final appearance was in Blues Busters
Blues Busters (1950 film)
Blues Busters is a 1950 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on October 29, 1950 by Monogram Pictures and is the twentieth film in the series.-Plot:...
in 1950, generally regarded as one of the funniest in the series.
The early films such as In Fast Company
In Fast Company
In Fast Company is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the second film in the series.-Plot:The boys are involved in an altercation with a vegetable vendor and are saved by Father Donovan who convinces the policeman to let them go...
(1946) flirted with the same crime-drama laced with humor of the previous series, but they gradually shifted to all-out comedy, growing more slapstick and fantasy-oriented over the next decade. After 1950 the series began to resemble the farcical Abbott and Costello
Abbott and Costello
William "Bud" Abbott and Lou Costello performed together as Abbott and Costello, an American comedy duo whose work on stage, radio, film and television made them the most popular comedy team during the 1940s and 1950s...
comedies—a far cry from the grim social realism of their 1930s films. The grittiness of the old days was sanitized; the gang's dingy basement club-house was replaced by an ice cream parlor.
The team spirit of the ensemble cast faded as Huntz Hall was elevated to co-star status to showcase his comedic skills. The stories now focused entirely on Slip (the self-proclaimed leader of the bunch) and his zany sidekick, Sach, with the diminished three or four "boys" receding into the background with little to do. Time and again the plot revolved around Sach accidentally acquiring some strange power or ability (he becomes a psychic, champion wrestler, crooner, etc.) that Slip is quick to exploit. In most of the films, the gang pursues a scheme for quick riches or gets mixed up with neighborhood thugs. Story elements from their earlier films (haunted houses, mad scientists, nefarious spies) were also frequently incorporated into the new series.
Like a streetwise Abbott and Costello
Abbott and Costello
William "Bud" Abbott and Lou Costello performed together as Abbott and Costello, an American comedy duo whose work on stage, radio, film and television made them the most popular comedy team during the 1940s and 1950s...
, Gorcey and Hall became a cohesive comedy duo, extending their verbal and physical humor into broader slapstick comedy that served to increase the popularity of the series. In 1953 Edward Bernds
Edward Bernds
Edward Bernds was an American screenwriter and director, born in Chicago, Illinois.-Career:While in his junior year in Lake View High School, he and several friends formed a small radio clique and obtained amateur licenses...
a new producer and director who had previously worked with The Three Stooges transformed the series into lucrative kiddie-matinée fodder, with Gorcey and Hall re-enacting gags borrowed from the Stooges. (Huntz Hall cited Shemp Howard, who did three Little Tough Guys films, as a major influence during this latter phase in the series.)
Leo's character "Slip" was famed for his malaprops (always delivered in a Brooklyn accent), such as "a clever seduction" for "a clever deduction," "I depreciate it!" ("I appreciate it!"), and "I regurgitate" ("I reiterate").
As the series wore on, the writers appear to have drawn more than a little inspiration from the hugely successful Abbott and Costello films. In the 1940s, Abbott & Costello did a quartet of "service comedies" for each branch of the military. The Bowery Boys duplicated this feat a decade later with Bowery Battalion
Bowery Battalion
Bowery Battalion is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 24, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-first film in the series.-Plot:...
, Let's Go Navy!
Let's Go Navy!
Let's Go Navy! is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on July 29, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-third film in the series.-Plot:...
, Here Come the Marines
Here Come the Marines
Here Come the Marines is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on June 29, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-sixth film in the series.-Plot:...
, and Clipped Wings. Abbott and Costello spoofed westerns: Ride 'Em Cowboy
Ride 'Em Cowboy
Ride 'Em Cowboy is a 1942 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello.-Plot:The author of best-selling western novels, Bronco Bob Mitchell , has never set foot in the west. A newspaper article has exposed this fact to his fans, and his image is suffering because of it. He decides to make...
(1942), the upper-classes: In Society
In Society
In Society is a 1944 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello. It was the first of five Abbott and Costello films to be directed by Jean Yarbrough. It was re-released in 1953.-Plot:...
(1944), and hillbillies: Comin' Round the Mountain
Comin' Round the Mountain
Comin' Round The Mountain is a 1951 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello.-Plot:Theatrical agent Al Stewart has successfully booked his client, Dorothy McCoy , "The Manhattan Hillbilly", at a New York nightclub. Unfortunately, he has also booked an inept escape artist, The Great...
(1951). The Bowery Boys repeated this formula in Bowery Buckaroos
Bowery Buckaroos
Bowery Buckaroos is a 1947 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the eighth film in the series and the last Bowery Boys film that Bobby Jordan appeared in.-Plot:...
(1947), High Society
High Society (1955 film)
High Society is a 1955 comedy film directed by William Beaudine and starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on April 17, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-seventh film in the series...
(1955), and Feudin' Fools
Feudin' Fools
Feudin' Fools is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 21, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-seventh film in the series.-Plot:...
(1952), respectively.
Abbott and Costello went on safari: Africa Screams
Africa Screams
Africa Screams is a 1949 comedy film starring Abbott and Costello and directed by Charles Barton.-Plot:Diana Emerson is in the book department of Klopper's Department store looking for a copy of the book Dark Safari, written by the famed explorer Cuddleford...
(1949), to the Middle East: Lost in a Harem
Lost in a Harem
-Plot:When a traveling vaudeville show becomes stranded in the Middle East, their singer, Hazel Moon , takes a job at a local cafe. Two of the show's prop men, Peter Johnson and Harvey Garvey , are hired as comedy relief, but their act unfortunately initiates a brawl...
(1944), and even tangled with pirates in Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd
Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd
Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd is a 1952 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello, along with Charles Laughton, who reprised his role as the infamous pirate from the 1945 film Captain Kidd.-Plot:...
(1952). Once again, the Bowery Boys followed suit with Jungle Gents
Jungle Gents
Jungle Gents is a 1954 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 5, 1954 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-fifth film in the series.-Plot:...
(1954), Bowery to Bagdad
Bowery to Bagdad
Bowery to Bagdad is a 1955 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 2, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-sixth film in the series.-Plot:...
(1955), and Hold That Hypnotist
Hold That Hypnotist
Hold That Hypnotist is a 1957 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on March 10, 1957 by Allied Artists and is the forty-fourth film in the series.-Plot:...
(1957). Abbott and Costello become private detectives in Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man
Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man
Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man is a 1951 comedy horror film directed by Charles Lamont and starring the team of Abbott and Costello alongside Nancy Guild.The film depicts the misadventures of Lou Francis and Bud Alexander, two private detectives investigating the murder of a...
(1951); the Bowery Boys open up a detective agency in 1953's Private Eyes.
After Abbott and Costello's haunted-house comedy Hold That Ghost
Hold That Ghost
Hold That Ghost is a 1941 comedy horror film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello and featuring Joan Davis, Evelyn Ankers, and Shemp Howard....
(1941) became a smash hit, the East Side Kids released the similar Spooks Run Wild with Bela Lugosi later that year. Ironically, Lugosi went on to help make Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is a 1948 American comedy horror film directed by Charles Barton and starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello. It is the first of several films where the comedy duo meets classic characters from Universal's horror film stable...
one of A&C's most popular and critically acclaimed comedies. The basic premise—Dracula schemes to transplant Costello's brain into the Frankenstein monster (played by Glenn Strange
Glenn Strange
Glenn Strange was an American actor who appeared mostly in Western films. He is best known for playing the Frankenstein Monster in three Universal films during the 1940s and for his role as Sam Noonan, the bartender on CBS's Gunsmoke television series...
)—was duplicated a few months later by The Bowery Boys in Master Minds
Master Minds
Master Minds is a comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on November 29, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the sixteenth film in the series.-Plot:...
(1949). Glenn Strange once again plays a hulking monster who switches minds with Sach (Huntz Hall).
After filming Dig That Uranium
Dig That Uranium
Dig That Uranium is a 1956 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 8, 1956 by Allied Artists and is the fortieth film in the series.-Plot:...
in 1955, Bernard Gorcey was killed in an automobile accident, devastating his son Leo. Leo drank heavily, and it visibly affected his performance in the following film, Crashing Las Vegas, which would be his last. (During filming he became violently unhinged, trashing the set and destroying every prop in sight.) At a subsequent meeting with Allied Artists, Gorcey demanded an increase on the 40% interest he held in the series. This was denied, and after a heated exchange he quit the series and stormed off the studio lot.
The studio owed exhibitors three more films for the 1956 season, so Gorcey was replaced by Stanley Clements
Stanley Clements
Stanley Clements was an American actor and comedian.Stanley Clements was born Stanislaw Klimowicz in Long Island, New York. Young Stan realized that he wanted a show-business career while he was in grammar school, and when he graduated from college he toured in vaudeville for two years...
, a former tough-teen actor who had been in a few East Side Kids movies. Clements, as "Duke Coveleskie," adapted to the series easily and completed the three films, which now starred "Huntz Hall and The Bowery Boys." The new Hall-Clements partnership was successful enough to be renewed for the 1957 season. Four more films were made, with Eddie LeRoy joining the cast as bespectacled "Blinky."
In all, there were 48 Bowery Boys films (the longest feature-film series in motion picture history), with the final film, In the Money
In the Money
In the Money is a comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on February 16, 1958 by Allied Artists Pictures and is the forty-eighth and final film in the series. It was directed by William Beaudine and written by Al Martin and Elwood Ullman.-Plot summary:Sach is hired to take...
, being released in 1958. Only Huntz Hall and David Gorcey had remained with the series since 1946.
The Bowery Boys and East Side Kids picked up a new generation of mostly younger fans when the films were repackaged and syndicated for television in the 1960s and '70s. They became a staple for independent stations across the U.S., often used to fill up the early-afternoon time-slots on weekends. In 1967 The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
even paid homage by selecting pictures of Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall for the photo-montage cover of their celebrated Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is the eighth studio album by the English rock band The Beatles, released on 1 June 1967 on the Parlophone label and produced by George Martin...
album. (The Gorcey photo was removed after Gorcey's agent demanded a $400 payment for use of his image.)
Filmography
| Year | Movie | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1946 1946 in film The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a... |
Live Wires Live Wires Live Wires is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the first film in the series after the comedy team of The East Side Kids was revamped and renamed as The Bowery Boys.-Plot:... |
Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Bobby Jordan, Billy Benedict, William Frambes |
| 1946 1946 in film The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a... |
In Fast Company In Fast Company In Fast Company is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the second film in the series.-Plot:The boys are involved in an altercation with a vegetable vendor and are saved by Father Donovan who convinces the policeman to let them go... |
David Gorcey replaces William Frambes |
| 1946 1946 in film The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a... |
Bowery Bombshell Bowery Bombshell Bowery Bonbshell is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the third film in the series.-Plot:Sweet Shop owner Louie needs to raise $300. The Boys try to sell their car to raise the money, but are unable to because the car falls apart when they try to show it to a... |
|
| 1946 1946 in film The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a... |
Spook Busters Spook Busters Spook Busters is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the fourth film in the series.-Plot:All of the boys have just graduated from school where they learned exterminating, except for Sach who flunked out. They set up their new business in a corner of Louie's Sweet Shop... |
First film with Gabriel Dell |
| 1946 1946 in film The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a... |
Mr. Hex Mr. Hex Mr. Hex is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the fifth film in the series.-Plot:The boys are trying to raise money for their friend Gloria. She has to give up her aspiring singing career in order to stay home and take care of her sick mother... |
|
| 1947 1947 in film The year 1947 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 22 - Great Expectations is premiered in New York.*November 24 : The United States House of Representatives of the 80th Congress voted 346 to 17 to approve citations for contempt of Congress against the "Hollywood Ten".*November 25... |
Hard Boiled Mahoney Hard Boiled Mahoney Hard Boiled Mahoney is a 1947 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the sixth film in the series.-Plot:Sach just lost his job as an assistant to a private detective, but he wasn't paid. Slip goes with him down to the detective's office to demand payment, but finds the office... |
|
| 1947 1947 in film The year 1947 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 22 - Great Expectations is premiered in New York.*November 24 : The United States House of Representatives of the 80th Congress voted 346 to 17 to approve citations for contempt of Congress against the "Hollywood Ten".*November 25... |
News Hounds News Hounds News Hounds is a 1947 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the seventh film in the series.-Plot:Slip is a copy boy for a newspaper, but dreams of having his own byline. Sach is an aspiring photographer for the same paper. The two of them come across a plot to fix sporting... |
|
| 1947 1947 in film The year 1947 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 22 - Great Expectations is premiered in New York.*November 24 : The United States House of Representatives of the 80th Congress voted 346 to 17 to approve citations for contempt of Congress against the "Hollywood Ten".*November 25... |
Bowery Buckaroos Bowery Buckaroos Bowery Buckaroos is a 1947 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the eighth film in the series and the last Bowery Boys film that Bobby Jordan appeared in.-Plot:... |
Last film with Bobby Jordan |
| 1948 1948 in film The year 1948 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Laurence Olivier's Hamlet becomes the first British film to win the American Academy Award for Best Picture.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :... |
Angels' Alley Angels' Alley Angels' Alley is a 1948 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the ninth film in the series and the first one without Bobby Jordan.-Plot:... |
|
| 1948 1948 in film The year 1948 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Laurence Olivier's Hamlet becomes the first British film to win the American Academy Award for Best Picture.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :... |
Jinx Money Jinx Money Jinx Money is a 1948 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the tenth film in the series and the first one to include Bennie Bartlett as part of the team.-Plot:... |
Bennie Bartlett replaces Bobby Jordan |
| 1948 1948 in film The year 1948 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Laurence Olivier's Hamlet becomes the first British film to win the American Academy Award for Best Picture.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :... |
Smugglers' Cove | |
| 1948 1948 in film The year 1948 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Laurence Olivier's Hamlet becomes the first British film to win the American Academy Award for Best Picture.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :... |
Trouble Makers Trouble Makers (1948 film) Trouble Makers is a 1948 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released in 1948 by Monogram Pictures, although the exact release date is uncertain, although two possible released dates are mentioned in different books, December 10, 1948 and December 26, 1948... |
|
| 1949 1949 in film The year 1949 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello... |
Fighting Fools Fighting Fools Fighting Fools is a 1949 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on April 17, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the thirteenth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1949 1949 in film The year 1949 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello... |
Hold That Baby! Hold That Baby! Hold That Baby! is a 1949 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on June 26, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the fourteenth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1949 1949 in film The year 1949 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello... |
Angels in Disguise Angels in Disguise (film) Angels in Disguise is a 1949 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 11, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the fifteenth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1949 1949 in film The year 1949 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello... |
Master Minds Master Minds Master Minds is a comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on November 29, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the sixteenth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1950 1950 in film The year 1950 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 15 - Walt Disney Studios' animated film Cinderella debuts.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:*Ambush... |
Blonde Dynamite Blonde Dynamite Blonde Dynamite is a 1950 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on February 12, 1950 by Monogram Pictures and is the seventeenth film in the series.-Production:... |
Buddy Gorman replaces Bennie Bartlett |
| 1950 1950 in film The year 1950 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 15 - Walt Disney Studios' animated film Cinderella debuts.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:*Ambush... |
Lucky Losers Lucky Losers Lucky Losers is a 1950 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on May 14, 1950 by Monogram Pictures and is the eighteenth film in the series. It had the working title of High Stakes.-Synopsis:... |
|
| 1950 1950 in film The year 1950 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 15 - Walt Disney Studios' animated film Cinderella debuts.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:*Ambush... |
Triple Trouble Triple Trouble (1950 film) Triple Trouble is a 1950 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on August 13, 1950 by Monogram Pictures and is the nineteenth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1950 1950 in film The year 1950 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 15 - Walt Disney Studios' animated film Cinderella debuts.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:*Ambush... |
Blues Busters | Last film with Gabriel Dell, who is not replaced |
| 1951 1951 in film The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:... |
Bowery Battalion Bowery Battalion Bowery Battalion is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 24, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-first film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1951 1951 in film The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:... |
Ghost Chasers Ghost Chasers Ghost Chasers is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on April 29, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-second film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1951 1951 in film The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:... |
Let's Go Navy! Let's Go Navy! Let's Go Navy! is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on July 29, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-third film in the series.-Plot:... |
Last film with Buddy Gorman |
| 1951 1951 in film The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:... |
Crazy Over Horses Crazy Over Horses Crazy Over Horses is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on November 18, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-fourth film in the series.-Plot:... |
Last film with Billy Benedict; David Gorcey becomes David Condon; Bennie Bartlett replaces Buddy Gorman |
| 1952 1952 in film The year 1952 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 10 - Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic, The Greatest Show on Earth, premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.... |
Hold That Line Hold That Line Hold That Line is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on March 23, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-fifth film in the series.-Plot:... |
Gil Stratton, Jr. replaces Billy Benedict |
| 1952 1952 in film The year 1952 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 10 - Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic, The Greatest Show on Earth, premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.... |
Here Come the Marines Here Come the Marines Here Come the Marines is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on June 29, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-sixth film in the series.-Plot:... |
Last film with Gil Stratton, Jr., who is not replaced |
| 1952 1952 in film The year 1952 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 10 - Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic, The Greatest Show on Earth, premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.... |
Feudin' Fools Feudin' Fools Feudin' Fools is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 21, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-seventh film in the series.-Plot:... |
Gang becomes standardized: Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, David Condon, Bennie Bartlett |
| 1952 1952 in film The year 1952 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 10 - Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic, The Greatest Show on Earth, premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.... |
No Holds Barred No Holds Barred (1952 film) No Holds barred is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on November 23, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-eighth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1953 1953 in film The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A... |
Jalopy Jalopy (film) Jalopy is a 1953 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on February 15, 1953 by Allied Artists and is the twenty-ninth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1953 1953 in film The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A... |
Loose in London Loose in London Loose in London is a 1953 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on May 24, 1953 by Allied Artists and is the thirtieth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1953 1953 in film The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A... |
Clipped Wings | |
| 1953 1953 in film The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A... |
Private Eyes Private Eyes (1953 film) Private Eyes is a 1953 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on December 6, 1953 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-second film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1954 1954 in film The year 1954 in film involved some significant events and memorable ones.-Events:*May 12 - The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces wife Marion Benda... |
Paris Playboys Paris Playboys Paris Playboys is a 1954 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on March 7, 1954 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-third film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1954 1954 in film The year 1954 in film involved some significant events and memorable ones.-Events:*May 12 - The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces wife Marion Benda... |
The Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters The Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters The Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters is a 1954 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on June 6, 1954 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-fourth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1954 1954 in film The year 1954 in film involved some significant events and memorable ones.-Events:*May 12 - The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces wife Marion Benda... |
Jungle Gents Jungle Gents Jungle Gents is a 1954 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 5, 1954 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-fifth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1955 1955 in film The year 1955 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 3 - The musical Guys and Dolls, starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, debuts.* June 27 - The last ever Republic serial, King of the Carnival, is released.... |
Bowery to Bagdad Bowery to Bagdad Bowery to Bagdad is a 1955 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 2, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-sixth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1955 1955 in film The year 1955 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 3 - The musical Guys and Dolls, starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, debuts.* June 27 - The last ever Republic serial, King of the Carnival, is released.... |
High Society High Society (1955 film) High Society is a 1955 comedy film directed by William Beaudine and starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on April 17, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-seventh film in the series... |
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| 1955 1955 in film The year 1955 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 3 - The musical Guys and Dolls, starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, debuts.* June 27 - The last ever Republic serial, King of the Carnival, is released.... |
Spy Chasers Spy Chasers Spy Chasers is a 1955 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on July 31, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-eighth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1955 1955 in film The year 1955 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 3 - The musical Guys and Dolls, starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, debuts.* June 27 - The last ever Republic serial, King of the Carnival, is released.... |
Jail Busters Jail Busters Jail Busters is a 1955 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 18, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-ninth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1956 1956 in film The year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by... |
Dig That Uranium Dig That Uranium Dig That Uranium is a 1956 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 8, 1956 by Allied Artists and is the fortieth film in the series.-Plot:... |
Last film with Bernard Gorcey; last film with Bennie Bartlett |
| 1956 1956 in film The year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by... |
Crashing Las Vegas Crashing Las Vegas Crashing Las Vegas is a 1956 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on April 22, 1956 by Allied Artists and is the forty-first film in the series. It was the last film in the series to star Leo Gorcey.-Plot:... |
Last film with Leo Gorcey; Jimmy Murphy replaces Bennie Bartlett; Doris Kemper replaces Bernard Gorcey |
| 1956 1956 in film The year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by... |
Fighting Trouble Fighting Trouble Fighting Trouble is a 1956 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 16, 1956 by Allied Artists and is the forty-second film in the series. It was the first film in the series to feature Stanley Clements.-Plot:... |
First film with Stanley Clements; Danny Welton replaces Jimmy Murphy; Queenie Smith replaces Doris Kemper |
| 1956 1956 in film The year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by... |
Hot Shots Hot Shots (1956 film) Hot Shots is a 1956 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on December 23, 1956 by Monogram Pictures and is the forty-third film in the series. It was directed by Jean Yarbrough and written by Jack Townley.-Synopsis:... |
Jimmy Murphy replaces Danny Welton |
| 1957 1957 in film The year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:... |
Hold That Hypnotist Hold That Hypnotist Hold That Hypnotist is a 1957 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on March 10, 1957 by Allied Artists and is the forty-fourth film in the series.-Plot:... |
Huntz Hall, Stanley Clements, David Condon, Jimmy Murphy |
| 1957 1957 in film The year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:... |
Spook Chasers Spook Chasers Spook Chasers is a 1957 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on June 2, 1957 by Allied Artists and is the forty-fifth film in the series.-Plot:... |
David Condon reverts to David Gorcey; first film with Eddie LeRoy; Percy Helton replaces Queenie Smith |
| 1957 1957 in film The year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:... |
Looking for Danger Looking for Danger Looking for Danger is a 1957 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on October 6, 1957 by Allied Artists and is the forty-sixth film in the series.-Synopsis:... |
Last film with Jimmy Murphy; Dick Elliott replaces Percy Helton |
| 1957 1957 in film The year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:... |
Up in Smoke Up In Smoke (1957 film) Up in Smoke is a 1957 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on December 22, 1957 by Allied Artists and is the forty-seventh film in the series.-Plot:... |
Huntz Hall, Stanley Clements,, David Gorcey, Eddie LeRoy |
| 1958 1958 in film The year 1958 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 16- "In the Money" by William Beaudine is released on this date. It would be the last installment of The Bowery Boys series which began back in 1946.... |
In the Money In the Money In the Money is a comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on February 16, 1958 by Allied Artists Pictures and is the forty-eighth and final film in the series. It was directed by William Beaudine and written by Al Martin and Elwood Ullman.-Plot summary:Sach is hired to take... |
External links
The Bowery Boys were fictional New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
characters who were the subject of feature films released by Monogram Pictures
Monogram Pictures
Monogram Pictures Corporation is a Hollywood studio that produced and released films, most on low budgets, between 1931 and 1953, when the firm completed a transition to the name Allied Artists Pictures Corporation. Monogram is considered a leader among the smaller studios sometimes referred to...
from 1946 through 1958.
The Bowery Boys were successors of the "The East Side Kids
East Side Kids
The East Side Kids were characters in a series of films released by Monogram Pictures from 1940 through 1945. Many of them were originally part of The Dead End Kids and The Little Tough Guys, and several of them later became members of The Bowery Boys....
," who were the subject of films since 1940. The group originated as the The "Dead End Kids
Dead End Kids
The Dead End Kids were a group of young actors from New York who appeared in Sidney Kingsley's Broadway play Dead End in 1935. In 1937 producer Samuel Goldwyn brought all of them to Hollywood and turned the play into a film...
", who originally appeared in the 1937 film Dead End
Dead End
Dead End is a 1937 crime drama film. It is an adaptation of the Sidney Kingsley 1935 Broadway play of the same name. It stars Humphrey Bogart, Joel McCrea, and Sylvia Sidney...
. A few of the actors previously appeared together as "The Little Tough Guys
Little Tough Guys
The Little Tough Guys were a group of actors who made a series of films and serials released by Universal Studios from 1938 through 1943...
."
The Dead End Kids
"The Dead End Kids" originally appeared in the 1935 play, Dead End. When Samuel GoldwynSamuel Goldwyn
Samuel Goldwyn was an American film producer, and founding contributor executive of several motion picture studios.-Biography:...
turned the play into a 1937 film
Dead End
Dead End is a 1937 crime drama film. It is an adaptation of the Sidney Kingsley 1935 Broadway play of the same name. It stars Humphrey Bogart, Joel McCrea, and Sylvia Sidney...
, he recruited the original kids (Leo Gorcey
Leo Gorcey
Leo Bernard Gorcey was an American stage and movie actor who became famous for portraying on film the leader of the group of young hooligans known variously as the Dead End Kids, The East Side Kids and The Bowery Boys. Always the most pugnacious member of the gangs he participated in, young Leo...
, Huntz Hall
Huntz Hall
Henry Richard "Huntz" Hall was an American radio, theatrical, and motion picture performer noted primarily for his roles in the "Dead End Kids" movies, such as Angels with Dirty Faces , which gave way to the "The Bowery Boys" movie franchise, a prolific and highly successful series of comedies in...
, Bobby Jordan
Bobby Jordan
Robert "Bobby" Jordan was an American actor, born in Harrison, New York, most notable for being a member of the Dead End Kids, the East Side Kids and the Bowery Boys.-Early life and career:...
, Gabriel Dell
Gabriel Dell
Gabriel Dell was an American actor and one of the members of what came to be known as the Dead End Kids/East Side Kids/The Bowery Boys.-Early life:...
, Billy Halop
Billy Halop
William "Billy" Halop was an American actor born in New York City.He came from a Jewish theatrical family: his mother was a dancer, and his sister Florence Halop was a child actress, who later worked on radio and in television...
, and Bernard Punsly
Bernard Punsly
Bernard Punsly , was a New York City-born American actor who later left show business to become a physician.-Career and personal life:...
) from the play to appear in the same roles in the film. This led to the making of six other films under the moniker "The Dead End Kids."
The Little Tough Guys
In 1938, UniversalUniversal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
launched its own tough-kid series, "Little Tough Guys
Little Tough Guys
The Little Tough Guys were a group of actors who made a series of films and serials released by Universal Studios from 1938 through 1943...
." Gradually Universal recruited most of the original Dead End Kids, so the series ultimately featured "The Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys
Little Tough Guys
The Little Tough Guys were a group of actors who made a series of films and serials released by Universal Studios from 1938 through 1943...
." Universal
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
made twelve feature films and three 12-chapter serials with the gang. The final film in Universal
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
's series, Keep 'Em Slugging
Keep 'Em Slugging
Keep 'Em Slugging is a 1943 American film starring The Little Tough Guys.-Plot:Tommy and his gang decide to get jobs in order to free draft-age men for the war effort. Because of their previous encounters with the law, the group has a tough time getting hired. Eventually, Tommy gets a job at a...
, was released in 1943, with Bobby Jordan
Bobby Jordan
Robert "Bobby" Jordan was an American actor, born in Harrison, New York, most notable for being a member of the Dead End Kids, the East Side Kids and the Bowery Boys.-Early life and career:...
replacing erstwhile ringleader Billy Halop
Billy Halop
William "Billy" Halop was an American actor born in New York City.He came from a Jewish theatrical family: his mother was a dancer, and his sister Florence Halop was a child actress, who later worked on radio and in television...
The East Side Kids
When Warner Brothers released the remaining 'Dead End Kids' from their contracts in 1939, producer Sam KatzmanSam Katzman
Sam Katzman was an American film producer and director. Born into a poor Jewish family, Katzman went to work as a stage laborer at the age of 13 in the fledgling East Coast film industry...
at Monogram acted quickly and hired several of them, including Jordan and the Gorcey brothers Leo and David, as well as some of the 'Little Tough Guys,' including Hally Chester, to star in a new series using the team name "East Side Kids." These films also introduced 'Sunshine' Sammy Morrison, one of the original members of the Our Gang
Our Gang
Our Gang, also known as The Little Rascals or Hal Roach's Rascals, was a series of American comedy short films about a group of poor neighborhood children and the adventures they had together. Created by comedy producer Hal Roach, the series is noted for showing children behaving in a relatively...
comedy team, as part of the gang.
The original members of the 'Dead End Kids' were now working at several studios, so these films were made at the same time that Universal was making 'The Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys' series. A total of twenty-one films were made, with the final one, Come Out Fighting, being released in 1945.
The Bowery Boys
In 1945, when East Side Kids producer Sam Katzman refused to grant Leo Gorcey's request to double his weekly salary, Gorcey quit the series, which ended immediately. Bobby Jordan then suggested a meeting with his agent, Jan Grippo. Grippo, Gorcey, and Hall formed Jan Grippo Productions, revamped the format, and rechristened the series The Bowery Boys (the earlier films credits appear as: "Leo Gorcey and The Bowery Boys"). Gorcey, who owned forty percent of the company, starred, produced, and contributed to the scripts. The new series followed a more established formula than the prior incarnations of the team, with the gang usually hanging out at Louie's Sweet Shop (at 3rd & Canal St.) until an adventure came along.The original main characters were Terrence Aloysius "Slip" Mahoney (Leo Gorcey
Leo Gorcey
Leo Bernard Gorcey was an American stage and movie actor who became famous for portraying on film the leader of the group of young hooligans known variously as the Dead End Kids, The East Side Kids and The Bowery Boys. Always the most pugnacious member of the gangs he participated in, young Leo...
), Horace Debussy "Sach" Jones (Huntz Hall
Huntz Hall
Henry Richard "Huntz" Hall was an American radio, theatrical, and motion picture performer noted primarily for his roles in the "Dead End Kids" movies, such as Angels with Dirty Faces , which gave way to the "The Bowery Boys" movie franchise, a prolific and highly successful series of comedies in...
), Bobby (Bobby Jordan
Bobby Jordan
Robert "Bobby" Jordan was an American actor, born in Harrison, New York, most notable for being a member of the Dead End Kids, the East Side Kids and the Bowery Boys.-Early life and career:...
), Whitey (Billy Benedict), and Chuck (David Gorcey
David Gorcey
David Gorcey was an American actor and comedian best known as being a member of the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. He was the younger brother of Dead End Kids member Leo Gorcey.-Career:...
, sometimes billed as David Condon). "Sunshine" Sammy Morrison ("Scruno" in the East Side Kids films), declined the invitation to rejoin the gang (later stating in an interview that he "didn't like the setup", possibly referring to the idea of Gorcey and Hall being in the forefront, and being paid much more than the other members). When Bobby Jordan quit the series for the same reason, his character was replaced by Butch Williams (with former East Side Kids Bennie Bartlett and Buddy Gorman
Buddy Gorman
Charles J. "Buddy" Gorman is an American stage and movie actor who became famous for portraying a member of the comedy teams, The East Side Kids and The Bowery Boys. Prior to acting he tried out for the Brooklyn Dodgers farm team, the Montreal Royals, as a shortstop...
alternating in the role). The proprietor of the malt shop where they hung out was the panicky Louie Dumbrowski (Bernard Gorcey - Leo and David's father). Perhaps to emphasize they were no longer teenagers, the "boys" now wore suits; and their mothers, who appeared in some of the "East Side Kids" series were rarely seen.
Like the previous incarnations of the team, the members went through a number of changes over the course of the series. Thirteen actors were members of the team at one time or another. Bobby Jordan, an original Dead End Kid, appeared in the first eight films, but left after being injured in an elevator accident. Jordan was also unhappy with the direction of the series, which favored Gorcey and Hall and limited the participation of the other gang members.
Gabriel Dell
Gabriel Dell
Gabriel Dell was an American actor and one of the members of what came to be known as the Dead End Kids/East Side Kids/The Bowery Boys.-Early life:...
returned in the fourth entry, Spook Busters
Spook Busters
Spook Busters is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the fourth film in the series.-Plot:All of the boys have just graduated from school where they learned exterminating, except for Sach who flunked out. They set up their new business in a corner of Louie's Sweet Shop...
(1946) as "Gabe Moreno," a former member of the gang just out of the Navy with a French war-bride in tow. He remained (minus spouse) for the next 16 features. Gabe was a convenient "utility" character, frequently changing jobs (private investigator, policeman, songwriter, reporter) to suit the story at hand — and the limited casting budget. Dell often acted as a bridge between the real world and those of the Boys who he would summon to assist him. He reprised one of his East Side Kids roles in Hard Boiled Mahoney
Hard Boiled Mahoney
Hard Boiled Mahoney is a 1947 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the sixth film in the series.-Plot:Sach just lost his job as an assistant to a private detective, but he wasn't paid. Slip goes with him down to the detective's office to demand payment, but finds the office...
(1947), playing Gabe as a myopic nerd with thick glasses, ascot, and cap. His final appearance was in Blues Busters
Blues Busters (1950 film)
Blues Busters is a 1950 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on October 29, 1950 by Monogram Pictures and is the twentieth film in the series.-Plot:...
in 1950, generally regarded as one of the funniest in the series.
The early films such as In Fast Company
In Fast Company
In Fast Company is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the second film in the series.-Plot:The boys are involved in an altercation with a vegetable vendor and are saved by Father Donovan who convinces the policeman to let them go...
(1946) flirted with the same crime-drama laced with humor of the previous series, but they gradually shifted to all-out comedy, growing more slapstick and fantasy-oriented over the next decade. After 1950 the series began to resemble the farcical Abbott and Costello
Abbott and Costello
William "Bud" Abbott and Lou Costello performed together as Abbott and Costello, an American comedy duo whose work on stage, radio, film and television made them the most popular comedy team during the 1940s and 1950s...
comedies—a far cry from the grim social realism of their 1930s films. The grittiness of the old days was sanitized; the gang's dingy basement club-house was replaced by an ice cream parlor.
The team spirit of the ensemble cast faded as Huntz Hall was elevated to co-star status to showcase his comedic skills. The stories now focused entirely on Slip (the self-proclaimed leader of the bunch) and his zany sidekick, Sach, with the diminished three or four "boys" receding into the background with little to do. Time and again the plot revolved around Sach accidentally acquiring some strange power or ability (he becomes a psychic, champion wrestler, crooner, etc.) that Slip is quick to exploit. In most of the films, the gang pursues a scheme for quick riches or gets mixed up with neighborhood thugs. Story elements from their earlier films (haunted houses, mad scientists, nefarious spies) were also frequently incorporated into the new series.
Like a streetwise Abbott and Costello
Abbott and Costello
William "Bud" Abbott and Lou Costello performed together as Abbott and Costello, an American comedy duo whose work on stage, radio, film and television made them the most popular comedy team during the 1940s and 1950s...
, Gorcey and Hall became a cohesive comedy duo, extending their verbal and physical humor into broader slapstick comedy that served to increase the popularity of the series. In 1953 Edward Bernds
Edward Bernds
Edward Bernds was an American screenwriter and director, born in Chicago, Illinois.-Career:While in his junior year in Lake View High School, he and several friends formed a small radio clique and obtained amateur licenses...
a new producer and director who had previously worked with The Three Stooges transformed the series into lucrative kiddie-matinée fodder, with Gorcey and Hall re-enacting gags borrowed from the Stooges. (Huntz Hall cited Shemp Howard, who did three Little Tough Guys films, as a major influence during this latter phase in the series.)
Leo's character "Slip" was famed for his malaprops (always delivered in a Brooklyn accent), such as "a clever seduction" for "a clever deduction," "I depreciate it!" ("I appreciate it!"), and "I regurgitate" ("I reiterate").
As the series wore on, the writers appear to have drawn more than a little inspiration from the hugely successful Abbott and Costello films. In the 1940s, Abbott & Costello did a quartet of "service comedies" for each branch of the military. The Bowery Boys duplicated this feat a decade later with Bowery Battalion
Bowery Battalion
Bowery Battalion is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 24, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-first film in the series.-Plot:...
, Let's Go Navy!
Let's Go Navy!
Let's Go Navy! is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on July 29, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-third film in the series.-Plot:...
, Here Come the Marines
Here Come the Marines
Here Come the Marines is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on June 29, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-sixth film in the series.-Plot:...
, and Clipped Wings. Abbott and Costello spoofed westerns: Ride 'Em Cowboy
Ride 'Em Cowboy
Ride 'Em Cowboy is a 1942 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello.-Plot:The author of best-selling western novels, Bronco Bob Mitchell , has never set foot in the west. A newspaper article has exposed this fact to his fans, and his image is suffering because of it. He decides to make...
(1942), the upper-classes: In Society
In Society
In Society is a 1944 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello. It was the first of five Abbott and Costello films to be directed by Jean Yarbrough. It was re-released in 1953.-Plot:...
(1944), and hillbillies: Comin' Round the Mountain
Comin' Round the Mountain
Comin' Round The Mountain is a 1951 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello.-Plot:Theatrical agent Al Stewart has successfully booked his client, Dorothy McCoy , "The Manhattan Hillbilly", at a New York nightclub. Unfortunately, he has also booked an inept escape artist, The Great...
(1951). The Bowery Boys repeated this formula in Bowery Buckaroos
Bowery Buckaroos
Bowery Buckaroos is a 1947 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the eighth film in the series and the last Bowery Boys film that Bobby Jordan appeared in.-Plot:...
(1947), High Society
High Society (1955 film)
High Society is a 1955 comedy film directed by William Beaudine and starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on April 17, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-seventh film in the series...
(1955), and Feudin' Fools
Feudin' Fools
Feudin' Fools is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 21, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-seventh film in the series.-Plot:...
(1952), respectively.
Abbott and Costello went on safari: Africa Screams
Africa Screams
Africa Screams is a 1949 comedy film starring Abbott and Costello and directed by Charles Barton.-Plot:Diana Emerson is in the book department of Klopper's Department store looking for a copy of the book Dark Safari, written by the famed explorer Cuddleford...
(1949), to the Middle East: Lost in a Harem
Lost in a Harem
-Plot:When a traveling vaudeville show becomes stranded in the Middle East, their singer, Hazel Moon , takes a job at a local cafe. Two of the show's prop men, Peter Johnson and Harvey Garvey , are hired as comedy relief, but their act unfortunately initiates a brawl...
(1944), and even tangled with pirates in Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd
Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd
Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd is a 1952 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello, along with Charles Laughton, who reprised his role as the infamous pirate from the 1945 film Captain Kidd.-Plot:...
(1952). Once again, the Bowery Boys followed suit with Jungle Gents
Jungle Gents
Jungle Gents is a 1954 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 5, 1954 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-fifth film in the series.-Plot:...
(1954), Bowery to Bagdad
Bowery to Bagdad
Bowery to Bagdad is a 1955 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 2, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-sixth film in the series.-Plot:...
(1955), and Hold That Hypnotist
Hold That Hypnotist
Hold That Hypnotist is a 1957 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on March 10, 1957 by Allied Artists and is the forty-fourth film in the series.-Plot:...
(1957). Abbott and Costello become private detectives in Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man
Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man
Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man is a 1951 comedy horror film directed by Charles Lamont and starring the team of Abbott and Costello alongside Nancy Guild.The film depicts the misadventures of Lou Francis and Bud Alexander, two private detectives investigating the murder of a...
(1951); the Bowery Boys open up a detective agency in 1953's Private Eyes.
After Abbott and Costello's haunted-house comedy Hold That Ghost
Hold That Ghost
Hold That Ghost is a 1941 comedy horror film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello and featuring Joan Davis, Evelyn Ankers, and Shemp Howard....
(1941) became a smash hit, the East Side Kids released the similar Spooks Run Wild with Bela Lugosi later that year. Ironically, Lugosi went on to help make Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is a 1948 American comedy horror film directed by Charles Barton and starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello. It is the first of several films where the comedy duo meets classic characters from Universal's horror film stable...
one of A&C's most popular and critically acclaimed comedies. The basic premise—Dracula schemes to transplant Costello's brain into the Frankenstein monster (played by Glenn Strange
Glenn Strange
Glenn Strange was an American actor who appeared mostly in Western films. He is best known for playing the Frankenstein Monster in three Universal films during the 1940s and for his role as Sam Noonan, the bartender on CBS's Gunsmoke television series...
)—was duplicated a few months later by The Bowery Boys in Master Minds
Master Minds
Master Minds is a comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on November 29, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the sixteenth film in the series.-Plot:...
(1949). Glenn Strange once again plays a hulking monster who switches minds with Sach (Huntz Hall).
After filming Dig That Uranium
Dig That Uranium
Dig That Uranium is a 1956 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 8, 1956 by Allied Artists and is the fortieth film in the series.-Plot:...
in 1955, Bernard Gorcey was killed in an automobile accident, devastating his son Leo. Leo drank heavily, and it visibly affected his performance in the following film, Crashing Las Vegas, which would be his last. (During filming he became violently unhinged, trashing the set and destroying every prop in sight.) At a subsequent meeting with Allied Artists, Gorcey demanded an increase on the 40% interest he held in the series. This was denied, and after a heated exchange he quit the series and stormed off the studio lot.
The studio owed exhibitors three more films for the 1956 season, so Gorcey was replaced by Stanley Clements
Stanley Clements
Stanley Clements was an American actor and comedian.Stanley Clements was born Stanislaw Klimowicz in Long Island, New York. Young Stan realized that he wanted a show-business career while he was in grammar school, and when he graduated from college he toured in vaudeville for two years...
, a former tough-teen actor who had been in a few East Side Kids movies. Clements, as "Duke Coveleskie," adapted to the series easily and completed the three films, which now starred "Huntz Hall and The Bowery Boys." The new Hall-Clements partnership was successful enough to be renewed for the 1957 season. Four more films were made, with Eddie LeRoy joining the cast as bespectacled "Blinky."
In all, there were 48 Bowery Boys films (the longest feature-film series in motion picture history), with the final film, In the Money
In the Money
In the Money is a comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on February 16, 1958 by Allied Artists Pictures and is the forty-eighth and final film in the series. It was directed by William Beaudine and written by Al Martin and Elwood Ullman.-Plot summary:Sach is hired to take...
, being released in 1958. Only Huntz Hall and David Gorcey had remained with the series since 1946.
The Bowery Boys and East Side Kids picked up a new generation of mostly younger fans when the films were repackaged and syndicated for television in the 1960s and '70s. They became a staple for independent stations across the U.S., often used to fill up the early-afternoon time-slots on weekends. In 1967 The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
even paid homage by selecting pictures of Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall for the photo-montage cover of their celebrated Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is the eighth studio album by the English rock band The Beatles, released on 1 June 1967 on the Parlophone label and produced by George Martin...
album. (The Gorcey photo was removed after Gorcey's agent demanded a $400 payment for use of his image.)
Filmography
| Year | Movie | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1946 1946 in film The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a... |
Live Wires Live Wires Live Wires is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the first film in the series after the comedy team of The East Side Kids was revamped and renamed as The Bowery Boys.-Plot:... |
Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Bobby Jordan, Billy Benedict, William Frambes |
| 1946 1946 in film The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a... |
In Fast Company In Fast Company In Fast Company is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the second film in the series.-Plot:The boys are involved in an altercation with a vegetable vendor and are saved by Father Donovan who convinces the policeman to let them go... |
David Gorcey replaces William Frambes |
| 1946 1946 in film The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a... |
Bowery Bombshell Bowery Bombshell Bowery Bonbshell is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the third film in the series.-Plot:Sweet Shop owner Louie needs to raise $300. The Boys try to sell their car to raise the money, but are unable to because the car falls apart when they try to show it to a... |
|
| 1946 1946 in film The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a... |
Spook Busters Spook Busters Spook Busters is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the fourth film in the series.-Plot:All of the boys have just graduated from school where they learned exterminating, except for Sach who flunked out. They set up their new business in a corner of Louie's Sweet Shop... |
First film with Gabriel Dell |
| 1946 1946 in film The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a... |
Mr. Hex Mr. Hex Mr. Hex is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the fifth film in the series.-Plot:The boys are trying to raise money for their friend Gloria. She has to give up her aspiring singing career in order to stay home and take care of her sick mother... |
|
| 1947 1947 in film The year 1947 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 22 - Great Expectations is premiered in New York.*November 24 : The United States House of Representatives of the 80th Congress voted 346 to 17 to approve citations for contempt of Congress against the "Hollywood Ten".*November 25... |
Hard Boiled Mahoney Hard Boiled Mahoney Hard Boiled Mahoney is a 1947 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the sixth film in the series.-Plot:Sach just lost his job as an assistant to a private detective, but he wasn't paid. Slip goes with him down to the detective's office to demand payment, but finds the office... |
|
| 1947 1947 in film The year 1947 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 22 - Great Expectations is premiered in New York.*November 24 : The United States House of Representatives of the 80th Congress voted 346 to 17 to approve citations for contempt of Congress against the "Hollywood Ten".*November 25... |
News Hounds News Hounds News Hounds is a 1947 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the seventh film in the series.-Plot:Slip is a copy boy for a newspaper, but dreams of having his own byline. Sach is an aspiring photographer for the same paper. The two of them come across a plot to fix sporting... |
|
| 1947 1947 in film The year 1947 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 22 - Great Expectations is premiered in New York.*November 24 : The United States House of Representatives of the 80th Congress voted 346 to 17 to approve citations for contempt of Congress against the "Hollywood Ten".*November 25... |
Bowery Buckaroos Bowery Buckaroos Bowery Buckaroos is a 1947 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the eighth film in the series and the last Bowery Boys film that Bobby Jordan appeared in.-Plot:... |
Last film with Bobby Jordan |
| 1948 1948 in film The year 1948 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Laurence Olivier's Hamlet becomes the first British film to win the American Academy Award for Best Picture.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :... |
Angels' Alley Angels' Alley Angels' Alley is a 1948 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the ninth film in the series and the first one without Bobby Jordan.-Plot:... |
|
| 1948 1948 in film The year 1948 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Laurence Olivier's Hamlet becomes the first British film to win the American Academy Award for Best Picture.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :... |
Jinx Money Jinx Money Jinx Money is a 1948 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the tenth film in the series and the first one to include Bennie Bartlett as part of the team.-Plot:... |
Bennie Bartlett replaces Bobby Jordan |
| 1948 1948 in film The year 1948 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Laurence Olivier's Hamlet becomes the first British film to win the American Academy Award for Best Picture.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :... |
Smugglers' Cove | |
| 1948 1948 in film The year 1948 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Laurence Olivier's Hamlet becomes the first British film to win the American Academy Award for Best Picture.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :... |
Trouble Makers Trouble Makers (1948 film) Trouble Makers is a 1948 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released in 1948 by Monogram Pictures, although the exact release date is uncertain, although two possible released dates are mentioned in different books, December 10, 1948 and December 26, 1948... |
|
| 1949 1949 in film The year 1949 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello... |
Fighting Fools Fighting Fools Fighting Fools is a 1949 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on April 17, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the thirteenth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1949 1949 in film The year 1949 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello... |
Hold That Baby! Hold That Baby! Hold That Baby! is a 1949 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on June 26, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the fourteenth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1949 1949 in film The year 1949 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello... |
Angels in Disguise Angels in Disguise (film) Angels in Disguise is a 1949 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 11, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the fifteenth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1949 1949 in film The year 1949 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello... |
Master Minds Master Minds Master Minds is a comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on November 29, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the sixteenth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1950 1950 in film The year 1950 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 15 - Walt Disney Studios' animated film Cinderella debuts.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:*Ambush... |
Blonde Dynamite Blonde Dynamite Blonde Dynamite is a 1950 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on February 12, 1950 by Monogram Pictures and is the seventeenth film in the series.-Production:... |
Buddy Gorman replaces Bennie Bartlett |
| 1950 1950 in film The year 1950 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 15 - Walt Disney Studios' animated film Cinderella debuts.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:*Ambush... |
Lucky Losers Lucky Losers Lucky Losers is a 1950 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on May 14, 1950 by Monogram Pictures and is the eighteenth film in the series. It had the working title of High Stakes.-Synopsis:... |
|
| 1950 1950 in film The year 1950 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 15 - Walt Disney Studios' animated film Cinderella debuts.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:*Ambush... |
Triple Trouble Triple Trouble (1950 film) Triple Trouble is a 1950 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on August 13, 1950 by Monogram Pictures and is the nineteenth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1950 1950 in film The year 1950 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 15 - Walt Disney Studios' animated film Cinderella debuts.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:*Ambush... |
Blues Busters | Last film with Gabriel Dell, who is not replaced |
| 1951 1951 in film The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:... |
Bowery Battalion Bowery Battalion Bowery Battalion is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 24, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-first film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1951 1951 in film The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:... |
Ghost Chasers Ghost Chasers Ghost Chasers is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on April 29, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-second film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1951 1951 in film The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:... |
Let's Go Navy! Let's Go Navy! Let's Go Navy! is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on July 29, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-third film in the series.-Plot:... |
Last film with Buddy Gorman |
| 1951 1951 in film The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:... |
Crazy Over Horses Crazy Over Horses Crazy Over Horses is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on November 18, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-fourth film in the series.-Plot:... |
Last film with Billy Benedict; David Gorcey becomes David Condon; Bennie Bartlett replaces Buddy Gorman |
| 1952 1952 in film The year 1952 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 10 - Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic, The Greatest Show on Earth, premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.... |
Hold That Line Hold That Line Hold That Line is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on March 23, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-fifth film in the series.-Plot:... |
Gil Stratton, Jr. replaces Billy Benedict |
| 1952 1952 in film The year 1952 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 10 - Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic, The Greatest Show on Earth, premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.... |
Here Come the Marines Here Come the Marines Here Come the Marines is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on June 29, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-sixth film in the series.-Plot:... |
Last film with Gil Stratton, Jr., who is not replaced |
| 1952 1952 in film The year 1952 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 10 - Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic, The Greatest Show on Earth, premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.... |
Feudin' Fools Feudin' Fools Feudin' Fools is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 21, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-seventh film in the series.-Plot:... |
Gang becomes standardized: Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, David Condon, Bennie Bartlett |
| 1952 1952 in film The year 1952 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 10 - Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic, The Greatest Show on Earth, premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.... |
No Holds Barred No Holds Barred (1952 film) No Holds barred is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on November 23, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-eighth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1953 1953 in film The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A... |
Jalopy Jalopy (film) Jalopy is a 1953 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on February 15, 1953 by Allied Artists and is the twenty-ninth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1953 1953 in film The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A... |
Loose in London Loose in London Loose in London is a 1953 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on May 24, 1953 by Allied Artists and is the thirtieth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1953 1953 in film The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A... |
Clipped Wings | |
| 1953 1953 in film The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A... |
Private Eyes Private Eyes (1953 film) Private Eyes is a 1953 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on December 6, 1953 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-second film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1954 1954 in film The year 1954 in film involved some significant events and memorable ones.-Events:*May 12 - The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces wife Marion Benda... |
Paris Playboys Paris Playboys Paris Playboys is a 1954 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on March 7, 1954 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-third film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1954 1954 in film The year 1954 in film involved some significant events and memorable ones.-Events:*May 12 - The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces wife Marion Benda... |
The Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters The Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters The Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters is a 1954 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on June 6, 1954 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-fourth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1954 1954 in film The year 1954 in film involved some significant events and memorable ones.-Events:*May 12 - The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces wife Marion Benda... |
Jungle Gents Jungle Gents Jungle Gents is a 1954 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 5, 1954 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-fifth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1955 1955 in film The year 1955 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 3 - The musical Guys and Dolls, starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, debuts.* June 27 - The last ever Republic serial, King of the Carnival, is released.... |
Bowery to Bagdad Bowery to Bagdad Bowery to Bagdad is a 1955 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 2, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-sixth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1955 1955 in film The year 1955 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 3 - The musical Guys and Dolls, starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, debuts.* June 27 - The last ever Republic serial, King of the Carnival, is released.... |
High Society High Society (1955 film) High Society is a 1955 comedy film directed by William Beaudine and starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on April 17, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-seventh film in the series... |
|
| 1955 1955 in film The year 1955 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 3 - The musical Guys and Dolls, starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, debuts.* June 27 - The last ever Republic serial, King of the Carnival, is released.... |
Spy Chasers Spy Chasers Spy Chasers is a 1955 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on July 31, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-eighth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1955 1955 in film The year 1955 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 3 - The musical Guys and Dolls, starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, debuts.* June 27 - The last ever Republic serial, King of the Carnival, is released.... |
Jail Busters Jail Busters Jail Busters is a 1955 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 18, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-ninth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1956 1956 in film The year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by... |
Dig That Uranium Dig That Uranium Dig That Uranium is a 1956 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 8, 1956 by Allied Artists and is the fortieth film in the series.-Plot:... |
Last film with Bernard Gorcey; last film with Bennie Bartlett |
| 1956 1956 in film The year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by... |
Crashing Las Vegas Crashing Las Vegas Crashing Las Vegas is a 1956 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on April 22, 1956 by Allied Artists and is the forty-first film in the series. It was the last film in the series to star Leo Gorcey.-Plot:... |
Last film with Leo Gorcey; Jimmy Murphy replaces Bennie Bartlett; Doris Kemper replaces Bernard Gorcey |
| 1956 1956 in film The year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by... |
Fighting Trouble Fighting Trouble Fighting Trouble is a 1956 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 16, 1956 by Allied Artists and is the forty-second film in the series. It was the first film in the series to feature Stanley Clements.-Plot:... |
First film with Stanley Clements; Danny Welton replaces Jimmy Murphy; Queenie Smith replaces Doris Kemper |
| 1956 1956 in film The year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by... |
Hot Shots Hot Shots (1956 film) Hot Shots is a 1956 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on December 23, 1956 by Monogram Pictures and is the forty-third film in the series. It was directed by Jean Yarbrough and written by Jack Townley.-Synopsis:... |
Jimmy Murphy replaces Danny Welton |
| 1957 1957 in film The year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:... |
Hold That Hypnotist Hold That Hypnotist Hold That Hypnotist is a 1957 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on March 10, 1957 by Allied Artists and is the forty-fourth film in the series.-Plot:... |
Huntz Hall, Stanley Clements, David Condon, Jimmy Murphy |
| 1957 1957 in film The year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:... |
Spook Chasers Spook Chasers Spook Chasers is a 1957 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on June 2, 1957 by Allied Artists and is the forty-fifth film in the series.-Plot:... |
David Condon reverts to David Gorcey; first film with Eddie LeRoy; Percy Helton replaces Queenie Smith |
| 1957 1957 in film The year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:... |
Looking for Danger Looking for Danger Looking for Danger is a 1957 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on October 6, 1957 by Allied Artists and is the forty-sixth film in the series.-Synopsis:... |
Last film with Jimmy Murphy; Dick Elliott replaces Percy Helton |
| 1957 1957 in film The year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:... |
Up in Smoke Up In Smoke (1957 film) Up in Smoke is a 1957 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on December 22, 1957 by Allied Artists and is the forty-seventh film in the series.-Plot:... |
Huntz Hall, Stanley Clements,, David Gorcey, Eddie LeRoy |
| 1958 1958 in film The year 1958 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 16- "In the Money" by William Beaudine is released on this date. It would be the last installment of The Bowery Boys series which began back in 1946.... |
In the Money In the Money In the Money is a comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on February 16, 1958 by Allied Artists Pictures and is the forty-eighth and final film in the series. It was directed by William Beaudine and written by Al Martin and Elwood Ullman.-Plot summary:Sach is hired to take... |
External links
The Bowery Boys were fictional New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
characters who were the subject of feature films released by Monogram Pictures
Monogram Pictures
Monogram Pictures Corporation is a Hollywood studio that produced and released films, most on low budgets, between 1931 and 1953, when the firm completed a transition to the name Allied Artists Pictures Corporation. Monogram is considered a leader among the smaller studios sometimes referred to...
from 1946 through 1958.
The Bowery Boys were successors of the "The East Side Kids
East Side Kids
The East Side Kids were characters in a series of films released by Monogram Pictures from 1940 through 1945. Many of them were originally part of The Dead End Kids and The Little Tough Guys, and several of them later became members of The Bowery Boys....
," who were the subject of films since 1940. The group originated as the The "Dead End Kids
Dead End Kids
The Dead End Kids were a group of young actors from New York who appeared in Sidney Kingsley's Broadway play Dead End in 1935. In 1937 producer Samuel Goldwyn brought all of them to Hollywood and turned the play into a film...
", who originally appeared in the 1937 film Dead End
Dead End
Dead End is a 1937 crime drama film. It is an adaptation of the Sidney Kingsley 1935 Broadway play of the same name. It stars Humphrey Bogart, Joel McCrea, and Sylvia Sidney...
. A few of the actors previously appeared together as "The Little Tough Guys
Little Tough Guys
The Little Tough Guys were a group of actors who made a series of films and serials released by Universal Studios from 1938 through 1943...
."
The Dead End Kids
"The Dead End Kids" originally appeared in the 1935 play, Dead End. When Samuel GoldwynSamuel Goldwyn
Samuel Goldwyn was an American film producer, and founding contributor executive of several motion picture studios.-Biography:...
turned the play into a 1937 film
Dead End
Dead End is a 1937 crime drama film. It is an adaptation of the Sidney Kingsley 1935 Broadway play of the same name. It stars Humphrey Bogart, Joel McCrea, and Sylvia Sidney...
, he recruited the original kids (Leo Gorcey
Leo Gorcey
Leo Bernard Gorcey was an American stage and movie actor who became famous for portraying on film the leader of the group of young hooligans known variously as the Dead End Kids, The East Side Kids and The Bowery Boys. Always the most pugnacious member of the gangs he participated in, young Leo...
, Huntz Hall
Huntz Hall
Henry Richard "Huntz" Hall was an American radio, theatrical, and motion picture performer noted primarily for his roles in the "Dead End Kids" movies, such as Angels with Dirty Faces , which gave way to the "The Bowery Boys" movie franchise, a prolific and highly successful series of comedies in...
, Bobby Jordan
Bobby Jordan
Robert "Bobby" Jordan was an American actor, born in Harrison, New York, most notable for being a member of the Dead End Kids, the East Side Kids and the Bowery Boys.-Early life and career:...
, Gabriel Dell
Gabriel Dell
Gabriel Dell was an American actor and one of the members of what came to be known as the Dead End Kids/East Side Kids/The Bowery Boys.-Early life:...
, Billy Halop
Billy Halop
William "Billy" Halop was an American actor born in New York City.He came from a Jewish theatrical family: his mother was a dancer, and his sister Florence Halop was a child actress, who later worked on radio and in television...
, and Bernard Punsly
Bernard Punsly
Bernard Punsly , was a New York City-born American actor who later left show business to become a physician.-Career and personal life:...
) from the play to appear in the same roles in the film. This led to the making of six other films under the moniker "The Dead End Kids."
The Little Tough Guys
In 1938, UniversalUniversal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
launched its own tough-kid series, "Little Tough Guys
Little Tough Guys
The Little Tough Guys were a group of actors who made a series of films and serials released by Universal Studios from 1938 through 1943...
." Gradually Universal recruited most of the original Dead End Kids, so the series ultimately featured "The Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys
Little Tough Guys
The Little Tough Guys were a group of actors who made a series of films and serials released by Universal Studios from 1938 through 1943...
." Universal
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
made twelve feature films and three 12-chapter serials with the gang. The final film in Universal
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
's series, Keep 'Em Slugging
Keep 'Em Slugging
Keep 'Em Slugging is a 1943 American film starring The Little Tough Guys.-Plot:Tommy and his gang decide to get jobs in order to free draft-age men for the war effort. Because of their previous encounters with the law, the group has a tough time getting hired. Eventually, Tommy gets a job at a...
, was released in 1943, with Bobby Jordan
Bobby Jordan
Robert "Bobby" Jordan was an American actor, born in Harrison, New York, most notable for being a member of the Dead End Kids, the East Side Kids and the Bowery Boys.-Early life and career:...
replacing erstwhile ringleader Billy Halop
Billy Halop
William "Billy" Halop was an American actor born in New York City.He came from a Jewish theatrical family: his mother was a dancer, and his sister Florence Halop was a child actress, who later worked on radio and in television...
The East Side Kids
When Warner Brothers released the remaining 'Dead End Kids' from their contracts in 1939, producer Sam KatzmanSam Katzman
Sam Katzman was an American film producer and director. Born into a poor Jewish family, Katzman went to work as a stage laborer at the age of 13 in the fledgling East Coast film industry...
at Monogram acted quickly and hired several of them, including Jordan and the Gorcey brothers Leo and David, as well as some of the 'Little Tough Guys,' including Hally Chester, to star in a new series using the team name "East Side Kids." These films also introduced 'Sunshine' Sammy Morrison, one of the original members of the Our Gang
Our Gang
Our Gang, also known as The Little Rascals or Hal Roach's Rascals, was a series of American comedy short films about a group of poor neighborhood children and the adventures they had together. Created by comedy producer Hal Roach, the series is noted for showing children behaving in a relatively...
comedy team, as part of the gang.
The original members of the 'Dead End Kids' were now working at several studios, so these films were made at the same time that Universal was making 'The Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys' series. A total of twenty-one films were made, with the final one, Come Out Fighting, being released in 1945.
The Bowery Boys
In 1945, when East Side Kids producer Sam Katzman refused to grant Leo Gorcey's request to double his weekly salary, Gorcey quit the series, which ended immediately. Bobby Jordan then suggested a meeting with his agent, Jan Grippo. Grippo, Gorcey, and Hall formed Jan Grippo Productions, revamped the format, and rechristened the series The Bowery Boys (the earlier films credits appear as: "Leo Gorcey and The Bowery Boys"). Gorcey, who owned forty percent of the company, starred, produced, and contributed to the scripts. The new series followed a more established formula than the prior incarnations of the team, with the gang usually hanging out at Louie's Sweet Shop (at 3rd & Canal St.) until an adventure came along.The original main characters were Terrence Aloysius "Slip" Mahoney (Leo Gorcey
Leo Gorcey
Leo Bernard Gorcey was an American stage and movie actor who became famous for portraying on film the leader of the group of young hooligans known variously as the Dead End Kids, The East Side Kids and The Bowery Boys. Always the most pugnacious member of the gangs he participated in, young Leo...
), Horace Debussy "Sach" Jones (Huntz Hall
Huntz Hall
Henry Richard "Huntz" Hall was an American radio, theatrical, and motion picture performer noted primarily for his roles in the "Dead End Kids" movies, such as Angels with Dirty Faces , which gave way to the "The Bowery Boys" movie franchise, a prolific and highly successful series of comedies in...
), Bobby (Bobby Jordan
Bobby Jordan
Robert "Bobby" Jordan was an American actor, born in Harrison, New York, most notable for being a member of the Dead End Kids, the East Side Kids and the Bowery Boys.-Early life and career:...
), Whitey (Billy Benedict), and Chuck (David Gorcey
David Gorcey
David Gorcey was an American actor and comedian best known as being a member of the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. He was the younger brother of Dead End Kids member Leo Gorcey.-Career:...
, sometimes billed as David Condon). "Sunshine" Sammy Morrison ("Scruno" in the East Side Kids films), declined the invitation to rejoin the gang (later stating in an interview that he "didn't like the setup", possibly referring to the idea of Gorcey and Hall being in the forefront, and being paid much more than the other members). When Bobby Jordan quit the series for the same reason, his character was replaced by Butch Williams (with former East Side Kids Bennie Bartlett and Buddy Gorman
Buddy Gorman
Charles J. "Buddy" Gorman is an American stage and movie actor who became famous for portraying a member of the comedy teams, The East Side Kids and The Bowery Boys. Prior to acting he tried out for the Brooklyn Dodgers farm team, the Montreal Royals, as a shortstop...
alternating in the role). The proprietor of the malt shop where they hung out was the panicky Louie Dumbrowski (Bernard Gorcey - Leo and David's father). Perhaps to emphasize they were no longer teenagers, the "boys" now wore suits; and their mothers, who appeared in some of the "East Side Kids" series were rarely seen.
Like the previous incarnations of the team, the members went through a number of changes over the course of the series. Thirteen actors were members of the team at one time or another. Bobby Jordan, an original Dead End Kid, appeared in the first eight films, but left after being injured in an elevator accident. Jordan was also unhappy with the direction of the series, which favored Gorcey and Hall and limited the participation of the other gang members.
Gabriel Dell
Gabriel Dell
Gabriel Dell was an American actor and one of the members of what came to be known as the Dead End Kids/East Side Kids/The Bowery Boys.-Early life:...
returned in the fourth entry, Spook Busters
Spook Busters
Spook Busters is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the fourth film in the series.-Plot:All of the boys have just graduated from school where they learned exterminating, except for Sach who flunked out. They set up their new business in a corner of Louie's Sweet Shop...
(1946) as "Gabe Moreno," a former member of the gang just out of the Navy with a French war-bride in tow. He remained (minus spouse) for the next 16 features. Gabe was a convenient "utility" character, frequently changing jobs (private investigator, policeman, songwriter, reporter) to suit the story at hand — and the limited casting budget. Dell often acted as a bridge between the real world and those of the Boys who he would summon to assist him. He reprised one of his East Side Kids roles in Hard Boiled Mahoney
Hard Boiled Mahoney
Hard Boiled Mahoney is a 1947 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the sixth film in the series.-Plot:Sach just lost his job as an assistant to a private detective, but he wasn't paid. Slip goes with him down to the detective's office to demand payment, but finds the office...
(1947), playing Gabe as a myopic nerd with thick glasses, ascot, and cap. His final appearance was in Blues Busters
Blues Busters (1950 film)
Blues Busters is a 1950 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on October 29, 1950 by Monogram Pictures and is the twentieth film in the series.-Plot:...
in 1950, generally regarded as one of the funniest in the series.
The early films such as In Fast Company
In Fast Company
In Fast Company is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the second film in the series.-Plot:The boys are involved in an altercation with a vegetable vendor and are saved by Father Donovan who convinces the policeman to let them go...
(1946) flirted with the same crime-drama laced with humor of the previous series, but they gradually shifted to all-out comedy, growing more slapstick and fantasy-oriented over the next decade. After 1950 the series began to resemble the farcical Abbott and Costello
Abbott and Costello
William "Bud" Abbott and Lou Costello performed together as Abbott and Costello, an American comedy duo whose work on stage, radio, film and television made them the most popular comedy team during the 1940s and 1950s...
comedies—a far cry from the grim social realism of their 1930s films. The grittiness of the old days was sanitized; the gang's dingy basement club-house was replaced by an ice cream parlor.
The team spirit of the ensemble cast faded as Huntz Hall was elevated to co-star status to showcase his comedic skills. The stories now focused entirely on Slip (the self-proclaimed leader of the bunch) and his zany sidekick, Sach, with the diminished three or four "boys" receding into the background with little to do. Time and again the plot revolved around Sach accidentally acquiring some strange power or ability (he becomes a psychic, champion wrestler, crooner, etc.) that Slip is quick to exploit. In most of the films, the gang pursues a scheme for quick riches or gets mixed up with neighborhood thugs. Story elements from their earlier films (haunted houses, mad scientists, nefarious spies) were also frequently incorporated into the new series.
Like a streetwise Abbott and Costello
Abbott and Costello
William "Bud" Abbott and Lou Costello performed together as Abbott and Costello, an American comedy duo whose work on stage, radio, film and television made them the most popular comedy team during the 1940s and 1950s...
, Gorcey and Hall became a cohesive comedy duo, extending their verbal and physical humor into broader slapstick comedy that served to increase the popularity of the series. In 1953 Edward Bernds
Edward Bernds
Edward Bernds was an American screenwriter and director, born in Chicago, Illinois.-Career:While in his junior year in Lake View High School, he and several friends formed a small radio clique and obtained amateur licenses...
a new producer and director who had previously worked with The Three Stooges transformed the series into lucrative kiddie-matinée fodder, with Gorcey and Hall re-enacting gags borrowed from the Stooges. (Huntz Hall cited Shemp Howard, who did three Little Tough Guys films, as a major influence during this latter phase in the series.)
Leo's character "Slip" was famed for his malaprops (always delivered in a Brooklyn accent), such as "a clever seduction" for "a clever deduction," "I depreciate it!" ("I appreciate it!"), and "I regurgitate" ("I reiterate").
As the series wore on, the writers appear to have drawn more than a little inspiration from the hugely successful Abbott and Costello films. In the 1940s, Abbott & Costello did a quartet of "service comedies" for each branch of the military. The Bowery Boys duplicated this feat a decade later with Bowery Battalion
Bowery Battalion
Bowery Battalion is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 24, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-first film in the series.-Plot:...
, Let's Go Navy!
Let's Go Navy!
Let's Go Navy! is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on July 29, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-third film in the series.-Plot:...
, Here Come the Marines
Here Come the Marines
Here Come the Marines is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on June 29, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-sixth film in the series.-Plot:...
, and Clipped Wings. Abbott and Costello spoofed westerns: Ride 'Em Cowboy
Ride 'Em Cowboy
Ride 'Em Cowboy is a 1942 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello.-Plot:The author of best-selling western novels, Bronco Bob Mitchell , has never set foot in the west. A newspaper article has exposed this fact to his fans, and his image is suffering because of it. He decides to make...
(1942), the upper-classes: In Society
In Society
In Society is a 1944 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello. It was the first of five Abbott and Costello films to be directed by Jean Yarbrough. It was re-released in 1953.-Plot:...
(1944), and hillbillies: Comin' Round the Mountain
Comin' Round the Mountain
Comin' Round The Mountain is a 1951 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello.-Plot:Theatrical agent Al Stewart has successfully booked his client, Dorothy McCoy , "The Manhattan Hillbilly", at a New York nightclub. Unfortunately, he has also booked an inept escape artist, The Great...
(1951). The Bowery Boys repeated this formula in Bowery Buckaroos
Bowery Buckaroos
Bowery Buckaroos is a 1947 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the eighth film in the series and the last Bowery Boys film that Bobby Jordan appeared in.-Plot:...
(1947), High Society
High Society (1955 film)
High Society is a 1955 comedy film directed by William Beaudine and starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on April 17, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-seventh film in the series...
(1955), and Feudin' Fools
Feudin' Fools
Feudin' Fools is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 21, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-seventh film in the series.-Plot:...
(1952), respectively.
Abbott and Costello went on safari: Africa Screams
Africa Screams
Africa Screams is a 1949 comedy film starring Abbott and Costello and directed by Charles Barton.-Plot:Diana Emerson is in the book department of Klopper's Department store looking for a copy of the book Dark Safari, written by the famed explorer Cuddleford...
(1949), to the Middle East: Lost in a Harem
Lost in a Harem
-Plot:When a traveling vaudeville show becomes stranded in the Middle East, their singer, Hazel Moon , takes a job at a local cafe. Two of the show's prop men, Peter Johnson and Harvey Garvey , are hired as comedy relief, but their act unfortunately initiates a brawl...
(1944), and even tangled with pirates in Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd
Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd
Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd is a 1952 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello, along with Charles Laughton, who reprised his role as the infamous pirate from the 1945 film Captain Kidd.-Plot:...
(1952). Once again, the Bowery Boys followed suit with Jungle Gents
Jungle Gents
Jungle Gents is a 1954 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 5, 1954 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-fifth film in the series.-Plot:...
(1954), Bowery to Bagdad
Bowery to Bagdad
Bowery to Bagdad is a 1955 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 2, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-sixth film in the series.-Plot:...
(1955), and Hold That Hypnotist
Hold That Hypnotist
Hold That Hypnotist is a 1957 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on March 10, 1957 by Allied Artists and is the forty-fourth film in the series.-Plot:...
(1957). Abbott and Costello become private detectives in Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man
Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man
Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man is a 1951 comedy horror film directed by Charles Lamont and starring the team of Abbott and Costello alongside Nancy Guild.The film depicts the misadventures of Lou Francis and Bud Alexander, two private detectives investigating the murder of a...
(1951); the Bowery Boys open up a detective agency in 1953's Private Eyes.
After Abbott and Costello's haunted-house comedy Hold That Ghost
Hold That Ghost
Hold That Ghost is a 1941 comedy horror film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello and featuring Joan Davis, Evelyn Ankers, and Shemp Howard....
(1941) became a smash hit, the East Side Kids released the similar Spooks Run Wild with Bela Lugosi later that year. Ironically, Lugosi went on to help make Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is a 1948 American comedy horror film directed by Charles Barton and starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello. It is the first of several films where the comedy duo meets classic characters from Universal's horror film stable...
one of A&C's most popular and critically acclaimed comedies. The basic premise—Dracula schemes to transplant Costello's brain into the Frankenstein monster (played by Glenn Strange
Glenn Strange
Glenn Strange was an American actor who appeared mostly in Western films. He is best known for playing the Frankenstein Monster in three Universal films during the 1940s and for his role as Sam Noonan, the bartender on CBS's Gunsmoke television series...
)—was duplicated a few months later by The Bowery Boys in Master Minds
Master Minds
Master Minds is a comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on November 29, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the sixteenth film in the series.-Plot:...
(1949). Glenn Strange once again plays a hulking monster who switches minds with Sach (Huntz Hall).
After filming Dig That Uranium
Dig That Uranium
Dig That Uranium is a 1956 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 8, 1956 by Allied Artists and is the fortieth film in the series.-Plot:...
in 1955, Bernard Gorcey was killed in an automobile accident, devastating his son Leo. Leo drank heavily, and it visibly affected his performance in the following film, Crashing Las Vegas, which would be his last. (During filming he became violently unhinged, trashing the set and destroying every prop in sight.) At a subsequent meeting with Allied Artists, Gorcey demanded an increase on the 40% interest he held in the series. This was denied, and after a heated exchange he quit the series and stormed off the studio lot.
The studio owed exhibitors three more films for the 1956 season, so Gorcey was replaced by Stanley Clements
Stanley Clements
Stanley Clements was an American actor and comedian.Stanley Clements was born Stanislaw Klimowicz in Long Island, New York. Young Stan realized that he wanted a show-business career while he was in grammar school, and when he graduated from college he toured in vaudeville for two years...
, a former tough-teen actor who had been in a few East Side Kids movies. Clements, as "Duke Coveleskie," adapted to the series easily and completed the three films, which now starred "Huntz Hall and The Bowery Boys." The new Hall-Clements partnership was successful enough to be renewed for the 1957 season. Four more films were made, with Eddie LeRoy joining the cast as bespectacled "Blinky."
In all, there were 48 Bowery Boys films (the longest feature-film series in motion picture history), with the final film, In the Money
In the Money
In the Money is a comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on February 16, 1958 by Allied Artists Pictures and is the forty-eighth and final film in the series. It was directed by William Beaudine and written by Al Martin and Elwood Ullman.-Plot summary:Sach is hired to take...
, being released in 1958. Only Huntz Hall and David Gorcey had remained with the series since 1946.
The Bowery Boys and East Side Kids picked up a new generation of mostly younger fans when the films were repackaged and syndicated for television in the 1960s and '70s. They became a staple for independent stations across the U.S., often used to fill up the early-afternoon time-slots on weekends. In 1967 The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
even paid homage by selecting pictures of Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall for the photo-montage cover of their celebrated Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is the eighth studio album by the English rock band The Beatles, released on 1 June 1967 on the Parlophone label and produced by George Martin...
album. (The Gorcey photo was removed after Gorcey's agent demanded a $400 payment for use of his image.)
Filmography
| Year | Movie | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1946 1946 in film The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a... |
Live Wires Live Wires Live Wires is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the first film in the series after the comedy team of The East Side Kids was revamped and renamed as The Bowery Boys.-Plot:... |
Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, Bobby Jordan, Billy Benedict, William Frambes |
| 1946 1946 in film The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a... |
In Fast Company In Fast Company In Fast Company is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the second film in the series.-Plot:The boys are involved in an altercation with a vegetable vendor and are saved by Father Donovan who convinces the policeman to let them go... |
David Gorcey replaces William Frambes |
| 1946 1946 in film The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a... |
Bowery Bombshell Bowery Bombshell Bowery Bonbshell is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the third film in the series.-Plot:Sweet Shop owner Louie needs to raise $300. The Boys try to sell their car to raise the money, but are unable to because the car falls apart when they try to show it to a... |
|
| 1946 1946 in film The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a... |
Spook Busters Spook Busters Spook Busters is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the fourth film in the series.-Plot:All of the boys have just graduated from school where they learned exterminating, except for Sach who flunked out. They set up their new business in a corner of Louie's Sweet Shop... |
First film with Gabriel Dell |
| 1946 1946 in film The year 1946 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*November 21 - William Wyler's The Best Years of Our Lives premieres in New York featuring an ensemble cast including Fredric March, Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, and Harold Russell.*December 20 - Frank Capra's It's a... |
Mr. Hex Mr. Hex Mr. Hex is a 1946 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the fifth film in the series.-Plot:The boys are trying to raise money for their friend Gloria. She has to give up her aspiring singing career in order to stay home and take care of her sick mother... |
|
| 1947 1947 in film The year 1947 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 22 - Great Expectations is premiered in New York.*November 24 : The United States House of Representatives of the 80th Congress voted 346 to 17 to approve citations for contempt of Congress against the "Hollywood Ten".*November 25... |
Hard Boiled Mahoney Hard Boiled Mahoney Hard Boiled Mahoney is a 1947 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the sixth film in the series.-Plot:Sach just lost his job as an assistant to a private detective, but he wasn't paid. Slip goes with him down to the detective's office to demand payment, but finds the office... |
|
| 1947 1947 in film The year 1947 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 22 - Great Expectations is premiered in New York.*November 24 : The United States House of Representatives of the 80th Congress voted 346 to 17 to approve citations for contempt of Congress against the "Hollywood Ten".*November 25... |
News Hounds News Hounds News Hounds is a 1947 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the seventh film in the series.-Plot:Slip is a copy boy for a newspaper, but dreams of having his own byline. Sach is an aspiring photographer for the same paper. The two of them come across a plot to fix sporting... |
|
| 1947 1947 in film The year 1947 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 22 - Great Expectations is premiered in New York.*November 24 : The United States House of Representatives of the 80th Congress voted 346 to 17 to approve citations for contempt of Congress against the "Hollywood Ten".*November 25... |
Bowery Buckaroos Bowery Buckaroos Bowery Buckaroos is a 1947 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the eighth film in the series and the last Bowery Boys film that Bobby Jordan appeared in.-Plot:... |
Last film with Bobby Jordan |
| 1948 1948 in film The year 1948 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Laurence Olivier's Hamlet becomes the first British film to win the American Academy Award for Best Picture.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :... |
Angels' Alley Angels' Alley Angels' Alley is a 1948 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the ninth film in the series and the first one without Bobby Jordan.-Plot:... |
|
| 1948 1948 in film The year 1948 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Laurence Olivier's Hamlet becomes the first British film to win the American Academy Award for Best Picture.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :... |
Jinx Money Jinx Money Jinx Money is a 1948 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the tenth film in the series and the first one to include Bennie Bartlett as part of the team.-Plot:... |
Bennie Bartlett replaces Bobby Jordan |
| 1948 1948 in film The year 1948 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Laurence Olivier's Hamlet becomes the first British film to win the American Academy Award for Best Picture.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :... |
Smugglers' Cove | |
| 1948 1948 in film The year 1948 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Laurence Olivier's Hamlet becomes the first British film to win the American Academy Award for Best Picture.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :... |
Trouble Makers Trouble Makers (1948 film) Trouble Makers is a 1948 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released in 1948 by Monogram Pictures, although the exact release date is uncertain, although two possible released dates are mentioned in different books, December 10, 1948 and December 26, 1948... |
|
| 1949 1949 in film The year 1949 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello... |
Fighting Fools Fighting Fools Fighting Fools is a 1949 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on April 17, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the thirteenth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1949 1949 in film The year 1949 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello... |
Hold That Baby! Hold That Baby! Hold That Baby! is a 1949 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on June 26, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the fourteenth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1949 1949 in film The year 1949 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello... |
Angels in Disguise Angels in Disguise (film) Angels in Disguise is a 1949 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 11, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the fifteenth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1949 1949 in film The year 1949 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff, starring Bud Abbott and Lou Costello... |
Master Minds Master Minds Master Minds is a comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on November 29, 1949 by Monogram Pictures and is the sixteenth film in the series.-Plot:... |
|
| 1950 1950 in film The year 1950 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 15 - Walt Disney Studios' animated film Cinderella debuts.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:*Ambush... |
Blonde Dynamite Blonde Dynamite Blonde Dynamite is a 1950 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on February 12, 1950 by Monogram Pictures and is the seventeenth film in the series.-Production:... |
Buddy Gorman replaces Bennie Bartlett |
| 1950 1950 in film The year 1950 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 15 - Walt Disney Studios' animated film Cinderella debuts.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:*Ambush... |
Lucky Losers Lucky Losers Lucky Losers is a 1950 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on May 14, 1950 by Monogram Pictures and is the eighteenth film in the series. It had the working title of High Stakes.-Synopsis:... |
|
| 1950 1950 in film The year 1950 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 15 - Walt Disney Studios' animated film Cinderella debuts.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:*Ambush... |
Triple Trouble Triple Trouble (1950 film) Triple Trouble is a 1950 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on August 13, 1950 by Monogram Pictures and is the nineteenth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1950 1950 in film The year 1950 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 15 - Walt Disney Studios' animated film Cinderella debuts.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:*Ambush... |
Blues Busters | Last film with Gabriel Dell, who is not replaced |
| 1951 1951 in film The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:... |
Bowery Battalion Bowery Battalion Bowery Battalion is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 24, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-first film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1951 1951 in film The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:... |
Ghost Chasers Ghost Chasers Ghost Chasers is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on April 29, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-second film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1951 1951 in film The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:... |
Let's Go Navy! Let's Go Navy! Let's Go Navy! is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on July 29, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-third film in the series.-Plot:... |
Last film with Buddy Gorman |
| 1951 1951 in film The year 1951 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Sweden - May Britt is scouted by Italian film-makers Carlo Ponti and Mario Soldati-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:... |
Crazy Over Horses Crazy Over Horses Crazy Over Horses is a 1951 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on November 18, 1951 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-fourth film in the series.-Plot:... |
Last film with Billy Benedict; David Gorcey becomes David Condon; Bennie Bartlett replaces Buddy Gorman |
| 1952 1952 in film The year 1952 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 10 - Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic, The Greatest Show on Earth, premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.... |
Hold That Line Hold That Line Hold That Line is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on March 23, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-fifth film in the series.-Plot:... |
Gil Stratton, Jr. replaces Billy Benedict |
| 1952 1952 in film The year 1952 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 10 - Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic, The Greatest Show on Earth, premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.... |
Here Come the Marines Here Come the Marines Here Come the Marines is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on June 29, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-sixth film in the series.-Plot:... |
Last film with Gil Stratton, Jr., who is not replaced |
| 1952 1952 in film The year 1952 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 10 - Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic, The Greatest Show on Earth, premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.... |
Feudin' Fools Feudin' Fools Feudin' Fools is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 21, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-seventh film in the series.-Plot:... |
Gang becomes standardized: Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall, David Condon, Bennie Bartlett |
| 1952 1952 in film The year 1952 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 10 - Cecil B. DeMille's circus epic, The Greatest Show on Earth, premieres at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.... |
No Holds Barred No Holds Barred (1952 film) No Holds barred is a 1952 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on November 23, 1952 by Monogram Pictures and is the twenty-eighth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1953 1953 in film The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A... |
Jalopy Jalopy (film) Jalopy is a 1953 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on February 15, 1953 by Allied Artists and is the twenty-ninth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1953 1953 in film The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A... |
Loose in London Loose in London Loose in London is a 1953 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on May 24, 1953 by Allied Artists and is the thirtieth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1953 1953 in film The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A... |
Clipped Wings | |
| 1953 1953 in film The year 1953 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*September 16 — The Robe debuts as the first anamorphic, widescreen CinemaScope film.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:A... |
Private Eyes Private Eyes (1953 film) Private Eyes is a 1953 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on December 6, 1953 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-second film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1954 1954 in film The year 1954 in film involved some significant events and memorable ones.-Events:*May 12 - The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces wife Marion Benda... |
Paris Playboys Paris Playboys Paris Playboys is a 1954 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on March 7, 1954 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-third film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1954 1954 in film The year 1954 in film involved some significant events and memorable ones.-Events:*May 12 - The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces wife Marion Benda... |
The Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters The Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters The Bowery Boys Meet the Monsters is a 1954 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on June 6, 1954 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-fourth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1954 1954 in film The year 1954 in film involved some significant events and memorable ones.-Events:*May 12 - The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces wife Marion Benda... |
Jungle Gents Jungle Gents Jungle Gents is a 1954 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 5, 1954 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-fifth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1955 1955 in film The year 1955 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 3 - The musical Guys and Dolls, starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, debuts.* June 27 - The last ever Republic serial, King of the Carnival, is released.... |
Bowery to Bagdad Bowery to Bagdad Bowery to Bagdad is a 1955 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 2, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-sixth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1955 1955 in film The year 1955 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 3 - The musical Guys and Dolls, starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, debuts.* June 27 - The last ever Republic serial, King of the Carnival, is released.... |
High Society High Society (1955 film) High Society is a 1955 comedy film directed by William Beaudine and starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on April 17, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-seventh film in the series... |
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| 1955 1955 in film The year 1955 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 3 - The musical Guys and Dolls, starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, debuts.* June 27 - The last ever Republic serial, King of the Carnival, is released.... |
Spy Chasers Spy Chasers Spy Chasers is a 1955 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on July 31, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-eighth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1955 1955 in film The year 1955 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 3 - The musical Guys and Dolls, starring Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra, debuts.* June 27 - The last ever Republic serial, King of the Carnival, is released.... |
Jail Busters Jail Busters Jail Busters is a 1955 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 18, 1955 by Allied Artists and is the thirty-ninth film in the series.-Plot:... |
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| 1956 1956 in film The year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by... |
Dig That Uranium Dig That Uranium Dig That Uranium is a 1956 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on January 8, 1956 by Allied Artists and is the fortieth film in the series.-Plot:... |
Last film with Bernard Gorcey; last film with Bennie Bartlett |
| 1956 1956 in film The year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by... |
Crashing Las Vegas Crashing Las Vegas Crashing Las Vegas is a 1956 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on April 22, 1956 by Allied Artists and is the forty-first film in the series. It was the last film in the series to star Leo Gorcey.-Plot:... |
Last film with Leo Gorcey; Jimmy Murphy replaces Bennie Bartlett; Doris Kemper replaces Bernard Gorcey |
| 1956 1956 in film The year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by... |
Fighting Trouble Fighting Trouble Fighting Trouble is a 1956 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on September 16, 1956 by Allied Artists and is the forty-second film in the series. It was the first film in the series to feature Stanley Clements.-Plot:... |
First film with Stanley Clements; Danny Welton replaces Jimmy Murphy; Queenie Smith replaces Doris Kemper |
| 1956 1956 in film The year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by... |
Hot Shots Hot Shots (1956 film) Hot Shots is a 1956 comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on December 23, 1956 by Monogram Pictures and is the forty-third film in the series. It was directed by Jean Yarbrough and written by Jack Townley.-Synopsis:... |
Jimmy Murphy replaces Danny Welton |
| 1957 1957 in film The year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:... |
Hold That Hypnotist Hold That Hypnotist Hold That Hypnotist is a 1957 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on March 10, 1957 by Allied Artists and is the forty-fourth film in the series.-Plot:... |
Huntz Hall, Stanley Clements, David Condon, Jimmy Murphy |
| 1957 1957 in film The year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:... |
Spook Chasers Spook Chasers Spook Chasers is a 1957 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on June 2, 1957 by Allied Artists and is the forty-fifth film in the series.-Plot:... |
David Condon reverts to David Gorcey; first film with Eddie LeRoy; Percy Helton replaces Queenie Smith |
| 1957 1957 in film The year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:... |
Looking for Danger Looking for Danger Looking for Danger is a 1957 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on October 6, 1957 by Allied Artists and is the forty-sixth film in the series.-Synopsis:... |
Last film with Jimmy Murphy; Dick Elliott replaces Percy Helton |
| 1957 1957 in film The year 1957 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 21 - The movie Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley, opens.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue-Awards:... |
Up in Smoke Up In Smoke (1957 film) Up in Smoke is a 1957 film starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. The film was released on December 22, 1957 by Allied Artists and is the forty-seventh film in the series.-Plot:... |
Huntz Hall, Stanley Clements,, David Gorcey, Eddie LeRoy |
| 1958 1958 in film The year 1958 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 16- "In the Money" by William Beaudine is released on this date. It would be the last installment of The Bowery Boys series which began back in 1946.... |
In the Money In the Money In the Money is a comedy film starring The Bowery Boys. The film was released on February 16, 1958 by Allied Artists Pictures and is the forty-eighth and final film in the series. It was directed by William Beaudine and written by Al Martin and Elwood Ullman.-Plot summary:Sach is hired to take... |