A rather contrived Depression era tale of vindication, directed by Busby Berkeley and starring John Garfield as a boxer who is framed for murder by his own manager and girlfriend (before they die in a firey car crash). The opening scenes are a...
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A rather contrived Depression era tale of vindication, directed by Busby Berkeley and starring John Garfield as a boxer who is framed for murder by his own manager and girlfriend (before they die in a firey car crash). The opening scenes are a little convoluted and coincidental, though somewhat necessary to establish boxer Johnnie's hard-scrabble and cynical roots and at the same time make most of the world believe that Johnnie rather than his manager died in the auto accident.

With a bitter detective on his tail, the protagonist ends up meeting the Dead End Kids (who are inexplicably picking dates in Arizona) and sets to make his life right. It's a little predictable, he gradually moves from teaching dirty tricks and theft to appreciating the straight arrow life of hard work and dedication. I can't for the life of me figure out why the date "rancher" mistress falls in love with Johnnie. All of this is a nice period piece, but way too mawkish in execution.