Summary
“Kick In” plunges into the gritty underbelly of East Side life, tracing the intertwined fates of “Chick” Hewes and his erstwhile companion, Benny, whose youthful delinquency curdles into a life of hardened criminality. A botched heist casts a long shadow, separating the duo as Benny is apprehended, while Chick finds temporary sanctuary in the humble abode of Molly Carey, a haven that soon becomes a trap. His subsequent incarceration is tempered only by Molly's steadfast promise, a beacon of hope in his bleak existence. Upon his release, a transformed Chick embraces a life of marital bliss and rectitude with Molly. However, the specter of his past resurfaces when a wounded Benny, fresh from a jewel robbery, seeks refuge in Chick's now-respectable home. A profound loyalty compels Chick to shelter his old comrade in the attic, a decision fraught with peril that tragically culminates in Benny's death from his untreated injuries. The clandestine disposal of the body only intensifies police scrutiny, turning Chick's dwelling into a watched house. A startling revelation emerges: Molly's brother, a victim of drug addiction, had, unbeknownst to all, pilfered the stolen necklace from the dying Benny. As Chick and Molly prepare to confront the authorities, fate intervenes, and the brother is arrested. A subsequent attempt by Chick to navigate this labyrinth of deceit leads to a treacherous double-cross by a detective, narrowly averted by Molly's swift intervention. Their desperate journey to confess is abruptly halted by a disguised official, leading them to police headquarters. There, facing dire consequences, Chick's plea for leniency for his pregnant wife, Molly, strikes a chord. The police chief, privy to the necklace's recovery and the gravity of their situation, finds his resolve softened by the recent news of his own son's birth, ultimately granting the couple a reprieve, a testament to the transformative power of love and redemption.
Synopsis
"Chick" Hewes, a street urchin of the East Side, and his pal, Benny, following their early teachings, become crook gangsters. The police pursue them during a bold robbery; Benny is caught and Chick takes refuge in Molly Carey's flat above the crooks' quarters. Finally trapped, "Chick" is "sent up" and Molly's promise to wait for him is the one ray of sunshine in his gloomy existence. Given freedom and a chance, Chick happily married to Molly, leads the straight and narrow path. Back to his old tricks, Benny, wounded in a necklace robbery, eludes the police with his loot and makes his way to his former pal's flat. Although realizing the danger to his home, Chick, for the sake of his boyhood pal, conceals Benny in the attic, but without a doctor's care the wound proves fatal. With the help of his old pals, the body is disposed of, but the police suspect and watch Chick's flat constantly. Later, to his surprise, Chick discovers that Molly's brother, a drug victim, had, unobserved, taken the stolen necklace from the wounded Benny. They decide to tell the authorities, but before they have an opportunity, Molly's brother is arrested. Trying to square things, Chick is double crossed by a detective, who tries to arrest him for the robbery, but is prevented by Molly's quick action. While on their way to make a clean breast of everything a police official, disguised as a chauffeur, ensnares and takes them to police headquarters. Faced with the seriousness of the penalty, Chick asks for leniency for Molly, about to become a mother. The chief, having the necklace and realizing what conviction means, is softened by the news that he himself is the father of a baby boy and for the sake of the young couple's happiness, he releases them.
