STREETS OF NEW YORK aka Abe Lincoln of Ninth Avenue (1939) Jackie Cooper & Marjorie Reynolds | B&W

Streets of New York is a 1939 American film directed by William Nigh. The film is also known as The Abe Lincoln of Ninth Avenue and The Abraham Lincoln of the 4th Avenue.

SYNOPSIS
Jimmy, an idealistic and hard-working young man, has just arrived in New York City with dreams of making his fortune.

Teenager Jimmy Keenan operates a newsstand and is studying to become a lawyer. He takes care of a crippled boy named Gimpy whose mother has died. Jimmy's brother Tap Keenan is a notorious criminal. A neighborhood gang led by Spike is trying to lead Jimmy into trouble.

Gimpy and Spike's gang are arrested for gambling. Jimmy convinces Judge Carroll that Gimpy had not actually gambled, as there was no evidence of money involved. The judge is impressed with Jimmy and releases the kids. Judge Carroll later learns that Jimmy is Tap's brother and urges Jimmy to continue to pursue his dream, hoping that he will not follow in his brother's path. Tap offers to finance Jimmy's education and wants Jimmy to work for him after graduating. Jimmy declines and warns Tap not to contact him.

After a Christmas gathering at Judge Carroll's home, Jimmy learns that Tap has killed a man and is hiding from the police. When Spike taunts Jimmy and mocks his mother, they fight. Jimmy returns to his room but finds Tap hiding there. Tap tries to convince Jimmy to help him to escape, but Jimmy insists that Tap surrender. As Gimpy enters, Tap shoots through the door and injures him. Jimmy wrestles with Tap and police arrest Tap several minutes later. After a few days, Jimmy is told that Gimpy will return later. Jimmy abandons the newspaper stand and continues to pursue his dream to become a lawyer like his hero

CAST & CREW
Jackie Cooper as James Michael "Jimmy" Keenan
Martin Spellman as William McKinley "Gimpy" Smith
Marjorie Reynolds as Anne Carroll
Dick Purcell as T.P. 'Tap' Keenan
George Cleveland as Pop O'Toole
George Irving as Judge Carroll
Robert Emmett O'Connor as Police Officer Burke
Sidney Miller as Jiggsy, newsboy
David Durand as Spike Morgan
Buddy Pepper as Flatfoot, newsboy

Directed by William Nigh
Written by Robert Hardy Andrews
Produced by Scott R. Dunlap
Cinematography Harry Neumann
Edited by Russell F. Schoengarth
Music by Edward J. Kay
Production company Monogram Pictures
Release date 12 April 1939
Running time 73 minutes
Country United States
Language English