Kid Dynamite

"East Side" boxing star "Mr. Dynamite" Leo Gorcey (as Ethelbert "Muggs" McGinnis) is kidnapped by thugs, in order to throw a championship fight to New York City's rival "West Side". But fellow "East Side Kid" Bobby Jordan (as Danny Lyons) takes Mr. Gorcey's place, and wins the fight. Gorcey is convinced Mr. Jordan, who is dating his sister, had him waylaid on purpose. To make matters worse, Jordan wins a TKO over Gorcey in "The East Side Amateur Jitterbug Contest", with pretty partner Pamela Blake (as Ivy McGinnis).

This is a poorly scripted entry in "The East Side Kids" series. Gorcey's "Muggs" veers too far away from his established character; especially, in the way he treats Jordan's "Danny"; yet, Gorcey and Jordan perform the roles well enough to make it work. The jitterbugging contest, with Huntz Hall (as Glimpy McGleavey) and his TALL partner, is a highlight. To beef up the team, Benny Bartlett (as Bennie Miller) and David Durand (as Joe "Skinny" Collins) join returning Ernest Morrison (as Scruno Jackson) and Bobby Stone (as Harold "Stoney" Stone). The film ends on a patriotic note.

***** Kid Dynamite (2/5/43) Wallace Fox ~ Bobby Jordan, Leo Gorcey, Huntz Hall