BOYS OF THE CITY

Cinemavixion Review

Joseph H. Lewis directs "Boys of the City," a 1940 mystery that plunges a group of streetwise youths into a chilling rural whodunit. Set against the oppressive backdrop of a sweltering New York summer, the narrative takes an unexpected turn when the protagonists, led by Knuckles, find their journey disrupted by the enigmatic Judge Parker. A chance encounter leads them all to the Judge's secluded manor, a place steeped in spectral occurrences, unsettling melodies, and veiled threats, all under the watchful eye of a disquieting housekeeper. The plot thickens considerably as it's revealed the Judge is the very man who once presided over Knuckles' near-conviction for murder. When the Judge is found dead, Knuckles is once again thrust into the spotlight of suspicion, with his loyal younger brother, Danny, and their friends determined to clear his name. While the film may not boast extensive awards or widespread critical acclaim, it offers a compelling B-movie mystery with a classic noir sensibility, elevated by Lewis's confident direction and the performances of Bobby Jordan, Leo Gorcey, and Hal E. Chester. It's a testament to the era's genre filmmaking, providing a brisk and engaging thriller that remains a noteworthy entry in the canon of early 1940s cinema.