REGENT THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 March 1939, Page 2

REGENT THEATRE

THE “DEAD-END" KIDS. - Sometimes amusing, sometimes tragic, and always exciting, “Crime School,” the Warner Bros.’ picture showing at the Regent tonight, contains a powerful indictment of unthinking, brutal, methods of dealing with juvenile crime. Effectively utilising the talents of the six New York boys who became famous in both stage and screen versions of “Dead End,” as well as such adult players as Humphrey Bogart and Gale Page, the latter a beautiful newcomer to the ■ screen from radio, the new Warner picture makes a strong case for its basic theme —that the old type of boys’ reformatory is in fact a “Crime School.” The newer methods of dealing with juvenile offenders —designed to prevent their developing into adult criminals —are effectively contrasted with the old by basing the story on the determined fight made by an idealistic young official to introduce his ideas into a reformatory of the old type. The story makes the six “Dead End” boys the storm centre around which this fight rages. Bogart, for the first time in his screen career playing a hero, is the idealistic commissioner, and he plays his role not only with sympathetic understanding but also with the vigour and aggressiveness demanded of a .character who successfully battles not only stupidity and prejudice but also political hypocrisy and crookedness. Remarkably true-to-life performances by the six boys have much to do with making the production both entertaining and moving. In addition to the principals mentioned, other players who aid greatly in giving an air of vivid truth to the picture include Weldon Heyburn. Cy Kendall, Paul Porcasi, Spencer Charters, Henry Offerman Junr., Donald Briggs, and Helen MacKellar.