Gas House Kids

Following the success of Monogram Studios' Bowery Boys series, tinier PRC decided to try their hand at making a similar series...a series featuring some tough but decent New York teens and their adventures. In total, they only made three Gas House Kids films...and after seeing "The Gas House Kids Go West" some time ago, I could see why the series bombed. However, surprisingly, it turns out that this first film in the series WASN'T bad at all...and was a decent Bowery Boys style picture.

The plot for "The Gas House Kids" is pretty complicated, though I'll try to summarize it briefly. Eddie was a cop in the neighborhood before going off to war. Sadly, he's just returned...paralyzed and unable to walk on his own. Despite the Gas House Kids not particularly loving cops, they have good hearts and decide to try to help Eddie and his fiancee to buy a farm in the country. Unfortunately LOTS of complications arise...and one of the gang is nearly killed for his efforts.

The series starred Billy Halop, who used to be one of the East SIde Kids...a precursor to the Bowery Boys. Additionally, Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer is there as well...though he clearly is a minor member of the gang. However, the rest of the 'kids' are pretty talented as well.

So how did this film succeed where the final film failed? I think it's all about the writing. While the plot to this film is complex, it is interesting and rewarding...whereas I think their "West" effort was written by a chimp, albeit a somewhat talented one! Overall, an engaging film and a look at how the series MIGHT have worked...given decent material.