IMDb RATING
6.6/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Social worker tries to befriend local slum gang.Social worker tries to befriend local slum gang.Social worker tries to befriend local slum gang.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
Peter J. Votrian
- Richie Dane
- (as Peter Votrian)
Robert Alexander
- Phil
- (uncredited)
Doyle Baker
- Chuck
- (uncredited)
Paul Bryar
- Mr. Daniels - Lenny's Father
- (uncredited)
Richard Curtis
- Redtop
- (uncredited)
Shirley Heart
- Girl walking down street
- (uncredited)
Frank Mills
- Man on the Street
- (uncredited)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Wagner tells Frankie that Lenny has plead guilty to violating the "Sullivan Law," he is referring to New York City's Sullivan Act of 1911 which makes possession of a concealable firearm a misdemeanor and possession in public a felony, unless a permit has been issued by, and at the discretion of, the New York City Police Department.
- GoofsAfter McAllister slaps Frankie, a shadow of the camera is visible on Frankie as it pulls back.
- Quotes
Frankie Dane: Look, what do you want out of me?
Ben Wagner: You're 18. I'd like to see you live until you're 21.
Frankie Dane: Why?
Ben Wagner: So you can vote.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Not for Publication (1984)
Featured review
Stagy to a Fault
The film reminds me of one of those powerhouse Studio One TV plays of the early '50's. And that's a key problem. The movie comes across as a filmed stage play as though the format hasn't changed at all. I expect TV playwrite Reginald Rose had a lot to do with that approach, while ace action director Don Siegel simply followed out the script in uninvolved fashion.
In short, the screenplay is way too talky, under-produced, and poorly staged. Never once, for example, did I forget that the street scene was mounted on a sound stage, with all kinds of traffic noises at the same time cars seldom pass on the roadway. Also, the few sets are so unrelentingly dreary and without a shred of adornment, you might think the deficiency is in the people rather than the conditions. After all, a shred or two would be more realistic, even in a slum. So, why rub our nose in it.
Then too, the screenplay repeats about every delinquency cliché of the day—alienation, no father, poverty, to cite a few. Now, there is some truth in these clichés, as there is in most clichés. The trouble is the script simply parades them in unoriginal fashion leaving the impression of having seen it all before. Worse, that intense actor John Cassavetes is given little to do but brood and posture and look 27 instead of the supposed 18. And what's with dressing him in a yuppie v-neck sweater that looks like it belongs on a Harvard freshman.
Nonetheless, it is an accomplished cast with some colorful characterizations. Mineo's excellent as the reluctant delinquent, Gregg fairly oozes bread-winner exhaustion, and little Votrian can look pathetic on cue. At the same time, Rydell's sadistic grin suggests needed malevolence, while Whitmore's social worker is happily no miracle man. Clearly, this is an earnest effort whose heart is in the right place. Still and all, the positives are too few to outweigh the stagy negatives. In short, there're good reasons this obscurity is not included among the delinquency classics of the day.
In short, the screenplay is way too talky, under-produced, and poorly staged. Never once, for example, did I forget that the street scene was mounted on a sound stage, with all kinds of traffic noises at the same time cars seldom pass on the roadway. Also, the few sets are so unrelentingly dreary and without a shred of adornment, you might think the deficiency is in the people rather than the conditions. After all, a shred or two would be more realistic, even in a slum. So, why rub our nose in it.
Then too, the screenplay repeats about every delinquency cliché of the day—alienation, no father, poverty, to cite a few. Now, there is some truth in these clichés, as there is in most clichés. The trouble is the script simply parades them in unoriginal fashion leaving the impression of having seen it all before. Worse, that intense actor John Cassavetes is given little to do but brood and posture and look 27 instead of the supposed 18. And what's with dressing him in a yuppie v-neck sweater that looks like it belongs on a Harvard freshman.
Nonetheless, it is an accomplished cast with some colorful characterizations. Mineo's excellent as the reluctant delinquent, Gregg fairly oozes bread-winner exhaustion, and little Votrian can look pathetic on cue. At the same time, Rydell's sadistic grin suggests needed malevolence, while Whitmore's social worker is happily no miracle man. Clearly, this is an earnest effort whose heart is in the right place. Still and all, the positives are too few to outweigh the stagy negatives. In short, there're good reasons this obscurity is not included among the delinquency classics of the day.
- dougdoepke
- Oct 22, 2010
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Entfesselte Jugend
- Filming locations
- New York City, New York, USA(opening establishing panning shot of Queensboro Bridge over East River towards Queens)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $280,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 31 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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