If you've read this under my username, you know I've been reviewing the Our Gang shorts in chronological order along with any other films outside the series featuring at least one member the same way in between. This time, however, I'm reviewing a film from a few years back of the current OG short I just wrote about featuring a former member since it also features an adult woman who played the mother of one of the current members at this point. I'm referring to Mary Kornman-the former member-and Peggy Shannon-who I just watched playing Mickey Gubitosi's mother for the second time in All About Hash. They both play characters related to the leading lady here, Marian Marsh-Mary playing her sister and Peggy playing her co-worker. Ms. Marsh plays one of two young adults being framed for a jewel robbery, the other being Gordon Oliver. There's also a nice supporting role for the Marx Brothers' dowager lady, Margaret Dumont, playing against type as a landlady for the slum apartment Ms. Marsh and Oliver reside in. For the most part, I liked this melodrama so on that note, that's a recommendation for Youth on Parole.
5 Reviews
Will they ever get their fair shake?
mark.waltz26 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
In the wrong place at the wrong time, two young people find themselves living a topsy turvy existence thanks to the moniker of being a paroled. Marian Marsh and Gordon Oliver are as nice as nice people can be, but having been framed for a cringe that they are innocent of, it seems like there's no way to clear their name and go on with their lives without feeling life they are constantly being followed or will e fired before they even have a chance to start a job. It all culminates in Marsh's mind when Oliver is suddenly fired. Her own paranoia of being followed by store detectives where she works causes her to quit without notice, leading to more problems and temptations.
Good performances by the leads are supported by the Irish accented Margaret Dumont as their jovial landlady determined to help them tie the knot, but becoming increasingly suspicious over their bizarre behavioral changes and rather shady visitors. This twists into the innocent couple desperate to clear their name by finding and trapping the real crooks. An interesting B feature from Repubic won't set the world on fire, but it won't put you to sleep either.
Good performances by the leads are supported by the Irish accented Margaret Dumont as their jovial landlady determined to help them tie the knot, but becoming increasingly suspicious over their bizarre behavioral changes and rather shady visitors. This twists into the innocent couple desperate to clear their name by finding and trapping the real crooks. An interesting B feature from Repubic won't set the world on fire, but it won't put you to sleep either.
Decent Little B
boblipton14 June 2020
Gordon Oliver and Marian Marsh are framed for a jewelry robbery. While they're serving their prison time, Oliver discovers the job and frame were courtesy of Miles Mander. They're released early for good behavior. When they get out, however, they discover that paying their debt to society doesn't end the matter. They can't get work. Finally, they decide to go after Mander.
They're a couple of fresh-faced kids in this one, and there's a decent supporting cast, including Margaret Dumont as their landlady. She sports an Irish accent, even though her name is Abernathy! It's an unexceptional but decent Poverty Row B.
They're a couple of fresh-faced kids in this one, and there's a decent supporting cast, including Margaret Dumont as their landlady. She sports an Irish accent, even though her name is Abernathy! It's an unexceptional but decent Poverty Row B.
Didn't like
arfdawg-16 February 2014
Two strangers, a man and a woman, are framed for a jewel robbery and thrown in jail.
After they get out, they join forces to track down the real thieves.
I know a lot of the reviews are good.
To be honest, I couldn't get into this movie. On the plus side, the production values are really nice for a cheap budget. The print I saw was really nice as well.
I just was bored silly with the plot line. It was a very slow movie. It was hard to care much for the characters too. So in the end, I was really disappointed.
After they get out, they join forces to track down the real thieves.
I know a lot of the reviews are good.
To be honest, I couldn't get into this movie. On the plus side, the production values are really nice for a cheap budget. The print I saw was really nice as well.
I just was bored silly with the plot line. It was a very slow movie. It was hard to care much for the characters too. So in the end, I was really disappointed.
While this is a short B-movie, it's very likable and didn't seem especially "cheap"
planktonrules6 January 2010
Warning: Spoilers
The review is based on the edited 53 minute version—which is now in the public domain.
This film begins with a crook dropping stolen gems into the pockets of two unsuspecting young people—who were then caught by police and accused of robbery. While both were completely innocent, they were found guilty and went to prison. Oddly, the man AND woman were both released at the same exact time from their respective prisons. Once out, the lady learns that her younger sister is embarrassed to have a "jail bird" for a sister, so the ex-con moves away to another town. Oddly, the man also decides to do the same—even though they don't know each other. The only thing they had in common is their convictions. Things are pretty tough at first, but eventually, the two become sweethearts. Things appear to be going well, but their prison record comes back to haunt them again and again. Tired of this stigma, they decide to try to solve the original crime themselves and get back their good names.
Despite this being a short little B-movie, it was very likable and well made. The leads did well in their roles but this was made possible by very good writing. This writing made you like the characters and you can't help but care about them and their plight. So, despite the stigma of a "B", this film is surprisingly fresh and entertaining. While it's not a great film, for a B-movie, it is exceptional.
By the way, look for Margaret Dumont as the landlady. She is so very, very different from the stuffy roles she usually plays. Here, she is a nice and bubbly Irish woman. She did a nice job here—showing a much greater range than I would have assumed possible for her.
This film begins with a crook dropping stolen gems into the pockets of two unsuspecting young people—who were then caught by police and accused of robbery. While both were completely innocent, they were found guilty and went to prison. Oddly, the man AND woman were both released at the same exact time from their respective prisons. Once out, the lady learns that her younger sister is embarrassed to have a "jail bird" for a sister, so the ex-con moves away to another town. Oddly, the man also decides to do the same—even though they don't know each other. The only thing they had in common is their convictions. Things are pretty tough at first, but eventually, the two become sweethearts. Things appear to be going well, but their prison record comes back to haunt them again and again. Tired of this stigma, they decide to try to solve the original crime themselves and get back their good names.
Despite this being a short little B-movie, it was very likable and well made. The leads did well in their roles but this was made possible by very good writing. This writing made you like the characters and you can't help but care about them and their plight. So, despite the stigma of a "B", this film is surprisingly fresh and entertaining. While it's not a great film, for a B-movie, it is exceptional.
By the way, look for Margaret Dumont as the landlady. She is so very, very different from the stuffy roles she usually plays. Here, she is a nice and bubbly Irish woman. She did a nice job here—showing a much greater range than I would have assumed possible for her.
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