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Crime drama

Dead End (1937): Cast & Plot

Dead End (1937) movie poster

Dead End is a 1937 crime drama directed by William Wyler, starring Humphrey Bogart as 'Baby Face' Martin, Marjorie Main and Jerry Cooper. It runs 1 hour 33 minutes.

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Dead End (1937) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 33m (93 min)
Director
William Wyler
Genres
Drama , Crime
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Dead End About?

The premise of Dead End without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Mobster “Baby Face” Martin goes back to the New York neighborhood where he grew up. He visits his mother, who rejects him because of his criminal life, and his former lover Francey, now a syphilitic prostitute. He also encounters Dave, an old friend trying to become an architect, and the Dead End Kids, a gang of boys who roam the East Side slums.

Dead End Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • bowery
  • strained mother son relationship
  • syphilis
  • shirtless teen boy
  • boy undressing
  • boys swimming
  • bare chested boy
  • bartender
  • deception
  • treachery
  • violence
  • grief
+38 more
  • police detective
  • reprisal
  • retribution
  • sissy kid
  • slang
  • 1930s
  • redemption
  • sorrow
  • wanted fugitive
  • reform school
  • abuse
  • push cart vendor
  • racial stereotype
  • juvenile gang leader
  • juvenile gang member
  • dirty river
  • homecoming
  • snappy brim hat
  • scheme
  • anger
  • song
  • frustration
  • dire straits
  • murder
  • gentrification
  • based on a stage play
  • dead end kids characters
  • deep focus cinematography
  • idolizing
  • poker the card game
  • mother son relationship
  • actor recreates his stage role
  • actress recreates her stage role
  • group
  • swimming trunks
  • wyler and bogart
  • wyler and main
  • new york state
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Cast & crew

Dead End Cast & Characters

Humphrey Bogart leads the cast as 'Baby Face' Martin, with Marjorie Main as Mrs. Martin and Jerry Cooper as Baby (Uncredited). Directed by William Wyler; 53 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Dead End

· 49 more
Show all 53 cast members
From the director

More from William Wyler

More films directed by William Wyler, best-rated first: The Best Years of Our Lives, Ben-Hur, Funny Girl and Roman Holiday.

Full filmography
Plot

Dead End Plot Summary

What happens in Dead End from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the crowded tapestry of New York City’s underbelly, the East River banks divide a city of gleaming river views from streets that pulse with poverty and grit. On one side, luxury apartments crown the skyline; on the other, crowded, cockroach-infested tenements cradle the lives of those barely scraping by. The scene is set for a clash between ambition, crime, and the fragile dream of escape.

Full summary

The whole story of Dead End, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Dead End Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Dead End.

Dead End trailer 1937
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Dead End?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who leads the group known as the Dead End Kids?

Seen Dead End?

FAQ

Dead End FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Dead End, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Dead End?

Dead End runs 1 hour 33 minutes (93 minutes).

When was Dead End released?

Dead End was released on August 24, 1937.

Who directed Dead End?

Dead End was directed by William Wyler.

More films by William Wyler

Who is in the cast of Dead End?

Dead End stars Humphrey Bogart as 'Baby Face' Martin, Marjorie Main as Mrs. Martin and Jerry Cooper as Baby (Uncredited), among 53 credited actors.

Does Dead End have a post-credit scene?

No. Dead End has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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