BOWERY BOMBSHELL is, in a way, the opener for the long series, if you take into consideration how it all begins. In tv reruns, it usually runs first, though LIVE WIRES is the premier episode, released in January, 1946. The Bowery Boys were a spin off of the East Side Kids series, which was also produced through Monogram Pictures from 1940 to 1945.
The story goes that Leo Gorcey wanted a substantial RAISE from producer Sam Katzman, which was out of the question. Accordingly, Gorcey and partner Huntz Hall united with a new producer, Jan Grippo, got a cut of the profits as co-executive producers and thus became the BOWERY BOYS.
Pretty ingenious, but then again that was Gorcey's style, kind of being the boss of the outfit. He also had "cruise" control over the scripts and malaprops(!), basically ad-libbing a lot of his lines along with Huntz Hall, which made the series an instant winner. Legendary director Phil Karlson (early in his career), handled this episode, and you can see some of his early touches at work, at least it runs and keeps on running.
Additionally, when the bulk of the lengthy series (running no less than 12 years) was rerun on tv it became a staple for weekend viewing around the country.
True, there have been critics who just didn't like their antics.... but how WRONG they were. The series inspired many future tv writers, and in fact, the Archie Bunker character in ALL IN THE FAMILY, is a salute to Leo Gorcey and his malaprops. More over, Gorcey's daughter, Brandy, commented in later years her late father would have been amazed at how popular the movies became. Guess he got the job done right. The films made a fortune and kept Monogram and later, Allied Artists, in business for a long stretch, and a lot of people employed. Huntz Hall in later years always mentioned that and said they deserved a lot of credit for originality.
There is a funny store how one of the later episodes, HIGH SOCIETY (1955), was actually confused with the Bing Crosby/Grace Kelly film of the same title --and was nominated for an Oscar
instead. It took long time director William Beaudine to go to the Academy and note the mistake, which they were grateful, as the Bowery Boys film may have gotten the award! What do you think about that? Huntz Hall though stood firm and said they "rightfully' deserved the Oscar for all their hard work no matter what. He had a valid point.
Here, the gang gets mixed up with bank robbers and a mad scientist called Dr. Smackenburger?? Just watching Gorcey and Huntz Hall run through their routines is outrageous. Kudos to the versatile dead-pan Milton Parsons as the absent-minded professor. Best scene has Gorcey, dressed to impress in a three piece suit, entering a nightclub and pretending to be a famous gangster. He exits by throwing a mini parachute into the air which explodes! You can tell everybody was having a blast, why these films have a following. Note the DEAD END gag at the end of the film.
Check out the box set series via Warner Brothers, which contain about eight films per set. Great gifts for the ultimate fan and with nice artwork.
