Little Tough Guys
The Little Tough Guys(later billed as 'The Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys') were a group of actors who made a series of films and serials released byUniversal Studiosfrom 1938 through 1943.[1]Many of them were originally part ofThe Dead End Kids,and several of them later became members ofThe East Side KidsandThe Bowery Boys.
History[edit]
The urban dramaDead Endbecame both a successful play and a hit movie, featuring six young actors playing streetwise guttersnipes:Billy Halop,Leo Gorcey,Huntz Hall,Gabriel Dell,Bobby Jordan,andBernard Punsly.The troupe became known asThe Dead End Kidsand starred in a series of features forWarner Brothers.
Little Tough Guys[edit]
In 1938,Universalborrowed the Dead End Kids (except Gorcey and Jordan) for a juvenile-delinquency drama calledLittle Tough Guy.Universal adopted this as a brand name, and turned the film into a series of 'Little Tough Guys' features. The studio filled out the cast with David Gorcey (Leo's younger brother) andHally Chester.
The next three films did not include any of the original Dead End Kids.Little Tough Guys in Society(1939) was more of a lightweight comedy, while the next two,Newsboys' HomeandCode of the Streets(1939), were more dramatic.Jackie Cooperstarred inNewsboys' Home,but was not a member of the team. Only David Gorcey and Hally Chester remained from the first film,Little Tough Guy.This was the beginning of the members of the team changing on almost a film-to-film basis. Eleven actors drifted in and out of the series, includingFrankie Thomas,Charles Duncan (who was originally hired to play Leo Gorcey's role in the playDead End), andBilly Benedict.
When Warners released Bobby Jordan from his contract, Universal quickly signed him to join the rest of gang. Now, with five of the original six Dead End Kids on the payroll, Universal revised the billing to read "The Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys". In total, the Little Tough Guys made 12 feature films, and three 12-chapter serials. Leading player Halop joined the armed forces and was replaced by Jordan for the final film in the series,Keep 'Em Slugging,released in 1943.
Shemp Howardof theThree Stoogesappeared inGive Us Wings,Hit the RoadandKeep 'Em Slugging.Huntz Hall cited Howard as a major influence when his later "Bowery Boys" series shifted to all-out slapstick comedy.
There was still a market for these tough-teen films, and most of the Little Tough Guys principals wound up atMonogram PicturesasThe East Side KidsandThe Bowery Boys.
List of Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys[edit]
- Billy Halopas Johnny/Jimmy/Tom/Tommy/Billy/Ace (1938-1943)
- Huntz Hallas Pig/Gyp/Toby/Bolts (1938-1943)
- Gabriel Dellas String/Terry/Bilge/Stick (1938, 1940-1943)
- Bernard Punslyas Ape/Lug/Butch/Greaseball (1938, 1940-1943)
- Bobby Jordanas Rap/Tommy (1940, 1943)
- David Gorceyas Sniper/Yap/Double Face Gordon (1938-1940, 1942)
- Hally Chesteras Dopey/Murph/Trust/Swab (1938-1941)
- Frankie Thomasas Danny/Bob (1938-1939)
- Harris Bergeras Sailor/Bud/Charlie (1938-1941)
- Charles Duncanas Monk (1938-1939)
- William Benedictas Trouble/Link/Whitey (1938-1940, 1942)
- James McCallionas Danny (1939)
- Kenneth Lundyas Buck (1940)
- Norman Abbottas Ape (1943)
Filmography[edit]
| Year | Title | Team Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Little Tough Guy | The 'Dead End' Kids | |
| 1938 | Little Tough Guys in Society | Little Tough Guys | |
| 1939 | Newsboys' Home | Little Tough Guys | |
| 1939 | Code of the Streets | Little Tough Guys | |
| 1939 | Call a Messenger | Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys | |
| 1940 | You're Not So Tough | Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys | |
| 1940 | Junior G-Men | Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys | 12-Chapter Serial |
| 1940 | Give Us Wings | Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys | |
| 1941 | Hit the Road | Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys | |
| 1941 | Sea Raiders | Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys | 12-Chapter Serial |
| 1941 | Mob Town | Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys | |
| 1942 | Junior G-Men of the Air | Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys | 12-Chapter Serial |
| 1942 | Tough as They Come | Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys | |
| 1942 | Mug Town | Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys | |
| 1943 | Keep 'Em Slugging | Dead End Kids and Little Tough Guys |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Hayes, David (1982).The Films of the Bowery Boys.Secaucus, NJ: The Citadel Press.ISBN978-0806509310.