A depression era story about two young men who strike out on their own in order to not be a burden on their families, "Wild Boys" is a harrowing tale of survival on the road. The acting is fairly good for its time, but the story---though somewhat realistic---is overly dramatized in spots. The ending, with its almost-predictable "I represent every man" courtroom speech, is extremely heavy handed.
Still, the film provides a glimpse into the 1930s lifestyle and serves as a counterbalance to the escapist films that Hollywood marketed to the masses, despite its ending.
The main characters are engaging and easy to watch, including Dorothy Coonan, who would marry director William Wellman soon after. Eddie Smith (Frankie Darro) is a chipper optimist throughout the film, making him the hero of the story. As such, he never really makes a complete character transformation throughout the story's arc. But Darro plays Eddie with so much energy and conviction that the viewer invests in his struggle. This is not Andy Hardy negotiating dating life or dealing with adolescence; the stakes are much higher and they are not sugar-coated.
Still, the film provides a glimpse into the 1930s lifestyle and serves as a counterbalance to the escapist films that Hollywood marketed to the masses, despite its ending.
The main characters are engaging and easy to watch, including Dorothy Coonan, who would marry director William Wellman soon after. Eddie Smith (Frankie Darro) is a chipper optimist throughout the film, making him the hero of the story. As such, he never really makes a complete character transformation throughout the story's arc. But Darro plays Eddie with so much energy and conviction that the viewer invests in his struggle. This is not Andy Hardy negotiating dating life or dealing with adolescence; the stakes are much higher and they are not sugar-coated.