Watch East Side Kids

The 1940 film East Side Kids brought audiences an early taste of the popular series featuring a group of young men known as the East Side Kids. The story follows a group of boys who come from troubled backgrounds and are down on their luck. These hard-luck kids are forced to fend for themselves and often turn to petty crime to get by.

When the film opens, we meet Muggs (played by Leo Gorcey), the ringleader of the East Side Kids, who is always getting into trouble. Alongside him are his friends Danny (played by Bobby Jordan), Glimpy (played by Huntz Hall), and others. Together they spend their days loitering the streets and getting into scraps with rival gang members.

But things begin to change for the group when a new member, Johnny (played by Dennis Moore), joins their ranks. Johnny comes from a wealthy family and is a marked contrast to the other boys. He is well educated and keen to make his mark in the world. Despite this difference, the boys eventually warm to him, and he becomes a part of their gang.

One day, while the boys are hanging out, they witness a crime being committed by a gang of thugs. The East Side Kids are quick to jump into action and try to stop them. In the process, they recover a stolen car, which they assume is abandoned. However, they soon discover that the car belongs to a wealthy businessman named Mr. Harrison (played by Leon Ames). Harrison is so grateful to the boys for returning his car that he offers to take them out for a lavish meal at a swanky restaurant.

While at the restaurant, Mr. Harrison learns that the boys have not had the easiest start in life and decides to help them out. He offers to pay for their education and provide them with jobs once they graduate. The boys are skeptical at first, but they eventually accept Harrison's generous offer, and their lives are changed forever.

The film touches on themes of friendship, loyalty, and the importance of education. Despite the boys' initial reluctance to accept help, they soon realize that they need to work hard to build a better future for themselves. The film also shows the importance of community and how people from different backgrounds can come together and make a positive impact in each other's lives.

The performances in East Side Kids are strong, with Leo Gorcey leading the way as the tough-talking Muggs. He manages to bring a sense of humor to his performance, making the character more likable than his rough exterior suggests. Dennis Moore is also excellent as the newcomer Johnny, bringing a sense of naivety to the role, which is essential for the character's evolution throughout the film.

The film's direction by Joseph H. Lewis is solid, and the pacing is brisk, keeping the story moving along at a good pace. The film also does a good job of capturing the grittiness of life in the city during this era, with its locations and sets adding to the film's atmosphere.

Overall, East Side Kids is an entertaining film that captures a snapshot of life in early 20th-century America. While it may be dated in some respects, the themes and messages of the film still resonate today. The film is a reminder that with friendship, hard work, and a little bit of luck, anyone can overcome their circumstances and make a better life for themselves.

East Side Kids is a 1940 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 2 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5.