FREE: Kid Dynamite (2012)

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3.0 out of 5 stars: Another Story About the East Side Boys
Amazon Review By Acute Observer on August 12, 2016
This was adopted from the `Saturday Evening Post' story "The Old Gang" by Paul Ernst. The movie begins with a view of two East River bridges. Two young men practice boxing. The boys look for Danny. The visit the pool hall to challenge a man with money. [Note the pinball machines.] "Where's the dough?" He is sucker-punched! He goes to see some gamblers about fixing an amateur boxing match. A news photographer invites Muggs for a ride. A trick to force a disqualification? [The comments refer to war-time conditions.] Danny doesn't do too well at first. But he wins. Muggs blames Danny for this. Danny gets a job at a garage. [Ration tickets are needed for gasoline.] He learns about what happened from Harry Wyckoff. Muggs won't listen to Danny's explanation.

Later the boys visit that pool hall and its back room. There is a fight for action. They are arrested and appear in court. The judge says they can end up in jail unless they behave. A politician throws a jitterbug contest. Couples are removed until only a few remain. The winners are disqualified because Muggs' partner is a professional. Muggs is a sore loser. [Does Danny give in too easily?] There is news about an atrocity in Czechoslovakia! Can Americans pass a citizenship test? [If not, what does it say about schooling?] Muggs starts thinking about things. Danny bought a ring for Ivy. Popcorn too? "Oh, Danny!" Muggs has a plan to get new tires.[Rationed during the war.] Danny learned new skills in the Army. Next two join the Marines and the Navy. Ivy joins the WAACs.

This movie is like a TV show from the 1950s. It fills up the time with prosaic drama that reflects life as seen by Hollywood. Note a neighborhood with few cars and many small businesses. The moral is to warn teenagers against following a leader who has flawed judgment. But they may not grasp the concept.