The Big Chance

Boring, workmanlike programmer boxing film fails to deliver on its punches. Not that it doesn't try to dump buckets of melodrama on the masses, but the boxing footage sucks, there's no star in sight (except Rooney, who's very touchy-feely with all the boxers for a spunky little boy!) and the prevailing mood is drek. Standard mobsters inspire the boxer to make the usual decision to win the "big fight" despite the fix, although in this case there's no consequence to the boxer. A loser.

A self-described "fall guy for a lot of crooked promoters," handsome welterweight boxer John Darrow (as Frankie "Knockout" Morgan) specializes in winning fixed bouts, for crooked manager Matthew Betz (as "Flash" McQuaid). While training, Mr. Darrow meets attractive Merna Kennedy (as Mary Wilson) through her hero-worshiping little brother Mickey Rooney (as Arthur). A romance with sweet, church-going Ms. Kennedy inspires Darrow to change his outlook on throwing the championship fight, which understandably irks Mr. Betz and his gang. Will it all work out by the closing clinch?

"The Big Chance" may lack punch as a picture, but it provided a few of the participants with some good experience. A likable champ, Darrow later became an agent. A fetching woman, Kennedy married big-time musical director Busby Berkeley. Described herein as 4'6" tall, Rooney grew into much bigger star. Helping Darrow train, and dry off after his shower, is veteran "Keystone Kop" comic Hank Mann (as "Tugboat"). J. Carrol Naish appears in the opening credits, but he not in the film; probably, Mr. Naish was replaced by Frank LaRue (uncredited as John Wilson, Mary's father).

**** The Big Chance (8/29/33) Albert Herman ~ John Darrow, Merna Kennedy, Hank Mann, Mickey Rooney

This film contains a lot of delights. Seeing Mickey Rooney, four or five years before hitting the big time in the Andy Hardy series, is fun. I also enjoyed Hank Mann as the sidekick. He was terrific in Charlie Chaplin's "City Lights" two years before. His boxing scene with Chaplin may be the funniest fight scene in any movie. He doesn't have much to do in this movie, but he does add nice comic touches. There are a lot of rural shots that are a bit unusual for the time period. Many early talkies were bogged down in the studio due to the heavy cameras and poor microphones of the time, but this seems to enjoy a silent movie freedom of camera movement. The lead, John Darrow is quite handsome and charming. He really could have been another James Cagney if the breaks had gone his way.

There is only one real fight scene in the movie. It is obviously edited with some documentary footage, but it is reasonably well done. The movie is pretty gentle, even with its gangster/fixed fight sub theme. The romance is really the key element here and Darrow and Merna Kennedy make a really nice couple. There seems to be some genuine affection or seduction going on between them.

At only an hour's running time, this is certainly no epic, but it moves well and is an entertaining quickie. I recommend it for those who enjoy golden age movie making.

This is a production of the Morris Shiller Company—a minor entity indeed. However, in the opening credits I saw two reasons to stick with the film—Mickey Rooney (in one of his earliest roles) and J. Carroll Naish—two actors that can almost make anything worth watching---well, maybe not this one! The film begins with a fixed boxing match. I was surprised that although they did film footage of a fight, they also used stock footage in a clumsy attempt to cut costs. From here, the story becomes a pretty standard film about the boxer falling in love with a sweet girl and wanting to give up his crooked life. Naturally his 'friends' don't like this and eventually resort to a kidnapping to keep the boxer in their clutches. But, naturally, by the end all is swell.

The problem with this film is that it just isn't particularly exciting to watch—a definite problem with a boxing film. Poor acting and a sluggish plot don't help any and it's a pretty much forgettable film aside from Rooney. As for Naish, well, he did go on to better things.

The Big Chance were it not for the presence of 13 year old Mickey Rooney in a supporting role would have been consigned to the Hollywood dustbin years ago. The film was produced by a poverty row outfit called Eagle Studios and it shows.

Johnny Darrow who plays the lead is a young boxer who's being built up as a contender by a crooked promoter with a series of set up wins. The promoter Matthew Betz has it in mind that Darrow get a match with the champion and then it would be Darrow's turn to dive. Just make it all look good.

Things do go awry when Darrow meets and falls for country girl Merna Kennedy who starts keeping company with him even though she has a bible beating father who when he first meets Darrow objects to him doing road work on the Sabbath. Kennedy's younger brother Mickey Rooney comes to idolize Darrow as well, all of these people not realizing Darrow is not on the up and up.

The Big Chance will follow in the normal parameters of boxing films. If this had been done at Warner Brothers James Cagney would have been the star. Its lack of production values don't warrant it given much of a rating. However with the presence of the eternal Mick in the cast The Big Chance will be preserved and seen for generations.