Dangerous Years

Dangerous Years

Year: 1947

Runtime: 62 mins

Language: English

Director: Arthur Pierson

Drama

Jeff Carter tries to curb town delinquency by founding a boys’ club in the community, representing the problems of the modern teenager. When street tough Danny arrives, he draws Doris, Willy and Leo into his sway, they spend evenings at a juke joint where Eve works. Jeff tries to thwart a robbery Danny planned; Jeff then is killed and Danny faces trial.

Dangerous Years (1947) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

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In the quiet town of Middleton, a lingering sense of change hangs over the streets, amplified by the arrival of a new roadhouse called the Gopher Hole. The community, steeped in tradition and wary of outside influences, watches as its younger generation drifts between the safety of a modest boys’ club and the alluring pull of night‑time gatherings. The atmosphere is a blend of hopeful optimism and underlying tension, a small‑town portrait where every conversation hints at the larger struggles of post‑war America.

Jeff Carter, a dedicated teacher, has poured his energy into the youth club, hoping to offer a steady hand to teenagers searching for purpose. Among those drawn to his cause are Willy Miller, Leo Emerson, and the spirited Doris Martin, each wrestling with personal ambitions and the expectations of their families. Their world collides with that of Danny Jones, a charismatic yet restless streetwise teen whose presence introduces a raw edge to the otherwise orderly scene. As the group navigates evenings at the Gopher Hole, they encounter Eve, a lively juke‑joint worker whose smile masks deeper currents of longing and rebellion.

The film’s tone balances earnest drama with an almost lyrical melancholy, using the backdrop of dusty streets, flickering neon lights, and the steady hum of small‑town life to underscore the characters’ internal conflicts. Themes of mentorship, peer influence, and the fragile line between guidance and freedom ripple beneath everyday interactions. While the narrative promises inevitable choices and hidden motivations, it leaves the outcomes suspended, inviting viewers to wonder how each young soul will respond to the pull of camaraderie, authority, and the uncharted road ahead.

Last Updated: December 05, 2025 at 09:49

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Gritty Youth Crime Dramas like Dangerous Years

Bleak stories exploring societal decay and troubled youth spiraling into crime.If you liked the grim social realism of Dangerous Years, explore more movies like it. This section features similar dramas about juvenile delinquency, societal responsibility, and the bleak consequences of crime, perfect for viewers seeking heavy, tense narratives.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a downward spiral, beginning with minor delinquency that escalates into serious crime, often violence. The narrative structure frequently involves a well-intentioned figure trying to intervene, a fatal confrontation, and a subsequent legal or moral reckoning that exposes deeper societal flaws.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared dark tone, high emotional intensity, and focus on the theme of youth corruption. They create a cohesive experience through their steady, methodical pacing, heavy emotional weight, and bittersweet or bleak endings that leave a lasting, somber impression.

Moral Tragedy Courtroom Dramas like Dangerous Years

Legal procedurals where the trial follows a deeply personal and tragic crime.Viewers who appreciated the courtroom tension and tragic backstory of Dangerous Years will find more movies like it here. These films feature trials that explore deep moral questions, family secrets, and the heavy weight of crime and punishment.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a crime—often a murder—that is intimately connected to the key characters. The trial that follows is less about whodunit and more about exploring why it happened, revealing painful secrets, and grappling with guilt, responsibility, and the possibility (or impossibility) of redemption.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a somber, remorseful mood and a structure that builds tension toward a legal climax. They are united by a high sadness score, a focus on crime and punishment, and a pacing that steadily moves from the tragic event to its legal and emotional aftermath.

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Dangerous Years Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Dangerous Years

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Dangerous Years

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