Dead End
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Important note: This article deals with the film called "Dead End", not the street sign Dead end.
Dead End is a 1937 crime drama film. It marked the first appearance of the Dead End Kids. Unemployed architect Dave Connell (Joel McCrea) is torn between Drina (Sylvia Sidney), sweet but equally poor, and Kay Burton (Wendy Barrie), a rich man's mistress. Gangster Baby Face Martin (Humphrey Bogart) returns to his old neighborhood and finds that nobody is glad to see him. Claire Trevor also starred.
The movie begins with a montage of the filthy slums of New York. Rich people have built mansions there because of the view of the picturesque East River. While they live in opulence behind walled luxurious apartments, the destitute dirt poor live in crowded, filthy tenements. The main setting is a street corner on the East River; to the left is a luxury hotel and to the right the slums. The Dead End kids, led by Tommy, are a petty gang of street urchins who are already well onto a path to a life of crime. Members besides Tommy include, Dippy, Angel, Spit, TB, and Milty. Spit is a bit of a malicious character with a cruel streak. Milty starts out as the new kid on the block in search of friends. Spit initially bullies the newcomer and takes his pocket change. However Tommy eventually lets Milty join the gang. Milty turns out to be both a loyal and generous friend.
The Dead End kids themeslves aren't malacious by nature. They are capable of exhibiting kindness and nobility. However being raised on the mean streets has twisted them into becoming tough and heartless.
Tommy's sister, Drina, dreams of marrying some dashing,rich stranger who will save her and Tommy from this miserable life of poverty. Her friend Dave Connell, an unemployed architect who surrently works odd jobs, is having an affair with a rich man's mistress, Kay Burton. Tommy and Kay love each other, but they know they can't be together because Tommy cannot provide Kay with the lifestyle she desires. The film's theme is that poverty is the root cause of crime.
The film was written by Lillian Hellman from the play by Sidney Kingsley. It was directed by William Wyler.
The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
The Dead Ends Kids were:
- Billy Halop (Tommy)
- Huntz Hall (Dippy)
- Bobby Jordan (Angel)
- Leo Gorcey (Spit)
- Gabriel Dell (T. B)
- Bernard Punsly (Milty)
Films of The Dead End Kids
- Dead End 1937
- Crime School 1938
- Angels With Dirty Faces 1938
- They Made Me A Criminal 1939
- Hell's Kitchen 1939
- The Angels Wash Their Faces 1939
- On Dress Parade 1939