Juvenile Jungle (1958)

Teenage thugs Monte (Joe Di Reda) and Tic-Tac (Richard Bakalyan) lead their gang of beach bum punks through a series of petty criminal acts interspersed with drinking sessions.

Enter handsome young mastermind Hal McQueen (Corey Allen) who has a plan for a “big score” which involves extorting money from the owner of a liquor store – because he keeps a large amount of cash in the store for payroll cheques – by kidnapping his daughter Carolyn Elliot (Anne Whitfield).

The plan begins to unravel, though, when Hal falls for the girl and tries to turn from his life of crime. While saving Carolyn from the gang he is seriously wounded.

The gang is rounded up by the cops while our reformed young hero, accompanied by Carolyn, is taken to the hospital, so we know all will end well.

A typical ‘juvenile delinquent’ film of the period featuring lots of moralising and melodramatic over-acting from “teens” in their late 20s or early 30s, Juvenile Jungle was clearly made on a shoestring budget but the story offers plenty of action, good direction (William Witney is one of Quentin Tarantino’s favourite directors) and a solid pace.

Originally released on a double-bill with Young and Wild, another William Witney film.

Hal McQueen
Corey Allen
Glory
Rebecca Welles
Tic-Tac
Richard Bakalyan
Carolyn Elliot
Anne Whitfield
Monte
Joe Di Reda
Duke
Joe Conley
John Elliot
Walter Coy
Lt. Milford
Taggart Casey
Officer Ed Ellis
Hugh Lawrence
Pete
Harvey Grant
Mrs Elliot
Louise Arthur

Director
William Witney

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