After the war Britain went through a J.D. crisis and some fine films tried to give understanding to the problem ("The Blue Lamp" (1950), "Violent Playground" (1957), "Beat Girl" (1959)). While "Cosh Boy" was a bit heavy handed (literally) at laying the blame on absentee fathers - at least it tried to find a solution. It was also the first British film to receive an X certificate.
Two young chaps follow an inebriated granny onto a vacant lot, "cosh" her and take her purse. So begins "Cosh Boy", a rather wooden film that attempts to explain the rise of juvenile delinquency that happened everywhere, after World War 11. The boys, Roy (James Kenny) and Alfie (Ian Whittaker) are caught and sentenced to one year's probation. Roy manages to put on a good performance for the magistrate but he is the brains behind the gang and has no intention of stopping his unlawful activities. His mother announces her intention of marrying Bob Stevens and Roy goes crazy - says if she marries Bob, he will kill him!!!
Roy goes to a local dance and meets Rene (beautiful Joan Collins). She is not impressed with his caveman tactics and continues to see dependable Brian. Roy arranges to have Brian beaten up and when Brian is discharged from hospital Roy and Rene are a couple. Roy may have his mother hoodwinked - but not his gran, who has her own ideas about how he should be bought up. When Roy's mother and Bob come back from a date, Gran is distraught - her life savings (which she kept under her bed) are gone, and she knows who is responsible. Bob waits until Roy comes home and gives him a sample of what life will be like when he marries Roy's mum. Rene is having her own problems - she is having a baby and Roy, being the gentleman that he is, refuses to have anything to do with her. She then tries to kill herself by jumping into the river but, fortunately, is saved, a sadder but wiser girl.
Things start to unravel for Roy - he has got hold of a gun, which he uses with disastrous results in a bungled robbery. Even though he will spend a long time in jail, police turn a blind eye when his step father gives him a well deserved thrashing!! Comparing this film to "The Blue Lamp" is silly. "The Blue Lamp" is a classic British noir, this is just a programmer. I wouldn't describe the acting as amateurish and the film is not as bad as some reviewers make out.
Recommended.
Two young chaps follow an inebriated granny onto a vacant lot, "cosh" her and take her purse. So begins "Cosh Boy", a rather wooden film that attempts to explain the rise of juvenile delinquency that happened everywhere, after World War 11. The boys, Roy (James Kenny) and Alfie (Ian Whittaker) are caught and sentenced to one year's probation. Roy manages to put on a good performance for the magistrate but he is the brains behind the gang and has no intention of stopping his unlawful activities. His mother announces her intention of marrying Bob Stevens and Roy goes crazy - says if she marries Bob, he will kill him!!!
Roy goes to a local dance and meets Rene (beautiful Joan Collins). She is not impressed with his caveman tactics and continues to see dependable Brian. Roy arranges to have Brian beaten up and when Brian is discharged from hospital Roy and Rene are a couple. Roy may have his mother hoodwinked - but not his gran, who has her own ideas about how he should be bought up. When Roy's mother and Bob come back from a date, Gran is distraught - her life savings (which she kept under her bed) are gone, and she knows who is responsible. Bob waits until Roy comes home and gives him a sample of what life will be like when he marries Roy's mum. Rene is having her own problems - she is having a baby and Roy, being the gentleman that he is, refuses to have anything to do with her. She then tries to kill herself by jumping into the river but, fortunately, is saved, a sadder but wiser girl.
Things start to unravel for Roy - he has got hold of a gun, which he uses with disastrous results in a bungled robbery. Even though he will spend a long time in jail, police turn a blind eye when his step father gives him a well deserved thrashing!! Comparing this film to "The Blue Lamp" is silly. "The Blue Lamp" is a classic British noir, this is just a programmer. I wouldn't describe the acting as amateurish and the film is not as bad as some reviewers make out.
Recommended.