Gasoline Alley (1951) User Reviews (5)

Simple and enjoyable.

[planktonrules · 6/10 · 3 February 2012]

I did it the wrong way around--as I saw the sequel to this ("Corky of Gasoline Alley") before the original film "Gasoline Alley". But, since I enjoyed this second film, I sought out this first one. It appears that Columbia Pictures was trying to create some sort of B-movie series--much like the Blondie and Dagwood films. But, as they only made two of them, it's obvious that the series never really caught on with the public.

Gasoline Alley was a comic strip that followed a family. Unlike many strips, this one aged over the years--and America watched the family expand and have various minor adventures. Much of the strip's history is summarized in the first five minutes of the film. Then the plot itself unfolds. The youngest son, Corky, arrives home unexpectedly. He's dropped out of college and married Hope. Now the two move in with his family and Corky is looking to start some sort of career. Eventually, he and some friends decide to open up a diner and they know their work is cut out for them--as restaurants so often fail. Can Corky and his new bride make it or will they give up, go on relief and end up committing a string of strong-armed robberies and murders before succumbing in a hail of police bullets? Well, actually, I made up all the last stuff, as this IS a family drama--a light and enjoyable one at that. No cops, no killing--just good 'ol wholesomeness. And, while it's not a super-exciting film or a laugh a minute, it's enjoyable and sweet--and well worth your time if you enjoy well made B-movies.

A completely charming introduction to a comic strip that I had never heard of.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 7 November 2019]

And it turns out to be one of the longest running, too! I've seen movies, plays, TV specials and series based on the "Peanuts" characters, Blondie and Dagwood, Lil' Orphan Annie, Lil' Abner and several others. I wasn't sure I'd get into this based on the complexity of the history, but thankfully, the screenwriter makes it clear who everybody is, how everything falls together and even the minor characters who made recurring appearances as if part of a continuing soap opera scenario. Pop Don Briscoe was the town bachelor as intruduced in the prologue, but soon, he's a reluctant adoptive father, a new husband and then father of two of his own children. Love for family is love, natural children or not, and brothers Jimmy Lyndon (adopted son, left on doorstep) and Scotty Beckett (natural son) are quite close.

Youngest sister Patty Brady is the typical lovable brat, yet the voice of what everybody is thinking. When Beckett returns home from college with new wife Susan Morrow, the house becomes very crowded, and Beckett quickly rises up the ranks from restaurant dishwasher to chef in training to owner of his own restaurant, co-signed by Lyndon. He becomes the intended victim of businessmen desperate to buy the property, but friends and family scheme to aide Beckett into beating these con-artists at their own game.

A very intelligent screenplay aides the film from becoming just another standard family comedy. Supporting characters played by Gus Schilling, Dick Wessel and Charles Halton add to the amusement with Virginia Toland memorable as a femme fatale after Beckett, not knowing that he's married. She gets a truly hysterical exit line. Like most Columbia comedies of the time, this culminates with a sensational speeding car sequence. Too bad this only had just one sequel!

For Fans Of The Comic Strip

[boblipton · 6/10 · 1 September 2023]

Corky (played by Scotty Beckett) drops out of college to marry Susan Morrow. Everyone in the family is upset as he tries a couple of jobs to support his wife. Then the opportunity arises to buy a diner, with attendant difficulties.

It's a pretty good representation of the daily continuity of Frank King's comic strip (which is still running!) with Don Beddoe made up to look exactly like Walt Wallet in the comics. The strip originated in the form of four World War I vets talking about cars. By the early 1920s, a baby was left on Walt's steps to appeal to women readers. Gasoline Alley was unique in that the characters aged in normal time, so that young orphan, named "Skeezix" fought in the Second World War, and matters have continued on, although the aging process was stopped for a couple of decades, then later resumed. As a result, Walt is probably the oldest man alive at something over 120 years of age.

With Dick Wessell, Gus Schilling, and Byron Boulger.

Scotty Beckett & Gus Schilling Are Terrific

[drednm · 9 January 2013]

Child star Scotty Beckett stars in this neat little film as a married college dropout who goes into business for himself in a diner. Based on the incredibly long-running comic strip, this is a family drama with comedy and a very good cast of familiar faces.

Beckett plays Corky, the younger brother, who comes home from college with a surprise: a wife (Susan Morrow). The father (Don Beddoe) and older brother (Jimmy Lydon) try to take Corky under their wing, but he's determined to make his own way. Rather than take a good job they've arranged for him, he finds work as a clothes model and then as a dishwasher in a diner. When he discovers a filthy, run-down diner for sale, he talks the brother, named Skeezix, into lending him the money to buy it.

He's only 20 and runs into all kinds of problems getting the diner cleaned up and operating. Luckily, the cook (Dick Wessel) from his first job goes with him since he's an army buddy of Skeezix. Simple story, well told, and very well acted.

Also in the cast are Madelon Baker as the mother, Patti Brady as the kid sister, Byron Foulger as the strange man, Virginia Toland as the vamp, Jimmy Lloyd as the creep, Charles Halton as the owner, Christine McIntyre as Myrtle, and in an especially good role, Gus Schilling as Joe.

Schilling's character is a real surprise for a 1951 family film, and he just about walks off with the picture except that Beckett is terrific. Followed by a sequel with pretty much the same cast and also released in 1951. These would proved to be Beckett's last starring roles in films.

A General Delight

[dougdoepke · 1 May 2022]

What a delightful little surprise. The cast blends together in lively fashion without overdoing it, along with excellent pacing from director Bernds. Then too, the flick's from Columbia meaning there's more expertise behind the production than than the usual low-budget product.

So, can the Wallet family turn a broken-down diner into a real money-maker. Watch young entrepreneur Corky go at it, while also proving he's as talented as his successful older brother, Skeezix. Surely their names don't sound like businessmen, but then names aren't everything. And what a bunch of charming family girls (the boys' wives and sister) and note how everyone combines to convert the diner into a winner, despite the many temptations and drawbacks along the way. The question is: can they keep it.

It's a morale booster to see family and new friends pitching in whatever their initial misgivings. All in all, it's an excellent cast, both the leads (Beckett, Morrow, Lydon) and the supports (Brady, Wessel, et. Al.) who happily add both humor and grit. And catch the many humorous touches that spice up the story-line. I especially like Dad's limp tulip that appears to be growing atop his forehead, or pens that disappear at the last minute proving that even questionable skills can serve a higher purpose.

Anyhow, be sure to catch this little delight despite the obscurity. The chuckles remain, though I'm still wondering what the flick has to do with Gasoline Alley, a popular comic strip of of the time. Oh well, the likely box-office appeal was well placed, nevertheless.

In Passing - roadside diners were still popular for quick meals in the early '50's, but were soon replaced by drive-thru's like McDonalds. And thank goodness leaky fountain pens were soon replaced by reliable ball-points. That sure made my highschool years easier. Meanwhile time marches on, but our charming little flick can happily override those passing decades. So, my viewer's salute to both cast and crew.