HIT THE ROAD

The Dead End Kids / Little Tough Guys (Billy Halop, Huntz Hall, Gabe Dell and Bernard Punsley) are paroled from an orphanage for delinquints, into the wardship of James J. Ryan. Joining them is tagalong Pesky, an orphaned youngster. Mr. Ryan was once 'Valentine,' a mobster whose gang included the Tough Guys' fathers, killed by rival gangster Spike (aka "The Butcher") during a botched job. Ryan served his time, went straight, married well to a horse breeder's daughter, and became a millionaire. Spike kept an eye on Ryan over the years, and when he sees the Dead End Kids paroled in his care, decides the time is right to make some money at the Ryan family's expense. Mrs. Ryan's pet project is a trade school for orphans, and Spike cons the boys in a plan to steal the school's funds from Col. Smith, James' father-in-law.