Kid Galahad

I'm kind of disappointed that I didn't send in my comments after I saw this film. This was an extremely enjoyable film. As a fan of Edward G. Robinson, I can say with great enthusiasm that he doesn't disappoint. Bette Davis is up to her smart-as-a-whip self which makes it even more entertaining. Humphrey Bogart puts on a role of a scheming man that makes him look better than he already is.

Near the end, the film started to derail a bit and got a bit pointless, but it was all in good taste. It was also well-directed with Michael Curtiz at the helm. I couldn't imagine anyone else directing this. Boxing fans and movie buffs, see this film immediately. This is one film you will not want to miss.

This was certainly not the most original movie made by Warner Brothers, but it was an excellent showcase for the talents of Edward G. Robinson and cast. It's a perfect example of the type of film this company made so well in the 1930s--a simple and predictable story combined with excellent dialog and acting and breezy direction. While this story will not change the world, it is well worth the watching. By the way, this story has been remade several times---such as THE WAGONS ROLL AT MIDNIGHT (with Humphrey Bogart taking on the Edward G. Robineson part and Eddie Albert playing a lion tamer instead of a boxer) and KID GALAHAD (with Elvis). None of these films are quite as satisfying as this film. So my advice is, if you only want to see one, watch this one.

A commiseration party after a loss, leads to conflict where a bellhop gets quite cross, goes toe to toe with Turkey's lad, then gets the name Galahad, it's not too long before he has a brand new boss; who then puts him through the ring to fight and maul, this pugilist is handsome and he's tall, a trip to the countryside, he finds a girl to make a bride, but there's one whose eyes with tears cascade and fall; then a chance to fight to become champion, the crowds are buzzing this will be a great dingdong, but the tactics just confuse, you're set up to fail and lose, has the promise and potential, all gone wrong.

Kid Galahad (1937)

*** (out of 4)

Edward G. Robinson plays fight promoter Nick Donati who thinks he has found a fighter (Wayne Morris) he can take to the Championship. The only trouble is Nick's hot tempered anger, which gets him in trouble with his girlfriend (Bette Davis) and a gangster (Humphrey Bogart) who he double crosses. Not to mention his anger when the fighter begins to date his sister (Jane Bryan). This drama from Warner plays a little too long but there's no denying the extreme fun it contains due to the three legends appearing together as well as the strong supporting cast. The story is pretty predictable if you've seen any of the 30's boxing pictures but then again the genre had pretty much wore itself out in terms of plot details by the end of the silent era. With that said, the story here of a hot tempered manager makes for some nice drama but the story isn't what's going to bring people to this movie. Seeing Robinson, Davis and Bogart together is where the fun is at and the reason why people will be drawn to this film. It's rather strange that the Elvis remake was more popular than this one for sometime but I'm going to guess that was due to this one not being available for so many decades. Robinson turns in a good performance but it's certainly not among his best. Bogart is a lot of fun in his supporting role as the tough gangster. Davis nearly steals the film and delivers a very good performance as the woman always having to keep Robinson's temperature down. The real surprise comes from Bryan and Morris who are perfect together and steal the show in the end. Film buffs might not find too many original ideas here but that doesn't really matter due to the wonderful cast being held together by the strong direction of Curtiz.

It's always hilarious today to see films where people like Lucille Ball and Bette Davis, whose voices are so familiar to audiences, are dubbed when singing. Bette's night club number in a rich contralto is a jarring moment in this movie.

"Kid Galahad" is a 1937 film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring part of the excellent Warners roster: Edward G. Robinson, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Jane Bryan, and Wayne Morris. Morris is a hunky bellboy, nicknamed "Kid Galahad," made into a champion boxer by manager Nick Donati (Robinson); he falls for Robinson's pretty sister Marie(Bryan). Meanwhile, Robinson's girlfriend Louise (Davis) has fallen for Morris herself.

Predictable drama, but the cast is terrific and the film moves very quickly. Everyone is terrific. Bogart was not yet a star, and is effective as Robinson's nemesis, Turkey.

Obviously Warners loved this story - it was remade as The Wagons Roll at Night and later as a vehicle for Elvis.

Boxing stories have always been great film fodder. There isn't anything exceptional about "Kid Galahad" except its cast, and you're sure not going to see the likes of them again.