★ 9 / 10
If I get lost, I'll send up a
John Chard
If I get lost, I'll send up a rocket. Loosely based on the James J Corbett biography "The Roar Of The Crowd", Gentleman Jim is a wonderfully breezy picture…
If I get lost, I'll send up a rocket.
Loosely based on the James J Corbett biography "The Roar Of The Crowd", Gentleman Jim is a wonderfully breezy picture that perfectly encapsulates not only the rise of the pugilistic prancer that was Corbett, but also the wind of change as regards the sport of boxing circa the 1890s.
It was like trying to hit a ghost!
The story follows Corbett (a perfectly cast Errol Flynn) from his humble beginnings as a bank teller in San Fransico, through to a chance fight with an ex boxing champion that eventually leads to him fighting the fearsome heavyweight champion of the world, John L Sullivan (beefcake personified delightfully by Ward Bond). Not all the fights are in the ring though, and it's all the spin off vignettes in Corbett's life that makes this a grand entertaining picture. There are class issues to overcome here (perfectly played out as fellow club members pay to have him knocked down a peg or two), and Corbett has to not only fight to get respect from his so called peers, but he must also overcome his ego as it grows as briskly as his reputation does.
Along with the quite wonderful Corbett family, and all their stoic humorous support, Corbett's journey is as enthralling as it is joyous, yet as brash and as bold as he is, he is a very likable character, and it's a character that befits the tagged moniker he got of Gentleman Jim. The film never sags for one moment, and it's a testament to director Raoul Walsh that although we are eagerly awaiting the final fight, the outer ring goings on are keeping us firmly entertained, not even the love interest sub plot hurts this picture (thank you Alexis Smith). The fight sequences stand up really well, and they perfectly show just how Corbett became the champ he was, his brand of dancing rings round slugger fighters is now firmly placed in boxing history.
As the final reel rolls we all come down to earth as an after fight meeting between Sullivan and Corbett puts all the brutality into context, and it's here where humility and humbleness becomes the outright winner, and as far as this viewer goes, it will do for me to be sure to be sure. 9/10 for a truly wonderful picture.
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★ 8 / 10
One of Errol's best
jjnxn-1
This is one of Errol's best films and performances as Gentleman Jim Corbett. He's loose and lively with his movie star charm and charisma in full evidence.…
This is one of Errol's best films and performances as Gentleman Jim Corbett. He's loose and lively with his movie star charm and charisma in full evidence. He's also well matched with Alexis Smith one of the most undervalued of golden era actresses. They made four films together with this being the best of the bunch. Well directed by Walsh with a quick pace and a great group of the Warners stock company assembled. Ward Bond in particular stands out in a nice scene as John L. Sullivan passing the torch of championship on to the next generation. An excellent example of the studio system working at peak efficiency where all the components fall into place and turn an average script into something more.
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★ 8 / 10
"Mommy, why doesn't Daddy look like that in his underwear?"
utgard14
Great biopic of boxer James 'Gentleman Jim' Corbett. The movie covers his life from pre-boxing days up to his championship boxing match with John L. Sullivan.…
Great biopic of boxer James 'Gentleman Jim' Corbett. The movie covers his life from pre-boxing days up to his championship boxing match with John L. Sullivan. Errol Flynn has a field day with the part. He's immensely charming and does most of his own boxing in this. Ward Bond is great as Sullivan, one of his best roles outside of his John Ford films. Alexis Smith is fine as the love interest. Fun support from Alan Hale, Jack Carson, and William Frawley. As with most of the great old Hollywood biographical films, attention is paid more to telling an entertaining story than being historically accurate. That doesn't bother me but your tastes may vary. Nice Warner Bros. production with period sets and costumes. A fun, light movie well-directed by frequent Flynn collaborator Raoul Walsh.
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