Live Wires 1946
"They'll Short-Circuit Your Funnybone!"
Phil Karlson's 1946 comedy-crime hybrid, Live Wires (1946), throws Slip Mahoney—Leo Gorcey's beloved Bowery Boys troublemaker—into a whirlwind of misadventures after a workplace dust-up lands him in hot water.
Director: Phil Karlson
Cast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Live Wires (1946) about?
After tangling with his boss, Slip Mahoney lands a new job serving warrants—only to uncover graft at his old construction company. With his sister possibly in the crosshairs, Slip and his best pal Sach dive into a high-stakes chase that tests their wits and loyalty.
Who directed Live Wires?
The film was directed by Phil Karlson, a filmmaker known for blending fast-paced action with sharp social commentary in his crime and noir-inflected works.
Who stars in Live Wires?
The movie features Leo Gorcey as Slip Mahoney, Huntz Hall as Sach, Mike Mazurki as a tough antagonist, and Bobby Jordan alongside William Benedict in supporting roles.
Is Live Wires (1946) worth watching?
With its brisk 65-minute runtime and genre-melding style, Live Wires offers a fun slice of postwar-era entertainment. Fans of the Bowery Boys' rough-and-tumble humor and lighthearted thrills will find plenty to enjoy, even if it's not a cinematic heavyweight.
How long is Live Wires?
The runtime for Live Wires (1946) is 65 minutes.
About Live Wires (1946) — A Bowery Boys caper that fuses comedy and crime with explosive results
Phil Karlson's 1946 comedy-crime hybrid, Live Wires (1946), throws Slip Mahoney—Leo Gorcey's beloved Bowery Boys troublemaker—into a whirlwind of misadventures after a workplace dust-up lands him in hot water. When Slip discovers his old construction company's shady dealings and learns his sister could be next on the chopping block, he pivots from construction hardhat to justice-seeking process server alongside his ever-loyal pal Sach (Huntz Hall). The quick-witted duo navigates a gritty urban underbelly where graft and danger lurk around every corner, blending laughs with a surprisingly tense thriller atmosphere that keeps the 65-minute runtime buzzing with energy.
Directed with a brisk, no-nonsense touch by Karlson, Live Wires rides the razor's edge between slapstick and suspense, anchored by Gorcey and Hall's chemistry and bolstered by Mike Mazurki's imposing presence. The film's noir-tinged themes of corruption and sibling loyalty collide with the East Side Kids' anarchic charm, making it a standout entry in the genre-blending comedies of the era—one that still crackles with the kind of unpredictable fun that defines its tagline.