Der freche Kavalier

If you like Flynn, Jack Carson, Alan Hale, Alexis Smith, William Frawley and/or Ward Bond, then this is the film for you. This film is a biopic about the boxer, James "Gentleman Jim" J. Corbett, who was one of the first boxers to fight under the modern boxing rules. This film deals with his ascent to stardom, courtesy of his brash cockiness and natural talent as a boxer. Carson portrays his less attractive friend who enjoys the perks involved in being friends with a star. Hale is his Irish father who is hilarious.

Smith plays a woman whom Flynn courts throughout the entire film. She pretends to loathe him, mostly because of his arrogance, but throughout the film, you can tell that she's got the hots for him (and who wouldn't?) even though she tries to suppress it. Frawley is Flynn's boxing manager who tries to keep him a serious boxer, but struggles at times. Finally Bond plays John Sullivan, the reigning heavyweight boxing champion who Flynn ends up challenging. Their fight is the climax of the film. There's a very touching scene between Flynn and Bond at the end of the film. It's followed by a very funny scene involving Hale and Carson. Highly recommended. Even if you're not a boxing fan, you'll find this film enjoyable. Flynn so effortlessly makes his "cock of the walk" character utterly charming. In lesser hands the part of Jim Corbett could have easily become obnoxious, but Flynn's personality and charisma makes the audience root for his character.

Errol Flynn and Ward Bond are perfect examples of how successful an actor can be without one second of acting school classes/workshops. Both were absolute naturals. Why was Flynn one of the biggest stars of his time? He had not only the physical ability to handle any role he undertook, he had the subtle skill to make the role totally believeable. As Gentleman Jim Corbett, heavyweight champion from Sept., 1892 until his startling loss to the inferior Bob Fitzsimmons, March, 1897, Flynn certainly had the physicality to make himself appear as a "real" heavyweight champion, albeit of the sport's prehistoric era. As well, the Flynn personality---very much evident in all of his film vehicles---brings color to his roles. Here, as Corbett, Flynn perfectly captures the rogueish, dapper, likeable former champion. And he is able to match the Corbett boxing style. As for Bond, he absolutely matches Flynn's portrayal. As the blustery but good-natured John L. Sullivan, Bond likewise brings both the physicality and personality that made "The Boston Strong Boy" the Babe Ruth of his sports period. In the climax of the film, after Corbett has taken his title via a 21st round knockout, Sullivan appears at Corbett's victory party. Instead of berating his ring conqueror, Bond's Sullivan warmly and sincerely congratulates him...earning everyone's admiration, on the screen and bringing moistness to the eyes of viewers. It is a tragedy that both Flynn and Bond died prematurely. "Gentleman Jim" is a must for all sports fans, not just those who enjoy boxing. It is a thoroughly enjoyable story, with a solid cast throughout. A bit of trivia about Corbett: in 1926, he was brought in to the training camp, as an advisor, to Gene Tunney before the first fight with Jack Dempsey. Though Corbett was almost 60, he actually sparred with the 28-year old Tunney. Gene later reported that even an elderly Corbett gave him more trouble than most of his actual opponents. In fact, Corbett---because of his success during the Tunney sparring sessions---actually considered a comeback but ultimately rejected the notion.

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.

You're going to want to rent this movie to see Errol Flynn as a boxer. He has plenty of sweaty, shirtless scenes to keep you satisfied, but believe it or not, those scenes won't be the ones that keep you coming back to this movie over and over again. Yes, he's adorable, but it's Ward Bond who steals the show. He plays "John L. Sullivan himself", the champion boxer Errol hopes to beat. Not only does he put on a hilarious Irish accent and bare all in his own boxing scenes, but he sinks his teeth in the meaty, emotional role. In my favorite scene, Errol challenges him to a fight by insulting his age and virility, and Ward loses his temper, while making sure to finish his meal. You'd never guess that Ward Bond could steal the spotlight away from the incomparable Errol Flynn, but he does.

Back to the lead, though: Errol comes from a poor background, and he often gets into fistfights. When he learns he can make money from boxing, he makes it his mission to become a gentleman. Alan Hale, usually Errol's sidekick, gets to play his loud and proud father. Alexis Smith is the snooty love interest who sees his poor background through his tuxedo. How does it turn out for the boxers? You'll have to watch this adorable, entertaining '40s flick to find out.

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.