The long-running Bowery Boys series almost came to an end during the filming of Crashing Las Vegas (1956). Star Leo Gorcey became despondent after his father and co-star Bernard died in an auto accident, lost control of his drinking and threw a violent fit on the Allied Artists sound stage, destroying the set completely. After being refused a substantial raise, Leo quit Allied Artists flat and never returned. To fulfill its obligation to the exhibitors, the series was continued much in the same vein, but with the new billing, 'Huntz Hall and The Bowery Boys'. Hall remained in the role of Horace Debussy 'Sach' Jones, but Leo Gorcey's function was replaced by actor Stanley Clements, as Stanislaus 'Duke' Covelske. The only Gorcey left on the payroll was Leo's younger brother David, as the supporting Bowery Boy Chuck. Fighting Trouble sees Sach and Duke aiming to make a living as photographers. Sach impersonates a hoodlum to penetrate the headquarters of gangster Frankie Arbo (Thomas Browne Henry) and photograph proof of the mob's counterfeiting operation. Things get dicey when gang moll Dolly Tate (Laurie Mitchell) goes along with their ruse, for personal reasons. Director George Blair was new to the series but writer Elwood Ullman was a key Bowery Boys veteran, having written scores of the series entries.

By Glenn Erickson