Plot

Buck Caesar (Stanley Fields) is a paroled convict who makes a contribution to a reform school on the advice of his nephew, Jim Donahue (Ronald Reagan), a lawyer. Jim feels that the boys in the reform school, including Tony (Billy Halop), Gyp (Leo Gorcey), Joey (Bobby Jordan), Bongo (Huntz Hall), Ace (Gabriel Dell), and "Ouch" (Bernard Punsly), could benefit from the contribution, and he believes the publicity from it will help his uncle.

The superintendent, Krispan (Grant Mitchell), does not want the contribution to lead to an audit, as he has been carrying two sets of financial books. He gets a professional hockey team to substitute for the team his school will be playing. His reasoning is that Buck will place a large bet on the school and lose, thereby getting him angry and possibly violent, which would violate his parole and send him back to prison. Buck does proceed to get angry, and punches the opposing coach, and then hides to avoid arrest.

Krispan continues in his role as ruler of the school, which had deteriorated under Buck's influence. As punishment for their actions while Buck was around, Krispan locks Joey into a freezer, and he dies. The other kids revolt and Buck comes out of hiding to aid them. The kids capture Krispan and make him go through a trial where they convict him to "join Joey". Buck, however, has gone to the police, and they arrive in time to stop them. Krispan is punished through the proper legal channels, and Buck returns to prison for violation of parole.

Cast

The Dead End Kids

Billy Halop as Tony Marco

Bobby Jordan as Joey Richards

Leo Gorcey as Gyp Haller

Gabriel Dell as Bingo

Huntz Hall as Ace

Bernard Punsly as Patrick Henry "Ouch" Rosenbloom

Additional players and supporting cast

Ronald Reagan as Jim Donahue

Margaret Lindsay as Beth Avery

Stanley Fields as Buck Caesar

Frankie Burke as Soap

Grant Mitchell as Krispan

Frederic Tozere as Mike Garvey

Arthur Loft as Elmer Krispan

Vera Lewis as Sarah Krispan

Robert Homans as Hardy

Charley Foy as Floogie

Raymond Bailey as Whitey

Robert Strange as Callahan

Clem Bevans as Mr. Quill

George Irving as Judge

Lee Phelps as Bailiff

Jimmy O'Gatty as Mug

Ila Rhodes as Maizie