Crime School (1938)

In the gritty heart of the city, Frankie Warren, a tough-as-nails adolescent, helms a rebellious gang of teenage miscreants. Their days are spent skipping school, shoplifting, and engaging in petty theft with Frankie's sister, Sue, fighting an uphill battle to steer her younger brother onto the straight and narrow. After a violent encounter with a deceitful pawnbroker pushes the gang to near-murderous actions, their lives take a significant turn. The gang is sentenced to two years in a so-called "reform school," a harrowing, Dickensian nightmare run by avaricious officials who pocket the funds meant for the boys' rehabilitation. Enter the crusading Deputy Commissioner of Correction, Mark Braden, who discovers the appalling conditions of the reform school and takes the reins. Braden's fair approach gradually garners the boys' cooperation, creating a glimmer of hope amidst the despair. He also finds himself drawn to the resilient Sue, a development which inadvertently fuels the ire of the disgruntled employees he's upended. Yet, Frankie and his gang remain wary of Braden's intentions, their trust hard to earn and easy to lose. As Braden navigates the treacherous waters of reform and romance, he must prove not just to the boys, but also to himself, that change is possible, even in the bleakest conditions. Will he succeed in transforming the institution and the lives of these troubled teens, or will the systemic corruption prove too formidable to overcome? "Crime School" (1938) is a riveting tale of rebellion, redemption, and the power of unwavering determination against all odds.

Crime School is a crime movie featuring Edward Gargan.

Crime School is currently streaming on TCM.