alexanderdavies-99382
Errol Flynn was born to play the real life boxer James J. Corbett. He brings a good deal of enthusiasm and energy to the role and is well cast. The release of "Gentleman Jim" was rushed after "Warner Bros" got a bit worried over the headlines regarding the trouble Errol Flynn was in at the time. As it happens, the film did very well at the box office. The story follows Corbett ascending the career ladder as a prize fighter after starting out in bare knuckle brawls. The studio really achieve capturing the setting of "Gentleman Jim." The gas lamps, the way the characters look and dress, the way of life, it is all here. The filming had to be halted for a while after Flynn suffered a heart attack whilst filming the boxing scene with Ward Bond. The latter is great as John L. Sullivan and Alan Hale gives his usual solid support. Alexis Smith does well as the lady who doesn't particularly care for Flynn's rather brash and cocky attitude. All the boxing scenes are well done.
DKosty123
All through cinema history, it seems Boxing makes a great subject for movies. This Bio of Gentlemen Jim Corbett is no exception. Erroll Flynn is in top form in the title role despite health problems. Alexis Smith is solid as the love interest. William Frawley is not given a lot as his manager but does well with what he has.There's plenty of frolic around as Corbett fights his way through many to meet the great John L Sullivan in a fight considered the fight of the century when it happened. Alan Hale Sr. is Corbett's dad. This boxing epic directed by Raoul Walsh is as good as they come in this era.Warner Brothers was gearing up for war movies when they released this one and it is a solid effort all around. Well worth watching.
bigverybadtom
First, I admit I cannot comment on how this movie compares with the real story of Jim Corbett. Very likely, it is akin to the 1962 movie "Lawrence Of Arabia", which had little to do with the actual story of Thomas E. Lawrence, but was still acclaimed for its entertainment value. I assume this movie had the same idea-a fictionalized version of the story of the title boxer. Of course I've long expected that from Hollywood.So how is it as a movie? We begin by seeing an illegal match attended by a crowd, including a respectable judge-oooh! But then the Olympic Club, a local elite establishment, decides to use the new Marquis of Queensbury boxing rules to make boxing into a respectable sport, and Jim Corbett, a bank clerk who had come to make a delivery, is chosen to be a new boxer under the new rules. He does well, but Corbett's aggressiveness and egotism get the club members upset. At home, Jim gets into fights with his brothers, and all the locals come look every time this occurs (hence the phrase).Corbett earns fame and fortune, and shares his wealth with his family, but he still wants to be a world champion. John L. Sullivan was his childhood idol from the last boxing generation-will he end up in a fight with him, and how would it go?Great performances by the entire all-star cast and no wasted moments make the film entertaining for everybody.
vincentlynch-moonoi
It appears that, like many biopics of the era, this one has little in common with the true story of Gentleman Jim Corbett. But who cares? This is a wonderfully entertaining flick! And, it's sadly interesting that Errol Flynn had a mild heart attack during the filming.The movie begins in San Francisco before the turn of the century. Boxing is illegal, but of course, that doesn't stop it from taking place. James J. Corbett (Flynn) plays an irrepressible bank teller who likes attending fights. Through a series of coincidences, following a raid on a boxing match he is invited to join an upper class men's club, though he and his family are decidedly not upper class. His brassy attitude annoys some members of the club, and they arrange a boxing match for him with the former champion of England. He wins. And slowly he boxes more and more leading fighters...all the time having his eye on Alexis Smith, who has the same feelings, although she doesn't yet realize it. William Frawley plays his manager, who eventually gets him a fight with the world champion -- John L. Sullivan (Ward Bond). Corbett beats Sullivan and wins Alexis Smith.There are solid performances by all the principals in this film. Errol Flynn is...well...Errol Flynn, but he gives a great performance and is particularly well understated in the climax of the film -- the meeting with John L. Sullivan after Corbett has defeated him. Alexis Smith is wonderful as the romantic interest. Ward Bond is superb as John L. Sullivan...always an underrated actor. Alan Hale, Sr. is great as Crobett's father. Jack Carson must have felt cheated; although he got third billing, his role was very minor. And, there are a whole group of character actors you'll recognize...my favorite being Minor Watson (father of the child actor). William Frawley is the usual as the fight manager.Recommended for great, if not accurate, entertainment, with some great boxing scenes.
AD
