James Darren makes his film debut playing the typical mixed up kid from Brooklyn who eventually straightens himself out. Also, for a change, there are some actual rumbles, although only one of them is on the docks.
The film opens quickly with two members of the "Stompers" trying to assault a chick (Laurie Carroll), when two members of the "Diggers" (Darren and Robert Blake) save the day. Later, during a dance at the school gym, there is a full-scale rumble, ending with two cops running in the front door and everyone else running out the side entrances. Then there is a minor rumble on the docks, between an honest union leader (Joseph Vitale) and the hired muscle from the crooked union (Timothy Carey). Finally, there is a rumble between the Stompers and Diggers on a street. So if you like fights, you won't be disappointed.
In subplots, Darren is being smooth talked by the crooked union leader (Michael Granger, who, like Frank Gerstle, wears the worst fitting suits in the history of filmdom). This upsets Darren's father (Edgar Barrier), who runs a newspaper which is critical of Granger. Meanwhile, Carroll is trying to convert Darren from the dark side.
Carroll: "Oh, the waterfront's always so beautiful at night."
Darren: "Yeah, you can't see the garbage floating in the water."
The film is never dull, and doesn't get too preachy either. There are even some shocking scenes, like when some of the Stompers suspend a kid over the side of a building.
Darren is fine in his first appearance, although his eyebrows look a little too furry. Carroll is bland. Robert Blake doesn't kill anybody, so I guess that's a plus. Granger channels Rod Steiger on a few occasions. Carey is his usual creepy self, and is fun to watch. Barrier looks more like Darren's grandfather, as he is disguised like Tim Conway's doddering old man. Celia Lovsky, as Darren's mother, looks more like his great-grandmother. I just cannot watch Lovsky without seeing pointed ears and hearing her tell Captain Kirk "dis fight is to da deadth." Freddie Bell and the Bellboys sing "Get the First Train out of Town" during the dance. After watching them perform, I probably would have started a rumble myself.
