Angels with Dirty Faces

In 1920, Rocky Sullivan and Jerry Connolly attempt to rob a railroad car filled with fountain pens. Jerry escapes from the pursuing police, but Rocky is caught and sent to reform school. The failed heist marks the beginning of Rocky's infamous reputation that haunts him for years.

Rocky serves time in a reform school after the 1920 heist. The years there harden him and reinforce his image as a future criminal. He remains there until his release several years later.

Fifteen years after the reform school, Rocky is arrested for armed robbery. His lawyer Jim Frazier urges him to take the blame so Frazier can safeguard Rocky's $100,000 share until his release. Rocky agrees and is sentenced to three years in prison.

After serving his sentence, Rocky returns to his old neighborhood and visits Jerry, who is now a Catholic priest. He rents a room in a boarding house run by Laury Martin and also visits Frazier's casino, where Frazier promises to have the $100,000 waiting and gives Rocky $500 to spend.

Rocky is pickpocketed by a gang of young toughs: Soapy, Swing, Bim, Pasty, Crab, and Hunky. He tracks them to his old childhood hideout, where the boys admit they admire his lifestyle. After reclaiming his wallet and money, he invites them to dinner, and Jerry arrives to remind them to play basketball.

With Jerry's help, the gang agrees to try basketball instead of crime. The first match is chaotic as the kids fight with the other team. Rocky disciplines them, and they begin to follow the rules as Laury watches with concern about his influence.

Frazier's hit squad makes an attempt on Rocky's life, but he spots them and outwits the attack. In retaliation, Rocky kidnaps Frazier, raids his house for $2,000 and a ledger, and then goes to Mac Keefer to demand $100,000 in exchange for Frazier's release. Keefer pays but informs the police about the arrangement.

Frazier tells the police it was a misunderstanding, and Rocky is released. Meanwhile, Jerry learns of the kidnapping and vows to go to the press to expose corruption in New York.

On the radio, Jerry denounces the corruption, naming Rocky, Frazier, and Keefer. Frazier and Keefer hide plans to kill Jerry, but Rocky acts to protect his friend by killing Frazier and Keefer instead. He heads to an abandoned warehouse where a standoff with the police unfolds.

Jerry arrives and tries to reason with Rocky to surrender, hoping to save him from himself. Rocky takes Jerry hostage during the attempt to escape and is shot in the leg, ultimately being captured by the authorities.

Rocky stands trial and is sentenced to death. The verdict seals his fate and leaves the Dead End Kids to grapple with his chosen path and the myth of the gangster lifestyle.

Jerry visits Rocky before the execution and urges him to beg for mercy to spare the gang's romantic image of crime. Rocky refuses, insisting that his reputation is all he has left. In the execution room he finally breaks down and begs for mercy, seemingly dying a coward's death as the gang reads newspaper reports of his fate and Jerry leads them in prayer.