Hell's Kitchen

If Hell's Kitchen seems familiar, you might have seen the original version, The Mayor of Hell, starring James Cagney (or the other remake from the previous year, Crime School). It's an extremely sad story, but a timeless one. It was made three times in the 1930s, was obviously inspirational for Boys Town, and could easily be remade today with very little changes. The message is simple: if you treat children like criminals, they will act like it.

The Dead End kids (who were also in Crime School) star as a group of reform school students. They grew up on the wrong side of the tracks, have no positive role models, and see no future without crime and jail time. Stanley Fields is a parolee and tough guy who starts off running the school as a publicity stunt (thought up by his nephew, Ronald Reagan) but then realizes his venture could be a lot more meaningful. At the start, there are terrible men in charge, men who beat the kids, starve them, and lock them in cold storage. In one upsetting scene, one tries to shoot a puppy - but rest assured, the dog gets away. I wouldn't have sat through the movie otherwise.

Although Boys Town is a feel-good flick, these movies are upsetting. The Hays Code was in full swing, but it allowed the film to show the beatings and unusual punishments of the children. Interestingly enough, it received the equivalent of an X rating (in England) due to the violent content involving minors. I've seen the 1933 and 1939 versions, and both are quite moving. I even got a lump in my throat at the end of this one - and I don't even like children! It's not for the faint of heart, but it's definitely for the social activists.

Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to upsetting content involving children, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.