World in My Corner

Jesse Hibbs began his career as an assistant director from 1937 to 1953. Then he became cinema director during 1953 and 1958 and directed 11 movies , 6 with Audie Murphy : 3 westerns, 1 comedy, 1 war autobiography and this box drama that has already been done in other movies in a far better way. Because "World In My Corner" is really flat with no punchy rhythm, the worse for a box movie. Absolutely no inventive direction and cinematography, even during the fights. Forgettable.

What strikes me is that despite every opportunity, the director never managed to give this movie that extra something that would have made it better. As for why that happened one can only speculate. A lack of interest and engagement comes to mind. It even looks like the director was going through the motions without the aim of telling this story in a grand manner. The result is a watchable but pretty predictable movie that never really catches on. Was he directing this film as a tedious task he did not really want to do? The acting is not very convincing, and a feeling of boredom creeps in. The actors sure had more potential, and some boxing scenes are pretty good, but that does not help the movie get the perspective and level it needs. Just compare it to the Rocky movies and you see what I mean.

Tommy Shea (Audie Murphy) is a boxer from the slump. Wealthy businessman Robert T. Mallinson (Jeff Morrow) is unsure, but has a sparing match with him. He gives the driven young boxer a chance with veteran trainer Dave Bernstein (John McIntire) at his estate. He falls for Mallinson's daughter Dorothy (Barbara Rush). She wants to escape her father, but he has no money.

I've never been a big fan of Audie Murphy's acting. He derives his powers from other avenues. I don't get the same jolt as those of that generation. He's alright in a sincere little guy punching above his weight. That actually fits this role. I'm just not that invested in the romance although I buy his motivations. This is a marginal case.

Routine. Standard. Flat. Marginal. Yeah, I'd say the majority of my fourteen, esteemed IMDB colleagues below have this 1956 boxing flic pegged just about right. Nearly everything about it...the fight scenes, the cinematography, the acting of Audie Murphy and Barbara Rush, the dialogue by someone named Sher...screams "mediocrity!" Occasionally, there are flashes of interest, like a smarmy study in toxic wealth by an actor with whom I'm not familiar but soon hope to be, Jeff Morrow. Or real life pugilist Chico Vejar who turns in the film's best, most natural acting job. But just as often the film slips below the ho hum line into the land of serious boredom as in those interminable love scenes between the two leads. Solid C.

PS... Murphy's character says he's Jersey, but every time he opens his mouth I hear Longhorn.

Occasionally Universal Pictures let Audie Murphy do some work other than westerns. I'm sure he was grateful for the change of scenery and pace and a chance to vary his roles. Rural Texas country kid Murphy does quite well in World In My Corner as an aspiring young boxer from the mean streets of Jersey City.

Getting laid off from a job means that Murphy has to give his all to a boxing career. He's unpolished, but has the instinct. Two people take an interest in him, millionaire sportsman Jeff Morrow and old time fight manager John McIntire. And Murphy takes an interest in Morrow's daughter Barbara Rush.

The conflict in this film is whether Murphy will keep his integrity or turn himself over to racketeer promoter Howard St.John. When this film came out there were rumblings about organized crime's involvement in boxing and soon it would come out at the Senate rackets committee hearings.

World In My Corner has Murphy getting the most of what boxing could give him. But he pays a heavy price for it.

As you can see a great cast of players back Murphy in this film. I would also include Tommy Rall in a non-musical role as one of Murphy's friends from Jersey City. He's quite a conniver, but does show he's Murphy's friend in the end.

A very nicely done boxing film that gets too little attention.