Reform School (film)
1939 American film
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Reform School is a 1939 Million Dollar Productions American film produced by Harry M. Popkin, directed by Leo C. Popkin, written by Joseph O'Donnell and Hazel Jamieson and starring Louise Beavers.[1][2][3][4]
Hazel Barnes Jamieson
| Reform School | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Leo C. Popkin |
| Written by | Joseph O'Donnell Hazel Barnes Jamieson |
| Screenplay by | Zella Young |
| Produced by | Harry M. Popkin |
| Starring | Louise Beavers Reginald Fenderson Monte Hawley |
| Cinematography | William Hyer |
| Edited by | Bart Rauw |
| Music by | Lou Frohman |
| Distributed by | Million Dollar Productions, Inc. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 82 mins |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
In 1944, the film was rereleased as Prison Bait.
Plot
Beavers plays Mother Barton, a probation officer[5] of a large city who 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 must address a brutal guard, the previous superintendent's henchmen and students at the school.[4]
The film marked the debut of the Harlem Tuff Kids, a group that included Eugene Jackson, DeForrest Covan, Eddie Lynn and Bob Simmons.[6] The group also appeared in the 1942 film Take My Life.
In 2022, a print restored by the Academy Film Archive premiered on the Turner Classic Movies television channel.
Cast
- Louise Beavers as Mother Barton
- Reginald Fenderson as Freddie Gordon
- Monte Hawley as head guard Jackson
- Maceo Sheffield as Superintendent Stone
- Robert Webb
- Paul White (actor)
- Harlem Tuff Kids[1]
