Hold That Line

Plot

Two prosperous alumni of Ivy University make a wager that anyone, from any walk of life, can succeed in college if just given the chance. They select the least likely subjects in New York -- Slip Mahoney and his gang -- to prove the theory by attending the university. The boys' boisterous behavior nearly gets them expelled, but Sach invents a "vitamin" drink that makes him invincible. They all join the football team and Sach becomes the star player, leading them to the big championship game. A local gambler, seeing an opportunity to make some money, kidnaps Sach to prevent him from playing. Slip and the rest of the gang rescue Sach and return him to the game. Sach is out of "vitamins," so Slip uses a trick play that distracts the other team and allows him to score the winning touchdown. Back in the chemistry lab, Sach concocts a new formula that he says will allow him to fly, to the gang's horror.

Cast

The Bowery Boys

Leo Gorcey as Terrance Aloysius "Slip" Mahoney

Huntz Hall as Horace Debussy "Sach" Jones

David Gorcey as Chuck (credited erroneously as David Conden)

Bennie Bartlett as Butch (credited erroneously as David Bartlett)

Gil Stratton Jr. as Junior

Supporting cast

Bernard Gorcey as Louie Dumbrowski and Morris Dumbrowski

John Bromfield as Biff Wallace

Bob Nichols as Harold Lane

Taylor Holmes as Dean Forrester

Pierre Watkin as Morgan T. Stanhope

Francis Pierlot as A. J. Billingsley

Veda Ann Borg as Candy Callin

Gloria Winters as Penny Wells

Mona Knox as Katie Wayne

George J. Lewis as Mike

Production

The working title was College Crazy. The Bowery Boys pictures were often topical, capitalizing on a popular trend -- in this case, college-campus movies like Bedtime for Bonzo, Monkey Business, and She's Working Her Way Through College.

Hold That Line marks the first of two appearances by Gil Stratton, Jr. as a member of the gang, replacing Billy Benedict. Stratton was reluctant to join the series, as his agent had accepted the job for the money, and Stratton tried to remain as inconspicuous as possible in the films, often giving his dialogue to Leo Gorcey or Huntz Hall.

Director William Beaudine captured the college-campus and football elements of Hold That Line so well that Monogram Pictures hired him to film a more elaborate football film, The Rose Bowl Story (1952).

Reception

Trade reviewers thought Hold That Line was about par for the series. Trade publisher Pete Harrison: "Followers of the pictures of this series should be satisfied with the comedy provoked by the foolish antics of the Bowery Boys. There is plentiful of the usual comedy, contributed particularly by Huntz Hall, and for good measure the action offers some football playing thrills. Director William Beaudine again does good work." Variety: "Slapstick and uninhibited comedy, which have marked Monogram's Bowery Boys series since its inception, get a workover in Hold That Line. Humor is of the obvious type. However, this entry will qualify as supporting fare where exhibs are seeking something with a light touch to balance off heavy drama."

Exhibitor reports were more positive. "Believe this is the best one they've made." (James Balkcom of Gray, Georgia, Nov. 29, 1952); "I never miss on these Bowery Boys. They are really tops here. I wish I could play one every week. Some people had to leave their TV sets, 'cause I did better than average business." (James Hardy of Shoals, Indiana, Feb. 14, 1953) "This time the Bowery Boys go to college, with the resulting number of laughs and comedy situations. Good if your audience likes this series, and that means just about every situation. Business good." (Lew Young of Palmerston, Ontario, Apr. 4, 1953); "A typical Bowery Boys picture. They have their following, and this one pleased them and sent them home happy." (Mrs. H. A. Fitch of Erin, Tennessee, Feb. 21, 1953).

Home media

Warner Archives released the film on made-to-order DVD in the United States as part of The Bowery Boys, Volume Two set on April 9, 2013.