On Dress Parade
Brief Synopsis
Cast & Crew
William Clemens
Billy Halop
Bobby Jordan
Huntz Hall
Gabriel Dell
Leo Gorcey
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
When Colonel Michael Riker learns that William Duncan, the man who saved his life in World War I, is dying, he hurries to his bedside. Duncan asks Riker to take care of his son, whom he has never seen. Duncan has been searching for years for his missing son and has finally found him. Riker, who now runs a military academy, agrees. Along with Father Ryan, Riker calls on Mrs. Neeley, who has been caring for Duncan's son Slip. Slip is continually getting into trouble, and Riker believes that his school, which is run by boys for boys, might be just what he needs. When Slip refuses to go, Riker tricks him by pretending that Slip will be arrested unless he attends the school. Slip is determined to behave as he pleases and disregards school policy, but the older cadets are equally determined to put him in his place. Slip's behavior is so bad that Riker considers asking him to leave the school, but instead pleads with Slip to make something of himself in honor of his father. When Dutch, one of Slip's old pals, visits him at school to tell him he was tricked into attending, Slip starts to pack. Cadet Major Rollins tries to stop him, and in the ensuing fight, Slip pushes Rollins through a second story window. Feeling responsible for Rollins' serious injuries, Slip repents and stays at the academy. Ostracized by the other boys, he nonetheless works hard and receives top grades in every subject. At summer camp, he rescues a schoolmate, Cadet Georgie Warren, from a fire in a munitions store house. Both boys are seriously burned. Georgie recovers and leaves for West Point. Eventually, Slip recovers, too, and returns to school a hero. After he is made cadet major, Riker gives him his father's Distinguished Service Cross.
Director
William Clemens
Cast
Billy Halop
Bobby Jordan
Huntz Hall
Gabriel Dell
Leo Gorcey
Bernard Punsley
John Litel
Frankie Thomas
Cissie Loftus
Selmer Jackson
Aldrich Bowker
Douglas Meins
William Gould
Don Douglas
Crew
Frank Beckwith
Charles Belden
Bryan Foy
Doug Gould
Esdras Hartley
Lee Hugunin
Stanley Jones
John Murphy
Tom Reed
Russ Saunders
Arthur L. Todd
Jack L. Warner
Jack L. Warner
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working title of this film was Dead Ends Kids at Valley Forge. Before its general release, the film was reviewed under the titles Dead End Kids on Dress Parade and Dead End Kids in Military School. According to a news item in Hollywood Reporter, the picture was shot on location at the Warner Ranch at Calabassas, CA. For additional information about the series, see the entry above for Crime School and consult the Series Index for "The Dead End Kids," "The East Side Kids" and "The Little Tough Guys."
