The Kid from Brooklyn 1946

Comedy

Rank

#19,585

Runtime

113 mins

Language

English

Directed by

Norman Z. McLeod

Made by

Samuel Goldwyn Productions

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The Kid from Brooklyn Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for The Kid from Brooklyn (1946). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Burleigh Sullivan [Danny Kaye] is a well-meaning, mild-mannered milkman who crosses paths with Polly Pringle [Virginia Mayo], a beautiful but out-of-work singer, during an early-morning round. He tries to help by lining her up a gig at the club where his sister Susie Sullivan [Vera-Ellen] performs, but ends up losing his job in the process. That same night, as he catches up with Susie after her show, he witnesses a troubling scene: Susie is molested by the drunken boxer Speed McFarlane [Steve Cochran] and his hard-edged minder Spider Schultz [Lionel Stander]. In the ensuing melee, Speed is knocked out, and his manager Gabby Sloan [Walter Abel] erupts in anger over the setback.

The headlines explode with the incident. Photographers catch Burleigh appearing to knock out Speed once more, though the truth is that Speed is knocked out again by Spider due to Burleigh’s nimble footwork and his habit of ducking out of trouble. Gabby—seeing opportunity in chaos—decides to turn Burleigh into a public fighter to milk the growing publicity for all it’s worth.

Burleigh heads on tour, blissfully unaware that every one of his supposed victories is arranged: his opponents are told to take a dive to build up the star’s image. As the tour unfolds, Polly and Susie grow uneasy about the fakeries behind the curtain, while Speed and Susie quietly become an item, adding a delicate tangle to the emotional stakes.

Backstage, Burleigh’s contract is bought by Mr. Austin [Clarence Kolb], his former boss at Sunflower Milk, for a sizable sum, and the plan is set for a charity bout against Speed organized by society matron Mrs. E. Winthrop LeMoyne [Fay Bainter]. Minutes before the charity match, a series of comic reversals collide with the bout’s seriousness: Speed is knocked out by Burleigh’s miniature horse and then, hilariously, given insomnia medicine instead of ammonia, causing him to sleep through the fight and hand Burleigh an easy win. Burleigh’s longing to retire only after a knockout keeps him chafing at the edges of fame, but Mrs. LeMoyne’s accidental push finally ends that dream.

With the promised compensation, Burleigh steps into a partnership in the dairy company, and Speed becomes one of the district managers, signaling a formal shift from aspiring athlete to business ally. In a final twist of irony, Gabby Sloan and Spider Schultz find themselves working as milkmen, tying the whole misadventure back to the very industry that funded the rise and fall of a would-be boxing hero. The film uses a light, tongue-in-cheek look at show business and publicity to illuminate how quickly fame can inflate a man’s sense of self, only to diffuse just as suddenly when the real world intrudes.

The Kid from Brooklyn Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of The Kid from Brooklyn (1946) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Burleigh meets Polly Pringle during morning rounds

Burleigh Sullivan, a well-meaning milkman, encounters Polly Pringle during his early-morning rounds. He recognizes her talent and tries to help by getting her a job at the club where his sister Susie performs. His efforts backfire and he ends up getting sacked from his route.

Early morning Milk delivery route

Susie attacked by Speed and Spider; the fracas

After Susie finishes her show, Burleigh witnesses his sister Susie being molested by the drunken boxer Speed McFarlane and his bodyguard Spider. He intervenes, sparking a fracas in which Speed is knocked out and Gabby Sloan erupts in anger. The incident draws media attention and sets Gabby on the path to turning Burleigh into a fighter.

After Susie's performance Club backstage / stage area

Media misattribution and Gabby's plan

Newspapers and photographers replay the incident, showing Burleigh knocking out Speed. In truth, Spider was responsible for Speed's KO due to Burleigh's quick footwork, but the public misreads who is to blame. Gabby Sloan decides to capitalize on the publicity by turning Burleigh into a boxing star.

Following the altercation Newspaper offices / press circuit

Burleigh tours as a fixed fighter

Burleigh embarks on a boxing tour, but his opponents are paid to take dives to boost his image. He begins to believe the hype and his ego swells, making him feel like a real champion. Polly and Susie resent the deception, and Speed's budding romance with Susie adds to the tension.

Shortly after the press tour begins Tour circuit

Mr. Austin buys Burleigh's contract

Mr. Austin, Burleigh's former boss at Sunflower Milk, buys his boxing contract for $50,000. The arrangement frames Burleigh for a high-profile charity bout against Speed, designed to capitalize on his rising fame. The deal ties his future to the dairy empire.

Before the charity bout Sunflower Milk offices / boxing circle

Charity fundraiser announced

Socialite Mrs. E. Winthrop LeMoyne organizes the charity fundraiser and the Burleigh–Speed bout. The event is billed as a noble contest, though the fighters' careers were built on rigged contests. Tension grows as the crowd anticipates the showdown.

Event night Charity venue

Pre-fight mischief: the horse KO

Minutes before the bout, Speed is knocked out by Burleigh's miniature horse. He is then accidentally given insomnia medicine instead of ammonia and falls asleep during the match, allowing Burleigh to win easily. The victory unsettles the expectations of spectators and participants.

Moments before the fight Boxing ring

The retirement that wasn't planned

Burleigh is reluctant to retire without a real knockout, but Mrs. LeMoyne inadvertently ends his boxing career by intervening at the moment of truth. The crowd and Burleigh are stunned as the bout concludes in an unplanned retirement. The sudden change forces him to reassess his life and loyalties.

Right after the bout Boxing ring

Dairy partnership and shifting roles

As promised by Mr. Austin, Burleigh is granted a partnership in the dairy company. Speed is appointed as a district manager, marking a new, uneasy alliance between former rivals. Gabby and Spider end up working in milking roles.

Post-bout / post-retirement Dairy company offices

Gabby and Spider become milkmen

Gabby Sloan and Spider shift away from boxing schemes and take positions as milkmen. The transition illustrates a complete reversal from manipulation to everyday labor. The story ends with Burleigh’s life settled in a legitimate business path.

After retirement Dairy/Milk route

Polly and Susie adjust to a new normal

Polly and Susie face a future where show business and performance mix with newly grounded ambitions. They cope with the changes in Burleigh’s career and relationships, choosing paths that align with the more stable life he has chosen. The dynamic among the trio evolves as dreams realign with reality.

Post-finale Club / dressing rooms

Final note: humility and renewal

The arc closes with Burleigh stepping away from the glamour of boxing into a steady dairy role, having learned humility. The film ends on a note of redemption and the importance of staying true to oneself. The new order sees old schemers recast into ordinary workers, a quiet amends.

Post-finale Dairy company offices

The Kid from Brooklyn Characters

Explore all characters from The Kid from Brooklyn (1946). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Burleigh Sullivan (Danny Kaye)

A well-meaning milkman whose every move is turned into showbiz by publicity. He develops a swollen ego as he travels on tour, believing his own hype despite realizing the fights have been fixed. He struggles with retirement, ultimately choosing to leave boxing with a clear conscience after a charity bout goes awry. His good-natured perseverance and nimble foot-work carry the comedy through the plot.

🥛 Milkman 🎭 Dreamer 💪 Boxer

Polly Pringle (Virginia Mayo)

A beautiful, out-of-work singer who crosses paths with Burleigh and tries to help him fit into the showbiz world. She challenges his inflated ego and provides a romantic counterpoint to the publicity-driven arc. Her mix of charm and practicality keeps her grounded amid the spectacle.

💃 Singer 💖 Love interest 💼 Dreamer

Susie Sullivan (Vera-Ellen)

Burleigh’s sister and a performer at the club, she becomes entangled in the showbiz scheme as the plot unfolds. She cares for her brother but grows frustrated with the way publicity corrupts their ambitions. Her relationship with Speed adds tension and humor to the touring life.

🎶 Dancer 👧 Sister 🎭 Performer

Gabby Sloan (Walter Abel)

The scheming manager who engineers Burleigh’s publicity-driven boxing career. He pushes the publicity machine, steering Burleigh toward fights that are fixed for headlines and profits. His patronizing charm and tactical thinking drive much of the plot’s misdirection.

🕴 Manager 💰 Schemer 🧠 Strategist

Speed McFarlane (Steve Cochran)

A drunken and reckless boxer who is manipulated as part of the publicity scheme and becomes Burleigh’s rival. He’s knocked out repeatedly, highlighting the absurdity of the fixed fights. His relationship with Susie provides a secondary romantic thread and adds to the story’s comedic energy.

🥊 Boxer 💔 Rival 🍺 Drunk

Mrs. E. Winthrop LeMoyne (Fay Bainter)

A socialite who organizes a charity fundraiser that frames the climactic bout. She embodies the era’s high-society sponsorship, unwittingly enabling the spectacle fueling Burleigh’s career. Her actions directly influence the outcome and Burleigh’s retirement.

🎗 Charity 🏛 Socialite 🎉 Benefactor

Mr. Austin (Clarence Kolb)

A former dairy boss who buys Burleigh’s contract and orchestrates the staged boxing plan for publicity. He represents the business side of showbiz, turning a skilled appearance into a profitable venture. His actions tie Burleigh’s fate to the dairy company’s ambitions.

🏢 Business 💵 Investor 🧭 Foresight

Spider Schultz (Lionel Stander)

A hard-edged fixer and bodyguard who helps run the staged fights. He acts as a muscle-in-the-crowd presence, keeping others in line and enabling the publicity machine. The character heightens the comic tension and contrasts with Burleigh’s good nature.

🕷 Bodyguard 💪 Muscle 🧩 Catalyst

The Kid from Brooklyn Settings

Learn where and when The Kid from Brooklyn (1946) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

Mid-20th century

Set in the mid-20th century, the story unfolds amid a bustling urban entertainment scene where publicity and salesmanship drive careers. Newspapers, photographers, and charity events frame the rise of an unlikely boxing star. The era’s casual glitz contrasts with the working-class roots of the characters, lending a satirical edge to the plot.

Location

Brooklyn, New York

The film centers on a working-class New York lifestyle, anchored in Brooklyn where Burleigh works as a milkman and his sister Susie performs at a club. The city’s clubs, press rooms and dairy offices provide the backdrop for the series of publicity-driven events. It’s a lighthearted tale that plays out across small venues and tour stops in the urban landscape.

🎭 Urban setting 🗽 New York vibe 🎬 Showbiz backdrop

The Kid from Brooklyn Themes

Discover the main themes in The Kid from Brooklyn (1946). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

🎭

Fame vs. Reality

The film satirizes how entertainment fabricates stardom, turning an ordinary milkman into a boxing sensation. Burleigh’s public image becomes more important than actual skill, fueling a growing ego. The plot questions whether real achievement can survive when fame is manufactured for headlines.

💥

Fraud & Charity

Fight outcomes are fixed to boost Burleigh’s career, turning charity events into profit-driven spectacles. The characters maneuver behind the scenes, exploiting publicity machines and gatekeeping to control someone’s fate. The contrast between the charity setting and the underhanded deals creates the film’s comic tension.

💞

Relationships & Loyalties

Polly’s romance with Burleigh and Susie’s own relationship with Speed complicate loyalties. The pursuit of fame strains sibling bonds and friendships, while genuine affection fights against the era’s showbiz cynicism. The film uses light humor to explore love, ambition, and the cost of publicity.

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The Kid from Brooklyn Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of The Kid from Brooklyn (1946). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In the bustling streets of post‑war Brooklyn, an unassuming milkman finds his quiet routine shattered by a most unlikely clash. Burleigh Sullivan is a shy, well‑meaning delivery man whose life revolves around early‑morning routes, a devoted sister, and a tentative crush on a talented night‑club singer. The world he inhabits is a vibrant mix of neighborhood storefronts, smoky lounges, and the occasional rowdy barroom, all pulsing with the hopeful energy of a city that never quite sleeps.

A chance encounter with a drunken champion boxer turns that ordinary existence into headline news. When Speed McFarlane—the charismatic, hard‑living pugilist who’s been flirting with Burleigh’s sister—ends up on the floor, the incident instantly propels the modest milkman into the public eye. Seizing the moment, the boxer’s manager, Gabby Sloan, a slick and opportunistic figure, convinces Burleigh that a new career in the ring is destiny waiting to be claimed. The promise of quick fame comes with a backstage arrangement of “fixed” bouts, an irony that fits the film’s light‑hearted, tongue‑in‑cheek tone.

As Burleigh steps into the bright lights of the boxing world, his growing confidence begins to test the fragile balance of his personal life. The romance with Polly Pringle—a gifted singer whose own career hangs in the balance—becomes a mirror for his swelling pride. Beneath the comedic brawls and the ever‑present hum of Brooklyn’s streets, the story gently explores how sudden adulation can inflate a modest man’s self‑image, and how love and loyalty may become the true ringside challenge when the inevitable showdown with his former opponent looms on the horizon.

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