Kid Galahad (1937)

This 1937 boxing film from "Warner Bros," is a well-crafted classic with some good boxing scenes and typically great performances from Edward G. Robinson and Bette Davis. Humphrey Bogart is given the thankless role of that of another gangster but he still adds something to "Kid Galahad." Robinson is a boxing promoter who needs a winner in his stable of prizefighters after he fires his latest protégé. A young bellhop shows some potential and Robinson trains him as the next heavyweight champion, potentially. The path to success is not easy as Robinson tries to avoid the wrath of Bogart and his mob of fellow hoodlums. What also doesn't help, is Robinson having a jealous streak regarding Davis and his being overly protective of his younger sister. Bette Davis is largely written out of the film after 53 minutes but she still makes a valuable contribution. The plot is quite straightforward and the pace is very snappy. The dialogue is pretty good for a film of this kind. It helps if you are a fan of the boxing sport because you will enjoy this film even more. Michael Curtiz displays his brilliance with the direction and keeps any unnecessary subplots out of the narrative. "Kid Galahad" was remade with Humphrey Bogart in "The Wagons Roll at Night," which is vastly inferior. This 1937 film is a classic.

An unworldly bellhop is recruited into the boxing ring where he becomes a pawn between two rival racketeers. Meanwhile, his good looks cause romantic complications among the girls. Likely the movie's main draw now is the stellar cast of Warner Bros. stars—Robinson, Davis, and Bogart, each doing their thing. Oddly, however, I think it's newcomer Wayne Morris who steals the film. His easy smile and seemingly genuine innocence are a marked contrast to the tough guys. He's a perfect "Galahad", and magnet for the girls. The plot has two main strands—Galahad's fight career, and the romantic sort-out that parallels it. Neither strand is exceptional, especially the fight scenes that are sometimes speeded up to a ludicrous degree. Nonetheless, powerhouse Davis looks unusually fetching and handles the conflicting emotions expertly, while newcomer Jane Bryan calibrates sweet innocence nicely. And, of course, it's fun seeing the premier tough guys square off, though Bogart's still several years from stardom. The script does a pretty good job of coordinating the two main strands, while director Curtiz keeps things moving in typical WB style. As a boxing film, however, the results are mediocre, at best. The ring strategies being employed are murky, to say the least, and I sympathize with non-fans trying to grasp these plot points. On the other hand, the performers shine, especially Morris and Davis. Too bad war hero Morris died prematurely at only 45. Despite appearing in a couple winners in the 1950's (Paths of Glory {1957} and Plunder Road {1957}), this I think remains his showcase. Anyway, fans of 30's WB flicks should find many attractions.

Boxing promoter Nick Donati (Edward G. Robinson) dumps his fighter who loses in a fight rigged by gangster Turkey Morgan (Humphrey Bogart). Nick and girlfriend Louise 'Fluff' Phillips (Bette Davis) decide to throw a big party with what's left of their money. Turkey crashes the party with his gang. A jealous Turkey starts picking on naive hotel bellhop Ward Guisenberry (Wayne Morris). Turkey's boxer McGraw manhandles Fluff and Ward puts him down with one punch. Nick sets up a match between Ward and McGraw's brother. The inexperienced Ward is losing until he wins with one big punch. While training at the Donati farm, Nick's sister Marie and Ward secretly falls for each other despite Nick's disapproval. He starts fighting for Nick as Kid Galahad.This is a solid boxing movie with all the corruption and the media. Robinson and Bogart are big personalities worthy of being fight promoters. Wayne Morris is a bit of white toast although it fits his character. Everything is great except for the boxing. The boxing is very much of its times and lacks the kinetic energy of a modern movie. It's still fun to see guys wack each other over the head.

When bellhop Wayne Morris knocks out a heavyweight contender, boxing promoter Edward G. Robinson dubs him Kid Galahad and decides to make a champion out of him. But when Robinson's girlfriend Bette Davis falls for Morris and Morris falls for Robinson's kid sister Jane Bryan, it causes the promoter to turn against his protégé.Good sports drama from Warner Bros. with three big name stars, two of which were still on their way up. Edward G. Robinson's terrific in a role he plays with ease. Bette Davis is likable and sexy in the kind of role she hated playing. Humphrey Bogart plays one of his patented gangster characters. He's always fun. Harry Carey, Sr. is wonderful in a supporting role. First big role for Wayne Morris, who never reached the heights WB groomed him for. He's very likable in an "aww shucks" way. Remade in 1941 as a circus movie, The Wagons Roll At Night, with Bogart tackling the Robinson role. Remade again as an Elvis musical in 1962, probably the most famous of the three. This one's my favorite, though, with all the wonderful flavor WB urban dramas had in the 1930s. Nice boxing scenes and enjoyable characters make it a good one.