Usually, when a DVD contains two feature films, I watch only the more popular one. In this case, the two films together run less than 150 minutes, and there are no extras to take up more time. Besides, WBotR has a solid IMDb rating in its own right, just a little below the other William Wellman '33 hit, Heroes for Sale.
Gas-siphoning high school pals Tommy and Eddie seem to be high on life, until they find out that their parents aren't making ends meet. They drop out and travel the country to look for employment, which isn't easy during the Depression. When they're not stowing away on freight trains, they're usually taking up residence with other teens in a place that was not meant for habitation. Their closest new acquaintance is Sally, who disguises herself as a boy.
No, there is no romantic tension between Sally and any boy. But this being before the Hays Code, there are a few insinuations of sex, not involving Sally directly. For example, her aunt's home gets raided for unstated reasons, most likely because it's a brothel. Another of the few girls among the "wild boys," Lola, gets spotted with her shirt off by a brakeman, and the next time we see her, she's sobbing with a black eye. The boys must figure he did worse to her than that, because they all take part in avenging her -- lethally.
If anyone has a worse time overall than Lola, it's Eddie. Let's just say their lifestyle can lead to permanent major injuries, especially when getting proper treatment means risking mass arrest. And when the authorities turn up the heat, he's in the worst position to flee or fight.
WBotR must have felt quite modern when new. Early on, a boy whistles "We're in the Money," which had debuted mere months earlier. There are also clips from Footlight Parade, which received a general release in the same month.
Shall I compare it to the DVD companion piece? You might find WBotR even sadder because of the focus on youths, but it has a happier ending and, to my mind, a greater semblance of justice. The element of adventure doesn't hurt in that regard either. I might just recommend it over HfS, depending on the viewer.
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