Stanley Fields is convicted of being a racketeer, but gets a suspended sentence, thanks to his nephew, lawyer Ronald Reagan, on the promise he rehabilitate himself. He starts to make good by quitting the rackets, and takes on a reform school inhabited by the Dead End Kids and run by mealy-mouthed bad guy Grant Mitchell. But old associates who don't wish to give up easy money, and the lack of donations once Fields is in charge keep the movie chugging along.
Mark Hellinger's first movie production, nicknamed "Hellinger's Kitchen" by the Hollywood press, had some issues. E. A. Dupont was fired as director after he slapped a kid; he spent most of the next decade as a talent agent. Lewis Sailor finished up the job, but it's a surprisingly violent movie. The most surprising thing about it are the visuals, strikingly lit by the inimitable Charles Rosher. Fields is surprisingly good in a layered role, and the cast is filled out by Warner's usual B list, including Margaret Lindsay.
Mark Hellinger's first movie production, nicknamed "Hellinger's Kitchen" by the Hollywood press, had some issues. E. A. Dupont was fired as director after he slapped a kid; he spent most of the next decade as a talent agent. Lewis Sailor finished up the job, but it's a surprisingly violent movie. The most surprising thing about it are the visuals, strikingly lit by the inimitable Charles Rosher. Fields is surprisingly good in a layered role, and the cast is filled out by Warner's usual B list, including Margaret Lindsay.