Reform School (film)
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Reform School is an American film produced by Million Dollar Productions in 1939, starring Louise Beavers.[1] The film was directed by Leo C. Popkin.[2] In 1944 the film was re-released as Prison Bait.
Beavers plays as Mother Barton, a probation officer[3] of a large city that believes in a plan for an "honor system" at a reform school. When the previous superintendent of the school is ousted, she becomes superintendent and has to address a brutal guard, the previous superintendent's "henchmen", and teens at the school. Reginald Fenderson played a supporting role as "Freddie Gordon", one of the boys at the school.[4]
The film debuted a group called the "Harlem Tuff Kids", which included Eugene Jackson playing as "Pete", DeForrest Covan as "Bill", Eddie Lynn as "Joe" and Bob Simmons as "Johnny".[5] The Harlem Tuff Kids also appeared in the 1942 film Take My Life.
The executive producer of the film was Harry M. Popkin.[6] The writers were Jos. O'Donnell and Hazel Jamieson.[4]
Posters for the film remain.[7]
Cast
- Louise Beavers as Mother Barton
- Reginald Fenderson as Freddie Gordon
- Monte Hawley as head guard Jackson
- Maceo Sheffield as Superintendent Stone
- Robert Webb (actor)
- Paul White (actor)
- Harlem Tuff Kids[1]
References
- ^ a b Dodson, Nell (6 May 1939). "Million Dollar Pictures Scores Dramatic Hit With "Reform School"". Afro-American. p. 11. ProQuest 531249052. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ Grant, Barry Keith (December 1, 2012). Film Genre Reader IV. University of Texas Press. ISBN 9780292745742 – via Google Books.
- ^ Gates (Jr.), Henry Louis; Higginbotham, Evelyn Brooks (November 25, 2009). Harlem Renaissance Lives from the African American National Biography. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195387957 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "Reform School at Apollo: Louise Beavers to Appear With Gripping "Dead End" Drama". New York Amsterdam News. 17 June 1939. p. 17. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ^ Harry, Levette (17 Apr 1939). "Louise Beavers "Tops" In "Reform School" Feature: Interpretation Is Best In Her Career". Atlanta Daily World. p. 2. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ^ ""Reform School" Brings Out Great Beavers' Talent". Atlanta Daily World. 17 Apr 1939. p. 2. Retrieved 6 March 2021.
- ^ McCluskey, Audrey Thomas (November 25, 2007). Imaging Blackness: Race and Racial Representation in Film Poster Art. Indiana University Press. ISBN 9780253217790 – via Google Books.