If you took WEST SIDE STORY(which didn't come out yet) and removed the music and added a bunch of talky melodrama I think this is pretty close to what you would have. This was directed by Don Siegel who had just made the classic INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS. Unlike INVASION which had lots of wide open space and was shot in real locations, this movie always feels like it was shot on an obvious set where everything seems closed in. Sort of like SESAME STREET but with switchblades. John Cassavetes, who went on to be in ROSEMARY'S BABY, plays the gang leader who looks a little old for the part of a troubled teen. Also one of the gang members seems to be a homosexual which was weird to see in the 50's although maybe it was just my screwy "gaydar" acting up. There is a cool gang fight scene in the opening but from there on out the movie gets way too preachy for me about the dangers of troubled youth and blah, blah, blah... On the plus side it wasn't a silly musical. Watch it only if you like being preached at.
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