Considering the film's title, you'd think the film would have to do with WWII and the Nazis. Well, the film has absolutely nothing to do with them, as in 1941 man film studios were still apprehensive to even mention the war or Hitler's regime. Instead, it's a film about the East Side Kids and boxing! In another unusual twist, Bobby Jordan (who usually played the nice kid in this gang) plays the crooked jerk and Leo Gorcey (who almost always played the know-it-all jerk) plays the guy who decides to do the right thing and stay on the straight-and-narrow! As I said in the summary, this film was not what I had expected!
The film begins with both Jordan and Gorcey talking about trying to win the Golden Gloves tournament. However, Gorcey is soon sent to reform school and Jordan gets involved in organized crime. A nice cop (who is dating Jordan's sister) sees good in both boys and manages to get Gorcey paroled to him so he can train faithfully for the boxing tournament. But, despite attempts to rescue Jordan, he is steadfast in his love of evil! At the same time, a group of gamblers approaches Gorcey as he works his way through the ranks. They want him to throw the big fight so they can make a killing by betting against him. And, it appears that he might be willing to do so. Can either or both of these young roughnecks manage to make good? Well, considering what I said about Gorcey's character, at least he seems certain. But, when Jordan is shot and Gorcey gives him a pint of blood just before the big fight, it seems even more certain that both will end up badly.
Overall, it's a fairly typical East Side Kids films. It is one of the first to feature Huntz Hall--who had been one of the original Dead End Kids with Gorcey but had gone on, briefly, to other film projects before coming to the East Side Kids and their later incarnation as the Bowery Boys. It's contrived but enjoyable--and what you'd expect from the series...a decent B-series that always seemed a bit better than average for the genre.
The film begins with both Jordan and Gorcey talking about trying to win the Golden Gloves tournament. However, Gorcey is soon sent to reform school and Jordan gets involved in organized crime. A nice cop (who is dating Jordan's sister) sees good in both boys and manages to get Gorcey paroled to him so he can train faithfully for the boxing tournament. But, despite attempts to rescue Jordan, he is steadfast in his love of evil! At the same time, a group of gamblers approaches Gorcey as he works his way through the ranks. They want him to throw the big fight so they can make a killing by betting against him. And, it appears that he might be willing to do so. Can either or both of these young roughnecks manage to make good? Well, considering what I said about Gorcey's character, at least he seems certain. But, when Jordan is shot and Gorcey gives him a pint of blood just before the big fight, it seems even more certain that both will end up badly.
Overall, it's a fairly typical East Side Kids films. It is one of the first to feature Huntz Hall--who had been one of the original Dead End Kids with Gorcey but had gone on, briefly, to other film projects before coming to the East Side Kids and their later incarnation as the Bowery Boys. It's contrived but enjoyable--and what you'd expect from the series...a decent B-series that always seemed a bit better than average for the genre.