Wild Boys of the Road -1933

Frankie Darro
Originally uploaded by livingfilm.

I love Pre-Code movies! I love everything about them! There is something so raw and exciting that I honestly feel surpasses many films made today. The Depression is such an interesting time in movies, and the way that some films dealt with it is fascinating!
William A."Wild Bill" Wellman's 'Wild Boys of the Road' is a great example of the type of hard-hitting "Ripped from the Headlines" 1930s social dramas the Warner Bros. and First National studios excelled at, and I love watching. It is rarely seen today, but, those who are fortunate to see it won't forget it!
The story begins with two boys Eddie -played by the brilliant Frankie Darro, and his friend Tommy -Edwin Phillips, growing up happily in a small American town. We first meet them taking a couple girls to the Sophomore Frolic, and driving around in Eddie's old-timey jalopy. But, these happy days are numbered as we find out that Tommy's Mother has been out of work (his father is dead, probably killed during the first World War), and has needed to accept charity from the Community Chest. Unable to raise the 75 cent to enter the dance Tommy sneaks in dressed as a girl, to whom admittance is free. Returning from the dance Eddie finds that his future is as uncertain as Tommy's, when he finds that his father has been laid off his job at the Cement Company. After selling his beloved car to help support his family, Eddie convinces Tommy to run away to the big city to help raise money for their struggling families. Hitching on trains along the Mid-west, they run into a girl Sally -Dorothy Coonan who, due to her boyish clothing is often mis-taken as a boy. Sally leaving her Father in Seattle (her Mother is dead) to live with her wealthy aunt Carrie in Chicago. Inviting the boys to join her, they arrive at Aunt Carrie's apartment just in time for a Police raid -her Aunt Carrie runs a Whorehouse, one of the few ways of actually making money during the Depression! Escaping and returning to the trains, our heros join the army of kids who like themselves have been forced to live a life on the road. Battling Police and Train Detectives (whom the kids now out number 20 to 1), life is a constant struggle. One unnamed girl who left alone during a battle, is raped by a train engineer. Fearing the Police the kids take the law in their own hands and throw the engineer from the train. The further adventures of this trio, take them on an odyssey of a society falling apart, hoovervilles, gangsters, riots, and an amputated leg. Truly Amazing!

One of the things that is so amazing about this movie is that in only 68 minutes it can pack such an epic story. I cannot stress enough how great and economic Frankie Darro's performance is. Many times the film rests on his performance, and his mixture of "Gee Whiz" naivete, and Tough determination, make a character that is sympathetic and moving. I wish he could be in every movie! With very hard-hitting direction by William A. Wellman, this film a must-see Classic!