Dead End Details

[Highly rated reviewer]

Stagebound but has its interest

Nowadays this adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play is best remembered for introducing the Dead End Kids, a ramshackle collection of streetkids who had a string of their own pictures in the 30s and 40s. But really this is a testament to the sheer craftsmanship that was housed at the Goldwyn studios at the time: director Wyler's subtle approach eliciting some memorable performances from gritty material; cinematographer Gregg Toland capturing some ravishing images particularly in the night time scenes; and especially art director Richard Day and his fabulous NYC tenement set. Sure, the film is stagey but it's also highly compelling.