Customer Reviews

Kid Galahad

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There is no doubt that the films of Warner Brothers are the films of the thirties which stand up best today. The reason is simple - they had the best actors (note actors not film stars) and their stories were generally pungent and exciting. "Kid Galahad" is an excellent example. Released in 1937, Edward G. Robinson stars as a prize fight manager who discovers bellhop Wayne Morris and puts him on top.

The film works on a number of levels - exciting prize fight yarn with plenty of action; gangster film with rival manager Humphrey Bogart slugging it out with Robinson at the end of the film; emotional melodrama concerning Bette Davis's role as Robinson's girlfriend. This film was one of the transition films after Davis had fought Warner's in the court, lost and returned to work with new found respect but before she became a box office superstar in her own right. She adds her electric ability to her role creating a 3 dimensional woman who falls for Morris, leaves Robinson because of her sense of honour and befriends Morris's girlfriend Jane Bryan. The interplay between the women has unexpected depth. Also, Davis is very attractive in this one; slim and wearing some very provocative clothes.

The print is only OK with intermittant vertical lines at times but there is an unusually comprehensive set of extras. The "Warner's Night at the Movies" includes a pleasant musical Vitaphone short, a pointless newsreel showing a printing press endlessly generating posters advertising rewards for hardened criminals, a "True Adventure" short film about an unemployed man hopping the freight trains, landing in town and being mistaken as a murderer and 3 vintage cartoons which lack the sharp humour of other Warner's cartoons. The best feature is the commentary shared between 2 erudite historians. They excellently balance information about the filming techniques (Michael Curtiz directed), the performers, the ethnic references and the studio.

This is an excellent package and can be obtained as part of the 4th Warner's Gangster Collection.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents "KID GALAHAD" (1937) (101 min/B&W) (Fully Restored/Dolby Digitally Remastered) -- Starring Edward G. Robinson, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Wayne Morris, Jane Bryan & Harry Carey

Directed by Michael Curtiz

Another little gem from the 1930s--a simple and predictable story combined with excellent dialog, acting and breezy direction. Edward G. Robinson is in top form here in a role that allows him to portray his less sinister side; the scene in which he visits his mother and talks to her at length in Italian are genuinely charming.

Bogey has a smaller but no less important role in his manipulative handling of the champion McGraw and his rivalry with Nick Donati (Robinson). And it's a pleasure to watch Bette Davis use her "Bette Davis Eyes" in scenes with Nick.

The talented trio of Robinson, Bogart and Davis, who could ask for anything more, from the stable of Warner Bros. Pictures.

Boxing fans and movie buffs, catch this one, not to be missed.

BIOS:
1. Michael Curtiz [aka: Manó Kertész Kaminer] [Director]
Date of Birth: 24 December 1886 - Budapest, Austria-Hungary (now Hungary)
Date of Death: 10 April 1962 - Hollywood, California

2. Edward G. Robinson [aka: Emmanuel Goldenberg]
Date of Birth: 12 December 1893 - Bucharest, Romania
Date of Death: 26 January 1973 - Hollywood, California

3. Humphrey Bogart
Date of Birth: 25 December 1899 - New York City, New York
Date of Death: 14 January 1957 - Los Angeles, California

4. Bette Davis [aka: Ruth Elizabeth Davis]
Date of Birth: 5 April 1908 - Lowell, Massachusetts
Date of Death: 6 October 1989 - Neuilly, France

Mr. Jim's Ratings:
Quality of Picture & Sound: 4 Stars
Performance: 4 Stars
Story & Screenplay: 4 Stars
Overall: 4 Stars [Original Music, Cinematography & Film Editing]

Total Time: 101 min on DVD ~ Warner Bros. Pictures ~ (01/25/2005)

Good warner bro. gangster -boxing movie,Bette Davis sexyer than usual,Bogart his usual rat self in this era of his career.No one made better fast paced movies in this era then WB!

When you bring together such talent as the peerless Edward Robinson, beautiful Bette Davis and dashing Humphrey Bogart, the result has to be good. Michael Curtiz, who made the classic Casablanca (1942) with Boogey, Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), Angels with Dirty Faces (1938) with Jimmy Cagney, Mildred Pierce (1945) with Joan Crawford and the terrific Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) (better than Russel Crow's and Kevin Costner put together), is among the pantheon of great directors from Classic Hollywood. This A-team has come together for Kid Galahad, in what would be another sweet performance from the little giant, Ed G.

Edward Robinson, once again proves that he has no match when it comes to playing snarling, vicious gangster roles. Time and again, he donned such a role with panache, verve and chutzpah. Wayne Morris, plays the affable farm-boy bellhop, Galahad, who accidentally turns into a prize fighter. Ed G's character Nicky, a mobster/boxing operator, runs a successful racket of fixing boxing matches. Bogart's Morgan, is a fellow racketeer and a thorn in the flesh of Nicky. Nicky's arm-candy Fluff, (Bette Davis) takes an instant liking to the chivalrous Galahad, who turns violent at the sight of women being mistreated. Galahad has the looks, the physique and the charm to ace any girl he likes but he does not fall for Fluff. Instead he goes for Nicky's baby sister Marie, much to the chagrin of Nicky. On contract with Nicky, Galahad keeps winning title after title until the final countdown for World Championship begins. Morgan, who is obviously pissed that Nicky's boy is winning everything pits his ace fighter against Galahad. Upset with his own protegee for falling in love with his sister, Nicky fixes this match and tries to makes Galahad lose the the fight. He even gives wrong suggestion to Galahad putting him in peril. Fluff, who by this times falls knee-deep for Galahad cannot bear this. She ropes in Marie and together they try to change Nicky's heart. What ensues is a slightly predictable yet satisfying finale when we understand that Nicky may not be the bad fellow we thought him to be.

I did not let my little giant bias come in the way of this review. I have seen scores of Edward Robinson's movies, recently bought his autobiography and am an active member of his fan-site on FaceBook. While Kid Galahad might not be up there with his other notable works, it is still a fine film. True Edward Robinson fans, should not miss this. There are various classic scenes of the little giant in this trademark gangster role. But the look on his face when Galahad is getting beaten to pulp is priceless. It shows the shock he feels at his own evil self. Bogart paired up with Ed G for a total of 5 films, of which a majority were made before Bogart became a bigger star than Edward Robinson. To watch Edward Robinson, Bette Davies and Bogart together is a treat in itself. This is a straight-up classic drama with some great moments. Although not as fine as some other movies of Curtiz, this has to be in his top quartile. 8 uppercuts out of 10.

This movie is a great classic that I was happy to add to our collection. Product shipped quickly and arrived in great condition.