Freddie Steps Out (1946) - The Teen-Agers #2

Released June 29, 1946 After their EastSide Kids series ended, Monogram Studios produced an eight movie musical series called "The Teen Agers" that was more akin to Riverdale than the Bowery. Pretty good bands were featured in both choreographed numbers, and music video vignettes. Freddie Stewart was generally likeable, but my favorite was Noel Neill who played the bookworm student newspaper editor and girlfriend to Frankie Darro. She's either pouting, or she's shouting at her staff "I want Scoops! Scoops! Bring me Scoops!" which was good practice for her later job as Lois Lane. Fun Fact: the youngest "Teen Ager" was (somewhat obnoxious) Warren Mills at 20. The oldest was Frankie Darro who must be about 28 or 29 in these. Even Gabriel Carteris thought he was a bit old for the part. Storyline: "Freddie Trimball is a high school student. He happens to bear an amazing resemblance to Frankie Troy, one of the most popular young singers in the country. Tired of working and tired of being pursued by bobby-soxers and other fans, Frankie tells his managers he needs a break. They try to discourage him while Freddie's classmates come up with a hoax, claiming that "Frankie" has gone back to school. Mix-up after mix-up follows, with Freddie's girlfriend, Dodie Rogers, every bit as confused as Frankie's wife, who has a baby. It all comes to a head when Frankie ends up singing in a school show." Freddie Stewart as Freddie Trimball/ Frankie June Preisser as Dodie Rogers Jackie Moran as Jimmy Forrest Noel Neill as Betty Rogers Anne Rooney as Addie Rogers Frankie Darro as Roy Donne Warren Mills as Lee Roberts Murray Davis as Tiny Milt Kibbee as Professor Townley Belle Mitchell as Miss Hinklefink