1991
In 1899 New York City, charismatic newsboy Jack Kelly dreams of escaping his life to Santa Fe, but his plans are disrupted when newspaper magnate Joseph Pulitzer raises the price of newspapers, making it harder for the newsies to earn a living. Jack, along with new friends David and Les Jacobs, organizes a city-wide strike among the newsboys, facing resistance from other newsies and violent opposition from Pulitzer's hired thugs and the corrupt Warden Snyder, who seeks to return Jack to the House of Refuge. Despite setbacks, including Jack's capture and forced return to the House of Refuge, the newsies, with the help of reporter Bryan Denton and vaudeville performer Medda Larkson, rally support and print their own newspaper exposing Pulitzer's greed and the plight of child laborers. The newsies' actions attract the attention of Governor Theodore Roosevelt, who intervenes and forces Pulitzer to negotiate, leading to a compromise where Pulitzer agrees to buy back unsold papers, effectively ending the strike and securing a victory for the newsboys. With the strike resolved and Snyder arrested, Jack decides to stay in New York, embracing his role as a leader among the newsies and finding a new sense of belonging.
Save the Cat beat sheet
A scrappy newsboy named Jack Kelly leads his fellow newsies in a fight against a price hike imposed by newspaper tycoon Pulitzer.
Open full beat sheetJack Kelly is listed as Newsie Leader. Charismatic, rebellious, and a natural leader among the newsboys. In the parsed data, Jack Kelly is connected to 57 scenes, 43 dialogue lines, 45 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
57 scenes / 43 dialogue linesDavid Jacobs is listed as Newsie / Strategist. Intelligent, principled, and the voice of reason for the group. In the parsed data, David Jacobs is connected to 43 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
43 scenes / 10 dialogue linesLes Jacobs is listed as Newsie. David's younger brother, eager and charming. In the parsed data, Les Jacobs is connected to 29 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
29 scenes / 5 dialogue linesCrutchy is listed as Newsie. A physically disabled newsboy, loyal friend to Jack. In the parsed data, Crutchy is connected to 20 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 4.
20 scenes / 9 dialogue linesRacetrack Higgins is listed as Newsie. A gambling-obsessed newsboy. In the parsed data, Racetrack Higgins is connected to 17 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 11.
17 scenes / 1 dialogue linesBryan Denton is listed as Journalist. A reporter for The Sun who supports the newsies. In the parsed data, Bryan Denton is connected to 16 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 57.
16 scenes / 3 dialogue linesSnyder is listed as Warden of the House of Refuge. Corrupt and cruel, obsessed with capturing Jack. In the parsed data, Snyder is connected to 14 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 47.
14 scenes / 2 dialogue linesSpot Conlon is listed as Brooklyn Newsie Leader. Tough, respected leader of the Brooklyn newsies. In the parsed data, Spot Conlon is connected to 10 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 38.
10 scenes / 2 dialogue linesJoseph Pulitzer is listed as Newspaper Publisher. Powerful, ruthless, and profit-driven owner of The World. In the parsed data, Joseph Pulitzer is connected to 9 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 33.
9 scenes / 5 dialogue linesMedda Larkson is listed as Vaudeville Performer. A supportive friend to Jack and owner of Irving Hall. In the parsed data, Medda Larkson is connected to 7 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 48.
7 scenes / 1 dialogue lineschar_11 is identified from the parsed character and dialogue data. In the parsed data, char_11 is connected to 2 scenes, first appearing around scene 72.
2 scenes / 0 dialogue linesThe morning edition of The World is printed and bundled by pressmen.
Workmen unload carts of newspapers.
Kloppman enters the lodging house.
Kloppman wakes the newsies; Jack wakes Crutchy.
Jack Kelly, CrutchyThe newsies wash up and discuss their day.
Jack Kelly, CrutchyThe newsies leave the lodging house.
Jack and the boys prepare to head out.
Jack Kelly, CrutchyDavid and Les head to work.
David Jacobs, Les JacobsKid Blink avoids a cop.
Racetrack gambles; Jack and his group arrive.
Jack Kelly, Crutchy, Racetrack HigginsDavid and Les continue their journey.
David Jacobs, Les JacobsKid Blink joins Jack's group.
Jack Kelly, CrutchyThe boys sing while moving through the alley.
Jack KellyThe boys get coffee from nuns.
Jack Kelly, CrutchyNewsies gather outside The World building.
Jack KellyHeadlines are written on blackboards.
Newsies react to the headlines.
Newsies converge in the square.
Jack confronts the Delancey brothers.
Jack Kelly, Crutchy, Racetrack HigginsJack is chased by the Delanceys; he runs into David.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les JacobsJack escapes the Delanceys.
Jack KellyJack and the newsies get their papers; Jack helps David.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, Crutchy, Racetrack HigginsJack proposes a partnership to David and Les.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, CrutchyJack teaches David and Les how to sell newspapers by using creative headlines and showmanship.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les JacobsThe boys sell papers near bare-knuckle boxers until Snyder and a cop arrive to chase Jack.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, SnyderThe boys flee from Snyder and the police.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, SnyderThe chase continues up the stairs of a tenement.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, SnyderJack escapes across a plank and topples it to stop the pursuers.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, SnyderThe boys hide in Medda Larkson's theater and meet her.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, Medda LarksonJack shows David and Les his dream of Santa Fe.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les JacobsJack joins David's family for dinner.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les JacobsPulitzer discusses financial losses and potential cost-cutting measures.
Joseph PulitzerPulitzer and his staff discuss raising the price of newspapers for the newsies to increase profits.
Joseph Pulitzer, Bryan Denton, Medda LarksonJack arrives at the square and discovers the price hike.
Jack KellyJack confronts Weasel about the price increase.
Jack Kelly, Crutchy, Racetrack HigginsThe newsies decide to go on strike.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, Crutchy, Racetrack HigginsJack, David, and Les meet with Denton to discuss the strike.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, Bryan DentonJack, David, and Boots meet Spot Conlon to ask for his support.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Spot ConlonThe Newsies confront the non-striking newsies and the Delanceys at the gates, leading to a chaotic battle.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, Crutchy, Bryan Denton, Racetrack HigginsPulitzer orders Weasel to end the newsie nuisance by any means necessary.
Joseph PulitzerJack and David arrive at the House of Refuge to rescue Crutchy.
Jack Kelly, David JacobsJack and David attempt to break Crutchy out of the House of Refuge.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Crutchy, SnyderJack and David discuss the history of Jack's escape and the corruption of the House of Refuge.
Jack Kelly, David JacobsWeasel hires thugs to break the strike.
The Newsies fight the thugs, and Brooklyn arrives to help.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Bryan Denton, Racetrack Higgins, Spot ConlonThe Newsies celebrate the success of their strike coverage in The Sun.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Bryan Denton, Racetrack Higgins, Spot ConlonSnyder discovers Jack's identity in the newspaper.
Crutchy, SnyderJack and David ask Medda to host their rally.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Medda LarksonSnyder searches for Jack at the lodging house.
Jack Kelly, Snyder, Racetrack HigginsJack and Sarah talk on the fire escape.
Jack KellyJack and Sarah discuss the future and Santa Fe.
Jack KellyJack and Sarah share a moment on a rooftop, discussing Jack's past and his desire to go to Santa Fe, before a gust of wind interrupts them.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les JacobsPulitzer plots with the Mayor and Snyder to arrest Jack Kelly at the upcoming rally.
Joseph Pulitzer, Snyder, Bryan DentonNewsies gather outside Irving Hall for the rally.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, Bryan Denton, Racetrack HigginsPulitzer hosts a card game with other newspaper owners.
Joseph PulitzerThe rally takes place; Jack, David, and Spot debate strategy while Snyder infiltrates.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Crutchy, Medda Larkson, Snyder, Bryan DentonThe Newsies are tried; Jack is sentenced to the House of Refuge.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Snyder, Bryan Denton, Racetrack Higgins, Spot ConlonThe Newsies discuss their next steps; Denton reveals he has been bought off.
David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, Bryan Denton, Racetrack Higgins, Spot ConlonDavid and the newsies plan to break Jack out of the House of Refuge.
David Jacobs, Spot Conlon, Racetrack HigginsJack is taken away in a carriage by Snyder.
Snyder, Jack Kelly, David JacobsJack is brought to Pulitzer's mansion.
Jack Kelly, Snyder, David JacobsJack confronts Pulitzer in his study.
Jack Kelly, Joseph PulitzerDavid helps Jack escape the mansion.
David Jacobs, Jack Kelly, SnyderJack is returned to the House of Refuge and sings.
Jack Kelly, CrutchyThe newsies are shocked to see Jack with the scabs.
David Jacobs, Jack Kelly, Racetrack Higgins, Spot Conlon, Les JacobsSarah reads Denton's story to David.
David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, Bryan DentonJack saves Sarah and Les from the Delanceys.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les JacobsThe group discusses the plan to start their own paper.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, Bryan DentonJack leads the group into the basement of the World Building to use the printing press.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, Medda Larkson, Bryan DentonThe group works together to print their own newspaper while avoiding detection.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, Medda Larkson, Bryan DentonThe newsies distribute the printed papers and Jack prepares to leave.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, Crutchy, Medda Larkson, Racetrack HigginsTeddy Roosevelt reads the newsies' paper and decides to take action.
Bryan Denton, char_11The newsies gather and Les leads them in a song to rally support.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, Racetrack Higgins, Spot ConlonPulitzer reacts to the strike and the newsies' paper.
Joseph PulitzerJack and David negotiate with Pulitzer.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Joseph PulitzerThe strike ends, Snyder is arrested, and Jack prepares to leave.
Jack Kelly, David Jacobs, Les Jacobs, Crutchy, Snyder, Bryan DentonJack returns to the newsies.
Jack Kelly, Les JacobsJack returns to the newsies at the loading dock, leading them in song as they collect their papers and head out into the city.
Jack Kelly, Les JacobsThe streets are fulla fakes these days -- it's hurtin' the rep of genuine articles like myself. I gotta find me a new sellin' spot, where they ain't used to seein' me.
You owe me two bits, right? Okay, so I consider it an investment. We sell together, split 70-30, plus you get the benefit of observin' me -- no charge.
Jack -- whattaya know, whattaya say. Got a hot tip on a nag in the fourth at Sheepshead -- sure t'ing!
Their leader is a child of the New York streets with a red bandana and a golden tongue, Jack Kelly --
Would the fact that this rally is organized by an escaped criminal be cause enough, Mayor?
Of course I need to make more money! But how do I make more money, you bloodless blot?
Of course I need to make more money! But how do I make more money, you bloodless blot?
Maybe. But you can't put every kid in that square in jail. They ain't goin' away, Joe.
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