Gentleman Jim

Gentleman Jim
1942 - Warner Brothers
Directed By Raoul Walsh



SYNOPSIS

The outspoken Jim Corbett (Errol Flynn)is a bank teller, but wants to become a prize fighter. Soon he's invited to join an athletic club where he soon proves his talent. After many hard-fought battles Corbet faces John L. Sullivan (Ward Bond,) the heavyweight champion of the world!



MY THOUGHTS

Released at the height of World War II, Gentleman Jim is perfect war-time entertainment. The film takes you to a different place filled with many colorful characters and is a whole lot of fun. Plenty of excitement to forget your worries.

Raoul Walsh had been directing films for nearly 30 years by this film's release... and had a master's touch. He used all of his tools to tell the tale (with many liberties) of the legendary 19th century boxer 'Gentleman Jim' Corbett.

The biggest visual treat is the fight scenes. Each fight sequence builds upon the last and becomes more ambitious and thrilling. The camera angles and quick editing help to generate more excitement than fights in most boxing films. In my opinion, boxing is the sport that best translates to film, and these fights show why.

Even when not in the ring, the film benefits from perfect pacing. It never drags as we travel from city to city watching Corbett's rise.

Jim Corbett is a character which would easily come off as a very unlikeable ass, if not for Errol Flynn's portrayal. He balances the ever-growing ego with a sense of good cheer that makes him hard to hate, even though many characters dislike him.

Alexis Smith's character is one. Her love/hate relationship with Corbett is much more fun and far more interesting than the usual bland 'devoted girlfriend/wife' type that's usually the norm sports films.

John L. Sullivan, played by Ward Bond, is Corbett's equal in the ring and in the insanely large ego department. Bond is hilarious in his tough guy role... and also touching in his final scene. It's a shame he doesn't have more screen time.

The rest of the cast is rounded out by many familiar faces of the Warner Brothers stock company.

Gentleman Jim is light entertainment. Several social issues do get brought up, like class struggles, but these are left in the background of the story. The film exists solely to entertain. And it does a very good job.