Boy of the Streets

(1937)

Drama / Teen Rebels

75 minutes

Directed by William Nigh

Cast:

Jackie Cooper as Chuck Brennan 
Maureen O'Connor as Nora 
Kathleen Burke as Julie Stone 
Robert Emmett O'Connor as Police Officer Rourke 
Marjorie Main as Mrs. Mary Brennan 
Matty Fain as Blackie Davis 
George Cleveland as Tim 'Flannel-Mouth' Farley 
Gordon Elliott as Dr. Allan 
Guy Usher as Fog Horn Brennan aka Foggy 
Paul White as Spike, Gang Member 

An ambitious street punk pursues a political career with disastrous results.  

The film takes place in a New York slum neighborhood, predominantly Irish immigrant area.  The main character, a sixteen year old teen by the name of Chuck Brennan is the leader of a gang and the film revolves around situations he gets himself into being involved with the gang life on the streets.  However, although he is involved with the wrong people, there are many instances where he tries to step up and do the right thing and put his own life in danger to protect someone else.  The sad part is, he already has the reputation for being a cocky gang leader and it is not until the end of the film that his parents and others see the good in him as he decides to join the navy and is shipped out to sea.