Crime School (1938) - full transcript

Deputy Commissioner of Correction Mark Braden finds a reform school in terrible condition and assumes control himself. He wins the boy's cooperation by being fair and falls in love with gang leader Frankie's sister Sue. This aides disgruntled employees in challenging Braden.

Look at that.I bet

it'd do a hundred on a stretch.

It'd do a hundred --

easy a hundred on a--.

With some high-compression

shut up! Shut up!

What are you worying about,

there, your mother'll be okay.

Doctor said

she had too many babies.

Maybe this time

she ain't gonna come back.

Another baby? Whoo!

Can it! Can it!

What did I say?

I didn't say nothin'.

Don't you worry, kid.

They'll fix her in the hospital.

People die in hospitals.

Ah, you're daffy. Hospitals is

okay. I was there once.

And, boy, you should've seen

the elegant service I got.

And what a nurse I had. Boy was

she a pip! Was she a pip!

Shut up. We heard about it.

We heard about it.

Get out! Get out!

With mine own eyes I seen you.

Screwball, I didn't touch

your old fig Newtons.

Can you picture that, this guy

says I was swiping fig Newtons.

You was! I seen you!

You of all people.

You, stealing tramp. You stay

out of my store, you hear it?

Ah stop talking in bunches.

You know, he's the most

suspicious guy I ever seen.

Hey, spike, give me one.

Hey, spike, give me one.

Do your own snitching?

Pass them. Pass them.

Says you.

Says me. Wanna so someting?

Oh all right.

That goes for all of us, see.

we di up on everything.

Frankie, he didn't give me none.

Go on! give him. give him.

All right, I'll give him.

I'll give him.

Gee thanks.

Right in the eye.

Ah, you rat.

Spike! You! Spike!

What do you want?

Get up here with bread and milk!

How could I get supper?

Ah, keep your shirt on.

I'm coming.

Hiya, fellas.

How do you do, Mr. Slade?

Take a seat.

What are you dressed up

for?

Me and pop went to see mom

in the county jail.

Yeah what for? 30 days.

Pop's turn next, he's gonna beat

up mom when she's out.

Shut up! And why don't you

leave me alone once in a while?

Something's going on.

Come back!

What's up, Joe?

Oh, aunt Liz is mad on me.

Oh, what did you do?

Nothin', nothin'.

I was just sitting there

reading about Johnny Linda.

She started throwing things at

me. She stewed again?

I ought to smack her

in the kisser.

give me a look.

What does it say, f nk?

Oh, here it is.

Go ahead. Read it.

He has the hot seat at big house

tonight 10:00 and 12:00.

That's murder.

He ain't scared, I'll bet.

Boy, Ill say. Look

at that smile on his kisser.

Can he take it!

He was a smart guy.

My brother was burned

in the big house, too.

He had his picture

in all papers.

Takes no brains to get burned.

What do you mean?

You savin' me brother

doesn't have nob ins?

Yeah, I'm telling you, see?

Only suckers get nabbed.

What are you kids cooking up now

some way to Rob a bank?

Go on.

What are you talking about?

We ain't done nothin'. Oh,

yeah?

Whenever you and your gang get together,

I smell trouble in the wind.

It comes down the street,

like garbage wagon.

Come on break it up.

Sure, all we've been doing

is reading the papers.

Ain't that right, fellas?

Sure.

And looking at the pictures

of Johnny linda.

And that's just

where you're heading, too.

Been a lot of odds and ends missing

in the neighborhood lately.

I got a sneaking hunch that

you kids know something about

now, I'm warning you.

That's al!L.

Okay, captain. You're the

boss.

And I don't want any

of- your lip either!

What?! Whoa!

Frankie! Frankie!

Frankie.

What's the matter, Mr. hogan?

I've just been warning your brother

and his gang, miss Warren.

I've had lot of

complaints about them lately.

They're heading for

trouble.

Now what have they done?

I'm not sure.

They've been hanging around junkie's

pawn shop, and that's not too good.

Ah, that's a lot of

malarkey.

I've been working for him,

sue.

Thanks for telling me,

Mr. Hogan.

That's all right, miss

Warren.

Hate to see anything

happen to the kids--

If it can be helped.

Come upstairs, Frankie.

I want to have a talk.

I'll be up in a minute.

Come here, you guys.

We're all gonna meet

at junkie's tonight, see.

It's payoff night.

Bring something

or you don't get cut in.

Now, you got that straight?

I told you to come up, didn't

i?

All right, all right!

I'm coming, I'm coming.

I hope the bread got wet.

Come on.

Help me lift this thing up.

We ought' to get 20 bucks

alone for this thing. Easy.

it's got full tread on it,

junkie, ain't never been used.

Pretty nifty, huh?

You should haye seen the

car this came ?off of.

You should've seen the

guy's kisser when he missed it.

Told you never to hang around

after you made a touch?

Guy's got to have some fun,

Ain't he?

Say get a load ~of this. Wow!

Boy, where'd you get the alarm clock?

I rolled a drunk.

No kidding?

That's the real McCoy, ain't it??

14 karat.

Yeah.

14-karat brass.

The guy that was lugging that

wouldn't carry brass.

He was a rich mug. No kid!

You heard me.

Look what I got!

Come give me a hand.

? Oh, let's help him. Oh, boy.

Oh boy!

Oh mama Mia!

4 bucks.

4 nothing.

Hey, where'd he get that?

Look what I got, junkie.

How do you think

I can sell this?

No one's supposed to own them

but the phone company.

okay, then sell it back to them.

Fellas, come on up and help me, ?

Will you?

Somebody go up and help him .

Call up maizie mcginny --

See what she's doing tonight,

will you?

Yeah, what's the new number?

Regent 1010.

Oh, this is hea ?..

Let's leave it.

Yeah. Shove it in the corner.

You'll break your back.

Holy cow.

Whoo!

No kid, squirt.

Where'd you get it?

From .the asterville hotel.

There was a tootsie in it,

but she wouldn't come.

Yeah?

I'll have to give that away.

Wouldn't do you.

No harm to use it once .

Okay squirt.

Well, how about it, junkie?

This is payoff night.

What do we get for the

works?

Now, let's see.

I'll give you 5 bucks.

What? 5 bucks?

What do you mean --

for everything?

The work I done

cleaning up the joint all week.

You was gonna give me 5 bucks

for that alone.

I'm asking 20 bucks.

Yeah, well,

5 bucks is all you'll get.

What'll happen if I tell the cops

you're bringing me in hot stuff, huh?

Go on you welcher.

You would you chiseler.

Here's your 5 bucks.

Take it and get out of here.

It's better than nothing.

Eh take it.

He'd squeal on his old lady

for a buck and a half.

I ain't taking no 5 bucks.

I promised my sister a typewriter,

I earned it honest working for you.

You're gonna come across

or we'll wreck your joint.

Tough guy, huh?

Get your hands off me!

He ain't moving.

You killed him, spike.

Is he dead?

What did you do it for,

you crazy dope?

I didn't mean to do it.

I didn't want to kill him.

You guys got to stick up for me,

see?

We're all in it now. I ain't

taking no murder rap. Shut up.

Bugs turn out the light.

Quiet.

Bugs get out!

Get me out of here!

Hey, let me alone!

I didn't do nothing!

Just come out of junkie's.

What hap_pened?

I don't know. Junkie's?

I never heard of junkie's.

Come on, we'll find out.

I'm gonna complain!

Shut up!

Let me alone!

Frankie,

do you know what time it is?

Why are you coming in this

late?

What are you talking

about?

I've been right here asleep

for an hour.

I'm sorry.

Why do you lie? Where have you been?

Nowhere.

I want to know.

Where have you been?

Quit yelling at me,

would you?

What kinda sister

will people think you have?

You've been out every night

until 12:00.

I've been doing some work.

Running around with that

gang of yours, getting into trouble.

You haven't been to school

for three days.

What's gonna become of

you?

Frankie,

a boy not much older than you

was electrocuted tonight

in sing-sing.

He started out

just like you're doing,

running around on the streets

at night.

Now, is that the way

you want to wind up?

Is that what mother and dad

wanted for you?

Ah let me alone will ya?

Frankie,

I'm trying to do the best I can,

but I've got to have

some help from you.

Okay, so, you're going to night school

learning to be a secretary,

Only you ain't got no typewriter

to practice on.

I was gonna get you one.

What do you mean?

I seen one

down smitty's junk shop.

Frankie, it's stealing.

How could I steal it?

It was chained down.

I've been working to get some money

so I could buy it for you.

I'm telling you the truth.

Honest, I am, sue.

Oh Frank.

Frankie.

That was nice of you.

But I get so worried.

Can you understand that?

Sure, I understand.

Listen, sue,

maybe it'd be better

if I didn't go to school

and got myself a job.

Then we could move away

from here.

I'll take care of us.

All I want you to do

is to work hard and study

and come home nights

and make something of yourself, Frankie.

I'll get a new job pretty

soon.

Then we'll go away.

Okay.

You better go to bed now.

Don't worry

about the typewriter.

Sue.

Don't you worry about me.

I'll be all right from now

on.

Why sure you will be.

Boswick Gore, known as ''junkie ''

lies in the hospital badly hurt,

possibly with a fractured skull.

He charges that he was struck on the

head deliberately and maliciously

by one of the boys in this

room.

Now, boys, you're not here

on trial for your lives.

Nobody wants to see you

hurt.

Nobody's looking for any

special way to punish you.

But if I am going to judge this case,

I can't very well do it

Unless I know exactly

what happened, can I?

So, I want you

to help me and yourselves

By telling the truth.

Lester Smith.

Lester Smith.

That's you you dope.

Oh.

You're Lester Smith?

Yeah, but they call me

squirt.

Why isn't there someone here

with you, Lester?

Me mother and father couldn't come.

They're dead.

I know that, but why didn't

your aunt . . Come to court with you?

Ah, she's got a snootful.

What?

She's swacked to the eyes.

Oh intoxicated.

Yeah, when she takes a drink,

it goes to her head so fast,

it reaches her feet first.

You're a member of this group

aren't you?

Yeah.

Which one of you hit the junkman

over the head?

Was junkie hit judge?

You know very well he was

hit.

I'm here to help you.

I want to know the truth.

Why did you and your gang fight

with the junkman?

I ain't saying nothin'.

All right. Sit down.

George Papadopolos.

Come on!

That's my boy judge.

I'm Nick papadopolos

of the papadopolos hospital

for sick shoes.

You were with these boys,

weren't you, George?

Yeah.

Is that the way

for talk to the judge?

Say ''yeah your honor."

Yeah, your honor.

I didn't do nothing.

You didn't do nothing.

didn't do nothing!

George, this is a serious case.

Suppose the injured man

had died.

That's what I say.

Suppose the injured man,

he is die --

what you do then?

I didn't hit him.

Then who did it?!

I can't tell. I'm no squealer.

Please, judge.

What you say, we do.

Anything you say, it's okay.

I think I have an idea

what George needs.

Thank you, judge. Say ''thank you''

to the judge.

Thank you, judge.

Just wait over there,

please.

Come on! Go on. Sit down.

Come sit down.

Thataboy, fats.

Timothy Burke.

Why did you stop going

to school, Timothy?

I don't know.

Do you know why, Mr. Burke?

No, he's just no good.

that's all.

But as his father --

put him away for all of me.

I'm sick of supporting him.

Yeah,

When did you ever support me?

Oh, Timmy, he's your father.

Mom, what are you

sticking up for him?

He never done nothing for

you.

All he does is hang

around the house

while she's got her snoot

in a washtub all day.

Timmy, don't. Please don't.

This ain't no place to cry.

You can send me away, see?

But if you're wise,

you'll send him away, too,

so's he can't push her

around all day.

Ah shut up ma.

Oh judge he's a sick boy.

Don't send him away.

Please don't.

I'm afraid it'll be the best

thing for him, Mrs. Burke.

Oh, please!

I'm sorry.

Take your seat.

Richard Slade.

Me mother's in jail, and me

old man went to get the check.

We're on relief.

Richard, help me out

And tell me what happened?

Sure, judge.

I'll tell. I'll confess.

Goofy!

I'm gonna talk. I'm gonna

talk.

Well, judge,

I'll tell you how it happened.

. We were forced to do

what we done, judge.

You see, judge,

junkie's the head of a gang of crooks,

and they had us

in their clutches.

They was making us steal

for 'em.

Then we said we wouldn't steal no more,

so they tried to knock us off.

There we was, judge,

outnumbered two to one --

A fight for life.

But we came through.

A very poor story, Richard.

Yeah, that's what I thought.

It's playing down

at gem theater.

Quiet boys!

Quiet boys! Quiet!

Shut your face!

Go back to your seat,

Richard.

- Okay. Okay.

Charles Hawkins.

You have quite a record,

haven't you, Charles?

It'll do.

Shut up.

He ain't always been a bad

kid, judge.

Not bad?

Robbery, shoplifting,

petty thieving.

Let me keep him.

i swear he'll go st ight.

Please.

Stop begging the guy, mom.

It's no use.

On march 14th, he was

arrested for striking you.

The neighbors heard you

crying, and they called for the police.

Ah he didn't mean it.

I'm afraI'd your son

is incorrigible, Mrs. Hawkins.

If I put him in a reform school,

it will be better for him.

If I put him in a reform school,

it will be better for him.

No, you can't do that, judge.

My first boy got sent up.

And when he came out,

he was a murderer.

You can't do that to this

one!

You can't judge.

We're wasting our time,

mom.

Please. You can't, judge.

You can't.

Come on ma'am. Please.

You can't.

Frank Warren.

I'm Sue Warren, judge --

Frankie's sister.

How do you do?

How long have your

parents been dead, miss Warren?

Mom died about three years ago

Dad's been dead a long time.

You support your brother?

Yes, sir.

What do you do?

I work in a factory

downtown.

Well, Frank,

you're the leader of these boys,

You ought to have sense enough to realize

that if I don't find out who the guilty

boy is, you're all going to suffer.

Frankie, tell him.

I ain't no stool, judge.

That's a very poor code

of honor, Frankie --

Obstructing justice.

And you're all going to be punished

because of what one boy did.

Judge, would you let the others go ?

if I told you who done it?

If I told you who done it?

It'd make it easier for them.

Okay.

It was me.

I'm the one who hit him.

Frankie, you didn't!

Why did you do it?

He didn't do it!

That's a lot of bushwa!

He didn't do it!

That's a lot of bushwa!

He didn't do it!

That's a lot of bushwa!

Ah he's lying.

Sit down!

Sit down. It wasn't him.

Well, Frank,

you left me no alternatI've.

I'll have to send you away, too.

Judge, please let me keep

him.

You see, I'm studying nights -

s?Horthand and typing.

I'll get a new job soon, and I'll take

him away to a better neighborhood,

have more time

to spend with him.

give me a chance will you?

I'm afraI'd it's too late

for that, miss Warren.

Too late? How can you

say a thing like that?

Maybe he's a little tough,

but a kid's got to be tough

in our neighborhood

to stay alive.

If you send him to reform school,

I know what's gonna happen to him.

He'll come out hard

and mean and bitter.

If you want to do something for these

boys, why don't you clean up the slums?

give them a decent place

to live in.

give them some of the things

other boys have.

give them a chance in life.

Now, just a minute, miss

Warren.

It's true these boys

haven't had the same advantages

that other boys have had.

But you can't blame it all

on environment.

Some of our greatest men

have come out of those same tenements.

They were men who, early in life,

learned to respect the law.

I don't like to put these boys

away from their families,

but I have no other course

left to me.

I'm sending you all to

the state school for two years.

All right boys.

Frankie

Don't worry sue.

All right Frank.

Oh, miss Warren. Yes?

My name is Mark Braden.

I'm in charge of holloway settlement

house for the past few years,

I'd like to talk to you

about your brother.

I might be able to help him.

What's there to talk about?

You heard everything.

I've tried to keep him

from going completely wrong.

Now he'll learn every rotten

thing there is to know.

There's nothing you can do

to help.

You're late!

Yes and so were the trains.

I should have brought

me galoshes.

"Rain rain go away,

come again another day"

get out of here.

Get up to the porch.

Wait a minute.

We like the joint, we stay.

Otherwise it's no-go see?

Wake me up

and 9:00 and d w my bath.

Not too hot, not too cold.

Just mediocre, you know?

I want a room

with southern exposure.

You'll get it.

Just ask Mr. Morgan.

Thanks, Joe.

How's the grub in this joint?

Me ribs are caving in.

Mine, too. I want steak

and potatoes or something.

I got a delicate stomach.

Place your orders

with Mr. Morgan.

He'll take care of you.

Hey who's this guy Morgan?

The superintendent.

We got to speak

to this guy Morgan.

Come in.

New fish are here.

All right bring them in.

All right boys file in.

... I got a bath in my room.

Boy what a hole.

I want a great big one.

Take your hats off.

Quiet.

I'm superintendent Morgan

in charge of the school.

This is Mr. Cooper,

the head guard.

If you kids behave yourselves,

you'll get on all right.

To do as you're told

and keep your mouth shut.

When you hear the whistle

at 6:00 in the morning,

you'll roll out, make up your beds,

get into your school uniforms,

and leave your own clothes

in a neat Pile on the cot.

That's all.

Take them ?ut of here.

All right get going.

Wait a minute.

Don't we get no supper?

Yeah, I'm hungry.

Quiet, boys, quiet!

You missed your supper.

your t in was late.

Hey, listen, we ain't had

nothing to eat since 12:00.

What's the idea?

Come here you.

What's your name?

Frankie Warren.

You say ''sir'' here.

Do you understand? Yeah.

Don't use that tone to me.

You're in a reform school

now.

I ain't afraI'd of you.

We don't go to bed

till we get supper, see?

Get up.

Get up!

Now, you kids get this

st ight.

You're here

because you're petty crI'minals.

But we're gonna change all

that.

Anybody that doesn't

like the idea

Can apply for a transfer

to the penitentiary right now.

Get them out of here.

All right, come on. Get

going.

Get going!

That Warren kid's

your troublemaker.

We'll take care of him.

Pick out your bunks.

Hey, did he hurt you,

Frankie?

Boy, that was some sock.

Never mind.

He ain't gonna get away

with it.

What a joint

this turned out to be.

Yeah, I thought we was

going someplace in the country.

We should have brought

our picnic lunches.

No supper. What a place.

Okay, red, take over.

All right, break it up,

you guys.

You, go find yourself another bunk.

Who do you think you are?

When'd you blow in?

Yeah, what do you want?

You'll find out.

Now, get to bed.

Hey, you didn't come in with

us.

Yeah, what's the idea

putting you in here?

Every new draft gets an old-timer like me

to wise them up to things.

What did you fish

get sent up for?

I'll tell you

if you won't squeal.

We killed two guys

with our bare hands.

We're dynamite.

Oh wise guys huh?

We'll cool you down.

Now, get your clothes off

and get to bed.

Hey, I'm hungry.

Yeah, my stomach's

pushing against my spine.

Now, pipe down, I told ya!

What's that?

They're just getting ready to

put off the lights, that's all.

Stop that bawling.

You heard me!

I said, ''stop that bawling!''

I-I-I'm scared.

You'll be more than scared

if I give you a bat in the mouth.

Now shut up.

I want to get some sleep.

What's the idea

of picking on the kid?

He can cry if he wants to.

You got a right to cry if you wanna.

We got a right to cry.

Oh tough guys huh?

Tough enough to take you.

I'm gonna kick his ...

I'll handle this mug myself.

Oh.

Cliff.

give him the old one-two.

come on, Frankie.

What's going on in there?

Come on, break it up.

What happened?

This guy started to fight,

and his pals ganged up on me. You dirty --

You get back

to your own dormitory, red.

I'll take care of him.

Cliff,

take care of these others.

Now, get that bed straightened up.

Get those clothes off!

Mr. Morgan, this kid started

a fight in the dormitory.

You didn't waste any time

making trouble, did you?

We've got a way

to handle kids like you.

JI'm.

Come back here.

I said, ''come back here''!

You ain't gonna whip me.

Put that down!

Put that down!

Get him!

Cooper, turn on the yard lights.

Hey what's that?

I don't know. Something's

wrong.

Look at the searchlight.

hey, what's up, an av?

Somebody's taking it on the lam.

Yeah!

Look, it's Frankie.

Come on, Frankie!

Get away! Run!

Come on, Frankie.

Go on, you can make it.

Go ahead! A little more.

He's caught on the barbed

wire.

Ow!

Cooper, get him.

Ow!

Let me go!

H!

Let me go you ...

Let me -- let me go!

Take him in.

Let me go!

Take him into my office.

Let me go! I'll kill ya!

Let me alone!

Let me go!

I'll kill you, I'll tell ya!

I'll kill ya!

Don't whip me!

Don't whip me, I tell ya!

No! Don't whip me!

No!

H!

Right in here, sir.

I want to see Mr. Morgan.

What's the name?

Mark Braden.

Be seated, Mr. Braden.

I'll tell him you're here.

Two loaves of bread were

stolen, and you know who got them.

No I don't Mr. Morgan.

Don't lie. You were cleaning

the kitchen when it happened.

Mr. Morgan: Honest, I don't.

I'm gonna give you

one more chance to come across.

Are you gonna tell me or

not?

How can I tell you

if I don't know?

A Mr. Braden to see you, sir.

Mr. Braden? I'll be right out.

Take him back to his work.

How do tou do, Mr. Braden?

How do you do?

Sorry, kept you waiting .

That's all right.

I'm glad to see you.

The state commissioner wrote me

about your appointment.

Come into my office.

Meet Mr. Cooper, my head

guard.

Mr. Braden --

the new deputy commissioner.

How do you do?

Sit down Mr. Braden.

Cooper.

Cigar? No thank you.

You a friend of the governor's,

mr. Braden?

As a matter of fact,

I met the governor

for the first time

just a few days ago.

We didn't expect you quite as soon as

this, but we're glad you're here anyway.

Tour of inspection?

I suppose you'd call it that.

Your first stop? Yes, it is.

You couldn't have picked a better school

to start, even if I say so myself.

How long do are you with

us?

I don't know.

Long enough to sort of check up

and find out

if everything's all right.

Everything is all right,

mr. Braden. ?

My heart and soul

is in this reformatory.

I've been here for 12 years,

and I'm proud of my record.

We teach our boys the meaning

of law and order.

I think you'll find them

the best-behaved group in the state.

Well, shall we show you

around?

Why, yes, thank you.

Assembly starts

in a few minutes now,

and you'll have a chance

to look over the boys.

They'll have a chance

to see you.

Pick up them pants.

No belt came with them

pants.

That's too bad.

How do you expect me

to keep them up?

You got hands, ain't ya?

Pick 'em up.

I wonder where Frankie is?

I don't know.

What do you think

they did to him?

He can take care of hisself.

Maybe they beat him to death, huh?

No talking in here.

Hey, jojo,

what happened to Frankie Warren?

He didn't come back

to his dormitory last night.

Oh didn't he?

Yeah, where is he?

Why ain't he with us?

He's having his breakfast in bed

this morning.

Yeah? In the hospital.

Hospital?

Pick 'em up!

Come on, h.Urry it up

if you want anything to eat.

This is Mr. Braden,

our new deputy commissioner.

Let's show him

how we salute the flag.

I like to teach them

the meaning of patriotism.

All right Mr. Cooper.

I pledge allegiance to the flag

of the United States of

america,

and to the republic

one nation indivisible

with Liberty and justice

for all.

All right, Mr. Cooper.

You. Step out of line.

Cooper.

So you're a comedian.

No sir.

Well, then, stop the clowning.

I'm not clowning.

These pants just won't stand up

by themselves.

They're too big for me. Oh.

Well, then we'll have to

fatten you up.

Mr. Cooper,

put this boy on a diet.

You sure that isn't a little too severe,

Morgan?

We make the punishment

fit the crI'me, Mr. Braden.

Why not make the pants

fit the boy?

Very good.

You have a sense of humor.

Get back into the line.

I'll excuse you this time,

but get those pants fixed.

All right Cooper.

He's one of the new boys

that came in last night.

He hasn't been disciplined

yet.

I remember. I was present

at the court hearing.

Wait a minute.

Isn't one of them missing?

The Warren kid.

Oh yes.

Yes, he's a hard case,

mr. Braden.

He no sooner got in the dormitory

last night than he began a fight.

When I started to talk to him,

he smashed a window and tried to escape.

Oh. Where is he now?

In the hospital.

He got cut up a little bit

on the barbed wire.

Well,

shall we continue our tour?

Why, yes.

You kids hurry up and finish up this

hallway and stop loafing around.

You got to keep a sharp eye

on them, Mr. Braden.

St ight down this way

is the hospital.

Of course, we may not have all

the latest scientific equipment,

but we do the best we can.

This is the Warren boy,

mr. Braden.

Well hello son.

I hear you had a little trouble

last night.

So what?

Let's take a look at you.

You guys keep your hands off me,

see?

Ain't gonna harass me

around no more.

Now, take it easy, kid.

I'm not gonna hurt you.

Get your hands off me!

How'd you get these marks?

How do you think?

I had to punish him, Mr.

Braden.

You can't make a break like

he did and get away with it.

Otherwise, all the rest of them

would try it.

But those cuts

haven't been treated.

Something must be wrong.

I sent him up here last night.

Where's your doctor?

Oh doc.

Coming. Coming. Coming.

Good morning.

This is Mr. Braden,

the new state commissioner.

How do you do, sir?

Why weren't his wounds

taken care of?

Well, I was kind of sick

last night, Mr. Braden.

In fact,

I needed a doctor myself.

He was pie-eyed. Dead drunk.

You get an antiseptic

and clean him up.

Yes sir.

I'll see that you're

taken care of, kid.

I'll take care of myself.

Boy, I've been waiting for

this.

Wow! I hope this food don't

taste as bad as it smells.

kind of greasy, ain't it?

P.U.

Horse meat.

Hey fellas look.

I'm so hungry,

I'm gonna take a chance.

Where are you going?

I ain't feeling so good.

Sit down.

Mind if I try some of this?

Why uh ...

Taking your life in your hands,

mister.

Quiet!

That's rI'diculous.

That's good, wholesome food,

teeming with vitamins.

Uh, we sit right up here,

mr. Braden.

Smells don't it?

Vitamins. Do you hear that?

That's what tmem things

? Are.

Vitamins.

That's worse than horse meat.

What's your name? Brandon.

What's your record?

I was a police officer.

You were dismissed from the force,

weren't you?

Yes, But I was framed.

And mugged, too.

Your name is Peterson, isn't it?

Yes, sir.

I suppose you were framed.

What do you mean?

This your picture

and fingerprints?

Why uh ...

Where'd you get those?

The police department.

You deserted from the army,

did time at leavenworth.

Now you two men --

these two men are okay,

mr. Braden.

They've had schooling.

You're a college man,

aren't you, Cooper? Yes, sir.

I'm sure you won't find

any black marks against me.

That's right.

You see, gentlemen,

I spent some time

investigating your records

before I came up here,

so all this isn't much

of a surprise to me.

Now, you four men are

fired.

You'll get

your full month's pay,

but I want you to leave

the grounds at once, understand?

That's all. Good day.

The rest of you men,'

get back to your work.

framed again.

How do you do?

I took care of the Warren boy,

Mr. Braden, and did just as you told me.

Now, you can rest assured that,

under my watchful eye,

he's gonna be fit as a fI'ddle.

Now leave it to me.

That won't be necessary,

doctor.

I didn't quite catch that.

Come again.

You're leaving here

in exactly one hour.

You're finished, so get

your things and check out.

You mean I'm fired?

Just like that?

Just like that.

Why, the idea is rI'diculous --

preposterous.

Why, do you realize that

I'm Mr. Morgan's brother-in-law?

Why you can't do --

can he fire me?

He can.

Are you going to allow him

to do this to. Me,

your own wife's brother?

Why see here ...

As a member of the medical

profession, I protest.

According to my records,

you haven't been an accredited

member of the medical profession

for six years, doctor.

Hitting the gin bottle and practicing

medicine don't mix well together.

Now get out.

Now, listen, young fella, don't talk

that way to me. I'm sorry, doctor.

Wait till your wife hears!

I'm gonna tell her.

outside, doctor.

Those guards you fired

were valuable men.

What do you want to do,

replace them with a crew of schoolteachers?

Maybe.

You got things just a little twisted,

Morgan.

This is a school you're running

and not a prison.

You're dealing with kids,

not hardened crI'minals.

Your experience has been

in settlement work, Mr. Braden.

You'll find this is just

a little bit different.

You can't handle those

boys with kid gloves.

did you ever get beaten

with a whip like that?

Course not.

I didn't think so.

Would you like to try it

sometime?

What do you mean?

Morgan, I've heard a lot

about conditions up here lately,

But I didn't realize

they were quite this bad.

I've seen enough since I've been here

to convince me that the reason

that 60% of your inmates

turn out to be hardened criminals

is because of the way

you handle them.

You can't feed them

on your kind of diet

and expect them to have

respect for law and order.

You want us to turn this

place into a nursery, it's up to you.

You're right, and while I'm doing it,

I don't want any interference from you.

You're fired along with all

the rest of them.

This, Mr. Morgan,

is what we call a clean sweep.

Mr. Braden, I may lose my

job for talking out of turn,

but you're absolutely

right.

The trouble

with this institution is

it's 50 years behind the times.

I'm with you from the start.

Well thanks Cooper.

You meet me in the yard

in half an hour.

Yes sir.

I'm locking this up

for safekeeping.

Doing a turnabout Cooper?

What kind of a game

do you call this?

I'm being smart that's all.

Well, don't let yourself

get too smart.

If you try

to pull anything on me --

now wait a minute.

It's a good idea for one

of us to be here.

Yeah.

But remember, if he goes through those

old records and accounts too carefully,

we'll both have some explaining to do,

and it won't be easy.

Safest thing is to find

a way to get him outta here.

Yeah, that's right.

See what you can do. Okay.

And keep in touch with me.

I'll work something out.

You got it all right there

on that list --

New beds, new uniforms,

shop materials, paints, and so forth.

The board's gonna have a fit

when it sees this list.

They better get used to it,

- I'm gonna ask for a lot more later.

Just remember that the lieason

this fellow had his job so long

was because he never asked

for more than given.

If I do the job I do it right.

I need that to work.

This will cost a lot of money.

I'm not the only member of the

board. Don't forget that.

Look,~if those kids are better

when they get out

than they were when they

went treat like human beings.

Don't convince me.

How about taking down those bars

and the barbed-wire fences?

What if those kids walk out?

I hope not.

If they do, it's my reputation.

That fellow, Morgan, has got

a lot of political friends.

You make one slip,

and he'll get you.

Yeah, I know that.

But I mustn't slip.

I recommended you for the job.

I'm going to see you through.

Well, thanks, Bob.

Make a copy of this.

There's a miss Warren

to see you, judge.

I don't know any miss

Warren.

I don't know any miss Warren.

Wait a minute.It's Frankie Warren's sister,

the kid you sent

have her come in, officer.

This way, please.

How do you do, miss Warren?

Will you sit down?

Now, what can I do for you,

miss Warren?

I was here few days ago

with my Brother, Frankie Warren.

You sent him up to

the reform school for two years.

And they haven't wasted

any time starting their reform.

Here's a letter I got from

him.

He sneaked it out of the Place.

The first night he was

there, they beat him.

And when he tried to escape,

he got caught in a barbed-wire fence.

They threw him in a hospital

with a drunken doctor in charge.

You got to help me get him

out of there. Help me.

Excuse me, miss Warren,

but here's the gentleman

you have to talk to

the new deputy commissioner.

Well, hello, miss Warren.

Mr. Braden

I thought you were --

well, I tried to tell you

the other day.

I am in charge there now, and all those

things did happen, and I'm sorry.

But I had nothing

to do with them.

The man who beat your

brother's been fired and so is the doctor.

And I'm doing the best I can

to change those conditions.

I think I've made

a pretty good start.

Miss Warren, Mr. Braden

knows more about this than I do.

Why don't you go along with him,

and he can explain it to you?

Well, sure. I'd be glad to.

I'll drive you home.

I'll call you later, Bob.

All right.

Come in.

-- Now, wait outside, guard.

Yes sir.

Come here.

Sit down.

No go ahead. Sit down.

I want to have a talk with

you.

Yeah.

How do you feel?

I'm all right.

Any idea about what kind of

work you'd like to do while you're here?

Yeah nothin'.

Well, I think you're gonna

find that pretty tiresome.

Supposing I make you the

head of a company of boys?

I ain't playing fink for you,

I don't fall for that soldier stuff!

Wait a minute, Frankie.

You got the wrong idea.

I don't like stool pigeons

any better than you do .

Frankie, I was born

about three blocks from where you live.

And I was a pretty tough

guy, too.

But one day, I got to thinking, and

I figured that tough guys were fall guys.

They seemed to be getting

all the bad breaks.

is that what you want?

It's okay.

It's okay.

I don't care.

I can take anything you got!

You can, but you're gonna

be here for two years.

I'll give you a chance

to make a man out of yourself.

Meet me halfway,

I'll give you a break.

I'll make my own!

Now look here kid.

you're still sore about that beating,

I don't blame you -- I'd be sore, too.

But things are gonna

be different from now on.

Now, you forget about that

and string along with me.

Listen, Braden, I ain't forgetting nothing,

See?

You're just another copper to me,

I wouldn't trust one of you.

The first chance I get,

I'm gonna blow this joint!

You and your friends

ain't gonna stop me!

All right.

That's the way

you feel about it--

There's nothing more I can

say.

That's all.

But, Frankie...

You better think over what

I told you about tough guys.

He's a pretty bad kid,

mr. Braden.

I'm afraid you're gonna have

trouble with him and his whole gang,.

Yeah I know.

The only thing is to put

them - to work, keep them occupied.

What about kitchen duty?

No no punishment.

Hey I've got an idea.

Have them clean and paint

their own dormitory.

They'll take an interest in that, and,

it gives them a sense of responsibility.

- Maybe they'll make

good painters.

I don't know. Yes sir.

Thank you sorry.

It's all right. Thanks.

Hey, spike,

make me a marble statue.

Okay take off the clothes.

Ladies and gentlemen,

may I present

my latest and greatest

inspiration, a work of art --

the ''discus thrower."

no, take it easy.

Oh that's it.

All right, boys,

you can take a rest now.

Well ...

I didn't know we had so many

fine artists in this dormitory.

Hey wasn't that a blue suit?

Yes, sir,

but it had too many spots.

Uh, I thought it'd look

better all white.

It does.

You keep those for your pajamas.

Oh what's this?

Oh I see.

And what are you supposed

to be?

A -- A marble statue.

that's very good

from the neck up.

I think I'll put you

out in the yard as a decoration,

right in front of the gate, where

everybody can see you on visitors' day.

If I had to live here, I don't think

I'd have so many pictures on the walls.

This is your room,

you have to sleep in it,

if you like it this way,

it's all right.

I don't think those new beds

are gonna fit very well in here.

You struggle along

with the old ones.

I'll tell Mr. Cooper you're through

and put your stuff back in the paint shop.

Uh-huh.

That's very nice -- very nice,

indeed.

Yes, I think

you'll be very happy here.

So long boys.

Hey, I don't think I'm gonna

like this room permanently.

Maybe we'd better quit

horsing around, huh?

You know, Braden's Okay.

I think he's trying to help us.

Anytime a copper helps you,

he's gonna get something out of you.

Listen, you guys, we got to

do this job right, see?

Just for one reason --

'cause we got to live here.

Now, pep it up, because Cooper

will be here in a minute.

W-What happened to you,

Coop?

What'd you do --

fall in a bucket of paint?

There isn't anything

very funny about it, Mr. Braden.

I went down to the dormitory, as you

instructed me, and young Frankie Warren

deliberately shoved a paintbrush

in my face.

One of the other boys

tripped me, I fell on the floor.

You can't let them

get away with that.

Ah you're right Cooper.

Take away their privileges

for a couple of weeks.

See what effect that has

on them.

If you want real results,

put them in the boiler room for a while --

that'll take the starch

out of them.

All right. Try that.

Beginning tom01~row,

they start shoveling coal.

Yes sir.

Does that guy got a crust

putting us down in this hole

or is he gunning for us?

Boy, this is hard work here,

if we was working.

Yeah. There ought to be

a law against this. Yeah.

Ah, it was that guy Cooper's

fault.

It was Braden's, too.

We're here, ain't we?

Maybe this is his idea

of getting tough with us.

Yeah, I can get just as tough

as he can.

My old lady

was gonna visit me today.

She's out of jail now.

Boy, is she gonna be

disappointed.

Yeah, my sister

was gonna be here, too.

In here Ms. Warren.

Mr. Braden, the guard

outside says I can't see my brother.

Is that true?

Yeah I'm sorry. It is.

Those are my orders.

Your orders?

But why? What's he done?

I had trou)Ble with him,

I had to punish him.

If my brother's done anything wrong,

he had a reason. He hasn't.

He got a w deal his first night here,

he's been sore about it ever since.

I tried to make it up to him every way,

but he simply won't come around.

He's got some kind of a crazy idea

that I'm his enemy.

He doesn't trust me any

more than he did Morgan.

We're all the same to him --

just coppers.

You're the one

that was gonna help him.

It's bad enough to shut him

,up to keep him from seeing me,

one personj that cares

anything at all about him --

you call that helping him?

Just a minute, I like Frankie, too,

but he's always done exactly as he pleased,

whether it affected anyone else or not,

and he's got to learn obedience.

If he doesn't, it just makes it

tough for everybody.

He's not the only kid

in this school.

I've got to think of the

others, too.

I don't care about the

others.

Frankie's my brother.

Please, can't I see him?

I'm sorry.

You can't.

I told you kids to keep that

pressure up to 75, didn't I?

Yeah.

Well, why ain't you

working?

Say, what do you kids

think you're doing?

Sitting down.

So I noticed. What's the

idea?

We're on a sit-down strike --

that's the idea.

And we ain't shoveling

no more coal, see?

Oh that so?

My orders are that if you don't work,

you don't eat.

Do you want me

to report this to Mr. Braden?

Stop it.

You're scaring me, mister.

Hey, Frankie,

what are we gonna do?

I wouldn't like to stop

eating.

Me neither.

Let's go back to work.

What do you say, f nk?

So, what about it, Frankie?

No work, no eat.

Okay, but you can tell Braden from me

he ain't gonna get away with this, see?

Sure sure.

Now, get busy and build

that pressure up to 75.

Okay, we'll give him 75.

We'll give him more than 75.

We'll give him 80! Make it 85.

How about 90?

Do I hear any more?

95.

Make it 100. 110.

Sold to goofy for 110.

We'll give them so much, it'll throw

these boilers out of commission.

We won't have to work

anymore.

All right, let's go!

Hey, squirt, how's number

one?

It's up to 85.

It says ''danger'' at 90.

So what? Come on, boys.

Come on.

All right.

Go.

Come on, get that coal in

there!

All right, fine.

Hey, Frankie, It's over 90!

Go.

Don't give it any more coal!

Stop it! Stop it!

Hey, Frankie!

Frankie, stop it, will you?

Get out of here!

Come on!

Let's all get out of here!

That boiler's liable to blow

any minute!

Let's go!

Hey, what's that?

I don't know.

Hey, something's wrong.

Come on. Let's go.

Go! Hey, wait a minute --

squirt's missing.

Yeah, he must be down

there.

Hey, squirt! Hey, squirt!

Line up, boys.

Hold 'em back! Keep 'em

back!

Mr. Braden! Mr. Braden!

Yeah, what happened?

One of the boilers blew up.

Everybody out?

I think so, Mr. Braden.

All right clear that alley!

Mr. Braden, Squirt's missing.

Sure? He must have

got caught down there.

You can't go down there!

The other one will blow

any minute!

Squirt!

Braden's got nerve

to go down there.

Yeah, he's just

making agrandstand play.

All right, get back, will

you?

Get back! You wouldn't

have the nerve to do it. Neither would I.

Get back! Get back!

You sure there are no

fractures of any kind, doc?

No, no, just some bad bruises

and a few minor burns, that's all.

He'll be uncomfortable for

a few days, but it's nothing serious.

You're a lucky kid squirt.

Yeah, but if it wasn't for

you, I wouldn't be.

I want to thank you, Mr.

Braden.

Forget it kid.

All right, doc,

you take good care of him.

You bet.

How is he? Hurt bad?

He's gonna be all right.

That's swell! You hear that?

He's gonna be okay.

Can we see him?

Not now -- later fellas.

Thanks.

Come on, let's go, fellas.

Wait till we tell him.

Mr. Braden. Yeah?

Well I ...

Well, What is it, Frankie?

I just want to thank you

for saving squirt's life, that's all.

You don't have to thank me.

It's my job.

But I'm to blame

for all this trouble,

didn't know what I was doing.

Must've been crazy, and --

I deserve anything

that's coming to me.

There's nothing coming to

you.

You mean I - I don't get

punished or nothing?

No.

I just want you to realize

That your friend squirt in

there might have been killed,

and if he had been, you'd

have been directly responsible.

Yes sir.

Now, you think that over.

I guess I was wrong about

you, Br. Braden.

I've been a heel

and I'll work with you

from now on, if it's okay.

Frankie, I've been waiting

to hear you say that

ever since you came in here.

There's work,

I need all the help I can get.

We'll do it -- all of us.

All right, thank you.

That's a deal.

Okay.

♪ put on your old, grey bonnet ♪

♪ with the blue ribbon on it ♪

♪ and we'll hitch old dobbin

to the shay ♫ to the shay ♪

♪ through the fields of

clover, we will ride to dover ♪

♪ on our golden wedding day ♪

hey get up.

I got some more bulldogs

for you.

That'll keep us busy.

I'm sick of fixing

those old doghouses, see?

What are you kicking about

now, spike?

What have we got to be

cooped up in this hole for all day?

Why can't we get on a gang

that works out in the garden?

Listen, first, ?

We make good here,

and maybe next month,

we'll get that outside job.

Gee, it'll be swell

working out in the open.

Sure, if we was out there,

we could do anything.

We could just make believe

we was working.

We're not laying down

on the job, see?

Cause Braden's a right guy.

He's doing his best to help,

we're working with him.

Ain't that right fellas?

That's right! Sure!

All right, all right, all

right.

I just said I wanted to get

on the outside, that's all.

Hey, Frankie, you're in

pretty good with Braden.

Why don't you ask him?

I promised Braden we'd stick to this job,

earn the right to work outside.

Oh, you promised Mr.

Braden.

Hey, you're getting kind of

soft on that guy, ain't you?

Sure.

Anything he says

is okay with me.

Yeah, it's okay with me.

yeah, Braden.

You guys turned out to be a

fine bunch of chickens.

What are you making noise for?

If it wasn't for you, we wouldn't be here.

If you hadn't hit the junkman,

we'd be home now.

Sure, we took the rap for you,

wise guy.

I like it here, see, wise guy?

Shut up-- I'm gonna

bust you over the head!

Boys, cut it out, now.

What's going on?

Ah, this guy's always

beefing.

Now he wants to go

on the outside.

Outside huh?

Why don't you kids get Frankie

to speak to Mr. Braden about it?

He stands in okay,

don't you, Frankie?

Sure, that's what I was

saying.

You know what Mr. Braden said?

No, what?

He said I'm gonna be a first-class

mechanic when I get out of this place.

Frankie, That's swell.

I ought to thank him for

everything he's done for you.

Why don't you? I can fix that.

Going to town, Mr. Braden?

Yeah.

Oh, Mr. Braden!

Oh, hello.

Hello, Mr. Braden.

You have a nice visit? We did.

I want to thank you

for everything you've done for Frankie.

I didn't understand.

I know how wrong I was

about you.

Yeah, that goes for me, too.

Then the war's over, eh?

Yeah, finis la guerre.

That's French,

for ''the war's over."

Frank.

Well that's a relief.

So, how have you been,

sue --working hard?

Mm-hmm, I finished my shorthand course

last week.

You any good at it?

Well, I think so.

I'll say she's good.

She's terrific.

You both agree,

maybe I can find a'job for you.

Well, thanks Mr. Braden.

We both thank you, Mr.

Braden.

I've got to go,,if I've

to catch that station bus.

I'm going down that way.

Suppose you come along with me.

All right.

Goodbye, Frankie.

So long.

I'll see you next Sunday.

Okay.

Goodbye.

All right boys.

Goodbye, Frankie.

So long.

Well, you've got a nice-looking

sister, Frankie. -Oh, thanks.

Goodbye, Mr. Braden.

So long, boys.

Bye, Mr. Braden.

Hey, you'll be doing okay.

Hey Cooper. Yes sir?

You got any statements or receipts

that aren't listed here?

I don't think so.

Well, no wonder

this place was so run-down.

I'm surprised the kids

got anything to eat.

Anything wrong, Mr.

Braden?

There's plenty.

Get me judge Clinton's office

in the city.

Yeah, Morgan had quite a nice little

graft system worked out for himself.

I've checked with some of the business

houses that supply the school,

And they have no record of half

the purchases listed here.

How come you didn't

know anything about it?

Well, uh, Mr. Morgan took

care of the finances here.

I just attended to my duties

as head guard.

It was happening

right under your nose.

Well, I'm sorry Mr. Mraden.

I don't know anything about

it.

Hello.

Oh, hello, sue.

Yeah, this is Mark.

Hey, is the judge there?

No, he's out now,

he'll be back in half hour.

Oh fine.

Sue, tell him I'd like to see him

tomorrow morning, will you?

It's I'mportant. I'll be in town

tonight, like to take in dinner and a show?

With the judge?

No, no, let's skip the judge this time.

All right then. It's a date.

All right yeah.

Yeah,

I'll pick you up about 6:30.

Goodbye.

All right, Cooper. Close 'em

up.

Yes sir.

I'll be back sometime

tomorrow afternoon.

Have a guard bring in

that Hawkins boy.

Yeah.

and get me an outside line.

Here's the Hawkins boy,

Mr. Cooper. Come in.

That's all, guard.

Hawkins, Mr. Braden fears

that you're a bad influence in this school.

He's been thinking of transferring you

to the house of correction up the river.

What for? I ain't done

nothing.

We've got lot of complaints

about you from the other boys.

So what?

Sit down.

I just thought I'd warn you,

that's all.

If he finds out. It was you

who slugged junkman in the city --

what are you talking about?

Who told you that?

Never mind. It's true.

I'm telling you that if

Braden finds out about it,

you'll go up the rI'ver

for fI've years.

That's the toughest zoo

in the state.

Look, you don't

have to tell him, do you?

What'll it get you?

Well it depends.

Cigarette?

If you're wise,

I might not have to.

I don't get it.

You play ball with me,

and I might forget it.

I don't mind playing ball.

Long as I ain't catching.

What's the gag?

I want you to have a little

talk with Frankie Warren.

Hurry if we want to make

the mess hall in time.

Boy, am I hungry!

Boy, I could eat an

elephant.

My stomach feels like

my throat's slit.

What do we got to eat

anyhow?

Chicken pie! Oh boy!

Hey, where you been, spike?

Out in the front office.

What for? Oh, that guy

Cooper.

He wants me to clean his car

after we eat.

What a nerve.

Come on,

let's make a break for it.

Where you going? Hey,

Frankie.

What?

I want to tell you something.

What about?

Well, I didn't want

the other guys to hear it.

Has Braden ever taken sue

out?

What do you mean?

Nothing, except that I was

in the front office,

and I heard the guy

what handles the telephone

tell one of the guards,

Braden made a date with sue tonight.

Well what about it?

Oh, nothing.

According to what they

said, Braden must have been

passing some cracks

about him and sue.

They was laughing about it.

What are you saying?

You want me to keep my trap shut

every time I hear something against you?

Against me? Against your

sister. Same thing.

One of them made a crack

about sue paying off for you.

Take it back.

Say you didn't mean it,

or I'll wipe the floor with you!

Take it back! I'll take it

back.

You don't want me to tell

you anything I hear, that's okay.

I know how you feel.

I wouldn't lie to you.

What would it get me?

Yeah.

I'm sorry I hit you, spike.

Come on, let's eat.

Here we are.

You had three empty plates

in front of you.

Well,

everything all right, boys?

What happened to the other

guys that was in here with us?

Mr. Cooper transferred

them to another dormitory.

Was they beefing about us?

Maybe you fellas snore too

loud.

We snore? Hey, he's cl

I had the adenoids out

two years ago.

Why didn't you eat your

supper tonight, Frankie?

I didn't feel hungry,

that's all.

Something wrong?

Nothing kid.

Hey fellas come here.

What's a matter, Frankie?

Why didn't you eat your

grub?

What's eating you?

Tell us about it, will ya?

Nothin', I told you. Nothin'!

Let me alone.

Turn out the lights

and go to bed.

He never acted like that

before.

What's the matter with him?

I don't know.

Boy, what a filthy job

cleaning that guy Cooper's car.

He ought to get himself

a serviceman.

Say, Frankie, been thinking

about what I told you today?

Yeah.

What's up?

What are you talking about?

Come on. Tell us.

Little personal matter,

boys.

Come on, Frankie.

Spill it, will ya?

Have you guys heard

anything about Braden and my sister?

My old lady seen them

together in the city a couple of times.

Mother says he takes

her out nights in his car.

Must be pretty sweet on

her.

That's nice for you,

huh, Frankie?

Yeah yeah sure it is.

Braden's been putting on

a big-brother act with Frankie,

and meanwhile, he's been

pushing his sister around.

What? Who told you that?

Yeah, where'd you hear

that?

Everybody in the joint

knows it except you guys.

I got hep to it

in the front office today.

That's a lot of malarkey.

I don't believe it.

Don't believe that stuff,

Frankie.

He's full of bunk.

All right, wise guy,

where's Braden tonight?

Where is he?

I'll tell you where.

He's out with sue.

Smart guys.

Now listen, Frankie,

I wouldn't steer you wrong.

All you got to do

is to go into town tonight

and find out

whether it's true or not.

Eh, you're cl

How's he gonna go to town?

Cop a gander Joe.

I found these keys in

the ignition in Cooper's car.

You know, there's a back door

on that garage, it ain't got no lock on it,

all we got to do

is blow down there tonight,

open the door,

push the car out, and ...

... thieved.

You mean for Frankie

to make a break in Cooper's car?

Yeah if he's got the nerve.

And by the way,

there's something else I found.

Gad. Where'd you get that?

Don't touch it, Frankie.

You'll get us all in Dutch.

What do you say, Frankie?

No I don't want it.

Okay, I just thought I was

doing you a favor, that's all.

Come on Frankie, forget it.

Come on let's go to bed.

Yeah let's go to bed.

In case you change your mind,

Frankie.

You got a nice-looking

1-? Sister, Frankie.

You'll be doing all right.

You got a nice-looking sister,

Frankie.

You'll be doing all right.

You'll be doing all right.

I want to thank him

for all he's done ..

I want to thank him

for all he's done ..

... all he's done for you.

... all he's done for you.

Braden's been making

c cks.

They was laughing.

Braden's been making

cracks.

They was laughing.

They was laughing.

Maybe I can get you a job.

Maybe I can get you a job.

Made a date with her.

Made a date with her.

... tonight.

... tonight.

You stay in good with

him. You'll be doing all right.

You stay in good.

You'll be doing all right.

... nice-looking sister.

... nice-looking sister.

He ain't gonna get away

with it. I'll show him!

Who's sticking with me?

I'm with you, Frankie.

How about you guys?

You coming with me?

I'm staying!

If it wasn't for Braden,

I'd be pushing up daisies now.

I'm telling you, he's okay!

I ain't going.

Yes you are.

Not taking no chances

and leaving anybody here, see?

Braden took the bars

off the windows.

That's one thing

I got to thank him for.

Okay spike.

All right now be quiet.

Shh!

Hurry up .

They're on their way now,

all six of them.

What'll I do?

Give them a couple of hours

and then make the discovery yourself.

Broadcast the alarm

and phone the newspapers.

Leave the rest to me.

Right.

What'd I tell you?

There's Braden's car.

Yeah that's a break.

Around the alley.

Squirt ...

Rest of you guys stay here.

I won't be long.

Come on.

All right.

I think you're using your

cooking for an ulterior motive.

Oh, that's a big word,

mr. Braden.

Well it's a pretty big idea.

And not a bad one.

You better take your apron

off and pour the coffee.

This will be ready

in just a minute.

All right.

There you are.

??

Oh that looks good.

-

and it tastes good.

Well let's eat it.

Get away from h-er, you.

Frankir!

What are you doing here, kid?

Are you crazy?

I'm wise to you

for the first time.

Frankie, put that gun down.

Wait a minute! Move away,

sue.

I don't know what this is,

you're making the mistake of your life.

What'll you do with that

gun?

Get you with it.

Why? What have I done?

Made sue pay

for the breaks you gave me.

Mr. Braden's just trying

to help us, Frankie.

Give me that gun

before you hurt somebody.

I'll give it to you, Frankie!

Listen, you guys, I ain't

getting mixed up in no murder, see?

I'm gonna take a powder.

Listen, Joe,

you're staying with us, see?

Crazy kid.

If you hadn't made that break,

I'd have you out in a month.

That's right, Frankie.

He's been working

to get you a parole.

Come on open this door!

W-Who is it?

Police.

Wait a minute.

I'll take care of this.

You get in there.

I'm sorry, Mr. Braden.

It's too late now.

Get in there and keep quiet.

Come on, open this door.

I'm coming.

I heard a shot

as I was passing the house.

These people say

it came from this flat.

That's right, officer.

I'm Mark Braden,

deputy commissioner of correction.

I was just changing my gun

from one pocket to the other

and it accidentally went

off.

Okay, Mr. Braden.

It pays to be careful

of those things.

You're right.

Almost shot myself in the

foot.

Thanks very much

for dropping in, officer.

That's all right.

Folks, come on, break it up.

Nothing to see.

Come on.

All right, Frankie. Frankie?

- You lied to me,

- no.

You and Cooper fixed it up

so I'd make the break?

No I swear we didn't.

Braden was gonna get us

paroled, see?

We may get another

year tacked on.

But I'm gonna finish you

before we do, see?!

Frankie, no! You're choking

me!

Frankie! Frankie!

Come on, Frankie!

Ah, get out of here!

Go on! I'll kill him!

Haven't you done enough

harm for one night?

Yeah but spike lied to me.

Why'd you do it?

I didn't want to.

Cooper made me steam

Frankie up.

What do you mean?

He found out that I was the

guy who hit junkie, he said he'd tell you,

you'd send me

up the rI'ver for fI've years.

Where'd you get that gun?

I gave it to him.

Cooper's idea, too.

He fixed it up

for us to make this break.

Well, how'd you get here?

In a car.

In Cooper's car.

It's around the corner.

Get in that car,

meet me out front.

Okay, Mr. Braden. come on!

Come on, let's go!

Where are the boys?

They're waiting outside.

Hello?

Hello, hello, Bob? This is

Mark.

Six kids broke out,

and I'm in a spot.

I know about it,

been trying to get you.

You've any idea where they

are?

Yeah,

they're right here with me.

If you're going to do

anything about it, you'd better hurry.

Your old friend Morgan and the chief

commissioner are on their way now.

They left 10 minutes ago.

Thanks Bob.

All right, get in my car

and don't ask any questions.

Come on, clI'mb in there.

Keep out of sight.

now, you take these kids.

Do exactly what I tell you.

I told you this would

happen someday, commissioner.

You can't run a place the way

Braden's trying to do

And expect to get away with it.

Look good sitting there,

Mr. Cooper. Get it, Jack.

Hold it, Mr. Cooper.

Got it. Thank you.

Here's the commissioner.

How about a statement,

commissioner?

Do you know anything

about this?

How about it, Mr.

commissioner?

Give me a chance.

I'm trying to find out

myself.

Commissioner,

this is Mr. Cooper, head guard.

I'm sure he can tell

you everything.

What happened?

How did they get away?

Stole the keys to my car,

broke in to the ga ge,

and got away

without anyone seeing them.

If I hadn't been going through

the dormitories myself,

we wouldn't have discovered

their escape until this morning.

What about Mr. Braden?

Isn't he supposed --

I did hear from one of the

boys.

This young Frankie Warren,

leader of the gang,

has been making threats

against Mr. Braden's life.

There was a gun in my car,

and I'm afraid, gentlemen,

The next thing you'll hear

is that a murder has been committed.

Ah, good evening,

gentlemen.

Mr. Braden.

What about the escape,

mr. Braden?

Those kids were after you?

Wait a minute.

I haven't time now.

Any idea where they are?

-

Good evening commissioner.

Oh, hello, Morgan.

What is this, Cooper?

A party for the press?

Well, well, well, Mr. Braden,

What do you know about this break?

I just heard about it.?

Stopped at a gas station and heard

those two officers talking about it.

That right gentlemen?

Yes sir. That's right.

So, I brought them along

just in case of any trouble.

Now, Cooper,

exactly what happened?

Young Warren and his gang

broke out tonight and stole my car.

Did you broadcast an alarm?

I did.

Got a crowd of men out

Looking for them.

Anybody with you

when you discovered the break?

No, nobody but me?

Nobody but you.

Nice work, Cooper.

I never had any breaks

when I was in charge.

If you'd been here

and on the job, Mr. Braden --

and, by the way, Morgan,

what are you doing here?

I'm trying to help

the commissioner.

Oh I see.

I'm very glad you're here,

because that makes it most convenient.

Mr. Braden,

this is a serious matter.

If those boys should

happen to kill somebody --

Oh, you're right, commissioner.

I was horrified

when I heard about it.

Still can't believe it.

You'll when I show

how they got out.

Come on men.

There's the window

they got out of.

And now, gentlemen,

you can see for yourself.

Hey what is ...

What's going on here?

Well, well, well,

fancy meeting you here.

What's going on here?

Can't a guy even get

his beauty sleep around here?

Can't a guy even get

his beauty sleep around here?

These the boys

you were talking about?

I ... I don't understand.

There they are, all six of them.

Count them.

You mean they're here,

mr. Braden?

I don't know. Let's ask them.

Here, boys? Sure we're

here!

Why don't you knock before

you come busting in a guy's boudoir?

What's wrong with you

guys?

Ain't you got no manners?

Where's your etiquette?

That's it!

That's the word -- ''ediquit''!

Boy that's good!

There's been some dirty

work going on here.

An hour ago, they weren't in bed,

don't know how they got back.

Cooper, I'm worried about

you.

You feel all right?

He don't look so good to me,

Mr. Braden.

He don't look so good to me,

Mr. Braden.

What about this?

What's the matter, jojo?!

What's the matter?!

Leave go of the dogs!

Leave go of the dogs!

What are you doing in bed

with your shoes on?

Go on, screwball .

I always sleep with my shoes on.

Well, looks like the escape's a flop.

Sorry, gentlemen.

What a bust. This is

a frost in mI'dsummlir.

Wait a minute, boys.

I got a good story for you.

What's it? Let's have it.

Mr. Commissioner, I've been

checking over the records,

and I charge Mr. Morgan

With misappropriating the funds of this

institution for the past 12 years.

That's a lie! Prove it first.

I can and will. Take him

away.

You can't arrest me

without a war nt.

I don't need a war nt.

I'm a special officer.

Mr. Commissioner, are you

gonna let him do this to me?

I don't care

what he does to you!

You dragged me out of bed at 1:00

in the morning for a wild goose chase!

Take him away!

Come on you.

Yeah, right,

Mr. Commish -- take him away!

We never had no use for him.

Good night, Mr.

commissioner.

So long commissioner!

All right, boys, quiet down now.

Go to sleep now.

So long. Goodbye, Mr.

Braden.

And nice work.

Adios, Mr. Braden.

Hey, where's Cooper?

Still attending to your duties

as head guard, eh, Cooper?

Wait outside officer.

I want to go over the books

with Mr. Cooper.

And I don't want to be

disturbed, understand?

All right, sir. I understand.

Where's Mr. Braden?

In there, but he's busy right now,

and he doesn't want to be disturbed.

What's that?!

I didn't hear anything.

I did!

What's that?!

Oh, that's just Mr. Braden

going over the books with Mr. Cooper.

Have a piece of gum.

Good heavens! What's

happening?!

Now, wait a minute.

Control yourself.

Let me in! Wait a minute!

Don't get excited!

Sorry! I can't!

Wait a minute, will ya, please?!

I can't!

Will you control yourself?

He's killed him.

Mark!

Are you all right?

Yes, I'm all right.

Officer,

we've gone over the books.

I don't need Mr. Cooper

anymore.

You can take him away.

Yes sir.

Take good care of him.

I've realized that, essentially,

you boys are all right

and that you're going to

make worthwhile citizens.

Through the efforts and

recommendations of Mr. Braden

and through your own

good behavior and cooperation,

the board of correction

has given me the privilege

of informing you that,

effective as of this day,

you are paroled.

And I'll be glad to see the time come

when the last boy will walk out.

and no longer

will there be a necessity

for any kind of reform

schools.

For those of you

who are old enough,

Mr. Braden has made arrangements

to place you in various trades.

The others will continue with

their schooling, and wherever possible,

We're going to try to help

you get a part-time work.

When I see the expressions

on the faces of your parents,

I feel g teful,

and I know you do, too,

for all Mr. Braden has done

for you.

Now, boys,

you're free to go home.

And now you come home

and I'll show you

your new brothers!

Brothers? Three!

Ha!

Be with you in a minute, ma.

What are you reading,

Richard?

See for yourself.

Very interesting subject.

May I borrow it next?

Why, certainly, Timothy.

Thank you.

Who you looking for, Frankie?

My sister.

Oh, she just went out the

door with Mr. Braden.

She did? Yeah.

Good!

Let me be the first to congratulate

you, Frankie. -Gee, thanks a lot.

Can I be the best man?

I'm gonna be the best man.

You can be second-best.